We are a privately owned, full service veterinary hospital serving Winter Haven, Lakeland, Polk county and Central Florida. We provide a variety of pet care options, such as traditional veterinary medical care, holistic treatments, pet acupuncture, chiropractic care and grooming. Our facility is also equipped with a boarding facility, including luxury boarding suites.
Our goal is to deliver outstanding client service, while also providing high-quality pet care. We are committed to working closely with you to offer your pet the best treatment and to strengthening the human-pet bond. Her interest in holistic medicine and the integration of acupuncture stemmed naturally from her desire for animal healing and comfort.
Our goal is to deliver outstanding client service, while also providing high-quality pet care. We are committed to working closely with you to offer your pet the best treatment and to strengthening the human-pet bond. Her interest in holistic medicine and the integration of acupuncture stemmed naturally from her desire for animal healing and comfort.
Services
Orchid Springs Animal Hospital was established in 1996 by Dr. Mitsie Vargas, a graduate of Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine in Alabama. After practicing in an exclusively feline practice in Coral Gables, Florida, she decided to venture out on her own and move to Winter Haven, Florida.
My husband and I moved to Florida from Ohio over 20 years ago but we are still Buckeyes at heart. We have 3 children and on the weekends you can find us boating, watching the Ohio State Buckeyes or hanging by the pool. Veterinarian graduated in Brazil, Master Degree in Animal Behavior, living and working in Florida since 2012.
Dr. Vargas received her DVM from Tuskegee University in 1994. In 1996, she established her AAHA accredited Orchid Springs Animal Hospital in Winter Haven, FL. In 2009, she began her studies at Chi Institute, eventually garnering certifications in Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, and Tui Na.
She previously worked at Orchid Springs Animal Hospital from 2007-2009. We are so excited to have her back! Dr. Hood graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor's degree in zoology in 1992 and also obtained her veterinary degree from the University of Florida in 1996. Dr. Hood was born in Washington DC, but spent most of her life in Florida.
Orchid Springs Animal Hospital provides a variety of medical services for the excellent care of your pet. If you have questions about your pet's health or about the services that we provide, we would be happy to talk with you about your concerns. Please contact our team for more information. Annual wellness examinations are very important for your adult pet.
Reviews (27)
Stan Orelove
Jan 05, 2022
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These folks are the best! They can calm a skittish, out of sorts cat with ease. Friendly and personable, they carefully explain diagnosis and treatment plan, answering all questions in plain language until you fully understand the options. They inform you of costs and options before acting so you can make certain there are no unexpected charges. Clean and spacious facilities. 5 stars.
Pedro Gonzalez
Dec 20, 2021
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Gretchen Raulerson
Dec 17, 2021
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Hillbilly Joe Merican
Sep 22, 2021
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Tracy Brown
Sep 05, 2021
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I would like to give out a big hallelujah to Marco , the behavioral specialist. He started working with my dog who is 4 1/2 yrs old and has fear aggression and hasn’t been seen by a vet in 3 yrs. on June 6th. Today she was able to get her first shot in over 3 yrs !!! This man is amazing , honest and very patient!!! Ty so much for being here for my fur baby!!
Alexander Keefer
Sep 03, 2021
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Michelle Paiva
Sep 02, 2021
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Dorothy Johnson
Aug 29, 2021
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Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Reliability, Responsiveness, Value
I had a emergency with my cat Daisy. Dr Vargas, Shay and Kristin took her in and treated her. She was very sick with pneumonia. Best care ever received from a vet. I can not thank them enough. Their compassion for animals is beyond anything I have ever seen. Thank You
I had a emergency with my cat Daisy. Dr Vargas, Shay and Kristin took her in and treated her. She was very sick with pneumonia. Best care ever received from a vet. I can not thank them enough. Their compassion for animals is beyond anything I have ever seen. Thank You
Jessica Chappell
Jul 28, 2021
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Yeura S.
Jun 23, 2021
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Chrissy V.
May 12, 2021
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I'm so glad to find a reliable vet clinic to take care of my pup. We've gotten our dog's vaccines up to date here and just had his cherry eye surgery here. It's easy to schedule and appointment and having an app available makes it convenient to contact the office. The entire staff, especially Dr. Farrar, tech Bryan, and Christine at the front desk have been very friendly, thorough and attentive each time we've come to visit.
Not only do they perform full veterinarian services, but they also offer obedience training and boarding. The clinic is clean and well stocked with
Not only do they perform full veterinarian services, but they also offer obedience training and boarding. The clinic is clean and well stocked with
John W.
Jan 25, 2021
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Very over priced. Gave me a quote of $1,100 to $1,300 for cleaning my cats teeth . This bill included anesthesia between $300-400 with the actual cleaning at$165 with a lot of additional items. I checked other vets in the area and got a average price of less than $300.which includes the anesthesia. Best to always get a price quote.
Vjay L.
Jan 15, 2021
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Chiropractic services aren't just for humans!
