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Bel Air Veterinary Hospital was founded in 1945 with the intention to help pets get exceptional health care. Dr. Richard Cook acquired Bel Air Veterinary Hospital (in 1959 until 2017), and has provided nothing but excellent pet care ever since. We're committed to providing exceptional service and treating your pets as if they're our own. Get 70+ years of pet care on your side today. We offer a wide range of services including medical, diagnostic, surgical, wellness and preventive health care needs for your pets so they live healthy, happy lives.
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Hello, and thank your for your interest in our hospital! We're happy to introduce ourselves and share a little bit about our history, our philosophy and our staff. And of course, we would love to hear from you! So if you have any questions, give us a call at 410-838-4900. Richard "Doc" Cook purchased Bel Air Veterinary (1959 until 2017) and started providing superior care to farm animals and small animals. His philosophy was to educate and involve his clients in providing the highest quality health care for their pets.
Here at Bel Air Veterinary Hospital, we always welcome new clients and patients to our full service veterinary practice. We are dedicated to educating you and helping your pet achieve the highest quality of life. Our team provides exceptional care while showing respect for you and your beloved companion.
We want your visit to Bel Air Veterinary Hospital to be the best veterinary experience you will ever have. We're all animal lovers here and we work hard to create a warm, inviting, and comfortable environment for you and your pet. We will do our best to make sure you are brought into an examination room as soon as we have one available.
Thank you for considering our hospital as your pet's provider of veterinary services. We are dedicated to maintaining the health of your pet and look forward to many future years together. The required sections have a blue * asterisk.
Reviews (19)
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Concerned C.
Jun 25, 2022
The girl at the front desk with the painted on eye brows needs a total attitude adjustment. She was rude to me as the client and also treated the other (2) girls at the front desk with the same kind of demeanor. This is not who I would want on my front-line.
Mary Vendetti
Jun 12, 2022
Wonderful service. The doctor and staff were very kind and helpful. They took really good care of my kitten Henry.
Justin Montgomery
Jun 06, 2022
Tracy is one of the best staff members there! I called in do switch appointment and she took her time to go above and beyond to help my schedule fit for my pups vax shots. Highly great customer service!
Chris P.
Apr 05, 2022
Love this office! One of my dogs has high anxiety coming to the vet. The staff and doctors are so compassionate and caring when it comes to meeting his needs. Cannot recommend enough
Linda Gentry
Jan 06, 2022
Love the care given to my animals here. Dr Schmidt is a great veterinarian to over see your pets health. Over the years, I find him to be very good and trustworthy. They try to work within your budget, depending on the amount of need of care. They've done excellent by me. Down side, sometimes you have to wait for an appointment longer than you'd prefer because they serve many people and are worth it, as long as not urgent need. Most of the time though, I am in fast but since COVID, it's changed things some. Depends on animals need and the Drs availability for appointment.
Lauren S.
Oct 27, 2021
Pass this place up. they over charge and are over priced. I was quoted a price for my dogs teething cleaning when I went to pick her up I was told it was going to almost triple! No one called me before performing procedure to tell me the price would be triple! After arguing with the manager they agreed to split the difference with me. So I still ended up paying substantially more.

My dog also came home with a terrible eye condition - which they were unable to diagnose properly. Come to find out it was a common alignment from anesthesia. The front desk has always been pleasant and kind and understanding. Believe the bad reviews you are seeing. We were client with BAC for years - but now I'm moving my geriatric dog else where. They even charge an $8 fee to get access to your own records! The new vet was shocked and appalled at this feeble last attempt to grasp for money. Pathetic!
Melissa Woods
Aug 08, 2021
I was unable to make my appt due to an emergency with my 11 year old child whom i had to take the urgent care center. I missed 2 calls from them due to this and was unable to answer them. I called back the same day less than an hour later very apologetic and explained the situation. Thinking they would understand and help with another appt they gave me an appt a month away for a dogs ear infection.

