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10/4/17 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
This is the absolute worst vet I have ever been to. If you care about your animals do not bring them here! I would not tell my worst enemy to bring their animal here. Dr.Ackerman is arrogant and will not listen to you at all, he is to busy bragging about what an exceptional vet he is. My budgie was starving to death due to a beak deformity and he insisted it is fine.
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4/19/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My 12yr old Mini Schnauzer Stoli is a patient of Dr Ackerman. Thank you Dr. Ackerman for all the great work you did ridding Stoli of such a complex problem of growths all over his under belly groin and chest. We belive that he will able to live a happier healithier more active life due to the delicate surgery that you performed. We have three mini schnauzers Stoli, Gucci and Marley and can't imagine any of them ever in more capable hands. In addition to the physical problems plaguing Stoli, he unfortunately hasd become almost unmanageable due to an aggressive and nasty disposition when being examined. Dr Ackerman employed a gentle alpha behavioral modification session prior to examining Stoli and the results were immediate and impressive to say the least. My wife and two daughters continue with this training technique with unbelievable positive results. Stoli is a happier less aggressive and healthier dog thanks to you!!!
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10/22/15 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Great clinic! They took amazing care of my puppy during her spay. I would highly recommend them.
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7/23/15 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
If you are looking for a skilled vet - look no further, you have found him! I am so thankful to have met Dr. Ackerman - who saved the life of my cat, Claire (a.k.a Claire Bear :)). It was determined by my previous vet that Claire had an issue with her kidney - but refused to do further testing and advised that I "put her down". After seeing a handful of vets, who told me the same thing, I (out of luck) found Dr. Ackerman at King West Vets - who took the time to find out what Claire's issues were (through various tests - ultrasound, x-ray and blood samples) - and successfully completed a surgery that has saved Claire bears life. Through the whole process Dr. Ackerman was extremely informative - explaning everything in detail so I knew exactly what was going on - and not only was he knowledgeable - but has a passion to help animals. Claire celebrates her first birthday in August - we feel so blessed that he was able to help us out. Thanks Dr. Ackerman!! :-)
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7/3/15 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
Dr. Ackerman has been very attentive to my pet bird. He is very very good at handling my rather nervous pet, and has provided many tips to help me with handling him and behavioural training, making the bird easier to hand-hold. Lots of attention to various issues, from beak trimming to effective weight loss. Reasonable prices.
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4/11/15 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
I am concerned about being sued, so I won't give all the details. But, it was a traumatic experience and I won't be returning.
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4/1/15 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
I've been to this clinic twice now with my dog and was very pleased with both experiences. My female Boxer benefitted greatly from Dr. Kent's gentle alpha behavioural technique. She exhibited aggression towards other dogs due to insecurity and her belief she had to protect me at all times. Taking physical control of her in a non-aggressive way and asserting dominance allows her to trust me, relax, and stop feeling anxious in her desire to protect me. I believe some of the negative comments here could be from disgruntled former staff members may have written some of these negative comments because I don't see what they are talking about as being particularly valid.
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12/16/14 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Dr. Ackerman aka. Dr. Kent is the most horrible person ever to walk the face of this earth. Thinks of only himself, treats his staff like dirt. Why is there a constant turnaround with staff??? Has anyone else noticed he has none, literally. Will nickle and dime you on EVERYTHING!!! His behavior training SUCKS just ask any reputable trainer about his techniques and how they actually benefit the dog? Don't get scammed people do your research!! The only reason why he still has appointments is because of location. Boycott this place
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5/25/14 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Dr. Kent has been veterinarian to 5 of my birds over the past 21 years. I have found him to be highly knowledgable of animal illnesses and behaviour (dog, cat and exotics). He has also been understanding of my financial limitations enough to teach me how to do procedures at home saving me hospitalization costs. Very recently he has also allowed me to mix my own medications at home to minimize the number of trips I have to make to the clinic due to the fact that the lifetime medication my Alexandrine is taking has a low shelf life of only 1 month. Instead of having to go to the clinic every month, I now go every 6 months which is necessary anyway to monitor her chronic illness. Dr Kent has an amazing gift with my birds and is the only person who could comfortable handle one of my male cockatiels (now deceased) who hated to be touched and normally would defend himself aggressively. The wait times can be long, but quality service is worth waiting for. I highly recommend King West Vets.
