local vets home visits

Our Services

• Chat with a Vet Online

Sick Pet Care and Diagnostics

• Allergies and Dermatology
• Pet Pain Management
• Orthopedic Examination
• Neurological Examination
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Pet Ultrasound
• Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging

Wellness and Preventative Care

• Wellness Exam
• Puppy and Kitten Wellness
• Nutritional Consultation
• Behavioral Consultation
• Vaccination
• Microchipping

Travel Certificates

• Domestic Travel Certificate
• International Travel Certificate

Surgical Procedures

End-of-life care.

• In-Home Pet Euthanasia
• Quality-of-Life Consultation

Our Locations

• Philadelphia
• Washington, D.C. Area
• Conejo Valley
• Greater Los Angeles
• Orange County
• San Francisco
• How It Works?
• Our Veterinarians
• Referral Program

Pet Health Care Resources

• Pet Health Care
• Pet Nutrition
• Pet Symptoms
• Pet Conditions
• Pet Diseases
• Pet Medications
• Pet Lifestyle

Tools, Calculators & Calendars

• Pet Wellness Tools
• Pet Holidays and Awareness Days

Customer Support

• Help Center
• Code of Conduct

In-Home Sick Pet Visits

If something seems off with your pet or you have concerns about their health and well-being, we’ll come to you, eliminating additional stress. When you want your pet seen quickly, we offer same-day and next-day home vet visits for sick pets when available.

Why Choose a Home Vet Visit?

When you book an in-home Sick Visit, we’ll examine your pet in their favorite spot - in the comfort of home, saving both time and stress.

Immediate Attention in Familiar Surroundings

Being in a familiar environment can help reduce your pet’s stress when they aren’t feeling well, making it easier for your veterinarian to perform a physical exam.

Avoiding Clinic Wait Times

Say goodbye to long wait times and the unfamiliar sounds, sights, and smells of veterinary clinics that can cause anxiety for your pet.

Personalized Care Tailored to Symptoms

During a home vet visit our veterinarians have the time to focus solely on your pet's specific symptoms and your concerns.

Safety First

In-home veterinary care for your sick pet reduces the risks associated with exposure to other pets, people, and potential illnesses.

When to Schedule a Sick Pet Visit

As a pet parent, you know your pet better than anyone and can usually sense when something’s not right. Below is a list of common reasons to book a vet visit for a sick pet:

Altered appetite or thirst

Eye appearance changes

Vomiting or diarrhea

Coughing, sneezing, or changes in breathing patterns

Significant weight fluctuations

Excessive whining, pacing, or shaking

Limping or difficulty walking

Itchy ears or skin

Urinary changes or accidents

Any concerns about your pet's well-being

Our Home Vet Visit Process

Each in-home Sick Visit includes a thorough examination of your pet by a licensed veterinarian and veterinary technician. You’ll be able to stay with your pet during the entire appointment to help them stay calm and relaxed.

"> "> Initial Assessment and Discussion

During your visit, your veterinarian will take time to gather information about your pet’s history, current health, and any symptoms they are experiencing.

Targeted Examination

Your veterinarian will then perform a focused, nose-to-tail physical examination based on your pet's symptoms and conditions. They will also take your pet’s vital signs and check all the major systems of their body.

Diagnostic Procedures (If Needed)

Depending on your pet’s symptoms, your veterinarian might recommend additional testing or lab work to assist in diagnosis and treatment (for an additional fee). Your veterinarian may also refer you to other specialists as needed.

Post-Visit Care Recommendations

Before the end of your visit, your veterinarian will provide guidance on how to care for your pet after the visit, including scheduling any necessary follow-up treatments and/or prescribing medications for an additional fee.

Sick Visit Pricing

The cost of a pet Sick Visit starts at $99, plus our travel fee and any additional products or services. Visit our pricing page for more information and current offers.

Why BetterVet?

Our mobile veterinarians examine pets in their favorite spot - a comfy couch, a cozy pet bed, or even your lap! See how we work to keep pets relaxed and happy at home.

What Our Clients Say

Dr. Wilson and Amanda came to my home for a sick visit . They treated Zeus and myself with respect and caring. They listened to my concerns and gave excellent advice.

Included in Our Veterinary Home Visit Service

Allergies & dermatology.

Our mobile vets will conduct a detailed allergy and dermatologic examination of your pet's skin and coat for bumps or irritation. Medications may be prescribed depending on the cause.

Neurological Consultation

Our skilled veterinarians conduct neurological exams to assess your pet's nervous system health that includes tests for reflexes, coordination, balance, and response to stimuli.