One afternoon our normally very playful and energetic dog suddenly became extremely slow, and unlike himself. He suddenly had no interest in running and playing with his toys like he does all day every day or chasing us around the house, he simply wanted to lay on the couch. My wife went to pick him up to check on him and suddenly he yelped in pain and began to whimper. We immediately knew something was wrong and took him to see his vet Dr. Vargas at Orchid Springs Animal Hospital in Winter Haven, FL. Dr Vargas ran blood work to rule out any strange
One afternoon our normally very playful and energetic dog suddenly became extremely slow, and unlike himself. He suddenly had no interest in running and playing with his toys like he does all day every day or chasing us around the house, he simply wanted to lay on the couch. My wife went to pick him up to check on him and suddenly he yelped in pain and began to whimper. We immediately knew something was wrong and took him to see his vet Dr. Vargas at Orchid Springs Animal Hospital in Winter Haven, FL. Dr Vargas ran blood work to rule out any strange
Shannon A.
Dec 18, 2020
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I haven't been very impressed, but everyone keeps recommending them, enthusiastically, as the "best in Winter Haven!"
Their staff have been very challenging to work with and they never seem to be the same person. We had stomach issue after stomach issue with our pup and they kept prescribing the same things, over and over and over. Whether it worked or if she finally just grew out of it, I will never know but I am not confident it was the medicine, they prescribed both conventional and herbal.
We took our other dog there for their "luxury" suite experience, perfectly
Their staff have been very challenging to work with and they never seem to be the same person. We had stomach issue after stomach issue with our pup and they kept prescribing the same things, over and over and over. Whether it worked or if she finally just grew out of it, I will never know but I am not confident it was the medicine, they prescribed both conventional and herbal.
We took our other dog there for their "luxury" suite experience, perfectly
Greg R.
Apr 10, 2020
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This was our first appointment to Orchid Springs, no doubt the last. We started with the Vet and the free health overview. Once the preliminary "free health review" was complete, the Vet's assistant told us that their policy insisted that we have the heart worm shots and the flea and tick treatment to the tune of about a $90+ per dog. Seriously??? We declined the two treatments for each dog. Then... the Vet visited with us, pressuring us to get the two treatments, then lied that heart worms were the worst in Florida. I called her on the lie, and she retracted the statement, explaining
Leah-Jean J.
Feb 04, 2020
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William A.
Oct 15, 2019
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This place is absolutely amazing. I brought my Service Animal (American Bulldog) suffering from a severe esr infection and a stroke. Dr Vargas knew right away what she needed to do and started acupuncture treatment.
We are now 3.5 months post stroke and she can walk, run, eat and be the amazing Dog she was again all thanks to this amazing Animal Hospital and the people working here.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
We are now 3.5 months post stroke and she can walk, run, eat and be the amazing Dog she was again all thanks to this amazing Animal Hospital and the people working here.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
Jessica R.
Aug 28, 2019
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After three years of believing Orchid Springs Animal Hospital was the best choice for my greyhound, I learned the hard truth this summer. In early June, Freida began showing signs of illness and on June 11 I took her in for an evaluation. Her temperature was 105 and after a few tests, injections and prescriptions we went home. We were back two days later because the medicine hadn't worked. I feared cancer (common in senior greyhounds) and paid for an abdominal x-ray. X-ray was clear, she was given more meds and I was told she's just aging and no serious problems could be identified. A
Cheryl J.
Jul 06, 2019
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Randy Y.
Aug 09, 2018
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Nicole H.
Nov 16, 2017
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Stephen M.
Aug 07, 2017
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*update* So after a couple days and time to reflect and relax, and hearing from the doctor I felt I should post a more relaxed review. We have been clients here for around 9 years now and have received good service from Dr. Vargas. One off day should not color my opinion of the overall service here. I continue to recommend her when anyone asks where to take their pet. So I apologize to Dr. Vargas and her staff for my rash comments and hope that we can move forward.
Trashprince A.
Jul 19, 2017
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Erin E.
Jan 27, 2017
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I recently brought my cat Willy in for a visit when he was scratching his ears a lot. He hadn't been to the vet in quite a while, but our technician Brittany was so good with him she put him at ease right away - you could tell she genuinely cares about your pet!! Unfortunately she discovered his teeth were in pretty bad shape after taking care of his ears. We were joined by Dr. Moisa and Carlos, their dental expert, who said Willy would definitely need some extractions. I was so worried because my cat is 17 years old and had been acting like nothing was bothering him but his ears! Brittany
Linda R.
Sep 07, 2016
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Orchid Springs Animal Hospital is an excellent animal hospital and boarding center for your dogs. I want to encourage you to never take your dogs anywhere else. My husband changed positions in his job and we had to move to Nevada. This past week my husband and I had to take an emergency trip and had to find a place to board our doggies Zoey , Zippy and Chigger. I looked for a place to board them that looked to be good but it was nothing like I expected when I got there with my doggies. It wasn't clean and didn't come close to the descriptions that I read on the website. Long
Whitney C.
May 20, 2016
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Patty T.
Jul 08, 2015
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Very pleased with the newest staff member, Marco...they are lucky to have him there. Dr.Hood has also been exceptional in treating our kitty and puppy......Most technicians are very helpful and knowledgeable , but it is apparent that a couple of them need more training---
I would think that working in an animal hospital you would know how to put a dog's leash on and be able to communicate what and how your puppy did on the first day of doggie daycare. All and all very satisfied with the doctors and the treatment of the animals.
I would think that working in an animal hospital you would know how to put a dog's leash on and be able to communicate what and how your puppy did on the first day of doggie daycare. All and all very satisfied with the doctors and the treatment of the animals.