I asked to be on the cancelation list and the young lady smuggly stated thier were 12 people in front of me. They also wanted to charge a deposit of 60 dollars in advance because i missed todays appt. Thank YOU so much for your understanding. We will never be coming back again and you have lost 2 clients. Since this hospital is so busy I would not expect them to take the time they adequately need for care of my pet at this point. My dog could lose hearing between now and next month. No thank you.
Garett H.
Aug 06, 2021
I was in town on vacation and my older dog got in a scuffle and needed a little TLC. The people at Bel Air were above and beyond helpful, kind, and efficient. If I lived here, they would be my vet for sure. Thorough, kind, compassionate. Dr. Schmidt was outstanding.
Bryan P.
Jun 03, 2021
It all depends on who you get. Some doctors and administrative workers here are very sweet and seem sincere, while others are complete opposites on a different day. One thing is consistent: they try and upsell and get you to ok extra services and medical procedures just for the money. Most recently we had an X-ray on our pet and they said it looked fine, but wanted to send it out to a "consultant" just to be sure for another $160! This is the kind of stuff you have to deal with here and we will not be going back with any future pets.
Jarod Zacharias
Jan 28, 2021
Our cat was taking a down turn quickly and Bel Air Veterinary Hospital fit us in the day after we called. It turns out that our cat was very sick and ended up taking the rainbow bridge. however, Dr Schmidt and his team were amazing with my wife (who took the cat). They were empathetic, considerate and so thoughtful to our concerns and took such great care of him (Paco Taco, the cat) and my wife during this difficult time and decision. Thank you to the whole team!
May Adams
Jan 05, 2021
We recently had our 2 year old dog neutered. The staff could not have been any friendlier and compassionate through the pre physical and surgery day. They came to our vehicle quickly and their phone communication was exceptional. They answered follow-up questions with patience and kindness. Thank you so much from Jack & family : We highly recommend! Linda Myers
Chuck D.
Dec 11, 2020
The service has become absolutely horrible since Dr. Cook died a few years ago. They are intent on selling additional products and services at virtually every visit. Someone named Tracey now claims that she owns this, but has been introduced as the office manager previously. Hopefully an owner reads this to correct their problems for other clients because I'm done with them.
Yasmin A.
Jun 24, 2020
I rescued a hound mix puppy, Zoey, in early April. Within 3 days, I found out that she was extremely ill with a viral infection. We took her to the emergency vet in the area, and they were extremely unhelpful fear-mongers. After 2 days of having Zoey cling to dear life, we decided to get a second opinion before putting her down (which the vet hospital in Bel Air told us we should do).

Enter BAVH: we brought Zoey for an emergency visit with Dr. Schmidt. To say he is an angel is an understatement. He prescribed the correct medication, they didn't overcharge us in any way, and Zoey recovered. During this nightmare, he called me every day to check in on her and make sure she is recovering. He calmed my anxiety, demonstrated his 40+ years of expertise so clearly, and today nearly three months later I have a healthy and happy dog.

We brought her for her first true physical, and since then he has cared for her like she's his own. I'm moving from the area and the only thing I'm going to miss is having BAVH right nearby.
Bryan P.
Jun 15, 2020
I have never been here and NOT waited at least over 45 minutes or more for a scheduled appointment. They overbook every time and it's getting annoying. They rarely review my pets previous history when we finally do get back there. The techs are nice enough but I've had the the head vets tell me two different things about the same issue so that's a bit concerning.
Hannah V.
Jun 11, 2020
We have been taking our dog, Zoey, here since we moved to Bel Air. We have taken her here twice and each time scheduling is easy, staff is friendly, and everything is discussed thoroughly with us. They have weekend and evening hours, which is very convenient. We feel very comfortable having Zoey in their care. I would recommend bringing your pet to Bel Air Veterinary Hospital if you are in need of a vet in Harford County!
Ellen Hagis
Mar 04, 2020
We had to have one of our cats put down yesterday. They were able to get us in quickly. The doctor was kind, compassionate and very informative. She explained what she would be doing and made sure we understood everything before continuing. The front desk staff was just as kind in assisting us. I highly recommend Bel Air Veterinary Hospital.
Kate Mullen
Feb 10, 2020
We took my dog, Sadie, to Bel Air Animal Hospital after she ingested Ibuprofen. The staff took her back immediately and sat me and my husband down to discuss the risks, expectations, and treatment. Every day Sadie was in the hospital, staff provided a room for my visit with her. They gave me a blanket to snuggle with my girl and someone was always available to talk to me about the latest test results.

I called the hospital day and night for updates on how Sadie was doing, and every time a doctor was available to discuss with her condition and what was going to happen the next day. After a week of bad news, Sadie finally started turning the corner. The staff were visibly excited about her chances. Even more fun was Sadie's reaction to the staff.

She loved them all. We had to come back to the hospital the day after discharge to get more lab work, and Sadie couldn't wait to get in the doors and say hi to the front office crew. When the tech came out, she ran to the vet and gave her hugs. That week was one of the most emotional weeks I can recall ever going through, but the staff at the hospital were instrumental in getting me through it all. I can't speak well enough for the staff, from front office to techs, to doctors and anyone else I didn't know but took great care of Sadie.
Tami W.
Nov 29, 2018
This vet hospital was recommended by my daughter (a certified vet assistant) so, I brought my dog Jay for his first Veterinarian visit and instantly became a huge fan of the staff and Dr. Stevenson. Honestly, other pet patients waiting, but they made Jay and I feel like we were the only ones they needed to see that day. I'm confident that they made the other patients and pet parents feel the same way.

They were very thorough during the appointment to read and follow up with a prior vet on his history and completely check him physically. My dog is a rescue and a bit skittish with humans, but he was extremely comfortable during his visit. The vet and staff were very sweet with him and he seemed relaxed and happy. When someone sincerely cares, you can tell and that's exactly how I felt during this visit.
Shirley M.
Oct 26, 2018
I took Mayley to her first Veterinarian Visit at the Bel Air Veterinarian Hospital. Although I was 20 minutes late, the staff didn't insist I reschedule the appointment and saw Mayley quickly. The staff members were exceedingly professional, personable and caring. Mayley didn't want to leave and whined when we eventually left. Keep setting the standards we mere mortals aspire to and thanks ever so much for the outstanding services you provided.