Orthopedic Assessment

We'll examine your pet's joints, bones, and muscles , identifying any signs of discomfort, injury, and degenerative issues, providing the foundation for effective treatment and care.

Veterinary Pain Management

We employ a range of techniques, from medication to innovative therapies, to effectively manage pain in pets . We assess each pet's individual needs, ensuring a personalized approach to pain relief and ongoing comfort.

Additional Veterinary Diagnostic Services

An in-home Sick Visit includes a consultation with you about your pet’s health and current symptoms, a comprehensive nose-to-tail examination, recommendations for supportive care, as well as additional testing and referrals (for an additional fee).

Veterinary Lab Tests

To accurately diagnose your pet’s illness or potential health condition we may recommend pet blood work , cytology, urinalysis, and fecal testing (for an additional fee).

Should My Pet Be Seen By a Veterinarian?

Frequently asked questions.

It’s possible to schedule a same-day or next-day Sick Visit in many of our locations.

As BetterVet provides mobile veterinary services, your pet can be examined without leaving home. If you think your pet is having a medical emergency, seek urgent care at your local veterinary emergency hospital immediately.

We do not provide emergency veterinary services at this time.  If you think your pet has a medical emergency, seek urgent care immediately at your nearest veterinary emergency hospital.

The following symptoms typically require urgent care at an emergency veterinary clinic:

• Trouble breathing
• Signs that your pet is in severe pain - shaking, vocalizing, panting, hiding, or agitation
• Seizure(s) or loss of consciousness
• Wounds or injuries
• Ingestion of toxic food, substances, or foreign objects
• Sudden mobility issues

Our veterinary teams carry many common medications with them and can administer them to your pet when appropriate.

Your veterinarian will let you know if there is a need for any additional tests, treatments, or referrals and will schedule a follow-up appointment for your pet if recommended.

If your pet requires further tests or hospitalization your veterinarian will discuss the appropriate next steps and offer recommendations of local hospitals in your area.

If your pet is feeling fine but is due for a routine wellness checkup, then you’ll want to book a Wellness Exam. For times when your pet is not feeling well or seems off, you will want to book a Sick Visit instead.

We accept all major credit cards and debit cards. We do not accept cash, checks, or Scratchpay. A credit card is required to book your appointment but will not be billed until the end of your home visit.

Related Article

11 Signs Your Pet Needs to See a Vet

Get our app, experience the bettervet difference at home.

Skip the traffic by booking a mobile vet visit with one of our trusted veterinarians. We bring full-service vet care to you!

Best Mobile Vets & How To Find In-Home Vet Care Near You

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Here’s how it works .

An increasing number of companion animal veterinarians are doing house calls (if only human medicine would follow suit!). It’s great news for our pets, most of whom are far from fans of making the dreaded trek to the vet’s office. That’s one of many benefits we’ll share about using a mobile vet. We also give you reviews of BetterVet and The Vets, two mobile vet services that are quickly growing around the U.S. Finally, we have tips on how to find reliable in-home vet care in your area.

6 Benefits Of Using In-Home Vet Care

Other than not having to take a resistant pet to the vet, using a mobile veterinary service has multiple benefits for you and your pets. These include:

• In addition to the car ride to the vet, many dogs become extremely anxious in a vet clinic from being in a strange place and around strangers, whether they’re people or other animals.
• At-home care significantly reduces your pup’s anxiety , giving veterinarians a better ability to examine your pet in a stress-free environment. This can help vets determine a more accurate diagnosis.
• For pet parents who have difficulty leaving home due to mobility issues or finding transportation for you and your pet, you still have access to vet care.
• At-home vet care helps reduce the risk of your pet contracting a contagious disease from other pets at a vet clinic.
• If you have multiple pets that require vet attention, mobile vet services can save you the hassle of transporting them all to the vet.
• Many pet parents find that a mobile vet euthanasia service helps them better handle this difficult process. Your pet can pass away peacefully in the comfort of his home, which can make this heart-wrenching experience a bit easier for you.

Best Mobile Vets (National Companies)

Mobile veterinary services are expanding quickly, thanks to consumer demand. Many are solely local/regional services. But we want to make you aware of two major companies that have multiple locations across the U.S. We anticipate that other widely available mobile vet services will hit the market in the coming years. But for now, these are the two major providers in the U.S.

