W O R K I T G I R L
Helping Hands
Helping Paws:
Dr. Lori Pasternak
GeoRGeTown
weST DAy SpA
“Where beauty and art come together”
434.823.HAIR
(4247)
5785 The Square
Crozet, Virginia
Enchanting Day Spa
Lori Pasternak (left) and Jackie Morasco
any who have experienced the heartache of a beloved
M
Lori came from a family of physicians, and her love for animals
pet’s illness have felt the agony of not being able to give
guided her to veterinary medicine. She received her D.V.M. from
these friends what they need most. They can give them
Virginia Tech in 1998, and focuses on animal surgeries and dental
love, attention, food, water, treats, hugs, and the basic
care. After ten years working for Dr. Locke Taylor, Cat Nip, and
medical essentials, but when the unexpected strikes, the treatment may
P.A.L., she decided to begin her own clinic. “I was inspired to go
be entirely out of their financial capabilities.
out on my own not only because of my desire to limit my scope
Lori Pasternak and Jackie Morasco understand. “After working in a
to surgical procedures but also to provide quality yet affordable
full service veterinary hospital for more than a decade,” Lori says, “we’ve
surgical procedures beyond what many of the low cost clinics
become painfully aware of the need for a lower cost alternative for
offer,” she says.
surgical and dental care for the pets in our area. Many pets are going
A native of Montreal, Canada who came to the U.S. in 1991
without surgical / dental care because their owners simply cannot
and to Richmond in ’98, Jackie Morasco is Dr. Lori’s right hand and
afford the standard costs associated with their regular veterinarian
surgical technician. “We are excited to be able to provide the
or the specialists in our region. These animals end up euthanized
same love and attention to the animals we will treat as we do for
or left untreated, leading to early and unnecessary deaths.” And to
our own,” says Jackie.
heartbroken owners.
This new concept, Helping Hands Veterinary Surgical and
These two animals lovers have banded together to find a solution to
Dental Care Center, is located in the old Dogma building in
the problem. In their veterinary business model, they will offer surgical
Carytown, 3402 W. Cary Street. Although they are still navigating
options that help pet owners afford the care their furry friends need,
the stream of city inspections, construction, and red tape, they
by cutting out office visit and consultation time and fees, by limiting the
expect to open around the new year. A new beginning for many
scope of care, and by excluding inpatient services.
faithful friends. V
“Our mission is to provide high quality surgical and dental care to
your pet at affordable rates,” says Dr. Lori Pasternak. “We are able
to achieve our mission by limiting the scope of our services to surgery
and dental care only.”
You can reach Helping Hands at 804-355-3500, or
The mission does not stop there. Five dollars of each invoice goes
connect online at www.helpinghandsvetva.com, on Twitter
into an account set up to help needy animals. Larger donations are, of
at @HelpingHandsVet, and on Facebook Fan Page -
course, accepted as well.
Helping Hands Veterinary.

DECEMBER 2009
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