Business Details
15 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Veterinary Care in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Russell Lake Animal Hospital has been dedicated to providing exceptional veterinary care since its establishment. Our team of experienced professionals combines scientific expertise with compassionate treatment to ensure the well-being of pets in Dartmouth and surrounding areas. We offer comprehensive services ranging from routine wellness exams to advanced surgical procedures in a state-of-the-art facility designed for both comfort and efficiency. Our bilingual capabilities in English and French reflect our commitment to serving diverse communities. With Fear Free certified practices, we prioritize minimizing stress for both pets and owners during every visit.Our hospital maintains a fully stocked pharmacy and offers home delivery for medications, ensuring convenience for our clients. Through continuous education and adherence to ethical standards, we maintain our position as a trusted partner in pet healthcare. Our 24/7 emergency services demonstrate our unwavering dedication to animal welfare. We emphasize preventive care through nutritional counseling and parasite control programs tailored to each pet's needs. Our team's extensive experience in both small animal practice and wildlife medicine ensures comprehensive care for all patients.
Services
Veterinary Exams
Pet Vaccinations
Dental Care
Surgical Procedures
Emergency Services
Pharmacy
Microchipping
Pain Management
Senior Pet Care
Nutritional Counseling
Details
- Year established: 2011
Highlights and features
- We offer 24/7 emergency veterinary services with Fear Free certified practices
- Our team includes specialists in internal medicine and wildlife health
- Bilingual English/French veterinary consultations available
- We provide home medication delivery and digital radiography services
- Our hospital maintains AAHA-accredited standards for medical excellence
What people say
Friendly staff
Fear Free certified
24/7 emergency care
Bilingual support
Personalized attention
Services
Veterinary Exams
Our comprehensive wellness exams help detect health issues early. Experienced veterinarians perform thorough physical examinations, review medical history, and recommend preventive care. Regular checkups ensure pets maintain optimal health through tailored vaccination schedules and parasite prevention programs.
Emergency Services
Available 24/7 for critical pet health issues. Our emergency team handles trauma, poisoning, and acute illnesses. Equipped with advanced diagnostic tools and treatment facilities, we provide immediate care for life-threatening conditions while maintaining communication with pet owners.
Dental Care
Preventive and restorative dental treatments maintain oral health. Services include professional cleanings, extractions, and periodontal disease management. Regular dental care prevents systemic infections that could affect vital organs like the heart and kidneys.
Surgical Procedures
From routine spays/neuters to complex surgeries, our facility meets strict safety standards. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork ensures surgical candidates are healthy. Advanced monitoring equipment and post-operative care promote successful recoveries for all surgical patients.
Fear Free Visits
Certified Fear Free practitioners use specialized handling techniques to reduce anxiety. Environmental modifications and positive reinforcement create comfortable experiences. This approach benefits pets with previous traumatic experiences or anxiety-related behavioral issues during veterinary visits.
People
Dr. Adva Barkai-Ronayne
Owner / Veterinarian
Graduated with veterinary degree in 1997 and earned Masters in Wild Animal Health in 2000. Specializes in small animal medicine with experience in emergency care and wildlife health. Founded Russell Lake Animal Hospital to combine advanced medical care with compassionate treatment.
Dr. Rojman Khomayezi
Veterinarian
Completed DVM in 2011 and MSc in Animal Science at Dalhousie University. Former provincial manager for animal welfare inspection programs. Specializes in internal medicine and evidence-based small animal care since joining in 2025.
Lisamarie Risser
Practice Manager
Veterinary industry professional since 2002 with management experience since 2011. Oversees hospital operations with extensive knowledge of animal care practices. Manages team of 12+ veterinary professionals while maintaining client relations.
Katherine Ralph
Client Care Manager
Bachelor of Arts graduate with five years in technology sector customer relations. Combines organizational skills with animal welfare passion. Manages client communications and marketing initiatives while maintaining front-desk operations.
Jen Bozowskyj
Registered Veterinary Technician
Graduated from Algonquin College in 2019 and passed VTNE certification. Specializes in surgical and anesthetic care with focus on low-stress patient handling. Joined team in 2022 after practicing in Ottawa and Eastern Shore regions.
Questions
What veterinary services do you offer?
We provide comprehensive care including wellness exams, vaccinations, dental care, surgery, emergency services, and Fear Free certified visits for cats and dogs.
Do you offer after-hours emergency care?
Yes, our hospital provides 24/7 emergency veterinary services with trained staff available for urgent pet health issues at all times.
Are your staff Fear Free certified?
Yes, we are certified in Low-Stress Restraint and Handling to minimize anxiety for pets during veterinary visits through specialized training and facility design.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept major credit cards, debit cards, and cash payments. Payment is required at the time of service with options for CareCredit financing.
How can I schedule an appointment?
Book appointments online through our website or mobile app, or call us directly at 902-407-4570 during regular business hours.
Do you offer home medication delivery?
Yes, we provide home shipping for prescription medications and offer pickup options at our Dartmouth location for added convenience.
Reviews (4)
Karen Hannam
Jan 24, 2022
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Critical:Professionalism
Very surprised to see your front end clinic staff were incredibly rude, condescending, and unprofessional recently. Used to have excellent staff, so not sure if this was a one off or what happened but I sure hope things improve.
Very surprised to see your front end clinic staff were incredibly rude, condescending, and unprofessional recently. Used to have excellent staff, so not sure if this was a one off or what happened but I sure hope things improve.
Ellie LeBlanc
Jan 13, 2022
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The very best vet I have ever gone to. I have a bullmastiff who has had very bad allergies since birth, went to 4 different vets before this one, they all said the same thing, paid so much to have them send me away with no answers and always the same meds, and she would be just as sick after the meds were done. This vet answered an hour's worth of questions and was so kind. And sent me with an actual plan to make her better, not just a bandaid. Best vet ever ! Highly recommend.
Natasha Munroe
Jan 02, 2022
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All the staff are very nice and knowledgeable. I am very happy with the care that my cats receive every time:)
Stacy Blair
Dec 18, 2021
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Staff is friendly. The reason for the low review is wait time. Everytime I've had an appointment for one of my cats I've had to wait at least 15/20 minutes for someone to even come in the room.. A quick appointment ends up being an hour.
