Good Medicine, Caring People! Blue Cross Animal Hospital located in Minneapolis, MN provides exceptional veterinary services to keep your pet healthy. Blue Cross Animal Hospital Provides the following services:
Wellness Care Senior Pet Wellness Vaccinations Spay/Neuter Pet Dental Health Care X-ray Prescriptions (full on-site pharmacy)
Years In Practice94
Primary Specialty
Animal Hospital
GenderFemale
TrainingBlue Cross Animal Hospital was established in the early 1930’s by Dr. Vincent Robinson from Iowa. The original practice saw both small and large animals and was located in a house next door to where our current building stands. Dr. George Hartle, another Iowa State graduate, took over the practice after Dr. Robinson passed away. During the 1940’s the practice changed to focus on small animals only and Dr. Hartle hired associates.
In April 1955 Dr. James A. Smith joined Blue Cross as an associate and eventually became a partner, then the owner. Dr. Smith retired in 1988 and still visits bluecross pictureBlue Cross occasionally.
The current owner is Dr. Debra Hlavka (“Dr.Deb” since her last name is hard to pronounce) a 1982 U of M graduate.
Currently we have a total of four doctors, all U of M graduates.
Over the years Blue Cross has changed from a wooden house to our current building that was a variety store until 1958. Adding an addition and remodeling in 1960 doubled the size. Changes inside have gone on through the years but the outside changes from year to year with the flower boxes and planters. We have had the opportunity to see many changes in our neighborhood – from horses to cars, hardware stores to banks, pharmacies to coffee shops, theaters to restaurants – we enjoy being a part of the history and we will be here long into the future.
AffiliationsAmerican Veterinary Medical Association, Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association, Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine
Payment OptionsCash; Check; Debit Card; Discover; MasterCard; VISA
ServicesAnimal Hospital, Pet Clinic, Veterinary Care, Veterinarian, Vet, Pet Hospital, Pet Vaccinations, Pet preventative healthcare, Pet Dental Work, Pet Diagnostics, Pet Prescriptions.
I have been taking my animals to Blue Cross for 10 years. I have taken a cat and 3 dogs there over the years. These women (it is all women) are some of the most compassionate and attentive doctors I have encountered. They have diagnosed major ailments and minor injuries with the same level of concern every time. My dogs actually like going to the vet because they know they are going to get lots of cookies and love from the people there. If there is something they can't do, they will refer you to someone who can (My lab needed hip surgery and they urged me to take her to the U of M, which was the best choice). As long as I am in the Cities, I will use Blue Cross.