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5/1/14 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
The service at KWV has been great, Dr. Ackerman has gone above and beyond when it comes to care and advice, always in a positive and non-judgmental way. During an appointment 6months ago he noticed that my dog was showing aggression, barking at him and other men in the clinic and took the time to offer a behavioral consultation in order to help me fix this problem. He spent one hour with me teaching me how to correct this behavior by using gentle alpha training. He took me through each step and explained to me all of the benefits. The change in my dog over past six months is unbelievable! Like Dr. Ackerman said, it took a commitment to fully employ the gentle alpha training he taught me, but I can’t imagine how my dog would be without it. It has made him a happier and more relaxed pet that seems more comfortable all in all. I would recommend anyone who has a problem with his or her pets’ behavior to spend the time with Dr. Ackerman to try his method, it is truly a positive experience!!
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1/30/14 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My girlfriend and I met Dr. Kent last year. We found that he was a very passionate vet, with loads of knowledge and experience. He had more energy and passion than anyone about what he did. We discussed philosophies regarding pet health care, which we agreed with. Dr. Kent has a keen interest in the welfare of the animal. He will not recommend anything that the pet doesn't need. Other vets will push vaccinations and products that are counterproductive to health. We knew that Dr. Kent was passionate and knew his stuff. What we didn't know was what kind of amazing service he provided. He spend as much time with us as he could. Answered any questions we had. Only recommended what he thought would be best for our dog. He also showed us an amazing technique called "Gentle Alpha". We have a Boxer so it is hard to keep him under control. This technique we use daily and and in one session we learned exactly how to keep our Boxer under control with out any force. We appreciate great service. A+
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12/5/13 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Awful clinic. Dr. A. is too busy kite boarding too show up on time. Publicly humiliates and is rude to all staff members. Overcharged me. Adding things to my bill without consent. Put me on hold for 20 minutes. Completely arrogant!! Don't waste your hard earned $$.
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10/3/13 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
I left this clinic when it became clear that the vet is far more interested in making money than he is in an animal's welfare. He gave me misleading information, ordered tests and prescribed meds my cat didn't need and also prescribed dental work that was unnecessary (qualified by my current vet). He was going to risk my 18 year old cat's life by putting him under anaesthesia when it wasn't needed. Knowing that every charge put me further into debt but that I couldn't say no, he charged me every single thing on the OVA fee guide he could get away with. In general, a very unprofessional practice; every app't was interrupted at least once by a tech barging in, during my first app't he dissed my last vet (who was wonderful but too far away since I'd moved), the place isn't very clean and I learned that a number of staff took his treatment of them to the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal. No idea of the outcome but stay away from this ego-driven ****.
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8/23/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My dog Oscar has been going to Dr. Ackerman since he was a puppy. We moved over 2 years ago but would never consider changing vets as Oscar absolutely ADORES Dr. Ackerman. Oscar has had an amazing knee surgery with Dr. Ackerman a couple years ago that resulted in Oscar's return to normal including being able to play, swim and run all he wants. Two weeks ago he had his first dental appointment which went beautifully. Oscar has his youthful, gorgeous pearly whites again and his breath is as fresh as a puppy's. I highly recommend Dr. Ackerman to anyone who loves their pet as much as I do. Nothing but the BEST for our Oscar.
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8/2/13 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
approach to gentle alpha training is quite good. Like most pet owners it is sometimes hard for me to admit my dog has issues on aggression - but he walked me through the process well, and was very hands-on and effective with his methods. I then could take this practical advice home and practice in a fun but effective way at home. What I liked most about his approach was that he first asked me my take on certain behaviors and what I thought was the right or wrong way - without being judgmental he proceeded to elaborate when needed. It was overall a positive experience.
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7/19/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Great place! I've been taking my cat here for years but recently got a lab/shepherd mix. He's incredibly lively with a snapping issue and he's going to be a big dog so I had already started looking into training. I read quite a bit about Alpha training so I asked Dr. Ackerman about it because I wasn't so sure. I was relieved when he was keen on being gentle and positive. He even took some extra time to show me some of the basics and off we went. Two weeks later and my pup is a lot more responsive to my commands, his general behaviour is tremendously improved, and he's still one lively puppy. Cannot thank you guys enough!
