Healing Paws Veterinary Care

Most Recent Comments

• January 2024 by GabrielaLeon Washington
  We are military and it’s super hard to get anywhere in Carlisle because vets have been closing left and right and nobody takes “new” patients. We finally found Healing Paws, it was suggested by one of the endless places I’ve called that didn’t take new patients and when I read they were kind and emphatic with the animals I’ve felt so blessed they said they were taking new patients, we applied online and were APPROVED. I immediately downloaded the app and tried to schedule a visit but received a email someone would contact us to schedule our first visit. Long story short that never happened and I wasn’t too worried about it because my pet wasn’t sick and I know it’s such a shortage. I’ve been receiving emails throughout the last months offering open appointments, holiday hours, perks and educational stuff and my app is active. I even called them last month for an appointment and was offered for a sick visit but didn’t proceed as the waiting time would have been a week and I suspected an ear infection so I went somewhere to be seen quicker. I didn’t want my cat to suffer through the holidays. When I called healing paws only days ago I was told we were inactive?? How? They made a mistake, zero accountability for a mistake they’ve made. Not even an apology or empathy for the situation we are in based on their mistake. When I called days ago, I was told to resubmit to be active again and so I did now today I get a email we weren’t accepted and it doesn’t seem to be the right fit?? How? nothing changed at all. Not being approved wasn’t even part of the discussion or a possibility I was simply told that I had to resubmit for their system to be shown as active. They are super difficult to work with, like I said zero accountability, unapologetic and no compassion. I’m very disappointed. I guess I will have to take my cat to shores and sit there for half the day and pay $100 extra while there are real emergencies happening that are time sensitive. It’s a shame altogether but I’m especially disappointed in this specific vet clinic healing paws ? be sure to read other reviews, they seem to not even see their established clients in a timely manor. My cat gets super sick in the car, eyes rolling back, excessive drooling so driving 1 hour to a vet isn’t an option, I don’t think he would make it.
• September 2023 by Rylie Patterson
  Simply the best veterinarian office!!! You can tell that every person that works here loves what they do and loves the animals that they care for. They are so patient and kind and go above and beyond every time! I would recommend Healing Paws 1,000x to anyone and everyone looking for someone to trust to care for their pets (:
• September 2023 by Jedidiah Spurgeon
  Dr. Sands and her crew are the kindest, most hospitable team I've ever met! They answered all questions I had, provided me with helpful tips to giving my cat the perfect, healthy life, and knew of and shared extra resources to keep my cat active and happy. Love this place!
• September 2023 by emily hart
  Google won’t let me respond to their response but all of that is made up. In fact dr. Sands told us our kidney specialist was wrong and pushed us to put down flex in February. They couldn’t have referred us to a specialist in march bc if it were up to him he would’ve already been put down.Be extremely careful when taking your dog here if you need services beyond basic care. Our dog was misdiagnosed with chronic kidney disease by this vet and we almost lost him at age 4. They focus on the symptoms of your pet not the root cause of the issue. Our dog had the ability to live a normal life until we went to healing paws. They treated him for CKD when he had AKD, this misdiagnosis distracted us from finding out what was causing his events and ultimately led him to have so much kidney damage he went into end stage kidney failure. When our renal specialist caught this mistake Dr. sands focused more on covering their butts than our pets quality of life. He became his sickest in February 2024. We had no choice but to take him back for immediate observations. When I picked him up from his 1 day stay they went over the lab results explaining how they were not at fault for anything, blamed my husband on why he was in multi organ failure, aggressively pushed euthanasia and offered me paper towels to cry in. Their staff kept coming in saying sorry about the dog as if he was already dead. After I said I would take him home and discuss next steps with my husband, Dr. sands suggested we were being selfish and that he was in pain. They called us everyday for 2 weeks straight asking to schedule the euthanasia. Never once did their phone calls start off with “how is he doing?”. We got him into the specialist a week later and he confirmed their lab results were exaggerated and said he had 2-3 more months to live as he was now in chronic kidney failure. The specialist confirmed he was not in multi organ failure and urged us to let our dog tell us when he is ready to give up.Since removing our pet from this practice he has almost made a full recovery. Once we took him off the medicine dr. Sands put him on and took a holistic approach on his kidney disease, he is stable and his numbers are consistent with a dog in very early kidney disease. I thank god everyday we stopped taking him here. It sickens me there our people like this in this business. If it were up to healing paws our sweet dog would have never made it to age 5 and wouldn’t be here now, playing and wagging his tail happy as can be. There is a special place for people like this… it should be a crime this place is in business. I plan to write a google review for every call they made badgering us to schedule euthanasia.
