Ponchatoula Animal Hospital

Family owned and operated since 1980. A full-service companion animal hospital offering services such as boarding, dental care, digital radiography, surgery, and preventative veterinary care

The founder of Ponchatoula Animal Hospital is Dr. Larry Ernst, a member of the first class of graduating veterinarians from the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1977. In 1980, Dr. Ernst returned to his roots in Ponchatoula and established the Ponchatoula Animal Hospital on property that had been part of the dairy farm on which he grew up. Serving as the sole veterinarian for 25 years, Dr. Ernst built up the practice and expanded in 1995, doubling the size of the original hospital. In 2003, Dr. Pete Hendry, who had practiced and owned General Animal Hospital in Covington for 34 years, came out of retirement to lend a hand to Dr. Ernst. In 2004, Dr. Bonnie Duhon also joined the practice. Due to her hard work, dedication, and adoration of her clients, it was only natural that she became co-owner of Ponchatoula Animal Hospital. The hospital continued to grow at a rapid pace, requiring the addition of an associate veterinarian to the staff in 2011. Doctors Ernst and Duhon, however, realizing the need for additional space to support a thriving practice, expanded the hospital to include a new lobby, more exam rooms, a larger pharmacy and lab, as well as a new treatment area and kitchen. This latest expansion was completed in 2016. Today, Dr. Ernst works part-time doing mostly surgery. In addition to Dr. Duhon, Ponchatoula Animal Hospital now has several full time veterinarians on staff: Dr. Pete Hendry, Dr. Susan Akers, Dr. Christine Gerrity, Dr. Lillian Barber, Dr. Alexis Caillouet, and Dr. Cody Schmaltz. We also have more than 30 talented support staff members including technicians, receptionists, and kennel staff who help make it possible for our veterinarians to provide excellent health care to your pets

Mission — Our goal is to make sure that your pets live long, enriched lives, and we want to partner with you to help make that happen