Dr. Tracy Sands grew up on a small sheep farm in central Pennsylvania working her way through college as a traveling sheep shearer and a veterinary assistant for a local dairy practice. After becoming an assistant at one of the country’s first 24-hour small animal hospitals, she developed a strong interest in the way that veterinary medicine is always evolving to provide better medical care for pets. After graduating with her doctorate from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Sands went to work as a mixed animal veterinarian treating horses, cattle, pigs, dogs, cats, and more and soon realized that while she loved working with farmers, the extraordinary diversity of diagnostic testing and treatment possibilities for cats and dogs was her passion. Over the next decade, she became even more excited by internal medicine, especially feline and senior pet care. It was this that inspired her to first open Healing Paws Veterinary Care as a mobile veterinary practice.

As Healing Paws provided the Carlisle area with the first option for Fear Free/Low-Stress animal handling, and as owners realized that they would get to really talk with our veterinarians the practice grew. Quickly, the demand for appointments was more than what could be done while driving on the road. In 2017, Dr. Sands designed and built Healing Paws Veterinary Care as a building completely focused on providing pets with a low-stress experience. She was determined to make in-clinic veterinary care as low stress as it was in the pet’s home and found that it could be done! Details from the type of lighting and paint colors, to cat-only areas and special exam table surfaces, as well as environmentally friendly sanitizing systems, make for a building that feels more like a spa than a doctor’s office – making both people and pets more relaxed. Our exam rooms have no stainless steel tables – we prefer your pet to sit on a comfy blanket, our laps, or snuggle on the floor with us! At Healing Paws Veterinary Care, everything we do and every decision we make is focused on what will make our patients most comfortable and what will make being a pet owner more rewarding. Our goal is to make veterinary visits a positive experience for everyone, so we also are sure to schedule appointments not only with plenty of time to get to know your pet but also to be sure that you have time for us to answer your questions, discuss your concerns and explain your pet’s treatment options. We don’t want you or your pet to find veterinary visits stressful – our goal is to make them enjoyable!

At Healing Paws Veterinary Care, you can trust that we will be discussing with you the most current medical and surgical recommendations for your pet. Veterinary medicine has as many innovations and treatment options as human medicine (many are the same!) and, as your family member, your pet deserves a human level of care. We are an ever-evolving practice because we are constantly investigating new treatments, as well as strengthening our own abilities through continuing education. We also have working relationships with excellent veterinary specialists just as your human family doctor works with specialists. It is amazing what type of care pets can now receive!

In addition to our passion for improving the lives of animals and the people who love them, Healing Paws Veterinary Care is also a strong supporter of the community. In an effort to give back, we regularly donate to both local and national charities as well as we are continually working to reduce our carbon footprint. (Check out our community and carbon pawprint page to learn more!)

Finally, but perhaps most importantly, at Healing Paws Veterinary Care, we want to become your trusted partner as we share the goal of wanting your pet to live its best life. We are here to be your source for education, tools, and support on any pet care choice that you make to provide your friend with a long happy life.