Welcome to Woodley Gardens Veterinary Care!
A Compassionate Place for Rockville Pets
About Us
Woodley Gardens Veterinary Care offers you just what our name suggests: care for your pet. But not just any routine medical care. We strive to nurture your pet through every stage of life—from newly adopted puppies and kittens to end-of-life hospice care. Our goal is to provide the highest quality care to your pet so they can be their very best selves and live their fullest life with you. Through honesty, compassion, and partnering with you, we hope to personalize every pet’s care experience and make them the healthiest of companions.
Why You Should Choose Us
We’re an AAHA-accredited hospital, meaning we meet the high standards set by the American Animal Hospital Association (no mean feat!). Each of our caring staff helps to uphold those standards every day, with every patient.
We do more than treat your pet when they are sick—we work hard to prevent sickness in the first place. Preventative care means caring for your pet at their level, and educating you for at-home care, too. We offer all the latest in veterinary medicine to help your pet through every life stage.
Additionally, we can offer pets the relief brought by acupuncture. Pet acupuncture has a surprisingly long history, and helps treat a wide range of conditions such as arthritis, muscle soreness, gastrointestinal issues, and even behavioral problems.
Learn More About Us: Visit or Get in Contact
Our team of experienced veterinarians and compassionate staff love to meet new faces — both furry and otherwise! Whether you have a new four-legged addition to your family, just moved to the area, or are simply looking for a new vet, we’d love to see you. Stop by our Rockville animal hospital, or give us a call!
Our Services
Wellness Care
All Life Stage Counseling
Different questions may arise if you have an 8-week, 8 year- or 18-year-old pet. A first-time owner may feel overwhelmed with the new responsibilities associated with caring for a new pet. Someone may feel lost when dealing with the aging of a long-time companion. We are here to answer any of your questions and provide recommendations about pets of all ages.
Vaccinations
Protecting Your Pet with Essential Vaccinations
Vaccines protect your pet from dangerous and highly contagious animal diseases. Through the responsible use of vaccinations, these serious diseases are controlled. Most diseases your pet will be vaccinated against are not contagious to humans, but rabies and leptospirosis can be transmitted from animals to people.
It’s important to vaccinate your pet even if they stay indoors, as some diseases require minimal exposure to be contracted. By staying up-to-date on your pet’s core and non-core (lifestyle) vaccines, your pet is more likely to stay protected and healthy. No two pets may have the same vaccine schedule, as we tailor every pet’s care to suit their unique needs. At Woodley Gardens Veterinary Care, we follow the vaccine guidelines provided by the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Standard Core Vaccines
Certain vaccines are considered ‘core’ by the veterinary community due to the severity of the viruses they protect against. Some lethal diseases, like feline panleukopenia, are uncommon thanks to vaccinations. Core vaccines include:
- Both cats and dogs are vaccinated against rabies
- Dogs are vaccinated against four different diseases, commonly called the distemper-parvo combo
- Cats are vaccinated against three different diseases, including feline distemper and panleukopenia
About Your Pet’s Vaccination Schedule
Puppies and kittens are still developing their immune systems and can be the most susceptible to viruses and bacteria. For this reason, they should receive their initial round of vaccinations during their first few months of life. Afterwards, boosters help to further strengthen their immunities. Vaccines offer protection for either one or three years and should be updated in your adult pet according to our recommended schedule. Depending on your pet’s lifestyle, we may also recommend additional vaccinations for optimal protection. Please ask us for more information about how to keep your pet healthy and protected with essential vaccinations.
Medicine
Certain conditions, like an infection, may be treated and cured as a one-time event. Others, like allergies, skin diseases, and inflammatory bowel disease, are more chronic and may need to be managed over a long period of time. We have the ability to perform a number of diagnostics on site for faster identification of any illnesses and provide treatments quickly. Such diagnostics include blood monitoring (complete blood count, chemistry, electrolytes, heartworm and tick-borne illness screening, feline viral testing), digital radiographs (x-rays), urinalysis, microscopic tissue evaluation (FNA), and eye ulcer and pressure evaluation.
