Small Door, a Membership-Based Veterinary Care Provider, To Open First Maryland Practice

MCS Staff March 13, 2024 at 5:07pm

Small Door Inc., a tech-enabled, membership-based veterinary care provider that operates under the brand Small Door Veterinary, will open its first location in Maryland on Monday, March 18 at its state-of-the-art practice in Bethesda (10253 Old Georgetown Rd).

The new facility, located in the Wildwood Shopping Center, is the fourth location to open in the DMV, as Small Door continues to address a growing need for veterinary medicine amongst local pet owners. Small Door’s model of care reimagines the veterinary experience. Membership costs $169 per pet, per year and includes one free exam, same or next day appointments, 24/7 telemedicine, more time with trusted medical professionals, and thoughtful modern facilities equipped with the latest technology.

Per Small Door: Small Door was one of the first veterinary care providers to become a certified B Corp and the company also works to obtain AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accreditation for all of its practices, which is a recognition of the quality of veterinary facilities that only 15% of all vet clinics in the United States earn.

The opening marks the eleventh Small Door location overall, continuing a steady expansion plan. “We’ve served over 10,000 pets across our DC area locations and we’re excited to welcome Bethesda pets into the Small Door family. Bringing a practice to Bethesda, and specifically Wildwood Shopping Center, continues our strategic rollout across the Greater Washington market,” said Josh Guttman, Co-Founder and CEO of Small Door. “This opening also begins our partnership with Federal Realty with whom more is planned. A special thanks to Ralph Ours and John Auber for laying the groundwork for this relationship.”

The Bethesda practice will be led by Dr. Heidi Heller as Managing Veterinarian. A native of the metro DC area, Dr. Heller has practiced general practice medicine and surgery at a number of veterinary clinics in Maryland, West Virginia and Washington DC, including leading a rehabilitation unit for several years. She takes a special interest in wellness and preventative care, internal medicine, soft tissue surgery and dentistry. She is also keenly focused on pain management and the orthopedic health and fitness of her patients.

Dr. Heller graduated from The Madeira School and attended the University Of Maryland where she gained her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. She received her veterinary degree from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, and later studied to become a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP) at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.

Accompanying Dr. Heller at the Bethesda practice is Senior Veterinarian, Dr. Penny Coder. Dr. Coder graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014 and started her veterinary career with a shelter medicine internship at Young-Williams Animal Shelter in Knoxville, TN. She then continued her shelter medicine career as the Director of Medicine at the Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin. Most recently, Dr. Coder served as the Vice President of Medicine at the Humane Rescue Alliance, shaping their shelter and community medicine programs

Dr. Coder enjoys guiding pet parents to the best possible care for their pets and strengthening their bond. Her clinical interests include soft tissue surgery, dermatology, infectious diseases, dentistry, and immunology.

“When our pets are healthy, comfortable and fit, they keep us healthy, active and fit too,” Dr. Heller said. “As a native of the DMV area, it’s personally gratifying to be helping foster a healthier community here in Bethesda.”

To learn more and be one of the first to experience the Small Door difference in the Bethesda area, visit: https://www.smalldoorvet.com/locations/washington-dc/bethesda