• August 2023 by Amanda Tekely
  Dr. Sands and her team are amazing! I came to her practice after my cat, Cashew was written off as unmanageable at another vet and we had been struggling with urinating outside the litter box. He was indeed very difficult at the vet, but Dr. Sands and team took their time to get to know him and figure out his diagnoses.At his first appointment, Dr. Sands discovered that Cashew had a root exposed in his mouth. This discomfort caused him to get agitated early on in the exam which could have been part of his reason for being unmanageable at the other vet. The Healing Paws team allowed Cashew to stay comfortably in his own room that first day which gave them the opportunity to take the blood and urine samples needed.Some of the other first steps were to send Dr. Sands home videos that she reviewed. These videos revealed that Cashew had some joint issues in his back legs. Cashew then had a dental cleaning and extractions plus treatment for his joint pain. A special bonus is the pictures they take while he waited for surgery and during appointments.Unfortunately, those treatments didn't entirely solve our urination issue so we pursued a monthly injection of Solensia which was life changing for Cashew. His urination out of the litter box reduced significantly and he was happier and moving more comfortably.Since the litter box issues were not entirely fixed, we tried anxiety medicine in addition to his other treatments. The injection, medication, supplements and the earlier dental work, did the trick! Cashew very rarely urinates out of the litter box. He recently came back to Dr. Sands for his second yearly visit and he was so much more calm with them.Dr. Sands and her team have been with us every step of they way too. Each time we found something didn't quiet work or he didn't want to take a supplement, Dr. Sands and team found a way to resolve it. I truly feel at home and genuinely cared for when we come to Healing Paws. In the times we are there for a visit, the team is always responsive to chat and email questions. There are so many wonderful things about Dr. Sands and Team, and best of all they truly love Cashew and celebrated his healthy success as much as I did. We love you Dr. Sands and Team!
• July 2023 by Margaret Cragon
  Dr. Sands and her team are WONDERFUL. I have never experienced a more comfortable environment taking my kitty to the vet. The entire staff is welcoming and super knowledgeable. Will not be taking my kitties anywhere else!
• May 2023 by Julia Brown
  Healing Paws is truly fear free!When my kitty was 6 months old he had a seizure. He eventually needed an MRI and spinal tap. When I dropped him off at the neurologist, I could hear him howling as I walked away.My mom reassured me, “he’s objecting to being restrained. They’re not hurting him.” I had worked in animal hospitals and on farms, so I know - I thought - that was true. Pets hate the vet, but it’s a necessary upset.Years later we happened upon Healing Paws, and their fear free facility and staff are like nothing I’ve ever seen or experienced! My kitties truly enjoy seeing Jess and Dr. Sands, and they get such incredible care. It’s a joy to see my kitties relax on the table or even purr during a blood draw.Our pets don’t have to hate the vet. They don’t have to fear their doctors. I’m so grateful for the team at Healing Paws and the wonderful care they offer!
