Nancy French, you will be missed!

In her own words, Nancy French “pretty much grew up at the HAH”.  Beginning her career at just 16, Nancy remains one of the few team members to have firsthand stories of days with our founder, Dr. Dee Sr. 

 Starting in our kennels and then advancing to become Dr. Jon’s lead surgical technician could have been a career in and of itself. However, in 2006, Nancy took on yet another challenge and stepped into the role of our practice manager. As Manager, Nancy embraced our hospital’s culture of community service and our drive to provide the best in cutting edge medical care.

Developing standards and traditions that have stood the test of time, Nancy leaves a blueprint for us to continue her work, to mirror her ethics, and to share her love for pets and people. Nancy has ensured her legacy in the history of VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital and we are a better practice because of her leadership. 

Watch this video to see the VCA Hollywood antics as we officially bid Nancy farewell! 

It is with great sadness and great excitement that we wish Nancy French good luck and much love as she embarks on a new life journey.

After 45 years of service to our hospital and our community, Nancy has chosen to retire. She will be missed.

As she begins this chapter, we congratulate her on her new role as full-time, wife, grandma, and friend. We wish for her clear roads for travel, steady waters for kayaking, and wee-wee pads for her new puppy. 

Dr. James, you will be missed!!!

After 45 years of practice, Dr. James Dee has decided to retire.

Please know that the doctors at VCA HAH are extraordinary and our team here is second to none. I have no doubt that they will continue to provide stellar and compassionate care for you and your pets for many years to come. It is with deep sadness that we wish Dr. James farewell, but we take solace in the fact that his retirement is well deserved and his standard of hard work and caring will forever be a part of the DNA of this practice. Whether to staff, client, family or friend, Dr. James’ impact on each of us was profound and we are grateful for his part in building the VCA HAH. We wish Dr. James wonderful new adventures, full of all of the joys in the world and we welcome him back anytime for a visit and a laugh! A message from Dr. James. To the clients and staff of VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital - It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital; the place I have called home since I was a kid.   When I walked across the stage at Auburn University in 1972 and received my diploma, I can honestly say I did not realize the profound impact my career and the 45 years I spent at HAH would have on my life.  Along with my brothers Dr. Larry and Dr. Jon, and our partners Dr. Sessa and Dr. Herrington, it was an honor and a privilege to serve as an owner of Hollywood Animal Hospital.  What’s more, having the opportunity to practice quality family medicine with my father, Dr. Clarence Dee (who cofounded Hollywood Animal Hospital in 1947) and mother Lucille Dee, was an experience of a lifetime.   I would not trade those years for anything in the world and they have shaped me into the man, and veterinarian, I am today.  Additionally, I have worked alongside some exceptional folks – people I truly consider family. Together we have laughed, cried, supported each other, as well as our clients, as we navigated through some rough waters, hunkered down through many a  hurricane, watched generations (2 and 4 legged!) mature and grow.  The list is endless and I have nothing but fond memories of my years in practice. Now, this goes without saying, but in my eyes the clients of Hollywood Animal Hospital are the cream of the crop! I have met so many magnificent, kind hearted people who have entrusted me to do the very best by their pets.  I will miss you all more than I can ever express to you.  Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.  I will keep each and every one of you close to my heart. Warmest regards, Dr. James Dee

Dr. Sessa, you will be missed!!!!!!

Joining our family 28 years ago, Dr. Tom Sessa has spent a lifetime serving our pet community. Today, we bid him farewell.

As an iconic member of our practice, Dr. Sessa has touched the lives of not only the animals he has cared for but the clients, the colleagues and the staff with which he has shared his time. There will never be another soul quite like Dr. Sessa and his legendary "magic touch" will remain alive in the many lessons he has passed on during his practice.  


A message from Dr. Sessa:

To my dearly loved co-workers, clients, patients, and friends -
As many of you know, over the past couple of years I’ve experienced some medical setbacks.  Due to these issues, as of September 1, 2017, I will no longer be an employee of VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital.
I want to take a moment to thank you for the honor and privilege it has been to serve you these past 28 years. I have such fond memories of my time at Hollywood Animal Hospital, and it is with great sadness that I bid you farewell.

