Golden Paws Veterinary Services and Housecalls examined Kiki in their mobile vet on a recent visit to Atlantic Shores. Pictured from left are Melissa Halstead, LVT, Dr. Tara Golden and Susanne Lundsgaard. Lee Belote/freelance

Tara Golden, a veteran and veterinarian, has served her country and spent eight years providing compassionate care for animals. Now, the Norfolk resident is serving her community with a veterinary practice on wheels.

She recently opened Golden Paws Veterinary Services and Housecalls, a full mobile veterinary practice tailored for senior assisted living facilities and house calls.

Before her last deployment, both of Dr. Golden’s grandmothers were in senior memory care facilities. She spent many days and nights visiting her grandmas, and saw how residents with pets had a special light about them.

“I noticed that COVID altered the ability for many seniors to go out, and it was harder for them to get veterinary care,” Golden said. “To most seniors, animals are an emotional support, and I knew I wanted to provide quality veterinary care to senior living communities.”

Golden Paws Veterinary Service and Housecalls is a new mobile vet owned by Dr. Tara Golden. The vet clinic on wheels is tailored to go to senior living communities and make house calls. Lee Belote/freelance

Golden’s mobile vet clinic is a 26-foot La Boit Ford E450 named Mary Etna, named after her two grandmas who loved their dogs and cats. The Mary Etna is similar to a brick and mortar vet practice with an exam table, surgical and dental suite, digital X-ray, portable ultrasound, microscope and centrifuge. The mobile unit has a decorative wrap featuring a variety of Dr. Golden’s rescue pets.

The vet on wheels can accommodate all types of appointments ranging from wellness, dental cleanings, cryotherapy and minor illnesses. The sterile surgery suite can perform neuters, mass removals and minor surgical procedures.

Earlier this month, Golden Paws held their official opening at Atlantic Shores, a senior living community in Virginia Beach. They spent several hours seeing eight furry clients. Rosie, a 4-year-old teddy bear mix, had the first appointment of the day. Linda Vande Kolk, Rosie’s owner, said she loved the convenience of having a vet come to Atlantic Shores.

“Dr. Golden was friendly and the service was fast,” said Vande Kolk. “I still drive, but this is so much easier.”

Susanne Lundsgaard, another Atlantic Shores resident, brought Kiki, a 9-year-old Pomeranian, to see Dr. Golden for a wellness visit. Lundgaard was excited about the mobile vet because her previous veterinarian was 30 minutes away.

“This is so convenient, and I’m so impressed with the business and Dr. Golden,” she said. “The mobile setup has everything and is so efficient.”

Golden said her mobile office will also help animals that have anxiety or fear of traveling to a vet clinic. Golden Paws will be available for concierge house calls.

“We have the ability to do most exam procedures and diagnostics in the home if that decreases the stress,” said Golden. “We can perform remaining test procedures in the mobile unit after the exam. This is an invaluable commodity for aging, nervous or hospice pets.”

Golden’s services are available across the Hampton Roads region. See goldenpawsvethousecalls.com for more information.

Lee Belote, jlbelote@verizon.net