About Us

About2024-07-19T20:57:14+00:00

The Best Care for your Best Friend

Our mission is to provide caring, integrative, veterinary medicine for dogs and cats in a relaxed home environment to achieve the best quality of life for our patients while cultivating authentic relationships.

  • We augment your dog’s or cat’s veterinary care.
  • We treat in the comfort of your home.
  • We use integrative therapies to improve your pet’s quality of life.

Client testimonials

“I will be forever grateful to Dr. Monica for her professionalism, expertise, thoughtfulness and compassion during Rosie’s illness.”

Darlene L., Client

“She was dedicated and masterful in her treatment of my difficult dog!! I highly recommend her!”

David B., Client

“Dr Monica has a true gift in alternative medicine for our furry babies. Not only are the treatments helping, my dog loves her!”

Teresa M., Client
Dr. Monica

Monica Suarez, DVM, CVA is passionate about
taking care of your animals

Dr. Monica has been practicing general, emergency, and integrative veterinary services for nearly two decades. Her caring, knowledgeable, and authentic nature produce relaxing sessions, and effective outcomes. Rest assured your beloved pet can live its best life under her care.

Click to Read More of Dr. Monica’s Bio

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New images posted monthly

Expert Advice

Enjoy some general information regarding acupuncture, rehabilitation and other integrative veterinary care options in our blog section. Stay tuned for more!

Frequently Asked Questions

We have addressed some important topics and also answered some common questions in our FAQs section but please feel free to reach out if you have additional concerns!

Human acupuncture originated approximately 3000 years ago as a branch of Chinese medicine. After millennia of successes and failures, acupuncture has evolved to where it is today- a complementary tool to alleviate pain and help manage chronic illnesses. Over the years, this art form evolved to include the veterinary profession. Acupuncture involves inserting very small needles in precise locations along channels also known as “meridians.” The needles are used to help the flow of energy, “Qi” (pronounced chee) which travels along the meridians all over the body. The goal of treatment is to achieve balance. We often combine other Chinese branches of medicine such as herbology, food, Tui Na (massage), and exercise to reach equilibrium.
Our animal companions experience pain and chronic illnesses just as we do. Conditions that may respond to therapy include but are not limited to arthritis, neurologic conditions, chronic medical conditions, and behavioral conditions. Acupuncture in combination with traditional Western medicine can help achieve a superior quality of life. Most pets respond favorably to the therapeutic needles and often times relax and enjoy the session.

A comprehensive history and physical exam will be performed, incorporating elements of both Western & Eastern medicine. Based on these findings, an acupuncture treatment plan will be devised.

The first session is often lengthy and is generally one hour long. We communicate the goal for acupuncture therapy; recommend immediate treatment, as well as a long term plan. In general, our recommendations include a minimum of 3 to 8 treatments to determine response to therapy.

The treatment consists of emplacement of small needles, which remain in place for approximately 20 minutes. Electroacupuncture and/or aquapuncture modalities may be employed to accentuate response to acupuncture therapy. We approach each case individually. An approach for each session will be tailored to your pet’s needs.

Dr. Monica is a small animal veterinarian with an emphasis in acupuncture and rehabilitation. She can guide you and answer some veterinary medical questions. However, if there is a need to seek an in-person consultation with your veterinarian she will recommend so at that time.
Yes, there is a fee associated with the service. We charge in 15-minute increments.

No, her mobile practice is limited to specialized care, including acupuncture, herbal therapy, laser therapy, rehabilitation therapy, tele-medicine, and pharmacy.

No, her practice is limited to specialty care only.

Dr. Monica does not have a pharmacy like a traditional veterinary hospital; however, she uses VetSource, an online pharmacy for prescription requests and if she needs to prescribe medications for your pet.  Click here to visit our online pharmacy.
Weight in veterinary medicine is scored by body conditioning scores. A 1 to 9 scale is commonly used with 1 equaling emaciation(too skinny) and 9 being severely overweight (overconditioned). A 4/9 or 5/9 is an ideal score for pets. Click this link to estimate your pet’s score.
Cancellation Policy for Doctor Appointments: We understand that there are times when you must miss an appointment due to emergencies or obligations for work or family. If an appointment is not canceled at least 24 hours in advance, you will be charged a 50% appointment fee.
“No-Show” Appointments: We understand that unexpected events can happen however, if Dr. Monica arrives at your home or office and no parties are available for the appointment, you will be subject to the full-service charge

Initial acupuncture visits last about one hour. Recheck acupuncture visits last about 45 minutes Rehabilitation initial assessments can last 1-1.5 hours and recheck rehabilitation assessments last about 1 hour.  Laser therapy time varies based on number of sites being treated and the size of the patient.  Laser therapy can last as short as 15 minutes to as long as 30 minutes.

We accept debit, all major credit cards (except American Express) and cash.  Payment is expected at the time of service.  We also require a 50% deposit for all initial visits.

No, her service area includes South Hillsborough County (South Tampa): Port Tampa, Bayshore Beautiful, Palma Ceia, Beach Park, Ballast Point, Culbreath Isles, Hyde Park, Davis Island, Harbour Island, West Shore District, Culbreath Bayou, South of Gandy, Downtown Tampa 33602, 33606, 33629, 33609, 33611 and 33616.

If you have any other questions, please contact us

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Dr.Monica’s experience

  • VCA Tampa Bay Veterinary Hospital
  • Emergency Care Center At Tampa Bay Veterinary Specialists
  • Greater Tampa Bay Veterinary Services
  • Tao Of Two Tails
  • Veterinary Medical Clinic

Dr.Monica’s training + background

Dr. Monica has been practicing general, emergency, and integrative veterinary medicine in the Tampa Bay area for nearly two decades. Dr. Monica honed her practice while working as an emergency medical associate at the Emergency Care Center at Tampa Bay Veterinary Specialists in Largo, Florida. Working alone in the middle of the night, she became adept at handling all imaginable situations. She was drawn to emergency veterinary medicine during her emergency medicine rotations during her final year of school at both Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners, formerly Florida Veterinary Specialists and Tampa Bay Veterinary Specialists.

Prior to her emergency career, she was a general practitioner at VCA Tampa Bay Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Monica received her veterinary training at The University of Florida Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital and graduated with Honors from St. George’s University in 2005. During her veterinary training, Dr. Monica also had the privilege of completing an emergency medicine rotation, dermatology, and internal medicine externship at Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners. Dr. Monica has a special interest in acupuncture and rehabilitation and has completed her acupuncture training at the Chi University in Reddick, Florida.

She is currently enrolled in the canine veterinary rehabilitation program at the Chi University and will be a certified canine rehabilitation veterinarian (CCRV) at the completion of the course. In addition, Dr. Monica has completed the food therapy training and multiple Chinese herbal medicine modules from Chi University. Dr. Monica is excited to grow her house call practice and focus her attention on integrative veterinary care.

Dr. Monica was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. She graduated from Berkeley Preparatory School and later graduated from the Florida State University with a B.S. in Biological Sciences.

Dr. Monica and her husband live in Tampa and have two children. She also shares her home with her beloved pets Gordy aka “Tinto” (boykin spaniel), Cindy (new adoptee cavalier king Charles spaniel) and Shamu aka “Shammy” (a rescue from work kitty). She enjoys spending time with her family (including her pets of course!), exercising, traveling, sports and reading.

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