Redwood Animal Hospital, Castro Valley

There are many businesses that cater to pets, but Redwood Animal Hospital strives to be the only one animals need. Veterinarians Joelle Abrams and Timberly Johnson and their doting staff members—including Isaac the dog, who greets clients up front, and Alex the cat, who roams the clinic freely and helps distract patients during procedures—perform the preventative, surgical, and dental services that owners expect from an animal hospital, then they go a few steps further. The onsite boarding facility lends a private space to dogs and cats when their owners are away, and groomer Cheri shampoos, brushes, and trims fur to bestow clients with fresher-smelling pets. For owners with limited mobility or dogs who don't want to run into their ex-wives, the medical specialists even make house calls.