AMC
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— Reach the Hospital
(540) 868-1001 amc@amcfc.com
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.

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"The highest quality care for your pet begins with a trusting relationship with your veterinarian."
— Animal Medical Center of Frederick County
— 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.

Pet wellness visit at Animal Medical Center
— 01

Wellness & Prevention

Routine checkups, vaccinations, preventive medicine, and relationship-based guidance that helps owners make informed choices early.

Diagnostic imaging and treatment area
— 02

Diagnostics & Medicine

Internal medicine, ultrasound, pathology, and evidence-based diagnostics designed to move quickly from concern to clear plan.

Surgical care at Animal Medical Center
— 03

Surgery & Clinical Care

Soft tissue surgery, orthopedic experience, pain management, and thoughtful recovery support delivered by an experienced doctor team.

Cat and dog care support at Animal Medical Center
— 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
Animal Medical Center of Frederick County hospital exterior
— 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.

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.

Relationship First

Doctors and staff focus on informed conversations so each visit feels collaborative rather than rushed.

Modern Local Facility

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.

Dr. Bruce Welch
— Founding Partner

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.

Dr. Brian Cather
— Founding Partner

Brian Cather, DVM

Surgical & Orthopedic Care

Dr. Cather’s professional training includes TPLO, TTA, and advanced fracture management, helping anchor the hospital’s surgical and orthopedic capabilities.

Dr. Susanne Hirsch
— Associate Veterinarian

Susanne Hirsch, DVM

Internal & Shelter Medicine

Dr. Sue focuses on dogs and cats, with special interest in internal medicine and shelter medicine.

Dr. Samantha Schildt
— Associate Veterinarian

Samantha Schildt, DVM

Medicine & Surgery

Dr. Sam’s interests include canine and feline internal medicine alongside surgical care.

Dr. Colleen Buttry
— Associate Veterinarian

Colleen Buttry, DVM

Ultrasound & Palliative Care

Preventive care, diagnostic imaging, clinical pathology, hospice, palliative medicine, and rescue work are key areas of focus.

Dr. Corie Jo Fegel
— Associate Veterinarian

Corie Jo Fegel, DVM

Preventive Medicine

Dr. Fegel’s clinical interests include preventive care, parasitology, and soft tissue surgery.

Dr. Sara Howard
— Associate Veterinarian

Sara Howard, DVM

Pain Management & Acupuncture

Dr. Howard combines internal medicine, ultrasound, soft tissue surgery, pain management, and acupuncture.

Dr. David Ames
— Associate Veterinarian

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 Vance

Laura Vance

Office Manager

Kyra Ratchford

Kyra Ratchford

Client Service Representative Lead

Brenda Carter

Brenda Carter

Veterinary Technician Lead

Ashlyn Sowder

Ashlyn Sowder

Veterinary Assistant Lead

Emily Cornwell

Emily Cornwell

Team Lead

— Licensed Veterinary Technicians
  • Samantha Sites
  • Nicole Root
  • Samantha Keenan
— Veterinary Technicians
  • Jessica Kiracofe
  • Megan Hildebrand
  • Katie Hinkle
— Client Service Representatives
  • Sherry Brock
  • Maryela Figueroa
  • Mackenzie Lang
  • Courtney Payne
— Veterinary Assistants
  • Samantha Martini
  • Sandi Jones
  • Mackenzie Curtis
  • Emmie Fulk
  • Macey Payne
  • Aa'Nesti Wilson
  • Krista Biggerman
  • Averie Hartman
  • Ashlynn Johnson
  • Ella Stark
  • Kayla Trent
— 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

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.

Credit cards carry a 2.5% service fee.

Over-the-phone credit card payments carry a 3% fee.

— Inside AMC

A closer look at the hospital.

Facility moments · patient care · everyday trust
Animal Medical Center patient care moment
Animal Medical Center exam room moment
Animal Medical Center doctor with patient
Animal Medical Center hospital life
— 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.

— Google Review

“This place is phenomenal. The care and compassion was beyond anything we've experienced.”

Ashley Mulcahy
— Google Review

“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
— Google Review

“Highly recommend this place. The most caring staff I have ever encountered.”

Jackie Funk
— Google Review

“The most amazing, caring, and compassionate staff and doctors. I would give 100 stars.”

Christina Grabowski
— Google Review

“From wellness visits to surgeries to emergency care, they have always gone above and beyond.”

James Borror
— Google Review

“They treat our dogs like family. Highest quality professional care and compassion.”

Neil Myers
Read Google Reviews
— 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.

Address

681 Aylor Rd
Stephens City, VA 22655

— Visit Details

Hospital Hours

Monday to Friday: 8:00am to 6:00pm

Lunch: 12:00pm to 1:00pm

Saturday: 8:00am to 2:00pm

Sunday: Closed

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 1117

Stephens City, VA 22655

Billing Notes

Fax: (540) 868-1011

Care Credit, cards, checks, and cash accepted.

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AMC Assistant Hours, Staff, Dog & Cat Guidance
Ready. Ask about hours, staff, routine pet questions, or appointment help.

General pet guidance is educational only and focused on dogs and cats. Emergencies should go to a veterinarian or emergency clinic right away.