Using these tools, we are able to diagnose and provide your pet with management solutions for ailments, short and long. If further assistance or advanced diagnostics are needed, we can partner with local specialists to ensure your pet is receiving the best care possible.
Surgery
We provide a wide array of soft tissue surgeries including, but not limited to, spays and neuters, mass and tumor removals, bites and other wounds/laceration treatments, foreign material removals/obstructions, front declaw on a case by case basis, amputations, bladder stone removals. Elective surgeries are performed Monday through Friday by appointment only. Emergency surgeries are worked into the schedule as needed. We currently do not provide orthopedic surgery. Instead, we partner with local surgeons, should the need arise, for more specialized surgeries and orthopedics.
Knowing the Risks, Ensuring Safety
It is very important to understand that every surgery comes with some risk. As a result, Woodley Gardens Veterinary Care undergoes extensive measures to ensure the safety of your pet. Every patient has blood work performed prior to surgery to ensure they can metabolize, or break down the medications and anesthesia used. Medications can be tailored for each individual patient depending upon age and pre-existing conditions. While in surgery, each patient has an IV catheter and receives IV fluids to achieve and maintain adequate blood pressure. Each patient is monitored closely by a nurse, and ECG, blood pressure and oxygen saturation monitors are used to ensure safety.
The Surgical Process
When setting up a surgery, one of our experienced nurses will call you to discuss pre-surgical, day-of, and post-surgical procedures. In addition, we discharge every pet with written instructions for your review. We will be happy to assist you with any additional questions or concerns that arise at any time.
Pain Management
Keeping patients pain free is of paramount importance at Woodley Gardens Veterinary Care. This may be short term after an elective surgery or accidental wound treatment, or more long term for conditions such as arthritis or even cancer. At each appointment, every measure is taken to address your pet’s overall condition, evaluate them for pain and provide pain relief on an acute or chronic basis, as needed.
Helpful Resources
Unfortunately, dogs and cats cannot specifically tell us that they are in pain, and where it hurts. You can be their advocate by learning how to evaluate if they are in pain at home with this helpful Pain Management Resource. If you familiarize yourself with these guidelines and determine your pet is in pain, please call the hospital or click here to set up an appointment to discuss this with a veterinarian.
Acupuncture
Woodley Gardens Veterinary Care recognizes the importance of delivering holistic medical care to our patients. This includes offering Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, such as acupuncture therapy, to complement our state-of-the-art conventional Western medical treatment. Dr. Josh Storm is a certified veterinary acupuncturist offering this service here at the hospital.
Dentistry
Dental health is just as important in pets as it is in people. Dental disease can lead to bad breath, infection, pain, and systemic diseases. During each examination, we will perform an oral exam and dental evaluation, and discuss the state of your pet’s dental hygiene. At that time we may recommend a teeth cleaning to keep your pet’s teeth healthy, and to remove tartar, plaque and treat gingivitis.
In order to try to prevent, or decrease the frequency of the need for an anesthetic dental cleaning, we highly recommend daily tooth brushing. We have supplies including toothbrushes, toothpaste and a variety of dental treats within the hospital that you can use for daily maintenance and a healthy pet mouth.
Behavior Counseling
Sometimes pets do not act the way that we want them to, despite how much we love them. Certain animals experience anxiety being left alone, being around other animals, during thunderstorms or fireworks displays, or with a change in environment. They can bark tirelessly, cower, shake, hide, mark territory, urinate or defecate in inappropriate places, destroy belongings or even become aggressive towards another pet or person. We understand that this can be extremely upsetting for all parties involved, and we are happy to help work through these issues with behavior modification, positive reinforcement and praise. Referrals to local trainers who share our philosophy, or veterinary behavior specialists are available as well.