The Vets Review

Visit Website

Founded in 2021 in Miami, The Vets now offers in-home personalized vet care for dogs and cats in 18 major metropolitan locations (covering over 240 cities) across the U.S. Their licensed veterinarians provide high-quality clinical care in the comfort of your home. Services include wellness exams, vaccinations, sick visits, home lab tests, ultrasound (in some locations), dermatology, microchipping, and more. The Vets are not able to accommodate emergency care.

You can schedule an appointment online for a home visit on Mondays through Saturdays during typical operating hours, and if you want to use the same vet for every appointment, customer support can arrange that for you. They also offer a Total Wellness Plan for $99 per month that covers wellness checkups, vaccinations, routine annual lab tests, preventative treatment, and telehealth advice.

• South-East: Charlotte, Miami, Orlando, Raleigh, and Tampa
• Mid-West: Chicago and Columbus
• South-West: Austin, Dallas, Houston, and Phoenix
• West: Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego, Sacramento, and Seattle

The Vets’ pricing varies by location , but here are some ranges for their base prices, according to their website. Keep in mind that these costs don’t include lab tests, vaccinations, etc.

• Concierge fee (home visit travel fee) from $75 to $109, regardless of the number of pets being seen 
• Exam fees range from $80 to $129 for each pet

BetterVet Review

Founded in 2020, BetterVet is a larger organization compared to The Vets, with more locations across the U.S. and more services offered. BetterVet currently serves 26 metropolitan areas with plans to expand to many more locations in the near future. Their licensed vets offer in-home services for wellness exams, vaccinations, sick visits, blood work, X-rays (in some locations), electrocardiogram (ECG), euthanasia, microchipping, and more. BetterVet is unable to handle emergency care.

You can schedule an appointment via their website. Availability is Mondays through Saturdays during typical vet operating hours. BetterVet also offers telehealth appointments for anyone in the states where they’re licensed to give advice. You can join their Wellness Club for $19 per month, which gives you access to free travel fees. For an additional $70 per month, their premium Wellness Plan covers two wellness or sick visits per year, vaccinations, routine blood work, and more.

• East: Baltimore, Boston, Miami, New York, North & Central Jersey, Palm Beach, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and South Jersey
• Central: Austin, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, and Houston
• West: Conejo Valley, Greater Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, San Franciso, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, and Ventura County
• Pacific Northwest: Eugene, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver

Pricing for in-home visits, exams, and other services vary by location .

• Home visits and examinations start at $195 plus a travel fee (based on your location)
• Telehealth appointments are billed at $49 (when no medical prescription is needed), and telemedicine appointments are billed at $69 (when a medical prescription is needed)

See A BetterVet Home Visit From The Company’s Co-Founder

How Do I Find A Trustworthy Mobile Vet Near Me?

If BetterVet and The Vets aren’t available in your area, you may have some local services to choose from. Fortunately, thousands of small regional companies and independent veterinary practitioners offer in-home vet care in the U.S.

To get an idea of what’s available locally, you can simply search online for a “mobile vet near me.” It’s also a good idea to ask your friends or neighbors if they have experience with any local services. Your regular veterinarian or regional animal shelters may also have some recommendations. Be sure to check out what services each local mobile vet offers.

How Much Do Mobile Vets Cost?

There’s no easy answer to this question. Costs depend on the services you need (e.g., wellness vs sick visits, vaccinations, etc.). Pricing also depends on the mobile vet you choose and the costs of veterinary care in your location. Typically, the cost of a mobile vet appointment will be higher than an in-office visit.

My Personal Experience With A Mobile Vet

When my 16-year-old cat, Cleo, was declining in her health and mobility, I had a vet come to give her the care she needed at my home. It was such a blessing not to have to take her to the vet’s office. She got the pain meds she needed, and our vet gave me excellent advice about end-of-life care. Once Cleo’s quality of life had declined too much, our mobile vet was able to provide in-home euthanasia. Although having to put my kitty to sleep was so hard to go through, having her euthanized at home was easier than having to go through that process in a vet’s office. – Sally Jones , pet parent to several rescue cats and a dog

When Pet Insurance Can Help

While pet insurance doesn’t cover travel fees with these services or wellness-related vet care, it may cover exams and lab testing for illnesses and minor accidents, and some providers cover euthanasia. However, you’ll likely need to get in-clinic vet care for more serious health problems during your pet’s lifetime.

Vet costs for severe conditions and accidents can rack up quickly — sometimes into thousands of dollars — so you may want to  consider getting pet insurance . It can help protect your wallet from a major blow while ensuring that your pet receives the care he needs. See our pet insurance reviews  to learn more.

