Serving Pets and Their Parents
PHOTOS BY MADI ELIZABETH
When you connect with Dr. Patricia Mattson or Dr. Lynsey Bennett the conversation will feel more like a heart-to-heart with a friend than simply exchanging vitals with a provider. They will want to hear all about the bond you have with your pet, they will educate new pet parents on ways to keep their beloved animals healthy and they will find common ground that goes beyond just furry friends.
Dr. Mattson, who has been practicing for more than three decades, and Dr. Bennett, the hospital's new associate veterinarian, embody the name on the sign—Companion Animal Hospital—of the service that Mattson opened in Lakeland in 2009.
“When Dr. Bennett came here and started doing some relief work for us she took a genuine interest in the clients, and that’s how I’ve always done it—we treat your pets like family because they are your family,” Mattson says.
“When Dr. Bennett came here and started doing some relief work for us she took a genuine interest in the clients, and that’s how I’ve always done it—we treat your pets like family because they are your family.”
Bennett graduated from Tuskegee University of Veterinary Medicine in 2016 and has worked primarily with small animals. She is an Atlanta native who lived in Tampa with her husband and children until a few years ago when they fell in love with Lakeland. It’s clear when talking to her that she is committed to building long-term relationships with pets and owners by helping them understand their options and providing them with a high level of care, whether it be preventive care or dealing with a medical challenge.
“It is very important for me to be able to get to know people and answer their questions, not just speak in medical jargon,” she says. “I love animals and my goal is to make everyone comfortable so we can provide professional services and people will want to come back.”
The hospital offers everything from wellness exams to microchipping to diagnostic labs and more.
Mattson is keen on staying up on the latest trends and science of the industry, mentioning how she is excited AI is making it possible to detect markers of disease and cancer earlier and how DNA testing of various breeds is fueling meaningful research.
Whether it's a cute little cat like Tippy or lovable dog like Roman, the vets are dedicated to ongoing preventive care as well as addressing emergency situations.
From a practical perspective, her goal is to help pet owners utilize the best medications and procedures to keep their animals healthy as well as keeping them aware of potential hazards, like invasive bufo toads that have been known to cause havoc locally.
“If we don’t know something, we will help you research it, and for things like orthopedic surgery we will tell you a person who would be the right fit for your need,” she says.
Companion became part of the American Veterinary Group in April 2021, which connects the clinic directly with UrgentVet, a walk-in after hours clinic located on Harden Blvd. that is open 365 days per year. This means Companion clients always have a care provider available who knows their pet’s history and who can meet their needs when their primary care provider is closed.