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7/12/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Dr. Kent and his staff are fantastic! Always friendly, they have a great demeanour with all the animals and I know my dog is in very good hands. They've got fair prices and you can really tell everyone who works there is in it for the animals. They're also one of the only clinics I know that has a laser machine for promoting bone growth. It's not expensive and the laser therapy works *so* well! My little dog broke his leg and there was such a marked improvement after receiving the laser therapy, I highly recommend it. TL;DR: Great clinic, fantastic staff, use the laser if your pet has a broken bone.
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6/20/13 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
Dr. Kent Ackerman at King West Vets gave us excellent service when our dog developed an ear hematoma. The standard approach is a surgery with a long healing time, but Dr. Ackerman used a technique which involved draining the ear and injecting with steroids, which was much less invasive and much less expensive! Our dog's ear is fine now. Thanks Kent! Kent also provides tons of advice on how to relate to your dog and establish yourself as the pack leader. Though we live in East York, we now go to King West Vets!
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5/14/13 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
I had to take my cat in because of a newly occurring issue. As he's an older cat, I was worried and wanted to get him in somewhere ASAP. The King West Clinic took him first thing on the next business day. Dr Kent was amazing with him, and kept him very calm throughout the tests. I was impressed that they performed all tests in front of me, without taking my cat into some strange back room, where I would not be able to see what was happening to him. My cat remained calm during the exam and the tests, and especially enjoyed the affectionate attention that Dr Kent and his assistant showed him. I would definitely recommend this Vet.
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4/5/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I've been going to Dr. Kent for 6 years and have always had a positive experience. Ali, Michelle and all of his staff are very attentive and caring. I have also used the clinic for grooming and boarding and it has always been a great experience. Vigi always looks forward to his visits which I don't see at other clinics.
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3/22/13 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
Firstly they tried to sell me everything my dog didn't need! Their cat smacked my dog in the face for no reason. Dr. Kent was 1 hour late. When I inquired why, he said "I'm upset too -- I was going to go rollerblading today but I had to come in to see this parrot." My dog was overweight and had luxating patella. Dr. Kent said he needed both kneecaps fixed at $2500 per leg. I wanted a 2nd opinion so Dr. Kent tried to discourage me by claiming that he was 1 of 2 surgeons in Toronto who could do it, and I should book it ASAP. I declined and took my dog to another vet who said that my dog was too fat to have surgery and if he got it done, the surgery/recovery might be too much for my dog's heart and my dog might die (!!!)The other vet said to get his weight down and we'll go from there. A year later my dog got surgery through the other vet. Turns out, he only needed ONE leg done, and the cost was $1500. King West Vets was willing to risk my dog's life and charge me more than double for it.
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2/28/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
Dr. Ackerman is wonderful with our English Bulldog. Great for behaviour training and really helpful tips overall. Wonderful for all bulldog breeds due to his experience with their inherent genetic issues and the procedures required to address the issue.
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2/21/13 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
When this clinic first opened, Dr Ackerman was very nice and provided good service and did not overcharge. Now with the influx of new residents with pets, he hired other vets and the place has lost its personal touch. They try to over-sell you on services and treatments your pet does not need. At a annual check-up, I was told my pet neded a cleaning. I had it done and was told an extraction was needed when I got a call at work. SO the price went up. I dont believe it was necessary but gave the benefit of the doubt.It cost $700. A new vet started there and at his annual, he says a cleaning and extraction is needed. Total 1400. Why did the price double? Why not try to save the tooth instead of extract? I was totally put off by this new vet. I am looking for a new vet who cares about patients not money. The emotional blackmail will not work on me.Both vets and MDs are all about the $ nowadays. Its so sad.
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1/31/13 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
Dr. Julian is relatively new to this practice, but has made a great impression in a short time. He is incredibly knowledgable not only about veterinary medicine, but also nutrition and homeopathy. He has helped one of our cats make a 180 turn from dental issues, oral inflammation and obesity to a much happier and happier companion. I would recommend Dr. Julian to anyone looking for a down-to-earth vet with extensive knowledge, who also keeps in mind individual budgets and priorities.