The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease; it is not intended to offer any legal opinion or advice or a substitute for professional safety advice or professional care. Please consult your health care provider, attorney, or product manual for professional advice. Products and services reviewed are provided by third parties; we are not responsible in any way for them, nor do we guarantee their functionality, utility, safety, or reliability. Our content is for educational purposes only.

About The Author

Sally Jones, Researcher/Writer & Editor

Related posts.

Meloxicam For Dogs: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & More

Puppy Deworming Schedule: How Puppies Get Worms, Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment & More

Bond Vet Reviews: Do They Provide Reliable Clinic And Telehealth Pet Care?

MOBILE VETERINARY SERVICES

In-home Wellness & Mobile Veterinary Care

Our mobile vet team brings high-quality, compassionate veterinary care to you, keeping your pets healthy in the comfort and convenience of your home.

Wellness Care

Because of the shorter lifespan of our pets, we stress the importance of semi-annual physical examinations (every 6 months) and age appropriate wellness testing with a veterinarian.  Thorough check-ups and preventative care can help alleviate serious health problems. Wellness testing includes bloodwork, fecal exams, and urinalysis to catch issues before they become a problem for your pet.   Preventing disease and early disease recognition will add quality and years to your pet’s life. We offer a wide range of veterinary services to keep your companions feeling their best.

More about Wellness Care

Semi-annual physical examinations.

These are extremely important to your pet’s good health. We pride ourselves on looking at your pet as an individual and then discuss medical treatment, health maintenance and lifestyle with you about what is best for the pet and your family. A full exam is done at every visit, and this includes an assessment of your pet’s eyes, ears, mouth and skin, as well as an evaluation which includes the following body systems: cardiac, respiratory, abdominal, urogenital, and lymphatic.

Wellness and Preventative Care Plans

We evaluate pets as the individuals they are.  Each pet’s care plan is   developed carefully after evaluating the pet’s history, lifestyle and risk factors. A pet care plan will typically include nutrition, customized vaccine protocols or titer testing, wellness testing, and behavior counseling, among other topics. We look comprehensively at the factors that go into your pet’s health and invite your questions and concerns.

Customized Vaccination Protocols

We believe less is more. Vaccines are necessary to prevent disease. However, vaccines can also cause problems for your pet’s immune system if not managed in conjunction with overall health. Once yearly, we will assess your pet’s risk factors and determine if your pet needs vaccines, and if so, which ones are necessary. It is important for you to have a clear understanding of which vaccines are offered, what your pet is at risk for, and the relative risk-to-benefit ratio of giving the vaccines to the long-term health of your companion.

Titer Testing

Titer testing is available and helps assess the need of the pet for a vaccine. In a titer test, a blood sample is tested to see if the pet has an appropriate antibody level against the disease in question. If the antibody level is adequate, we can rely on the pet’s immune system to combat the disease and skip the vaccine at that time.

Wellness Testing

Wellness testing includes blood work, fecal analysis, and urinalysis. Wellness testing gives individual baseline data that we can use later as a reference for faster, more accurate diagnosis and treatment, as well as serving as a detector of early disease. Depending on the age and health of your pet, we can recommend which wellness profile is best suited.

Individualized Flea and Tick Programs

During in-home appointments, we can create an individualized treatment program with you to help keep your pet protected from fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and other potentially disease-bearing pests.  Because many of these pests are now adapting to warming climates in our service areas,  they are a year-round concern requiring a year-round plan. Heartworm, Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis are just a few of the very serious diseases that can be prevented through treatment programs.   We offer a variety of conventional and natural products and will recommend the products that work best for the protection and well-being of your pet.

Sick & Emergency Care

With skilled doctors and well-stocked transits, we are able to treat about 90% of common medical conditions during in-home appointments.  We can take samples for many types of laboratory services in your home and often have the results back to you in 24-48 hours.  Additionally, in-home appointments can provide our veterinarians with the opportunity to observe environmental conditions that may be related to pet illness. Our Receptionists and Patient Care Coordinators are trained to triage emergencies to help you get the best care needed for your pet.  Most things we can handle at home but in some cases we may recommend coming to one of our facilities or going to a specialty center based on the severity of the situation. For laboratory samples that we take at your home, we get pick-up twice a day from the same laboratories that all the local vet hospitals use, which gives us a quick turn-around for results.   We also have capabilities to run blood tests on site at our hospitals for more time-sensitive emergencies.  Visit our Emergency Services page to determine if you have an emergency and for contact information for area emergency veterinary affiliates. 

