Our Clinic

AAHA – Accredited
We are honored to be among the 18 percent of small animal veterinary clinics in the country that are accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)

The accreditation is similar to that given human hospitals by the Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation. As the association says, “AHA is the only organization that accredits animal hospitals throughout the U.S. and Canada.

AAHA-accredited hospitals voluntarily choose to be evaluated on 900 standards in the following areas:

• Orderly & accurate record keeping
• Complete diagnostic capabilities
• Proper anesthetic procedures
• Modern surgical procedures
• Concern for preventive medicine
• Complete pharmaceutical facilities
• Emergency service
• Dental care
• Nursing care
• Properly maintained environment

As Dr. Tom said, “Over the years we’ve kept up with new technology and equipment like ultrasound. We are committed to continuing education. This accreditation confirms the value of this investment for the pets in our practice.”

Why is this important to you?
AAHA says:
The standards require hospitals to provide diagnostic services (x-ray and laboratory) so that they can quickly and accurately diagnose your pet.

The standards focus on the quality of care in the areas of: anesthesia, contagious diseases, dentistry, pain management, patient care, surgery and emergency care.

Accredited hospitals have an onsite pharmacy (another standards area) so they can begin treatment immediately.

AAHA standards also require that medical records be thorough and complete which helps them to better understand your pet’s medical history and how past health issues might be impacting their current medical status.

Want to know more about the American Animal Hospital Association? Check out its website http://www.healthypet.com.

 

 

What will you find at Thompson Animal Medical Center?

Preventative health care and wellness screening.

High quality delivery veterinary medicine through state-of-the art diagnostics, treatment and client education.

Caring for both you and your pets.

Our Key Values

Excellence in customer service
We will treat you and your pet in a kind and caring way with the utmost professionalism.

Compassion
We will care for your pet as if he or she was our own. We will treat all pets with dignity and respect.

Friendliness
We will treat others in a kind, helpful and supporting manner.

Enthusiasm
We will strive to maintain a high-spirited attitude.

Communication
We will engage in direct, open, honest interaction with a willingness to listen, to teach and to learn.

Commitment
We are dedicated to live our values and mission through constant improvement and personal growth.

Teamwork
We will work together for the best outcomes in a spirit of cooperation, communication and support.

Integrity
We will act with truthfulness, honesty, responsibility and accountability.

Our History

Drs. Tom Thompson and Jean Heyt met on the first day of veterinary school. After graduating from the Michigan State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1976, Drs. Tom and Jean married in 1977.

They practiced for two years in Madison before moving to La Crosse after falling in love with the area. As Dr. Tom likes to say, it was love at first sight looking down on the area from I-90 near Tomah. "The coulees, the hills and the sun going down did this,” he said. “We knew right then that we wanted to make La Crosse our home.”

The Thompsons converted a 100-year-old house on Mormon Coulee Road into their first clinic. The kitchen doubled as a lab – or the lab doubled as a kitchen – where they cooked their meals. They also had a multiple purpose room and a porch that was converted into a kennel.

“We quickly realized how dedicated owners are to their pets. We spent time with clients building relationships, friendships,” Dr. Tom said. “They knew us and we knew them.”

By the second year of their five-year lease, their practice had taken off so much that they knew they needed a new clinic.  When it opened in 1980, they were thrilled by the many, many people who attended their open house.

When Drs. Tom and Jean started Thompson Animal Medical Center, their family consisted of the two of them, their black lab, Sara Jane, and their cat, Mouse. Drs. Tom and Jean have since welcomed two daughters, Lynsee and Chiyo, now both college students, into their lives along with countless dogs, cats and other animal critters.

With them in their practice since 1997 is Dr. Gary Wiegel.