Health Certificates
Going on a trip and taking your pet with you to enjoy the vacation? Relocating to a different city in the US or a different country altogether? Dr. Storm is a USDA-APHIS accredited veterinarian who can perform Domestic and International Health Certificates. Each country may have a different set of rules for travelling with a pet and often times it requires multiple visits to ensure all requirements are met. Therefore, it is highly recommended to research your travel as soon as possible to avoid any surprises as your departure draws closer. You can read more about travelling with your pet through the USDA APHIS website and also checking with your specific airline regarding their requirements.
Microchipping
A microchip is a unique personal identification implanted under your pet’s skin. It is an extremely important and valuable tool for every pet and pet owner. The process takes just a matter of seconds, and can help to reunite a lost pet with their loving family. Any time a pet is presented to an animal authority without an owner, an employee of the veterinary hospital, shelter, rescue league or animal control should scan them for a microchip. A database through the American Animal Hospital Association website can help track down the owner of any microchipped pet through the microchip company registration, and a heartbreaking loss can be avoided.
Note: Woodley Gardens Veterinary Care uses ISO-compatible microchips, which is also often times needed for international travel and International Health Certificates.
Emergencies
If you believe your pet is experiencing an emergency, please call the hospital right away at (240) 403-8387. If it is during our normal business hours, we are here to help you. However, we know that pets can fall ill at any time of day or night. Therefore, we partner with local emergency hospitals to ensure your pet is able to receive care whatever time it is deemed necessary. In the event you need veterinary assistance outside of normal business hours, please contact:
BluePearl Veterinary Partners
1 Taft Court
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Phone: (301) 637-3228
Metropolitan Emergency Animal Clinic
12106 Nebel Street
Rockville, Maryland 20852
Phone: (301) 770-5225
Friendship Hospital For Animals
4105 Brandywine St NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20016
Phone: (202) 363-7300
Veterinary Referral Associates
500 Perry Parkway
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877
Phone: (301) 926-3300
CARE Veterinary Center
1080 W. Patrick Street
Frederick, Maryland 21701
Phone: (301) 662-2273
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is a painless, non-invasive, and drug-free therapy used to treat a variety of injuries, wounds, fractures, neurological conditions, dermatological problems, and pain. Whether your pet is rehabilitating from trauma or injury, healing from wounds, or simply aging, there is a good chance they will benefit from this revolutionary new approach to pain management.
Laser therapy focuses red and infrared light on tissue at and below the surface of the skin. The light energizes the cells, producing a structural protein called collagen used to repair tissue. Lasers continue to promote healing by supporting vascular dilation and synthesis, increasing blood circulation to the affected region. The stimulation also releases the body’s own pain-relieving hormones and enhances the body’s ability to heal itself.
Conditions improved with laser therapy:
· Hip dysplasia
· Wound and tissue healing
· Ear infections
· Cystitis
· Dental inflammation
· Arthritis and degenerative joint disease
· Musculoskeletal injuries
· Neuromuscular disease
Treatments are a safe and relaxing experience for pets! Laser therapy is normally combined with other types of veterinary medicine including pharmaceutical regimens and alternative treatments.
If you would like to know more about laser therapy, contact us at (240) 403-8387.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a powerful diagnostic tool that creates a real-time internal image of an animal’s body, giving us important information about the circulatory, skeletal, and gastrointestinal systems.
When used in conjunction with other diagnostic tools like X-rays, ultrasound images can help identify disease, blockages, soft tissue damage, and other internal injuries. Because ultrasounds don’t require radiation, they’re also used to monitor pregnancies and fetal health in breeding pets.
An ultrasound works by broadcasting high-frequency sound waves that reflect off your pet’s internal structures. A small probe held against the skin collects the returning signals to create an image of the internal body.
Most commonly used to examine abdominal organs like the stomach, kidneys, liver, spleen, and gallbladder, ultrasound is completely painless and non-invasive. It usually requires some sedation, however, because the patient must remain completely still.
