The History of Monroe Veterinary Associates

The year 1969, was a year when America witnessed many of its most historic landmark achievements and generation-defining events. It was the year of Woodstock, Apollo 11 astronauts walking on the moon, the “Amazing Mets”, and the first artificial heart transplant. The year 1969 was also the year that Dr. Jack Bloch formed Monroe Veterinary Associates (MVA), then known as the Animal Hospital of Pittsford.

When MVA was formed, it consisted of two veterinarians and one building. Any administrative purposes, such as the hiring of new staff members, were done by the head veterinarian and the head receptionist. If any after-hours emergency calls came in, the veterinarian on call would meet the owner and pet at the Pittsford facility, regardless of the time of day or night.

In 1971, MVA branched out, adding its second facility, the Irondequoit Animal Hospital. People and pets in northern Monroe County, who previously had to travel to Pittsford, now had an animal hospital near them that they could go to in the event of an emergency.

Throughout the years, MVA, inspired by the company’s mission of constantly improving the level of wellness, emergency and advanced specialty services, continued to add facilities, veterinarians, and support staff. It has now grown to include thirteen full-service veterinary hospitals, a 24-hour emergency care facility, a specialty practice with Board Certified Specialists in surgery, internal medicine, oncology, ophthalmology, cardiology, radiology and critical care, a house-call service, boarding facilities, and a rehabilitation facility. MVA also employs veterinarians trained in acupuncture, herbal medicine, exotic pet care, and small mammal (“pocket pet”) care.

Recently, MVA celebrated the formation of the MVA Hope Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation that assists pets and their owners in the greater Rochester area. MVA also provides financial support to Lollypop Farm and the Seneca Park Zoo, and our veterinarians and support staff often donate their time performing free spays and neuters in conjunction with Rochester Animal Services.

While MVA has grown in size, we are still committed to the values that we have held true all along: honesty, compassion, quality, education, teamwork and trust. We want to thank those clients who have entrusted us with the care of their pets, and we invite new clients to join us as we embark on the next forty years.