WhirLocal recently stopped by VCA Parkway Animal Hospital to chat with Dr. Le Blanc. The hospital is part of the VCA network of more than 1,000 hospitals stretching across the United States and Canada. Located at 1610 Old Apex Road in Cary, North Carolina, the hospital provides a full range of services for cats and dogs, including: surgery, orthopedics, radiology, x-rays and ultrasounds, primary care, pet boarding, and pet grooming. VCA truly makes it easy for pet owners to get all the services they need in one place.
We asked Dr. Le Blanc to describe the hospital. “It’s all about combining world class medicine with a hometown feel. Even though we’re a national network, each facility is locally focused and really strives to be a part of the community. And that’s the focus of our practice. There’s only two vets here, Dr. Katie Smith and myself. We get to know our clients on a personal level. And, I don’t think many clinics are able to say that these days, especially larger ones. So we really focus on delivering the best medical services while still keeping that small town feel”.
We asked Dr. Le Blanc if there’s anything she wished the Cary community knew about the services the team at VCA provides. She replied, “First and foremost, we’re a clinic. But, we also offer on-site boarding, and we have a fantastic groomer. People don’t know that until they walk in and see all the services we offer.”
As a relatively new Vet, having joined the VCA team after graduating from NC State Veterinary School in 2022, Dr. Le Blanc has room on her schedule for new patients. She pointed out, “During the pandemic there was a big rise in pet ownership, and this put a strain on the number of available appointments at veterinary clinics across the country. When I joined we essentially doubled the number of available appointment slots here at VCA, and we still have room on the schedule for new patients.”
So if you’re looking to get your furry friend in to see the Vet, reach out to the team at VCA Parkway Animal Hospital in Cary. Be sure to ask for Dr. Le Blanc, and take advantage of their $20 Off First Exam offer.
We went on to find out more about Dr. Le Blanc’s background and her approach to delivering care as part of the VCA team.
Q&A With Dr. Amy Le Blanc at VCA Parkway Animal Hospital
WL: How would a friend describe you?
They would probably say I’m someone who’s really smart and a lifelong nerd, passionate about learning and reading everything I can. I’m also incredibly driven, never letting go of my goals, even under challenging circumstances. I had a baby while in Vet school, and didn’t miss a beat. I think my coworkers here would add that I’m really unflappable. I stay calm and steady no matter what situation comes through our doors.
WL: When did you know you wanted to be a Vet?
Well, my Mom is actually very allergic to animals, and growing up I could never have a pet. So I think it was a situation of, you always want what you can’t have. And so, as soon as I was old enough, I was volunteering at animal shelters just to spend time with dogs and cats. Then one day I noticed the Vet at the animal shelter kind of walking around and giving out treatments, and I asked if I could work alongside her. So my volunteering efforts shifted from walking dogs and socializing cats to assisting the Vet. I got to watch her do surgeries, administer medications, and I just kind of fell in love with it.
WL: Tell us about your family
My husband, Julien, and I have been married since 2017. He’s actually Mauritian. We met when I studied abroad in Australia, but his family is all still back in Mauritius, and so we travel back there every few years. We have two beautiful girls, a two year old and a one year old. So life is very full right now. We do a lot of playground time, and we’re just kind of generally managing two little kids.
We also have one cat, whose official name is Lexi, but we call her Fifi just for cuteness. She’s about six years old, and she’s tiny. She’s only seven pounds, and she’s really very anxious and nervous. I rescued her from a shelter while I was still in vet school.
WL: How long have you been working in Cary?
I am a Midwest girl. I grew up outside Chicago. I lived there for most of my life. But I knew that I wanted to go to NC State’s vet school. It’s a phenomenal vet school. So after I got married in 2017, my husband and I moved here so that we could be closer to the vet school and we haven’t left since and I don’t think we have any plans to leave.
WL: Do you have a favorite book?
Okay, I’m gonna give you two different answers here. The first is When Breath Becomes Air. It’s a memoir about a neurosurgeon who was diagnosed with cancer. I read it seven years ago, and I still think of it to this day. Great book! My second answer is the Red Rising series. It’s kind of like the Hunger Games meets space. When I want to escape and relax, that’s my go-to.
WL: Do you have a favorite Charity?
Capturing Hopes Photography. They’re photographers who volunteer to take photos of newborns in the NICU. When I had my second child, Olivia, we were actually in the NICU for a little while, and we saw them come in and take photos. It was just phenomenal. No one wants to be in the NICU. It’s an incredibly hard time in so many ways, and one of the things you don’t think about is taking photos. As a parent caring for a sick child, you miss out on what could be your only opportunity to take photos of your newborn.
WL: Since becoming a Vet, what’s been your biggest surprise so far?
You know, what’s really surprised me since I started working as a vet is the whole concept of fear-free practices. It’s a newer approach in veterinary medicine, aimed at making vet visits way less scary for the animals.
I’m certified in this approach, and let me tell you, it’s been a game changer. It’s not like the old days when pets were terrified of vet visits. Now, they often come in and leave with their tails wagging, even if they get shots!
It’s all about seeing things from the animal’s perspective. For example, in our clinic, we have a cat-only room. We spray the room with cat pheromones to help calm the cat down. We put soft towels on the table that are also sprayed with the same pheromones, so that we’re not transferring the cat to an ice cold table. And, cats like to be in control, so we make sure they always have their feet on the table at all times.
It’s these small, common-sense things that make a huge difference. It sounded a bit like magic when I first heard about it in vet school, but it really does work!
WL: What do customers tell you they love most about VCA?
They really love the amount of personalized attention we give each patient. We have fairly long appointment times, and we really take the time to get to know the people and their pets. Clients walk in the door, and we greet them by name because we know who they are. Plus, after every appointment they get a personalized write up from Dr. Smith or myself stating what we did and what we talked about. You don’t get that everywhere.
WL: Any expansion plans for your products or services that you’d like to share?
We actually just got a laser, which allows us to perform laser therapy to help speed up healing and reduce inflammation. It’s fantastic for arthritis. And, the FDA just approved some new injectable medications for arthritis too. We’re helping pets live to be older these days, and with age comes arthritis. Now we not only have injections that can help them with their pain, but we also have laser therapy that can help reduce that inflammation.
Dr. Amy Le Blanc: A Personalized Approach
Dr. Amy Le Blanc’s journey from a pet-loving volunteer to a dedicated veterinarian at VCA Parkway highlights her unwavering commitment to animal health and well-being. Her innovative approach, especially in adopting fear-free practices, showcases a forward-thinking mindset that transforms the veterinary experience for pets and their owners alike.
With a personal touch in care and an openness to new techniques, Dr. Le Blanc and the VCA Parkway team are redefining veterinary services in Cary, making it a place where pets are not just treated but genuinely cared for. Whether you’re a long-time pet owner or new to the community, Dr. Le Blanc and the team at VCA Parkway Animal Hospital are ready to welcome you and offer the best in veterinary care.
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