We partner with local veterinary ultrasonographers to provide this service and work with board-certified radiologists for interpretation and recommendations. To schedule a consultation or to learn more about our ultrasound services, call us at (240) 403-8387.
Our Team
Josh Storm
DVM, CVA, Owner/Director
Dr. Josh Storm was born and raised in New York. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Tufts University in Massachusetts in 2003. During his senior year, he shifted his focus from studying human to veterinary medicine. After graduation, Dr. Storm lived in New York City for two years, working as a veterinary nurse and taking the prerequisite classes for veterinary school.
Dr. Storm graduated from the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville in 2009. While attending veterinary school, he received many awards and distinctions for his efforts during the course of study which included: the Florida Veterinary Medical Association’s Charlie E. Bild Clinical Proficiency Award, recognizing outstanding clinical skills with both small and large animals; the Frances Dunnigan Scholarship, awarded for outstanding performance in the studying of small animal internal medicine; and the J.E. Salsbury Veterinary Medical Scholarship for achieving educational and professional goals.
After graduation, Dr. Storm was selected for and completed a rigorous one-year medical and surgical internship at Coral Springs Animal Hospital, a 24-hour critical care facility in Coral Springs, Florida. He then practiced progressive general medicine and emergency/critical care in Florida, North Carolina and DC before taking over ownership of Woodley Gardens Veterinary Care in September 2015.
Dr. Storm has special interest in preventative care, internal medicine, surgery, emergency and critical care medicine and enriching the human animal bond. He also is certified in Veterinary Acupuncture and integrates this treatment to the excellent care provided to the patients at Woodley Gardens Veterinary Care.
Dr. Storm serves on the Advisory Board for Veterinary Team Brief, a national publication that delivers practical skills for team-based medicine, and is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association.
Outside of work, Dr. Storm enjoys long-distance/marathon running, leading a Tough Mudder Obstacle Course team, scuba diving, playing guitar, skiing/snowboarding, and rooting for the Gators. He has a great rescued mixed-breed dog, Tubs, who can frequently be found hanging out in the office.
Laura Nichols
DVM
Dr. Laura Nichols is originally from south Alabama. She has also lived in both Tennessee and Virginia prior to ending up in Maryland.
Dr. Nichols received her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Virginia State University. After graduation, she worked in multiple veterinary practices as a veterinary nurse before applying to veterinary school, gaining invaluable experience. She continued her career in animal health, and graduated from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.
After graduation, Dr. Nichols completed a one-year rotating internship at Friendship Hospital for Animals, a 24-hour critical care facility in Washington, DC. She then stayed on staff at Friendship as an emergency care doctor before joining the team at Woodley Gardens Veterinary Care.
Dr. Nichols has special interest in preventative care, emergency medicine, and feline medicine.
Outside of work, Dr. Nichols enjoys attending concerts, hanging out with her husband and their various pets and reading a good book with a cat (or two) in her lap. She turned into an Auburn fan, much to the dismay of her dad (War Eagle!).
Heather Lowenthal
DVM, CVA
Dr. Heather Lowenthal has been practicing veterinary medicine since 2010 when she graduated from Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Prior to attending CSU, Dr. Lowenthal received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology in 2006.
Dr. Lowenthal’s clinical expertise focuses on small animal medicine and surgery with specific interests in integrative pain management, preventative care and geriatric medicine. She is a certified veterinary acupuncturist and will often incorporate this specialty into her practice. Dr. Lowenthal recognizes that every situation is unique, and she enjoys the challenge of caring for patients with complex medical conditions using individualized medical and therapeutic protocols. She is Fear Free Certified and applies this approach daily to improve the experience for both her patients and their family.
When not at work, Dr. Lowenthal enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, Mark, and their sons, Brennett and Miles. She has a mixed breed dog, Piper, who enjoys regular trail runs with her mom but prefers playing with the kids and escorting Brennett to school. In her remaining free time, Dr. Lowenthal enjoys live music, cooking and travel.