Veterinary Counseling Services

We offer a wide scope of consultations for both acute and chronic conditions.  Pediatric care, allergies, senior health, lameness evaluations, second opinions, oncology, and behavior are just a few.   If you have any questions about your pet’s health, please don’t hesitate to contact us—you know your pet best and there are no bad questions when it comes to your pet’s health or your peace of mind.

More about Consultations

Chronic disease management.

HousePaws offers in-home consultations to help manage chronic diseases or conditions your pet may have and reduce the number of stressful trips he or she needs to make to the veterinary hospital. We can help manage conditions related to heart, kidney and liver diseases, diabetes, cancer, arthritic conditions and more, and make recommendations of how to keep your pet as healthy and comfortable as possible in their own environment. HousePaws is happy to offer second opinion on diagnosis on chronic conditions which can be challenging for both pet and pet parent, alike.   

Behavioral Counseling

This is a frequently encountered need and one where our mobile practice has distinct benefits to clients. The ability to see the pet in her own environment is a significant benefit when developing a plan of action to defeat a behavior problem. We can provide advice regarding the correction of problems such as excessive barking, chewing, spraying, scratching, digging, house soiling, anxiety, and aggression. Most behavior problems can be solved with behavior modification techniques. Infrequently, natural alternatives or prescription medications may be needed for a short period of time. 

Quality of Life

As pets age, their needs change, too. The benefits of a veterinary housecall allow us to see the environment that your pet lives in. We may see things that you may not which impact the every day quality of life of your pet, or conditions can can present special challenges to your pet, particularly as they age or their health changes. 

Diabetic Home Management

Teaching the owner how to manage diabetes at home is important to having a stress-free diabetic pet. We offer training on obtaining your pet’s blood sample, and utilization of a home glucometer system. Frequent communication/consultation between the owner and veterinarian will optimize your pet’s success with this disease.

Dietary Counseling

We will provide guidance regarding your pet’s nutritional needs for each life stage, including dietary requirements for growth, weight maintenance and performance. A few of our veterinarians have advanced training in Chinese Medicine to take nutritional counseling to the next level!

Mobile Diagnostic and Treatment Services

HousePaws employs a range of diagnostic and treatment techniques in our mobile practice that can be tailored to the needs of you and your pet. In most of our practice areas, our doctors have access to state of the art mobile radiology equipment for advanced diagnostic efforts. A number of our doctors are certified in traditional healing methodologies as well as newer technologies such as cold laser therapy that we have found to have consistent positive results. We are constantly adding to our inventory of knowledge and equipment to offer you the most effective modern and traditional therapies to treat the extensive range of medical conditions we see every day.

Specialized Diagnostic and Treatment Services

Veterinary acupuncture.

Acupuncture is available at South Jersey and Pennsylvania Locations.  (Acupuncture is not yet available in our Bergen County service area). 

Cold Laser Therapy

Laser therapy is an FDA cleared modality that reduces inflammation and pain.   Laser therapy is effective at treating a wide range if conditions including acute pain, arthritis pain, aid in post-operative healing, and chronic musculoskeletal conditions often without use of medication or surgery.

Cold laser, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), is a non-invasive procedure that uses visible and near infrared (NIR) light to stimulate cell regeneration and increase blood circulation. Overall cellular function is increased, allowing for rapid absorption of nutrients, elimination of wastes, growth for new cells. 

The many benefits of cold laser therapy include:

• Alleviating chronic or acute pain
• Reducing inflammation
• Reducing swelling
• Increasing circulation of blood and healing factors
• Speeding up healing and recovery
• Releasing endorphins, the body’s natural pain reliever.
• Joint injuries
• Back injuries and intervertebral disc issues
• Ligament or tendon injuries
• Muscle sprains or strains
• Skin lesions or abrasions
• Post-trauma wounds
• Post-surgical incisions
• Musculoskeletal diseases
• Nerve injury

Radiology at South Jersey Locations: X-Ray & Ultrasound Services

In the event your pet needs radiology services, we have high-tech mobile equipment that we can utilize in your home, or you can come in to one of our hospitals for tests. HousePaws South Jersey and Pennsylvania service areas offer mobile x-ray and ultrasound units that can perform tests in your house. (Mobile x-ray and ultrasound are not yet available in our Bergen County service area.) Results are obtained immediately and can be sent to specialists if necessary.    

Domestic/ international Health Certificates

These are needed before you can travel on an airplane with your pet. To obtain a health certificate, your pet must be examined 10 days before you travel indicating that your pet is free of communicable diseases.  We have several veterinarians on our team who have special certification for international travel requirements.