To my clients, you are like no other!  From trusting me to care for your new four legged babies, to crying with you as you had to say goodbye (and everything in between)...I will cherish each and every one of those experiences.   The friendships I’ve forged with some of you are lifelong, and I am eternally grateful for the loyalty and faith you all have had in me over the years.
To the staff, it is difficult to put into words how fond I am of you all.  Over the years I have worked with some of the most compassionate, devoted, and talented people – we will always be one big family.

Now, with great sadness, it is time for me to end this journey with you.  I can’t thank you all enough for allowing me into your lives.  While I will miss not being able to see you and care for your pets, I have complete confidence in the abilities of the doctors and staff at VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital.

My best wishes to you all and God bless –

Dr. Tom Sessa

Caring for the officers that care for us!! #familymembers

VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital is proud to share our inaugural partnership with the Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County Retired K9 Officers Healthcare Fund (RK9OHF) to raise money for the coverage of veterinary care costs to canine police officers that have worked to protect our S. Florida community.

In retirement, canine officers often live out their years in comfort with their handlers, or partners. Yet, after a career of service these officers are prone to advance orthopedic and service related conditions in addition to issues associated with simply being a senior pet. Typically, there is no financial support for these officers after retirement.

It is the belief of the RK9OHF that the cost of healthcare should be supplemented. The Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County could not agree more.  As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that collects and manages donations to memorial/ healthcare funds, training programs, education programs and other local nonprofit organizations the Retried K9 Officer Healthcare Fund seemed a perfect extension of their mission. 

 

Under the supervision of the Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County, the RK9OHF and VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital provide the best in wellness care to these officers and cover a portion of those costs.

With this partnership, retired K9 officers receive preventative care from VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital at a negotiated rate and the RK9OHF cover a portion of those fees. Total cost to the handler/partner is 35% of the initial bill. 

Please consider donating to the RK9OHF to support our South Florida K9 Police Officers in their retirement.  

Donations can be made directly at VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital

Or by mail at

VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital

c/o Sheriff Foundation of Broward County

Retired K9 Officers Healthcare Fund

2864 Hollywood Blvd

Hollywood, Fl 33020

100% of all donations made to the Retired K9 Officer Healthcare Fund go to the cost of care for these K9 Officers.

For additional information about this fund please phone VCA Hollywood at 954-920-3556, email us at RK9OHF@gmail.com or reach out to the Sheriff Foundation of Broward County at http://sheriffsfoundationofbroward.org/

Retired K9 Officers Healthcare Fund is a 501(c)(3) serving under the supervision of the Sheriff's Foundation of Broward County- 85-8013389700C-0, tax ID# 65-0898338

Dr. Larry, you will be missed!!

 
Thank you, Dr. Larry for your many contributions to our HAH!!
After 48 years of clinical practice, Dr. Larry Dee will be retiring on June 28, 2017. 

Dr. Dee will forever be a part of the fabric of this practice. He has been integral to our growth and development from a small wellness clinic to a 24 hour Emergency, Specialty & Wellness facility. A blueprint of his lifelong commitment to the care of our community is imprinted upon our staff and we will forever honor him with our care. We wish him the best in retirement and thank him for his years of service. 

Dr. Dee has serviced his profession in many ways during his career, serving as president of the Ridge Veterinary Medical Society (Polk County) , the Broward County Veterinary Medical Association, the Florida Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. He served the American Veterinary Medical Association in its House of Delegates for fourteen years, on its American Board of Veterinary Specialties for nine years, and on its Executive Board for six years. He continues to serve on the Board of Directors of “Florida Animal Friends’ (the spay/neuter license plate), on the American Veterinary Medical Foundation as treasurer and as outgoing President of the Hollywood Rotary Club. 

He thanks his clients, patients, colleagues, and the staff of Hollywood Animal Hospital for their trust and friendship, and for allowing him a most enjoyable career. He plans to continue to serve the community in other ways.