Reviewers consistently describe a team that puts nervous animals at ease. Staff sit at floor level, call after visits, and remember pets by name across years. Dr. MacKenzie, Dr. Haleigh, Dr. Howard, and vet tech Stephanie earn specific praise for listening and tailoring care. The clinic charges less than nearby practices while handling routine exams, surgery, dental work, and same-day injury care. Long-term clients note the new ownership has maintained the clinic's reputation for tenderness, especially during difficult moments like euthanasia.
Most praise centers on the human touch: kindness across shifts, accommodation of anxious seniors, and staff who treat each pet as their own. Pricing feels fair for the service level, though diagnostic imaging can mount quickly. Sixteen-year patients and out-of-town visitors both leave with strong recommendations.
Recent shift: New ownership occurred recently; long-term clients note the new owners have preserved the clinic's care standard and reputation.
All nine reviews are five-star. Customers consistently praise Dr. Howard and staff for calm handling of nervous pets, genuine care, and low wait times. Small-town feel and post-appointment check-ins stand out.
Staff earn consistent praise for kindness and genuine care, walking owners through options without pressure and keeping pets calm during stressful visits. The clinic excels at urgent and routine care alike, with weekend and holiday availability, transparent pricing, and named technicians like Kortnee and Dr. Berns earning repeat mentions. One pricing quote for dental extraction differed wildly from an initial phone estimate, and website hours were listed incorrectly, but these are isolated gripes in a 94% five-star review base. Sploot positions itself as Fear Free certified and offers wellness packages, spay/neuter, dental care, surgery, dermatology, and behavior consults. Their membership saves up to $650 annually. The Belmar location serves South Alameda, Creighton, Belmar Park, and wider metro Lakewood. Most reviewers note they treat young puppies, seniors with chronic issues, and nervous pets with equal attentiveness.
Lakewood Vet earns strong praise for attentive staff and skilled doctors who handle animals with genuine care. Patients repeatedly highlight thorough exams, follow-up calls, and a team genuinely invested in their pets. However, a handful report frustration: emergency access was denied when needed urgently, one owner felt talked down to after receiving incorrect appointment guidance, and a second opinion contradicted a vet's recommendations. The hospital serves established clients well but shows gaps when urgent support is needed most. Staff and veterinarians consistently demonstrate competence and kindness across routine care. Scheduling coordinator Brian is named for going above and beyond. Dr. Arcuri draws both strong praise for professionalism and criticism for misguided next-steps advice; Dr. Andrew receives credit for easing anxious dogs. Travel health certificates, allergy management, and routine preventive care are mentioned as handled competently. Wait times and accessibility remain a sticking point.
Last updated 2026-07-07