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March 2024 by Celia L
My dog went into severe anaphylactic shock, and was essentially dead when I carried her in. They took her back immediately and with a lot of hard work, got her stabilized. Thank you, Dr. Castro. She spent 3 days in intensive care. It was gnarly.
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March 2024 by Tristan Jackson
A huge thank you to Dr. Duran, Brett, and staff! We came in with a leg incision that opened up from a procedure a couple days before. Our dog is big, fearful, and reactive with anything vet related. Dr Duran was conservative knowing it was a quick fix but also thoughtful in knowing he needed to be sedated for comfort and safety. She followed our trusted surgeon’s sedation protocol while making sure our dog was safe and as calm as possible. She used her fear free techniques as well as “just getting it done” so he could get home. With a large and fearful dog, even a “quick fix” is a longer, stressful process. They all listened to my concerns and took their time and again showed so much patience and kindness to us. We are so grateful!
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January 2024 by casie kruseman
I wish I could give this place more than just stars. They were there when I needed them most and I can’t thank the staff more for my experience.After being turned away in Ventura by an emergency room that clearly could not see the severity of my dogs illness, I ended up at VCA.Immediately they were welcoming and took the time to go over my 10 month old Bernese puppies history. They asked questions and listened intently.As I sat waiting, a huge rush came in, and I noticed the receptionist, Kate, handed everything with care but speediness. She got all of us taken care of in the order of severity and I can not thank her enough for listening and seeing the pets for what they needed, unlike the other facility I had been to.Once I was seen, a lovely gal named Cheyenne came to get my pups vitals and she was so calm and sweet. She talked to me like a real life person and not some frantic pet mom, which put me immediately at ease.Dr Duran was the vet for intake and she was so helpful in not wasting my time or money in tests that were unnecessary, but still enough to figure out what was going on with my poor boy.She came up with a game plan and sent me off until his X-rays were back.Even at 2:30 AM when I came back in for updates, both her and Cheyanne were lively and intent on helping me understand what was going on, something I could never do that early in the morning!My boy stayed with them for two nights (36 hours) and I have never had so much peace of mind in such a scary situation. They got him treated and loved, which is all I could ask for!The twice daily updates were a life saver in keeping me in the loop, and the reassurance they gave that I could call at any time.Again, I can not rave about this place more. After being in the pet care industry myself for years, this is the BEST treatment along with urgency I have ever received. VCA, you’re doing it right!!! Thank you!!!
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October 2023 by Lisa S
I just spoke with a woman on the phone. She provided a great screening, was very clear on what is an emergency and next steps. I really appreciate her taking the time to be thorough and clear!
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August 2023 by Ronnie S.
Wonderful,knowledgeable, compassionate vets. Made sure we were understood what was going on with our dog.
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July 2023 by Oliver B.
So grateful for recent experience over the July 4 holiday when so many veterinarians were on holiday for the dedicated and quality level of service provided by Dr. Christina Li and Alex on the front desk when "Cash" had digested something toxic and in need of emergency care. He was better in a matter of days and the time, care and dedication from Christina and Alex was something else when they were extremely busy. Thank you Dr. Li and Alex!
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July 2023 by Heather Clayton (The Storyteller Projects)
VCA AND ALL STAFF ARE FANTASTIC! We walked in with a bloody paw, and they took such great care! We don’t know if it was a cut from glass or an embedded foxtail - but it required a suture and anesthesia - we came in at 2 and left at 5, easy leash! Dr Wayne, James and Leslie, the front desk staff and Sabrina are excellent doggie lovers and medical providers. Even after 7 days, see the picture and a few woopsies of him getting too rambunctious on it, the suture is still holding strong, and it looks to be healing nicely. Thank goodness it’s the last paw he always lands on - if it were a front paw I think we might have challenged the suture. They double checked the paw at day 5 and sent us home to rest until day 14, they gave us probiotics and even a few pill pockets and a little special food to get us home so we could run to the the store later. They really really care from what I can see, it’s also clean and when I’ve been there, there was only one or two pets in front of us and we got in and out painlessly. THANK YOU AWESOME VCA TEAM!
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July 2023 by Monica D.
We had to take our dog in on the 4th of July due to a foxtail stuck up his nose. Our dog is a pitbull rescue who is terrified of the vet. All those that handled him at VCA were so kind and patient with him. Dr. Wayne quickly saw him and removed the foxtail, and everyone was so nice to us along the way. I'm very thankful that they were able to help us during an emergency like this.
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July 2023 by Jackie L.
