Animals First Veterinary Service

4.8 (54 reviews)
14041 Highland Hunter Trail, Rixeyville, VA 22737, USA

Hours

Monday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Wednesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday Closed Sunday Closed

How to Save on Veterinary Costs at Animals First Veterinary Service

Preventive care

Routine wellness exams can help identify health issues early, often before they become more serious or expensive to treat. Regular checkups are one of the most effective ways to manage long term veterinary costs.

Compare prescription pricing

Some pet medications prescribed at veterinary clinics may also be available through local or online pharmacies. It can be helpful to compare pricing when appropriate to reduce ongoing medication costs.

Consider pet insurance

Pet insurance may help cover a portion of eligible veterinary expenses depending on the plan, including accidents, illnesses, and in some cases preventive care. Coverage details, reimbursement levels, and deductibles vary by provider.

Why Pet Insurance Information Appears on This Page

Looking for information about Animals First Veterinary Service? This page also includes pet insurance resources to help pet parents understand how to prepare for unexpected veterinary expenses.

Veterinary care costs can vary widely depending on the type of visit, treatment, or emergency. Many pet parents explore pet insurance before they need it so they are better prepared when unexpected situations arise.

How to Choose a Pet Insurance Provider

Pet Insurance Review helps pet parents compare insurance providers using verified customer reviews and real-world experiences. Our tools make it easier to evaluate providers based on claims experience, service quality, and overall satisfaction.

We have collected more than 220,000 reviews from pet parents, creating one of the largest independent databases of pet insurance feedback available.

How rankings are determined

Unexpected veterinary expenses can happen at any clinic. The providers below are ranked using verified reviews submitted by real pet parents through Pet Insurance Review. Results reflect overall satisfaction, claims experience, and value based on real world feedback. Rankings are updated regularly as new reviews are submitted.

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2026
Rating Provider Total Review
4.8 Adoro 19
4.5 AKC 1,801
4.4 ASPCA 12,235
4.9 Embrace 19,981
4.9 Fetch 5,931
4.1 Figo 2,868
4.4 Hartville 183
4.9 Healthy Paws 11,381
4.8 Lemonade 833
4.6 ManyPets 2,416
4.7 MetLife 11,330
4.8 Nationwide 25,728
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.3 PetPartners 121
4.9 Pets Best 15,364
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,870
4.7 Pumpkin 3,558
4.6 Spot 11,609
4.9 Trupanion 55,033

Compare Pet Insurance Plans

You can compare coverage options from multiple providers to find a plan that fits your budget and your pet’s healthcare needs.


Getting to Know Your Veterinarian

Choosing a veterinarian is an important decision for pet parents. A strong vet relationship is built on trust, communication, and understanding your pet’s individual needs.

Experience

Ask whether the clinic has experience treating your specific type of pet, since care can vary between dogs, cats, and pocket pets.

Emergency Care Procedures

It’s helpful to understand how the clinic handles after-hours emergencies, including whether they provide emergency services or refer to nearby emergency hospitals.

Communication Preferences

Ask how the clinic communicates with pet parents, including updates, test results, and follow up questions.

Breed Specific Health Considerations

Some breeds may be more prone to certain health conditions. Early awareness can help with prevention and early treatment.

Facility Tour

If available, touring the clinic can help you and your pet feel more comfortable before the first visit.


Final Note

Pet care decisions often involve both medical and financial considerations. Having access to trusted veterinary information alongside pet insurance comparisons can help pet parents feel more confident when planning for their pet’s health and wellbeing.

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Reviews from Google

4.8

54 reviews

I am so grateful to have found Dr. Lori and her team. It is such a good feeling to finally find a vet who is kind, patient and knowledgeable. I never once felt rushed during our visit, she was happy to answer all my questions. She also didn't push any additional services that she didn't think was necessary unlike other conventional vets have in the past with me. I love that she does both conventional and holistic medicine, it is rare to find a vet who truly does both! I feel very relieved now that I found her and know that she will take good care of my furbaby. Thank you Dr. Lori and team!

Jul 21, 2023

This is Makayla Koval and I recently came across a comment by Kayla Koval. This comment was not made by me and the comment has been reported. Nothing in the post was true.

Sep 15, 2023

We absolutely love Dr. Lori Blankenship and her team at Animals first. They have been such a blessing for us as we seek the best treatment plans for our dog, Lavender. The staff is very warm and knowledgeable. I feel like I really know them and they know our family. I couldn't say enough to express how highly I reccomend Animals first.

Feb 15, 2022

I don't know what I would have done without Dr. Blankenship! My golden has had allergy issues for as long as I could remember and he always had yeasty ears. Dr. Blankenship created a diet plan for me to use on him and this is the clearest I've ever seen his ears! Not only that his allergies have been better, but his coat is soft and shiny and he's so much more lively now that he has shed some weight. My GSD normally talks a lot at the vet no matter how much I run with him beforehand, but he was the calmest he's ever been in the care of Dr. Blankenship and her staff! I am very pleased with the service that I received, especially with how they handled both of my boys. Dr. Blankenship is extremely knowledgeable and up to date on current medicine. I didn't feel judged or pushed about decisions I wanted to make about my dog's health. I love that they genuinely care about the pet's health and not about racking up your bill with unnecessary treatments/items like some places. This will forever be my go-to vet! So glad I have found this place!

Oct 19, 2021

Amazing people who actually care about animals! They are committed to figuring out and fixing the cause of the problem instead of putting a band aid on it and pushing you along! They give you options to keep your pet happy and healthy. My Beagle was diagnosed with cancer and I truly believe we had extra time with him because of Dr. Lori and her educated us. I grew up on a farm and I’ve had more animals then I can count, I wouldn’t trade her for anything or anyone. I will continue to travel the hour it takes to come see them.

Mar 2, 2022