Serving South Florida
A Neighborhood Hospital Families Trust
Briarwood Animal Hospital has stood on US-1 since 1981, and generations of Miami families have walked through our doors with their pets. We are a privately owned, independent hospital, not part of a corporate chain, so every care decision is made by the doctors who know your pet. What began as a neighborhood practice has grown into a full-service small and large animal hospital, yet the heart of it has never changed: treat every patient like family.
Our doctor team brings more than 40 years of combined experience across preventive medicine, surgery, dentistry, and diagnostics. We care for dogs and cats every day, and our roots in large-animal medicine run so deep that we operate a mobile equine veterinary division for horses across the region.
From a first puppy visit to senior care, from a routine cleaning to an after-hours emergency, the same familiar team is here for your pet at every stage of life.
The Briarwood Difference
A Complete Hospital Under One Roof
3,600 Sq Ft Facility
A clean, modern hospital with exam rooms, a surgical suite, an in-house lab, dentistry, grooming, and boarding.
Small & Large Animal
Full care for dogs and cats, plus a mobile equine division for horses, reflecting decades of large-animal roots.
40+ Years Combined
A doctor team with more than four decades of pooled experience in medicine, surgery, and diagnostics.
On-Call
Emergencies do not wait, so our on-call team is reachable when your pet cannot wait when your pet needs urgent help.
Electronic Medical Records
Fully digital, electronic medical records keep your pet's complete history accurate, secure, and available instantly at every visit.
Advanced Imaging
Advanced on-site imaging, including digital radiology and ultrasound, gives our doctors a detailed look inside your pet for faster, more accurate diagnoses.
Integrated Lab Network
Our in-house laboratory is fully integrated with outside reference labs, pairing same-day results with deeper specialized testing when a case calls for it.
Nationwide Specialist Access
When a case warrants it, we consult specialists across the United States, bringing expert, board-certified insight to your pet's care.
How We Practice
Our Care Approach
Comprehensive Exam
Every visit begins with a thorough nose-to-tail physical exam and a real conversation about your pet's history and your observations at home.
Accurate Diagnostics
When answers are needed, our on-site laboratory and digital imaging give us the facts fast, often during the same visit.
Customized Plan
We build a treatment or wellness plan around your individual pet's age, health, and your goals, and explain every step in plain language.
Ongoing Support
We recheck, adjust, and stay available between visits, so your pet is cared for over a lifetime, not just a single appointment.
Payment Options
Payment is due at the time of service. We accept the following:
- Cash
- Personal Check
- MasterCard
- American Express
- Visa
Hospital Policies
-
Leashes & Carriers
For everyone's safety, please keep dogs on a leash and cats in a secure carrier while in the hospital.
-
Appointments
We see patients by appointment to keep wait times short. Walk-ins and urgent cases are always accommodated as quickly as possible.
-
Boarding & Vaccinations
All boarding guests must be current on vaccinations. Every boarder receives a bath the morning before pickup.
-
Boarding Discharge Hours
Monday through Friday from 2:00 to 6:00 PM, and Saturday from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM.
Our Doctors
Meet the Briarwood Team
Gerardo J. Diaz, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Gerardo J. Diaz is a veterinarian at Briarwood Animal Hospital, where the team has cared for Miami pets since 1981. He works across small and large animal medicine and surgery, from routine wellness visits to more involved diagnostic and surgical cases.
Long-time clients know Dr. Diaz for a calm, thorough approach and clear explanations of what a pet needs and why. He treats every patient as part of the family, focusing on preventive care that keeps dogs and cats healthy at every stage of life.
Miriam A. Mendez, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Miriam A. Mendez is a veterinarian at Briarwood Animal Hospital in Miami. Families across South Miami and Pinecrest have trusted her with their dogs and cats for years, often across multiple generations of pets.
Clients describe Dr. Mendez as caring, knowledgeable, and refreshingly realistic - the kind of veterinarian who tells you what your pet actually needs. Her focus is compassionate, practical care delivered in a comfortable, low-stress setting.
Branham Garth, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Branham Garth is a veterinarian at Briarwood Animal Hospital, part of a doctor team with more than 40 years of combined experience in veterinary medicine and surgery. He cares for dogs, cats, and other companion animals with a steady, attentive approach.
Dr. Garth is committed to the same standard that has defined Briarwood for four decades: professional, compassionate care in a clean, modern hospital environment where every pet is treated like family.
Become Part of the Briarwood Family
We would love to meet you and your pet. Call today or request an appointment online.