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7/8/12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I've been to many vets throughout the city, and King West Vets is by far the best! Kent Ackerman saved my dog's life after poison ingestion and since then, I have only taken my dog there. My dog was spayed by Kent as well with not even a visible scar! He is very honest and the nicest and most experienced veterinarian I have ever come in contact with. To all of those who haven't been to King West Vets, ignore all the negative reviews and just take your pet to Kent!
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4/14/12 |
3 |
5 |
2 |
5 |
Go for Kent. He's been terrific with our dog and knows his stuff. Unfortunately, his staff can be hit or miss and the wait times are usually quite high. However, if you're patient - Kent's touch, advice, and skills are worth the trip.
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3/21/12 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
The staff are very kind and caring however the wait time can be brutal. Jayne is great!
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3/13/12 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Worst Vet experience I've ever had in my life. just as others have said they make you feel rushed and attempt to up-sell you on services and products you don't need. The Vet (Ackerman) and his staff were pushy, rude and arrogant. I went once and will never ever go back again. Stay away from this place, there are other excellent vets in the King West area!
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3/2/12 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
I am very pleased with the service and care at King West Vets! Dr.Ackerman is very knowledgable in both the areas of medicine and canine behaviour. He has been able to offer practices and exercises that have created a happier dog and, therefor, happier owners! He has made every effort to keep client costs down while appropriately treating any medical issues. Definitely the BEST clinic to which we have taken our dog!
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2/14/12 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
By far the worst vet!! The vet techs are really nice, especially Michelle. However, the last time I was there for my dog with kennel cough, Dr. Ackerman had me sit in a smelly room for TWO hours waiting to see us. When he finally came in, he yelled at two of his staff members in front of me for speaking without him telling them to, which was very embarrassing and unprofessional! He then tried to convince me to have a bunch of tests done which cost hundreds and were SO unnecessary, all she needed was some antibiotics which cured it. I live really close and thought it would be convenient but it is NOT worth it! Every time I go he says I need EVERYthing. My dog was also spayed there and got SO sick as a result, we ran up a bill of almost $1K on treatment as a result of "complications" from her surgery (that hasn't happened to anyone I know). That should have been my first clue. She now cries and runs away every time we walk past because she hates it so much. NEVER AGAIN!
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1/28/12 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
Best vet ever. Dr. Akerman treated my dog for a fraction of a quote I received. My dog had an emergency spay from a life threatening infection, nose surgery, dental surgery and anal gland expression. Understanding really how much work it takes I feel as if I cheated him for the value. I must add through the whole entire process I was never pressured to do extra work on her, but there were recommendations and when I decline there was no shame or judgement as a bad owner as others will make you feel. I was at ease through this whole experience, that's for the great staff there! I was able to come in and call at anytime to check in on my dog. Dr. Akerman even came in late to check on my dog, I knew my dog was in good hands. He charged me what other places might charge just to test and diagnose. He actually didn't charge me for everything either. You really get what you pay for and more. My dog has never been healthier. Thanks to him and his wonderful staff! Nothing but good to say
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1/23/12 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
My pets are rabbits. I used to go to Animal Hospital of High Park, and I can't believe the comments here about high cost & upselling: not only were the fees less pricey at King West, but there was no attempt to upsell me (unlike at AHHP, Dr. Ackerman actually wanted to listen and understand what kind of support I could provide at home, and never once suggested overnight intake), and - most amazing of all - Dr. Ackerman didn't charge me for some X-rays in my rabbit's final illness. But the casual and intimate atmosphere at King West is a trade-off. The positives are a calm healing vibe, and an openness to discussion and relationship-building. The negatives are low efficiency, so be prepared for lengthy visits, and don't assume they're as prepared as a more high-volume, business-oriented clinic would be. (For instance, if you're bringing your bunny in for surgery, make sure they have food on location to feed him!!) As with any vet, you need to advocate for yourself and your pet.
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1/18/12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I have read all reviews. The reason I go to King West is that Kent Ackerman is a grest vet and surgeon. Our dog just had anal gland surgery, a surgery that is difficult to perform and recovery difficult. King West Vet is a small clinic with one vet on staff at a time and they will treat emergencies without question. They have done that for me. All medical clinics run late for many reasons. Vet Clinics are not sterile environments...animals are around. King West Vets is a clean clinic. Kent Ackerman is big on behavior and I appreciate that....he teaches for free. As far as prices, they are average. I appreciate when a vet offers what can be done out there but they have never made me feel bad for not choosing to do it. We are very happy with King West Vets.
