Lending a Helping Hand to Pets and the Environment

Opened in December 2012, Ohana Pet Hospital is a full-service veterinary clinic that is committed to environmental sustainability and serves as a role model for small businesses. Ohana was presented with a CoolCalifornia Small Business Climate Leader award in 2013 for their achievements in reducing waste, recycling, and conserving energy and water.

In 2014, the hospital saw their 2,000 sq. ft. facility expansion as an opportunity to improve upon their eco-friendly commitment. The new space was built with the same eco-friendly materials as the old, including zero emission paints, plant-based and Green Guard Indoor Air Quality Certified anti-microbial flooring, and LE D lighting. It also included energy efficient appliances, an additional low water flow toilet, and increased insulation for the cooling/heating unit.

Going above and beyond their award winning efforts in the past, Ohana used new eco-friendly cabinet materials, such as Green Guard Indoor Air Quality Certified recycled content cabinet laminates. Whenever possible, Ohana uses refillable cleaning products purchased from a local refill store. They also began to use office supplies that were recyclable or otherwise eco-friendly and purchased promotional
products from a company that sells environmentally conscious items. Ohana continues to operate digital x-ray and record keeping systems, and uses an e-fax number. They’ve also implemented a new employee clocking-in system to further reduce paper waste.

In an effort to maximize their waste reduction and recycling, Ohana employees went the extra mile by visiting the local recycling facility to share with them the types of medical waste produced and learn what may be recycled. In turn, to help educate their staff, they created and display a “recycling board” to show what materials can be recycled. Ohana continues to provide clients with tote bags when needed for food and prescription purposes.

Ohana Pet Hospital has been continually active in promoting environmental sustainability in its community. In 2014, it sponsored eight ‘Poo-Free Park Stations’ throughout Ventura’s dog parks and beaches to promote eco-friendly bags for animal waste pickup. It also helped plan and execute a Summit on Water Conservation, which was a partnership between Ventura Water, the City of Ventura, the Ventura Chamber of Commerce, and Assemblymember Das Williams. Additionally, its monthly e-newsletters, which go out to clients, occasionally feature tips on water conservation.

Previous Award Winning Actions

Sustainability

The hospital was constructed using green building materials including zero-emission paints, plant-based and anti-microbial flooring, recycled content cabinet laminates, EPA-recommended insulation to maximize the heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system efficiency and recycled glass reception counter tops. Ohana Pet Hospital also installed energy efficient appliances and air conditioning system, low-flow toilets and occupancy sensor switches.

Other Environmentally Friendly Practices

At Ohana, medical, financial, and human resources records are paperless due to the purchase of an efficient software system, tablet laptops, digital X-rays, Dropbox file sharing, and the use of direct deposit by all staff members. Ohana also partnered with the City of Ventura, Community Memorial Health System and Ventura County Medical Center in the “Blue Drapes Project” that redistributes the outer wraps of surgical equipment packs to other veterinary hospitals and diverts waste from landfills. They hosted a Ventura Chamber of Commerce Green Task Force “Best Green Practices” workshop to educate other medical facilities and small businesses and were awarded the Ventura County Climate Change Award.

Climate Leader Award - 4th Year
Small Business of the Year Award - 5th Year