Emergency Animal Care for 20 years

The Delmarva Animal Emergency Center (DAEC) has been providing veterinary care for sick and injured pets for 20 years. On April 17, 2021, Dr. Mitch Arion presented Mark Malloy and his K9 partner, Nova, from the Delaware State Police Canine Unit with two protective canine vests. The celebration took place at DAEC in the Liberto Plaza at 1482 E. Lebanon Rd. (Rt. 10), in Dover.

The presentation was followed with an extensive demonstration by the troopers and their dogs. The other Troopers present were: Ken Wilson with K9 Fifo; Katie Koff with K9 Indi; Bill Brennan with K9 Charly and Kyle Ogden.

DAEC is open for emergencies nights, weekends and holidays when daytime practices are closed. They see dogs, cats, and the occasional rabbit, ferret, guinea pig or bird in crisis.

They have cutting edge diagnostic, surgical and treatment equipment to handle most emergencies that enter their doors. On any given night, their capable doctors and staff see pets with issues ranging from being hit by a car, suffering from diabetes, or needing exploratory surgery for an intestinal obstruction.

Prior to DAEC opening its doors, each veterinary practice covered their own individual emergencies. This meant there was a doctor on call every night from each hospital. This all changed after two local doctors, Dr. Karen Usselman and Dr. Jeffrey Booth met with a group of doctors to discuss forming an after-hours emergency hospital to share the “on call” load.

There are 23 Veterinarians who own DAEC with an elected Board of Directors, who provide the medical guidance for the practice. The day-to-day running of the hospital belongs to Pam Derickson, who has been the office manager

 for over 10 years as well as a veterinary technician since DAEC opened. Derickson and Dr. Audrey Adkins worked together on the very first night 20 years ago.

With 45 Veterinary hospitals within a 100-mile radius referring their after-hour emergencies to DAEC, the decision to open DAEC has benefited the animal loving community as the hospital continues to meet its urgent care needs.