• May 2023 by Amy Routson
  When searching for a vet in Carlisle for my 4 cats, I specifically wanted one who was a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP). That ultimately led me to Healing Paws.I knew I was in the right place at my first visit when Dr. Sands sat down on the floor with me to let my Mila come out of her crate on her own terms. I've had cats my whole life and have never had a vet sit on the floor with me!! I also love that they have separate waiting areas for dogs and cats!Everyone there is extremely kind and loves what they do. They treat my babies with genuine care and affection. Jess (one of the vet techs) is actually allergic to cats, but has been doing this for 20 years because she loves it. My Zeppelin is such a lover that when she knows he is coming, she loads up on allergy meds so she can snuggle with him. :) That's dedication!When my 9-month-old Bebe unexpectedly ended up pregnant, Dr. Sands worked with me through the whole process. Bebe is a small cat and her kittens were measuring quite large, so there was concern that she might need a c-section. Needless to say, I was a nervous wreck!! Dr. Sands made herself available for questions as we got closer to the expected due date and everything ended up going smoothly. (No surgery needed!) Bebe and I also got to meet Dr. Welti recently when I was worried about Bebe’s weight loss and she really put my mind at ease.So far, 3 of my 4 have been seen and all have been relaxed and comfortable with everyone at Healing Paws. (Although the true test will be my Jagger who hates everyone but me…LOL)Just as you are doing now, I read through many of the online reviews prior to becoming a client. I decided the positive outweighed the negative enough to give them a try and so far, I’m glad I did.Yes, it’s true that Healing Paws is not inexpensive. But if I had human children, I wouldn’t take them to the cheapest doctor I could find. I would take them to where they would get the best care. My cats are my children, so I’m making this work because I’m very pleased with the care we’re getting.And yes, the hours are much more limited than most of us are used to. My previous vets had evening and Saturday hours which were very convenient for me as someone who works full time. Fortunately, I have the flexibility to work around the appointment times here, so I’m making that work, too.I’ve utilized all methods of communication with the practice and haven’t had any trouble. In addition to phone, they have texting, email, and an app with a chat feature. The team has been very responsive and helpful.I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Healing Paws to anyone looking for high-quality veterinary care in the Carlisle area. Your pets are worth it!
• April 2023 by thomas Burridge
  My wife and I and the babies moved to the Carlisle area recently. We started the search for a new veterinarian & Team for Lily and Kassie which seemed daunting in this area. We spent days researching practices, reading posted reviews of all the Veterinarian’s in a 40-mile radius: we were exhausted. We then found Healing Paw’s And hoped we would be accepted as the spots were limited for new patients. This Group of professionals are tremendous. They take the time with you and let you know your worries and concerns matter. The Doctor’s here is amazing and will go through every concern with you while providing you with the pertinent details needed to make the babies well. They are professionals that go the extra mile, and I am smiling here as I type this review. The people here that form this team are exceptional in every way. They are all Kind, respectful, professional, loving, and compassionate; omg they are truly a one in a million practice. We had a bit of a scary situation with Lily earlier this month and with the expertise of this facility our precious Lily is recovering & going to get better ?. Thank you so much for all you do. The facility is wonderfully comfortable and inviting the Love and passion radiates in what they do. We are so thankful we have them for the needs of our babies. Thank you for being here. ?
• March 2023 by Helen Richards
  Last week out cat Olaf was treated for a pulled tooth and cleaning and some lab work. He spent the day at Healing Paws. He did very well. I would recommend Dr. Sands and her staff for any pet care. Especially Jess and Cathy. Dr. Sands expertise is second to none and her staff are kind, welcoming, efficient and knowledgeable. Taking our pets there is a pleasure.
• March 2023 by Carolina Fernandez
  We had such a wonderful time at Healing Paws Veterinary Care. My cat gets anxious and hid under the couch, Dr. Sands and her team went above and beyond to make sure he was comfortable. They moved the couch for him and administered his exam in a comforting way. By the end, my cat was feeling right at home. Thank you Jessica for being so attentive to my concerns and making sure to ask the right questions so my cat could receive the proper care, and Elizabeth at the front desk for making this a seamless experience! I highly recommend the team at Healing Paws Veterinary Care.