Home Delivery of Medications, Food and Nutraceuticals

Medicine and food deliveries are offered three times a week. Please see our Order Medication/Supplies page for more details.

Prescription Medications or Natural Remedies/Supplements:

These are often given at the time of the visit on a patient need basis. If you need a refill, please call us to order.

Individualized Flea and Tick Control Programs

We develop programs for the specific needs of your pet and your own particular environmental situation. We will review with you the best ways to control fleas in your house, in your yard and on your pet.

Appointment Cancellations

To enable us to provide the best care to all of our patients, please see below for details regarding cancellation of appointments with our veterinary practice.

HousePaws Cancellation Policy

HousePaws Appointment Cancellation Policy

We understand that there are times when you must miss an appointment due to emergencies or unexpected obligations for work or family.  Cancellations prevent us from treating another patient in need.

We request 12 hours notice for any cancellation.   If a mobile appointment is not cancelled at least 12 hours in advance we will require a cancellation fee equivalent to a travel fee for your area that must be paid prior to scheduling your next appointment.   After a second cancellation of a mobile appointment, without 12 hours notice, you will be responsible for the cost of a doctor’s exam for each pet scheduled and the travel fee. 

In hospital appointments we also require a 12 hour cancellation notice. If an in hospital appointment is canceled for a second time in less than 24 hours you will be responsible for the cost of an exam for each pet we were scheduled to see. 

We thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Veterinary Home Visits

"a mobile vet makes a happy pet".

 Monday through  Friday 9am to 2pm

Saturdays and  Sundays Closed

Our available appointment times depend on the location. Generally our latest appointment in travel zone 2 is noon while travel zone 1 is 1pm. 

Give us a call or email us for more information or to schedule an appointment!

978-406-9632

[email protected]

We are NOT an emergency practice . If you are having an emergency, please call the local veterinary ER. You can find their information on our Contact page .

• River City Live
• Newsletters

WEATHER ALERT

2 river flood warnings in effect for Brantley and Columbia Counties

‘one big happy family’: local veterans embark on special trip to visit war memorials in washington, this marks the fifth first coast honor flight.

Aaron Farrar , News4Jax reporter

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Nearly two dozen veterans flew to the nation’s capital Saturday morning as a part of the First Coast Honor Flight .

The morning started with an escort of respect for 21 veterans through the Jacksonville International Airport before departing to Washington D.C. to visit several memorials.

Recommended Videos

World War II Navy Veteran Bill Speer, 97, made the special trip.

“In the Navy, I thought I was going to see the world. Go and see the world,” Speer said. “It feels like family. One big happy family.”

They spent the day visiting places like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the several different war memorials at The Mall, and even Arlington National Cemetery.

Candace Mabry, the organization’s president, said this was the fifth flight since 2020.

“Bless our Vietnam war veterans. They were told to not wear their uniform when they got back stateside. Rocks were thrown at them. They were called baby killers. To see their faces when we go through the airport and they are being honored, it brings tears to my eyes,” Mabry said.

RELATED | First Coast Honor Flight sends local veterans to Washington D.C. for special honor

Kenneth Wall and Frank Consentino served in the Navy during the Korean and Vietnam War periods.

They have become good friends.

“At the time that I joined, we were pretty well into Korea, and I thought that it was my duty as a United States citizen to put myself out and going into the military,” Wall said.

They are glad they got to share this experience with other fellow veterans.

“I grew up in a military family. It was just understood that we would go into the military and serve our country, and happily so,” Consentino said.

Many people stood in line with smiles on their faces to send these veterans off and say thank you.

“It is an overwhelming feeling. I think seeing everybody come together to celebrate the veterans and all they do for our country. I think it is super important and it was really heartwarming,” Emily Martinez said.

After the trip, all of the veterans will have a reunion in three weeks to recap the flight and share their experiences.

The ball for the next flight is already rolling. It is scheduled for Sept. 21.

Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.

About the Author

Aaron farrar.

Morning Show reporter

Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines.

