Celebrating a Long Time Advertiser: Keauhou Veterinary Hospital LLC
Keauhou Veterinary Hospital is an AAHA accredited hospital in Kailua-Kona dedicated to the care and wellness of dogs and cats.
Dr. Jacob and Jolene Head started Keauhou Veterinary Hospital in July 2007 after purchasing an existing practice that had been in operation since 1963. Dr. Head was raised on Hawai‘i Island and they wanted to raise their children here. After numerous years of practice on the mainland, they determined that buying the practice would be the perfect means to that end.
Their practice is still located in the hills above Keauhou, and a lot has changed. When the Heads purchased it, they made it their goal to upgrade it and offer state-of-the-art medicine to the patients who come through their doors.
The upgrades on the building were no easy task. From a leaking roof to outdated equipment, they had their work cut out for them. They added digital radiology, including digital dental radiology; ultrasound; a full in-house laboratory; and brand new surgical equipment and pharmacy capabilities to the practice. They also knew they wanted their practice to be more environmentally friendly. They added computer systems right away and went to all digital data storage for records. This was also in 2007, just before the recession, so it was challenging those first couple of years trying to keep improving because as Dr. Head says, “There is always new equipment to buy and new tools to implement.”
The Heads also set out to rebrand the practice. Jolene knew just what to do: advertise. Advertising and letting people know about the skills and tools that Dr. Head brought to Kona would be a driving force in the success of their business.
Dr. Head has advanced training in orthopedics and specialized surgeries. He brought with him eight years of emergency critical care, general care, and surgical experience. After Dr. Head completed veterinary school, he did a small animal surgical internship and numerous courses on fracture repair and soft tissue surgery.
Jolene, a veterinary nurse, has worked in the industry since 1998 in both emergency critical care and general care. She began marketing to the residents of Kona, and also island wide, offering services that had not been available before. Soon, the Heads saw more and more new clientele and started a referral option for other veterinarians to send patients who needed additional medical and surgical care.
The Heads also decided to set themselves apart in another way by the first AAHA accredited veterinary hospital on Hawai‘i Island.
The Heads also wanted to be able to give back to their community and started to sponsor events they thought would best impact the community.
Both being athletes, they currently sponsor various running races and athletic events that they participate in throughout the year, offering youth awards and sponsoring events for the younger runners, as well. They have also gotten involved with the Kona Brewers Festival and the Bill Healy Foundation. They sponsor events like the HIHS Tropical Paws and offer donations to several other groups in the community. With three children of their own, they want to see that this community continues to grow and offers things for the children to do, allowing them to learn and be part of something bigger than themselves.
Keauhou Veterinary Hospital offers everything that is available on Hawai‘i Island, from general wellness for kitten and puppies, to geriatric care for the older cats and dogs, and everything in between. Some of the highlights; soft tissue surgery, orthopedic surgery, dermatology, radiology, ultrasound, laboratory, simple and complex dental care, oncology, and they even offer inspections at Kona International Airport (private aircraft and commercial airlines) for animals visiting or moving to Hawai‘i Island.
They tell their staff “you can always learn something new everyday,” and they have made it their goal to teach to others what they know.
The Heads are so grateful for all of their clients and staff. Dr. Head is especially thankful to be able to come back home to his roots and give back to the community that helped make him who he is today. ❖
Keauhou Veterinary Hospital LLC
78-6728 Walua Road, Kailua-Kona
808.756.9621
infokeauhouvet@yahoo.com
KeauhouVet.com
