When staff connect with pets and owners, visits feel personal and thorough. Dr. Barnhart and groomer Taryn earn particular praise for care and gentleness. Yet many reviewers report chronic scheduling friction: hour-long delays, forced drop-offs, and repeated vet rotations undermine trust. Costs balloon through add-ons and wellness plans that don't deliver as promised. Most troublingly, some reviewers cite missed diagnoses (masses undetected on X-rays) and defensive corporate responses that demand silence in exchange for partial refunds.
The clinic competes on accessibility and apparent affordability, but reviewers consistently feel nickeled-and-dimed. Wellness plans rarely cover what marketing suggests. Staff turnover, long wait times, and pressure to buy imaging or procedures erode the reputation built by individual kind employees. For straightforward preventive care with a trusted vet, worth trying; for complex diagnostics or urgent concerns, reviewers suggest a second opinion elsewhere.
Recent shift: Sentiment has worsened over the past year. Recent one-star reviews (within 3 weeks) cite diagnostic failures and long waits. Mid-2024 five-star reviews praised individual staff; late-2024 and early-2025 complaints focus on systemic issues (vet rotation, upselling, poor scheduling). The business does not appear to have addressed wait-time or pricing complaints.
Reviewers describe Dr. Howells as deeply compassionate during an irreplaceable final visit at home. She explains every step, makes families comfortable, and stays in touch afterward. Book ahead, as this is a one-person operation with limited slots.
Reviewers consistently praise the clinic for unhurried, attentive vet care where both doctors (Todd Smith and Crane) get down with animals and explain treatment options clearly. Staff respond quickly to same-day urgent cases, discuss costs upfront without pushing unnecessary tests, and treat end-of-life situations with genuine compassion. The clinic operates in Scenic Heights Arvada, serves the northwest metro area, and offers surgery, dental work, and full lab services on-site. Reviewers highlight fair pricing and a small, efficient practice where animals visibly feel at ease. No significant complaints surface across 506 reviews.
Dr. Hammond's team earned strong marks for specialized eye surgery on dogs, cats, and horses, backed by detailed aftercare guidance. Recent reviews confirm they now serve equine only, turning away small-animal clients who were once welcomed for complex ophthalmology cases.
Last updated 2026-07-07