My chocolate lab is a sassy, effervescent girl. I have never in her 10.5 years received care from a more dispassionate and rude individual.
When I walk in at 8:15 for a new patient appointment at 8:30, Dr. Steele, who I assumed was an grouchy front desk clerk at the time, asks me to leave until the appointment time although the doors were unlocked. Then, when I come back, she berates me for letting my dog urinate on our walk to the office. She then complains about the 48 page of vet paperwork from our previous clinic. She at this time introduces herself. They take my dog back for blood work and invite me back after 10-15 minutes to do the full exam which was in the crowded, cluttered and unorganized corner of the office, NOT on the exam table. Dr. Steele then tells me that Bella tolerated the procedure well and they got a urine sample. I never consented to a cystocentesis. They then upset Bella further by putting a scope in her ear, during which Dr. Steele berates her employee telling her to “just put her (Bella) in a head lock” and marketing her fear-free cleaning option instead of giving me realistic tools or techniques to keep her ears cleaner. She then calls my dog a drama queen and snaps at her, maw tightly in her hands, saying “quit” when Bella is trying to shy away. Then, Dr. Steele continues to make rude comments to her staff and my dog, making them both feel very obviously stressed, discomforted, and overwhelmed. She turns on a cheery face at the end though, trying to find some peace looking at my disgruntled and irritated face checking out for a traumatizing $350, and I decline to schedule my other two dogs.
I cannot act this way when I am stressed or short staffed. I cannot act this way towards people who obviously care about their animals, who have supported them consistently and lovingly with vet care for years. I was not comfortable posting this until I transferred care and wanted the reminder at another vet this is unacceptable.
I hope her staff know they do not have to tolerate such insolence and disregard for basic kindness.
Winterville never spoke to my dogs, their staff or myself in this manner and Carnesville didn’t either. Carnesville gave me dog kisses and calm exams. My dogs laid down comfortably on their exam tables.
Do not take your pets here.