When SAHO Owasso West Animal Hospital & Pet Resort opened its doors for the first time, no one could have predicted the critical role they'd play in their community just days later.

The team was still celebrating their first client and unpacking boxes when an EF-2 tornado tore through Owasso, Oklahoma, damaging homes and displacing families and pets across the area.

Devastation in Owasso after the tornado

"We had literally just opened our practice," recalls Dr. Bradley Walsh. "We were still getting systems online when we heard about the tornado damage."

Without hesitation, the team transformed their brand-new boarding facility into an emergency shelter for pets whose families had lost homes or suffered property damage.

"One woman was so grateful, she actually cried," says Ashley Tomlinson, one of their Client Service Representatives. "How lucky that our new facility opened just in time and had exactly what was needed."

The hospital offered free boarding for families affected by the storm, providing peace of mind during an incredibly stressful time.

The team on their first day open

"Helping animals in need is at the heart of everything we do—it's not just our work, it's our purpose," Dr. Walsh explains. "Our hospital's mission is 'to inspire and nurture the human-animal bond with compassion and care,' and every act of service brings that mission to life."

Dr. Walsh with a new patient

The experience also strengthened bonds among the team. "It united us around a shared purpose, and everyone felt a deep sense of pride in being able to support the community,” says Hospital Manager Brandi Roper. “It was a powerful morale boost and a reminder of what we’re capable of when we come together.”