Animal hospital expands
Augusta Dr. Ted Spinks, V.M.D. recently started an expansion and total renovation of his Animal Hospital of Sussex County, 169 Route 206 in Augusta. Visible from Route 206, the Craftsman style expansion will double the hospital to 6,400 square feet. The addition will have a fieldstone base, clapboard siding and sunlit cathedral style tower. Spinks is overseeing the project using local contractors. “The local contractors and I have a mutual respect, I care for their pets, they care that my hospital surpasses the standards,” states Spinks. The hospital has followed and, in some areas, surpassed the standards set by the American Animal Hospital Association, according to Spinks. Utilizing natural light, the waiting area will feature spacious windows, seating with nooks for the psychological comfort of animal clients, and a large aquarium. Separate entrance and exits will allow for a safe animal traffic pattern. The existing four examination rooms will increase to seven. There will be a private consultation room with a separate exit for those needing special care. The new surgical suite will have a sealed impervious floor, and laminar air flow from ceiling to floor to whisk away naturally occurring contaminates. The hospital will have the first utra safe Sevo-florane anesthesia protocols in the county. Ultrasounds, EKGs, digital X-rays and endoscopies will continue to be available. The intensive care unit, features oxygen flow confinement areas. It will be equipped with nebulization and oxygen will be produced with an oxygen generator. The ICU will be ready to handle dogs, cats, exotics, avians, reptiles, and other small animals. “I cherish the fact that the hospital has a 3 ½ acre lot, is centrally located in Sussex County and we are able to increase our pet walking area. Surrounded by woodlands and streams, we are in a peaceful area that will never be developed,” states Spinks. The veterinarians cover emergency care, with many years of combined experience. The veterinary technicians are all certified by the State of New Jersey. Spinks is a firm believer in continuing education not only for himself, but also for his associates and staff, keeping the Animal Hospital of Sussex County up to date on the latest medical techniques. In January, The Animal Hospital of Sussex County received the American Animal Hospital Association accreditation for the fifth time since the hospital was founded in 1986. Spinks is a native of Sussex County, graduating from Pope John High School, completing his undergraduate studies at Penn State, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School of Medicine in 1981. Dr. Spinks founded the Animal Hospital of Sussex County after gaining experience in both New York and Pennsylvania clinics. Hospital Administrator, Marge Morozov, is Project Manager of the renovations and new addition.