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1/6/12 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
Kent Ackerman is an excellent vet.... I adore going there.....everyone takes care of my multitude of dogs -one of which has some issues. His locums are very good as well. Ignore the ego...educate yourself...ask questions..they are only too happy to share. All vets charge too much...but consider costs of rent, staff and latest equipment & technology.. Kent has treated my dogs for everything from torn corneas to liver biopsies. Toronto has so many complainers and if you are not happy why not be honest about it and have a conversation with him instead of the taking the cowardly techno backstabbing route.
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11/24/11 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Absolutely the WORST place you can ever consider taking your pets. Filthy facilities, untrained, rude staff and constant up-selling, not to mention the wait you will have; minimum 45 minutes every time with no explanation. Make sure you ask how much everything will be before you allow this creep to do anything! This place is a joke. The only good thing about this place? The young girls he hires are pretty hot, but they're angry so not much benefit there.
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9/25/11 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
I had come here once and I will never give Dr. Kent the privilege of treating or seeing my animals again. He is arrogant and seems to talk more about his credentials than he talks about your pet. I guess this may "reassure" some clients, but not anyone with half a brain. He speaks to his staff rudely with no manners, saying "now" instead of please, and was extremely late for the appointment. And while I was told by his staff he was "busy" in the back, I saw him come in through the side door. Services are over priced, I am constantly being upselled for things I don't need. It was just a terrible experience. I don't know how anyone can tolerate someone so arrogant and rude. And from what I heard from my new vet, he has a high staff turnover. I don't blame them.
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7/4/11 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
Staff - unattentive and unorganized - on more than one occasion I had gone in to the clinic and not seen anyone for at least 15min. staff are unapologetic when they mess up your appointment (on more than one occasion) and one time one of the staff told me that it was RIDICULOUS my small dog wouldn't eat big kibbles. They obviously do not know anything about customer service. Facilities - a little cramped but no big problem here. Punctuality - never been served on time. Monetary value - Vet always tries to upsell really making it hard to tell what's procedures are necessary and what's not. ALWAYS ask how much everything is. Overall I would not recommend this place.
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5/25/11 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
I really like Dr. Akerman's mannerisms with our Cat, but I always have to schedule at least an hour or more of time because he's always late to begin examining her. On a couple of occasions, he has left us waiting half through to check on another animal in emergency. He does ask if it's okay, and what can you say if the animal is in dire need of care... but after waiting at least 30 min past the appt time, it's annoying. Staff is usually very friendly. Dr. Ackerman portrays to be cost conscious, but the bill is usually around $200 - 300 dollars.
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2/28/11 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
Dr. Ackerman and the staff are extremely kind and helpful - they really care about their patients. It can be pricey, but it is worth it - we know our pets are being well taken care of.
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12/1/10 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
Been taking our dog to this vet for over 2 years. I like the staff. They are friendly and good at following up. We just went through the "oh, there is something wrong with our dog; let's do thousands of dollars worth of testing and an ultimately unnecessary surgery, but don't worry, we have insurance so fit in every test you can" experience. That being said, although Dr. Ackerman is likely printing money, I do believe he has the animals' best interests at heart. He has state-of-the-art equipment. There is no one there to monitor animals kept overnight. I'm a big fan of Dr. Stuart who works at the clinic on Wednesdays.
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12/3/09 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Dr. Ackerman seems to know his stuff, but wow do they take advantage of pet owners. We went through over $3000 dollars in tests (on the vet's hunch) only to find out nothing was wrong. The facility is also cramped and unkempt. BEWARE!
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7/4/09 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
Needless testing being pushed for an ear infection that we were being given antibiotics for anyway. Basically, why do I need to have tests run only to find out what's exactly wrong after my dog is better/has already been treated? We always have to wait even when we have had appointments. I feel like I am never told how much I will end up paying ahead of time and have been charged more than I expected, mainly with needless testing and I've now learned to ask questions.
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