• Homes for sale
• Foreclosures homes
• New construction for sale
• All new construction
• New home construction
• Housing market
• Recently sold homes
• Property records
• Home buying checklist
• Home buyers reveal: 'What I wish I had known before buying my first home'
• First-time home buyer resource center
• More home buying insights
• Success stories
• Seller's marketplace
• See what your home is worth
• Learn how to sell your home
• How to select an agent
• Compare agents & pick the right one
• Selling your home? Don't neglect these 6 maintenance tasks - or else
• More home selling insights
• Apartments for rent
• Manage rentals
• List your rentals
• Screen tenants
• Create a lease
• Collect rent online
• Renters resource center
• Should I rent or buy?
• Debunked! 8 myths about renting you should stop believing immediately
• Rental report
• More renting insights
• Get pre-approved
• Mortgage rates
• Home equity financing rates
• Refinance rates
• Finance advice
• For veterans
• Mortgage calculator
• Refinance calculator
• How much house can I afford
• Rent vs. buy
• 6 ways home buyers mess up getting a mortgage
• Mortgage guide
• Learn about home insurance
• More finance insights
• Search for real estate agent
• 6 reasons you should never buy or sell a home without an agent
• Difference between agent, broker & Realtor ®
• Listing vs. buyer agent
• How to find a REALTOR ®
• Real estate agents reveal the toughest home buyers they've ever met
• More news around REALTORS ®
• The latest news
• Housing trends
• Real estate news
• Celebrity real estate
• Unique homes
• Corporate blog
• Home improvement
• 2024 housing market predictions
• 2023 hottest zip codes
• Complete guide on how to sell your home
• Veterans home buyer guide
• USDA home loan guide
• Home insurance guide
• Real estate videos
• Housing resources

Veteran Home Loan Center

Discover the exclusive home buying benefits you have earned through your service.

Home Buying Benefits

Military home buyers have a number of home buying benefits at their disposal. Veterans: Have you explored your options?

No down payment

Lower payments, meets the needs of military family.

Additional home financing options may also be available to military home buyers. These include USDA, FHA, and Conventional Loans. Contact an experience home loan specialist from Veteran United Home Loans at 1-844-488-8229 if you have any questions about your home buying options.

VA Loan Eligibility

Curious about your eligibility for a VA Loan? If you find yourself in any of the following scenarios, you may qualify for a VA loan.

Served 90 or more days during wartime

Served 180 or more days during peacetime

Served more than 6 years in the National Guard or Reserves

You are the Spouse of a service member that died in the line of duty

Veterans Guide to Home Ownership

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. Here’s some intel that may help you get through the process. Let’s get started!

Veterans United is more than mortgages

Veterans United is dedicated to helping Veterans and service members take advantage of their home loan benefits. Based in Columbia, Missouri, the full-service national lender provides more VA loans than any other lender in the country, according to the VA. In 2022, Veterans United was ranked #2 in Companies That Care by PEOPLE Magazine, #8 in Best Places to Work by Glassdoor, and #14 of the 100 Best Companies to Work For by Fortune Magazine.

FIVE-STAR REVIEWS

From real veteran homebuyers

See all unfiltered reviews

Donald Trump rally in Wilmington: Crowd grows at airport

Former President Donald Trump, who is the presumptive 2024 Republican nominee for president, is expected to visit Wilmington on Saturday.

The rally will be held at the Aero Center, located at 1830 Flightline Road, Wilmington, on the grounds of the Wilmington International Airport. Doors are scheduled to open at 3 p.m., with the event expected to begin at 7 p.m., according to the event webpage.

Trump's most recent visit to the Port City was in 2022 for his "Save America" rally .

The StarNews will have live coverage throughout the day.

'He's for our country': Crowd grows ahead of Trump rally

With hours to go before Trump is expected in Wilmington, hundreds are in line awaiting his arrival. Melissa Perez, 56, arrived this morning around 9 a.m. to snag a spot close to the front of the line.

Attending the event with her sister and a friend from work, Perez said this will be the first time she’s seeing Trump in person.

“I’m excited,” she said. “I just want to support him. He’s for us, he’s for our country, he’s gonna make it right.”

Seeking reprieve from the 84-degree heat, Debbie Painter, 65, and Lori Moquin, 63, found perhaps the only few feet of shade against the wall of a storage building. Painter, of Supply, and Moquin, of Richland, described the energy at the event as “electric” and “positive.”

“Everybody is just so pepped up and just want to see President Trump,” Painter said. “I fully support him.”

Moquin said it’s good to be around “like-minded people” who want to see the country “back to what it was three years ago.”

Local veterans, elected officials voice opposition

Ahead of Trump's visit to the Port City, area veterans and elected officials gathered at the New Hanover County Democratic Party headquarters to voice their support for Democratic presidential candidate , President Joe Biden. Wilmington City Councilmember Salette Andrews and Sen. Val Applewhite, D-Cumberland, are veterans themselves and were joined by two other area veterans to speak against Trump's efforts to restrict reproductive healthcare.