What a horrible experience! And we will thank Kate at the front desk for the overall 1 star review. Pet owners beware. Kate has proven that VCA is all about the money and less about empathy towards you or your pet in a stressful moment. I'm dog sitting for a dear friend that is in mid flight from Italy. Her dog is lethargic and non responsive to commands, morning food or walk. Off to emergency. I'm freaked out as you can imagine. I explain the situation to VCR. They quickly attend to the dog, taking an x-ray to rule out bloating. When assessed, I'm informed it would be a 3 hour wait for for further tests. I'm given paperwork to fill out, as I am texting with the owner for directives. Doggie needs to release himself (he hasn't in since last night). I try to calm him and see if can't get him to at least pee. Kate comes out front with the paperwork. I assured her I would be right back in once I gather my composure, etc. I'm headed back to the office within 5 minutes or less. She comes back out again as I stopped to talk to another patient. This time she's got clipboard and pen and a smirk on her face demanding that I fill out the paperwork. There were words exchanged when questioning her lack of empathy and unprofessional behavior. Kate then informed that if I was unhappy with their service I "could take my dog and leave!" So I did. I figured it must not be an emergency if Kate had the audacity to boldly speak to me in that tone. I took doggie to Goleta airport veterinary, where Doc immediately saw him. Checked his vitals and blood work. Have him clean bill of health for under $400. Determined that he might have some ligament pain and try walking him slowly until his owner returns this eve, and sets up a visit to his regular doctor. Point to this novel is that VCA, primarily Kate, could give a crap about you during a moment of despair. Is that type of arrogance based on marching orders from corporate or is it due to lack of training. Someone like her should not be involved with anyone's beloved pets. Nor should VCA have any person of her nature on their staff! I hope what happened is an isolated event. However if you read others' reviews maybe not?
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May 2023 by Kris V.
They have turned me away TWICE after telling me to come in and driving 45min to see them. I get that they have emergencies, but their intake system and lack of efficiency has failed me twice. They are HORRIBLE! Do not trust your pet or your time to these people. Go anywhere else!UPDATE: My cat has been hospitalized for 3 days now. He was dying. This hospital told me to drive over, turned away a senior cat with an extremely high temperature, and wasted 4 hours of him suffering with no help. That's the kind of people they are.
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May 2023 by Michelle Gysan
we had to put our dog down suddenly. we had never been to VCA Animal Hospital before...they were WONDERFUL. They gave us a private room, allowed 4 of us and our 2nd dog to be there while we said good bye to our sweet dog. they were warm, professional, courteous and sensitive to our needs. It was a very sweet experience...we originally wanted to do this at our home, but this was better and exceeded our expectations. I would highly recommend them any time. And the prices were WAY better than other facilities in town- super reasonable. and they are open 24 hours... they did not gouge us ...we spent half of what we were quoted from mobile vets. Highly recommend this place..
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April 2023 by Dr. Valerie Girard
SUCH compassionate care...we were treated with respect and compassion. They allowed our other dog and two humans in with us. I loved that they made our dog feel loved during her last moments on earth. I thought the price was reasonable for our last-minute needs. Their protocol was impeccable. Thank you, Dr. Wayne. You were so present, as were your staff.
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April 2023 by michelle g
we had to put our dog down suddenly. we had never been to VCA Animal Hospital before...they were WONDERFUL. They gave us a private room, allowed 4 of us and our 2nd dog to be there while we said good bye to our sweet dog. they were warm, professional, courteous and sensitive to our needs. It was a very sweet experience...we originally wanted to do this at our home, but this was better and exceeded our expectations. I would highly recommend them any time. And the prices were WAY better than other facilities in town- super reasonable. and they are open 24 hours... they did not gouge us ...we spent half of what we were quoted from mobile vets. Highly recommend this place..
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April 2023 by Gloria O.
We had the unfortunate experience to have to put our precious Beautiful puppy down 2 weeks ago. I could not have asked for a better place to take her. VCA was so amazing! Dr. Castro was the best. He was so compassionate and understanding! They not only sent us a sympathy card but we also we sent our babies ashes in a gorgeous cedar box and also got our babies paw print. The staff was absolutely wonderful. I honestly felt they're love and sympathy, as if it was their own puppy. . Our hearts are truly broken, but without VCA's kind support, don't know what we would've done. They have also treated our other puppy with the absolute same care!!! Thank you all so much !!!!
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February 2023 by Keith Frick
Mikky, a semi-feral tabby cat, became ill and was in pain from an abscess. It was determined that he would not survive. Dr Wayne and her support crew at VCA Santa Barbara are all very compassionate people and were very reassuring to me, the human side of the pet parenting equation. Mikky and I were fortunate to contact/meet such nice/competent people on that cold February morning. From first phone contact, to a follow-up letter of condolence received from the Doctor, everyone was very supportive. This is greatly appreciated as I was out of my league. Thank you for compassionately and professionally facilitating our transition. If I had to do it over again I would definitely return to VCA Santa Barbara.