• January 2023 by Siobhan Fallon
  Heartbroken.I hoped I’d get over my negative experience with Healing Paws. They seem to be staffed with good people and the doctors are probably excellent, but what good is the best veterinarian in the world if they refuse to see your pet in his time of need?We are an Army family and I have volunteered with cat rescue/catch/release programs home and abroad. I chose Healing Paws when we moved to Carlisle because of good reviews. Now I feel morally responsible to share my experience so other families can chose better pet care than I did.Healing Paws had treated all three of my cats and previously put down one of them. I always found them expensive but thought their expertise and compassion made it worth it. I was wrong.Our cat, Handsome Boy, was being treated for stomatitis. He had been a street cat, was FIV positive, 9 years old, and we knew stomatitis was an ongoing condition and he would never be cured. His gums would swell painfully (he may have had severe nerve damage during a previous tooth removal with another vet), he was on daily pain meds and a special diet. The doctor explained we’d do the best we could keeping him comfortable. When his gums got really bad, he would eat less, and that would tell me I needed to bring him to get a mouth treatment, which would help for a while.We noticed on a Thursday late afternoon in mid-August that he was not eating. He seemed listless. Friday morning he was still lethargic. Healing Paws is closed on Fridays so I started calling vets in Carlisle trying to get him an appointment but no one was taking new patients. We took him to Urgent Care in Mechanicsburg. I actually told that vet to please just get him through the weekend. I was confident Healing Paws would see him first thing on Monday. The Urgent Care vet got my kitty hydrated, gave him pain meds, but he refused to eat for the rest of the weekend.I called Healing Paws Monday morning. Late Monday afternoon they finally called to tell me they could not get my cat in UNTIL THURSDAY. They were closed the following day (which was a Tuesday, for “training”!!??) and they were fully booked on Wednesday. I again explained it was an emergency, he had not eaten anything since last Thurs, probably even earlier (at least five days), and I was afraid he would die. I was crying. I was told that if I really thought my cat would die, I could get him euthanized. I did not want to euthanize my cat—I wanted the vet I trusted to help him! No doctor called me that day to hear his symptoms. That was it.Again, I started calling vets-- no one would see “new” patients. I returned to the Urgent Care in Mechanicsburg. It was very late Mon night by the time a new doctor saw my cat. Handsome Boy was now dehydrated, running a fever, and his kidneys felt swollen. My daughters and I were sobbing.I decided to put him down that night. And I am still haunted by it. If I had seen another vet who had normal functioning business hours I would have gotten my cat in to see an expert on the Friday when we first realized something was seriously wrong. At the very least I would have had a true assessment about what was happening to my poor boy and been able to make a well thought out decision.I have found a new vet in Carlisle for my other cats and this new vet is wonderful. A doctor visit costs a third of what I was paying at Healing Paws. This new vet is open five days a week with extended evening hours and they have a messenger service on weekends so they can return worried pet owner phone calls when an emergency strikes.Maybe Handsome Boy would have had to be put down regardless. But I’ll never know if someone who was familiar with his condition and had seen him earlier could have done something and made his end less awful.Handsome Boy was a fighter and I wish I had fought harder for him, and that Healing Paws had valued his fight as well.1) Healing Paws has extremely limited hours.2) Healing Paws is prohibitively expensive.3) They would not make time for my pet even knowing this was a life or death situation.
• October 2022 by Ruth Hasenbein
  Dr. Sands and her team are phenomenal! They are so kind, friendly, patient and helpful (even if they happen to see you out and about). It is very evident they love their job and truly care for their patients. They take their time, listen and offer different options. The app also makes it incredibly easy to have all your questions answered. I can’t say enough good things, except thank you so much for taking such great care of Dodger for us!
• October 2022 by Meghan Van Aken
  Our experience with Healing Paws has been 5-star all around. From scheduling to our in person visits to communication in between, we have felt incredibly cared for AND our golden retriever, Trace's, allergies are improving WAY more than I could have hoped. Dr. Sands and her team are thorough and have worked to nail down the root cause of Trace's allergies - not just treat the symptoms with medicine. The staff is so friendly and patient with Trace, who sometimes has anxiety. They played with him before treating him and he give them high-five's instead of hiding behind my legs. They follow up through the app or email frequently to check on Trace.
• September 2022 by Jodee Russell
  I placed a call as a new client after my veterinarian of 13 years was unable to get my new rescue dog a wellness appt in less than 1.5 months. I followed the online instructions completing an initial questionnaire and received a call from Healing Paws within a reasonable time and was in the facility for that appt the following day. The staff was extremely welcoming to both myself and my dog.Dr. Welti was very thorough regarding her findings and what she needed me to do once we were home. She answered additional questions I had regarding homemade food and crate training.I left feeling my dog had received the highest level of care.