Trumps supporters lining up for rally

By 10:30 a.m. Saturday, dozens of Donald Trump supporters had already formed a line at Wilmington International Airport. Gates for Trump's rally are expected to open at 3 p.m.

Numerous vendors with T-shirts, hats and other memorabilia also set up shop early.

ILM urges visitors to plan ahead

In a social media post Saturday morning, Wilmington International Airport said: "We encourage travelers to allow extra time today (Saturday) to arrive and park due to the events occurring. Travelers may also review parking information , prior to heading to the airport, to see which lots have spaces available."

More: As Trump rally coincides with veterans' celebration, New Hanover GOP sees 'massive benefit'

The airport also stated that it is not hosting the events taking place at the airport today. In addition to Donald Trump's visit, the Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area veterans welcome home celebration is set to begin at 9:30 p.m. at the airport. Ruth Smith, president of Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area, said attendees are encourage to arrive early for Honor Flight event .

Heading to a Virginia Beach concert? Leave the lawn chair at home.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Summer is just around the corner. That means longer days, warmer nights, and the arrival of concert-going season!

Attendees for shows at the Veterans United Home Loan Amphitheater in Virginia Beach can no longer bring their lawn chairs to the venue.

The decision is to "make the front gate experience more efficient," according to Chandler Owen with Live Nation.

He says that fans will be able to enter faster and that chairs will be available to rent starting at $10.

More updates to the venue:

• Free complimentary water due to 16 new water bottle filling stations. Fans can bring and fill empty bottles under 32 ounces.
• Koko’s Bavarian is a new "food concept" offering a twist on hot dogs and sausages.
• Two new premium experiences—A rock box that accommodates 14 guests, and a Bamboo Suite that accommodates 18 guests.
• New pavilion fans to improve airflow and keep concertgoers cool. 

The Veterans United Home Loan Amphitheater kicks off the 2024 season with Hozier on May 15. Other performances this year include Tyler Childers, Dave Matthews Band, and 21 Savage. For a full lineup click here .

Sign up for the Headlines Newsletter and receive up to date information.

Now signed up to receive the headlines newsletter..

Entertainment

Watch 'The Jennifer Hudson Show' weekdays at 3 p.m. on CBS 6!

Chicago woman who lured pregnant teen to home and ripped baby from womb is sentenced to 50 years

CHICAGO — A Chicago woman accused of luring a pregnant teenager to her home and cutting her baby from her womb with a butcher knife nearly five years ago pleaded guilty to murder Tuesday and was sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Clarisa Figueroa , 51, seated in a wheelchair and wearing a bright yellow jumpsuit, did not provide a statement but answered “Yes” when Cook County Judge Peggy Chiampas asked her if she understood she would need to serve the entire sentence and would not receive early release on parole, news outlets reported.

Prosecutors have said Figueroa strangled 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Lopez with a cable on April 23, 2019, after luring the teenager to her home with the promise of free clothing for her unborn child. Ochoa-Lopez was nine months pregnant. Figueroa then called 911, saying she given birth and the child was not breathing.

The child died  about two months later.

Yovanny Lopez, the victim’s husband and the father of the child, Yovanny Jadiel Lopez, described how the tragedy affected him and the couple’s older child, Joshua, who he said “has lost his mother forever.”

“The memory of my infant son’s last breath in my arms is complete agony,” he said in a statement read in Spanish and English in the courtroom. “... God’s justice will be served upon you the day you die.”

Authorities say not long after Clarisa Figueroa’s adult son died of natural causes, she told her family she was pregnant. They say that she  plotted for months  to acquire a newborn and that she posted an ultrasound and photos of a room decorated for a baby on her Facebook page. In March 2019, she and Ochoa-Lopez connected on a Facebook page for pregnant women

Detectives investigating Ochoa-Lopez’ disappearance learned that she had gone to the defendant’s home. Two weeks after her disappearance, police found her car parked nearby and were told by Desiree Figueroa, Clarisa’s daughter, that her mother recently had given birth.

DNA tests later determined the child was not Clarisa Figueroa’s.

Ochoa-Lopez’s  body was found  in a garbage can outside the Figueroa home.

Clarisa Figueroa tricked her boyfriend, Piotr Bobak, into believing he was the father, police and prosecutors said.

Bobak cleaned up the crime scene and  was sentenced to four years in prison  after pleading guilty last year to obstruction of justice.

Desiree Figueroa, 29, pleaded guilty to murder in January for helping her mother and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. She had agreed to testify against her mother.