Staff combine genuine compassion with deep expertise, especially with exotic pets like rabbits, geckos, and birds. They see animals as individuals, handle them gently through stressful moments, and explain care steps so owners feel confident. Appointment length occasionally stretches, and isolated cases report frustration with medication refills and exam communication, but the overwhelming pattern is staff going beyond protocol, like texting results after hours or demonstrating medication techniques on the lobby floor.
Named vets including Dr. Ruoff, Dr. Guerrera, Dr. Lykins, and Dr. Fitzgerald bring specialist skills in surgery, avian care, and exotic medicine. They offer same-day urgent care, exotic surgery, dental work for small mammals, and financing through Cherry (no hard credit checks). The clinic welcomes walk-ins with stray animals needing help and coordinates internally with evident professional respect.
Fifteen years of loyalty and a 4.8 rating reflect staff who spend time calming nervous pets and answering owner questions. One grave case of end-of-life communication breakdown stands out: a senior dog owner felt misled about prognosis severity and overnight admission options, resulting in the dog's death at home and lasting regret.
Most reviewers praise the team's warmth and quick emergency response, with multiple references to feeling cared for during urgent or end-of-life visits. The facility offers comfortable amenities (coffee, chargers, beds), and staff like Dr. Bueck, Dr. Park, Dr. Mancino, and nurse Ben earned specific praise for their attentiveness and skill. One recent review, however, raised serious concerns about long waits (over two hours with gaps of 30-40 minutes between each step), inconsistent staff attention at check-in, and doubt about whether a promised injection was administered, noting the staff member left the room for seconds without explanation. Pricing appears competitive for emergency care; one reviewer paid $1,147 for diagnosis of a heart tumor, another found costs "reasonably priced," and one family was offered referrals to lower-cost facilities when quoted outside their budget. The facility handles general emergencies, eye issues, behavioral concerns, and complex diagnostics well. The main caveat is that service consistency may depend on how busy they are and which staff member you encounter.
When a dog arrived critically ill after other vets refused help, Gentle Touch took her in without hesitation and gave her a chance. Long-term clients credit the team for treating serious illness with genuine care, remembering details, calling to check in, and making euthanasia sessions dignified rather than rushed. Staff names like Dr. Dunham, Dr. VanKoot, Dr. Drees, Dr. Snyder, Natalie, and Brandon show up across multiple years of reviews. The main friction is pricing. Reviewers note estimates that jump from $650 to $900, a $350 bill for a rabies shot, and descriptions of the hospital as "here for the money not actual wellness." Yet others cite reasonable exam prices and note the cost reflects quality care. A few long-standing clients call out what they see as the clinic's defensive response to criticism online.
Last updated 2026-07-07