— 01
Wellness & Prevention
Routine checkups, vaccinations, preventive medicine, and relationship-based guidance that helps owners make informed choices early.
Stephens City, Virginia · Dogs & Cats · Since 1998
Expert care. Lifelong trust.
Animal Medical Center of Frederick County combines compassionate communication with modern veterinary care for dogs and cats, from wellness visits and diagnostics to surgery, medication support, and long-term planning.
"The highest quality care for your pet begins with a trusting relationship with your veterinarian."
— Pet Care Services
One hospital.
Comprehensive support.
AMC is built to care for companion animals through every stage of life. Preventive care, internal medicine, surgery, behavior guidance, and chronic-condition follow-up all stay connected under one roof so families get clarity as well as treatment.
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Diagnostics & Medicine
Internal medicine, ultrasound, pathology, and evidence-based diagnostics designed to move quickly from concern to clear plan.
— 03
Surgery & Clinical Care
Soft tissue surgery, orthopedic experience, pain management, and thoughtful recovery support delivered by an experienced doctor team.
— 04
Behavior, Nutrition & Senior Care
Behavior counseling, nutrition guidance, hospice and palliative care, and long-term support for pets living with chronic conditions.
— Founded
1998
— Availability
Mon-Sat
— Doctor Team
8 Vets
— Reputation
4.9/5
— Our Hospital
Expanded & Remodeled in 2014
— About Us
Built on trust,
clarity, and
continuity of care.
Animal Medical Center of Frederick County was founded in 1998 by Dr. Brian Cather and Dr. Bruce Welch with a simple goal: deliver excellent veterinary medicine without losing the personal relationship families need when making decisions for their pets.
AMC remains privately owned, not corporate, which helps the team keep decisions personal, practical, and rooted in long-term relationships with local families.
As the hospital grew, the team expanded its support for preventive care, diagnostics, surgery, internal medicine, pain management, hospice and palliative guidance, and long-term treatment planning for dogs and cats.
In 2014, AMC completed a major facility expansion and remodel so the practice could care for more local families with a smoother, more capable clinical environment.
What stays constant is the standard: kind communication, clinical excellence, and a care plan owners can actually understand.
Local ownership helps care feel personal, consistent, and collaborative rather than corporate or rushed.
A larger doctor team and upgraded hospital space allow care to stay accessible for Frederick County families.
— Our Doctors
Experienced clinicians.
Wide-ranging focus.
AMC’s veterinary team covers preventive medicine, internal medicine, surgery, orthopedic procedures, ultrasound, acupuncture, pathology, and palliative support so care does not have to feel fragmented.
— Founding Partner
Dr. Bruce Welch, DVM, CCRT
Orthopedic & Fracture Management
Dr. Welch’s advanced training includes TPLO, TTA, fracture management, and BioMedtrix-related orthopedic work, bringing strong procedural depth to complex surgical cases.
— Founding Partner
Dr. Brian Cather, DVM
Surgical & Orthopedic Care
Dr. Cather’s professional training includes TPLO and advanced fracture management, helping anchor the hospital’s surgical and orthopedic capabilities.
— Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Susanne Hirsch, DVM
Internal & Shelter Medicine
Dr. Sue focuses on dogs and cats, with special interest in internal medicine and shelter medicine.
— Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Samantha Schildt, DVM
Medicine & Surgery
Dr. Sam’s interests include canine and feline internal medicine alongside surgical care.
— Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Colleen Buttry, DVM
Ultrasound & Palliative Care
Preventive care, diagnostic imaging, clinical pathology, hospice, palliative medicine, and rescue work are key areas of focus.
— Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Corie Jo Fegel, DVM
Preventive Medicine
Dr. Fegel’s clinical interests include preventive care, parasitology, and soft tissue surgery.
— Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Sara Howard, DVM
Pain Management & Acupuncture
Dr. Howard combines internal medicine, ultrasound, soft tissue surgery, pain management, and acupuncture.
— Associate Veterinarian
Dr. David Ames, DVM
Internal Medicine
Dr. Ames focuses on canine and feline internal medicine along with soft tissue surgery.
— Our Team
The people who make every visit feel steady.
Laura V.
Office Manager
Kyra R.
Client Service Representative Team Lead
Brenda C.
Veterinary Technician Team Lead
Ashlyn S.
Veterinary Assistant Team Lead
Emily C.
Veterinary Assistant Team Lead
— Licensed Veterinary Technicians
Samantha S.
Nicole R.
— Veterinary Technicians
Jessica K.
Megan H.
Katie H.
— Client Service Representatives
Sherry B.
Maryela F.
Mackenzie L.
Judi U.
— Veterinary Assistants
Samantha M.
Sandi J.
Mackenzie C.
Emmie F.
Macey P.
Aa'Nesti W.
Krista B.
Averie H.
Ashlynn J.
Ella S.
Kayla T.
— Scheduling, Refills & Monitoring
Clear policies that keep care moving.
— Step 01
Schedule intentionally.
New clients are asked to prepay for an office visit, consultation, or ultrasound at the time of scheduling. That payment is credited toward the visit.
— Step 02
Allow 72 hours for refills.
Medication requests need time for chart review, inventory checks, and safe dispensing, helping reduce interruptions to important treatment plans.
— Step 03
Monitor ongoing medications.
Some medications require a comprehensive exam and routine bloodwork about every six months so organ function, dosage, and side effects can be reviewed appropriately.
— Visit Essentials
Hours, payment, and what to expect.
— Hours
Monday to Friday: 8:00am to 6:00pm
Closed for Lunch: 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am to 2:00pm
Sunday: Closed
— Payment
Debit and credit cards, checks, Care Credit, and cash accepted.
In-person credit card payments carry a 2.5% service fee.
Over-the-phone credit card payments carry a 3% fee.
— Inside AMC
A closer look at the hospital.
— Client Reviews
Trusted by pet families across Frederick County.
Owners consistently describe AMC as compassionate, clear, and reliable during both routine care and difficult moments. The through-line is trust.
“This place is phenomenal. The care and compassion was beyond anything we've experienced.”
Ashley Mulcahy
“I like how the vets treat both me and my dog. The final cost was about half of the upper end of the estimate.”
Jody Cadd
“Highly recommend this place. The most caring staff I have ever encountered.”
Jackie Funk
“The most amazing, caring, and compassionate staff and doctors. I would give 100 stars.”
Christina Grabowski
“From wellness visits to surgeries to emergency care, they have always gone above and beyond.”
James Borror
“They treat our dogs like family. Highest quality professional care and compassion.”
Neil Myers
— Contact & Visit
Bring your pet’s care home to AMC.
Whether you need a new veterinary home, medication guidance, or help scheduling a visit, the hospital team is ready to help.
— Visit Details
Hospital Hours
Monday to Friday: 8:00am to 6:00pm
Closed for Lunch: 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am to 2:00pm
Sunday: Closed
Billing Notes
Fax: (540) 868-1011
Care Credit, cards, checks, and cash accepted.
2.5% credit card fee in person.
3% credit card fee over the phone.
— Request Help
Start a visit request.
Share the same details the assistant asks for, and the team can use them for follow-up. This form is temporary intake until the backend database is connected.