| KEY |
Date |
|
|
|
M
o
n
e
t
a
r
y
V
a
l
u
e
|
Comments
|
|
|
3/3/21 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
Hi Ken I know you will read this all I can hope is you will realize you need to change how you treat Your Customers and their pets you know who I'm as I did the roof on your house about 10 years ago now. have been using you for my dogs for years now and have watched the steady decline Professionalism and staff overturn I would not take way pets back here if you offered free service for life Please be aware of where you take your pets read all reviews and you will see what kind of a person you are dealing with narcissistic scam mystic he will at drain your accounts all he want's is your money
|
|
|
|
6/10/20 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
about DR KENT ACKERMAN , this veterinarian is firm gentle smart witty and he,s concerned knows what he's talking about and is straight forward to the point. We need more vets like him.its not his job to make you care about your pet and maybe it could become extremely confusing when someone else other then yourself may seem to care more than you do about the pet. i read the reviews and decided to bring my precious fluffy in. we know the game only we don't play it. Go ahead cut cost cut corners but don.t cut yourself short by not getting the best there is to offer at A great rate. Kind of funny they all cost the same but when you get the best at the same rates as other places that,s the greatest rate there is. thank you DR KENT.
|
|
*
|
10/26/18 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
The most unprofessional and dishonest vet in Toronto! All about the money....be very careful they are sneaky, so keep on your toes.
|
|
*
|
8/1/18 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Dr. Ackerman is wonderful with exotic birds. It’s difficult to find clinics in the city with qualified exotic bird veterinarians, so I’m very grateful to have found one with a doctor who is passionate about what he does! Dr. Ackerman has treated my cockatiel and especially my lovebird, Petey, who is recently having issues with egg binding. If he had not provided the medical treatments necessary for my lovebird, she would not be here today. As a result of those treatments and his advice, I’ve learned how maintain a healthy life for Petey. He is very knowledgeable and intuitive about exotics and also respects my financial situation. He also has an amazing tech, Emily, who is always so great with Petey. They have the facilities necessary to perform x-rays or procedures, if necessary. I would be happy to recommend this clinic to anyone looking for a good veterinary doctor.
|
|
*
|
5/2/18 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
3/19/18 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
I’ve been taking my dog Ari to Dr Kent for a few years now. Dr Kent has very helpful behaviour methods that he has shown me for my energetic jack russel. He has performed minor surgery on his ear a couple summers ago and the result were amazing. Recently Ari came down with severe acute pancreatitis. Dr Kent literally saved my dog’s life. He has been very helpful in showing me and explaining to me how and what we should do to make Ari healthy again. Dr Kent continually finds ways to discount prescriptions and treatments saving me a ton of money off already very expensive treatments. Dr Kent has been amazing at address all of my questions and concerns and easing stress about my dog’s health.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
1/22/17 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
My cat Abby has been a patient of Dr. Akerman's for 2 years. She is a very nervous cat will get quite aggressive towards strangers. Dr. Akerman has been extremely patient with Abby and as a result she has grown to like (even love) Dr. Ackerman and his staff. He knows how to handle nervous animals to make them feel comfortable and safe. I no longer have to sedate her for checkups, which is something that I never thought would be possible given that she would get very stressed out and aggressive at the vets. She now even enjoys her snuggles with Dr. Akerman during our visits. Dr. Akerman recently performed surgery on Abby and I couldn't be happier with the results. The recovery process was difficult at times, but the staff at King West Vets was always available to take my calls if ever I was worried. They made me feel calm and reassured and I knew that Abby was getting the best care possible. I can't thank them enough!!
|
|
|
|
9/20/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Dr. Ackerman is very knowledgeable about birds. We've taken our cockatiels to see him twice and he is very good at handling them. One of our birds was not tamed and bit him really hard but he still handled her very well. He gave training and taming tips, which helped a lot.
|
|
*
|
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!!!
|
|
*
|
10/22/15 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Great clinic! They took amazing care of my puppy during her spay. I would highly recommend them.
|
|
*
|
10/16/15 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
Our dog has been treated by King West Vets since she was a puppy. When she was 5 months old, Dr. Ackerman diagnosed her with a rare bone disease. She was on the brink of death and Dr. Ackerman's excellent care brought her back. She is now a beautiful healthy dog. Yesterday, she was spade by Dr. Ackerman. The surgery was more complex because she is a mature dog and is very large and deep-chested. The surgery went extremely well. She is totally back to normal and does not appear to be in any pain at all. The incision is extremely small given the size of the dog and the extent of the surgery. Our dog received incredible care while at King West Vets. Everyone was extremely kind and compassionate.
With respect to costs, Dr. Ackerman has always been cost conscious with us. For example, Dr. Ackerman decided not to give our dog an epideral because she is so large that it would not have had much of an effect on her.
Overall - we could not be happier with the service we have received a
|
|
*
|
8/15/15 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
We started going to Dr Kent a couple of years ago, with our 94lbs shepherd/husky mix - who has a very strong alpha 'gene'. Dr Kent is really good at handling him, taking an assertive, but gentle approach. He is clearly comfortable with both the size and demeanour of our dog (who can be quite dominant in the vets office, and does not take kindly to being examined), and gives us tips for day-to-day activities and approaches for behavioural training. His YouTube videos have been particularly helpful in better understanding alpha/beta dynamics, and even though trust (and submission) in the vet office are still a work in progress for our pup, we are confident in taking him to Dr Kent.
|
|
*
|
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!! :-)
|
|
*
|
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.
|
|
*
|
6/12/15 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Prince, my dog, has been under the care of Dr. Ackerman since he was a puppy at 10 weeks old - he is now 8. He recently had a very major knee surgery at King West Vets. Despite the clinic's need to support all walk-ins, pets who were boarded, and appointments, phone calls etc., Dr. Ackerman was kind enough to take the time out to call me pre-surgery, during surgery, post-surgery, and also walked me through the results, after-care and outcomes personally.
I think that any pet owner will quickly learn that the cost of ownership is not cheap, but that is not at the fault of any veterinarian. Much like human healthcare, many costs are passed down to doctors and it is unreasonable to think that they would not need to earn revenues to cover their operating costs, in addition to income.
I highlyrecommend King West Vets for any pet owner. My pup has seen his share of illnesses and now as a senior, I feel extremely comfortable with the care that he receives from Dr. Ackerman and his clini
|
|
*
|
5/11/15 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
Dr. Kent has always taken great care in looking after my dog for the past 6 years. Wait times are present but I cant remember ever going to a human doctor without appointments running over etc. it is expected and it happens. He has always taken his time to be thorough with my dogs examinations and my questions and has always looked out for my dogs health and best interests as well as what is best for me financially. My dog has a had a few surgeries with Dr. Kent and all I can say is she always recovered remarkably fast and healed very very very well and back to bouncing around as usual.
|
|
*
|
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.
|
|
*
|
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.
|
|
*
|
2/9/15 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Run...Don't walk away from this place. I've been consistently shocked at their level of customer service AND their terribly veterinary care. DO NOT trust your pets here. They failed to even take my dogs temperature before vaccinating. Its not uncommon to walk into a COMPLETELY EMPTY BUSINESS. I could have helped myself to the shelves of drugs, easily. My 12 year old dog broke a nail close to here. After waiting with a dog in pain for 20 minutes, they claimed helping him or taking care of him would cause "too much of an interruption in scheduled appointments.
The staff are painfully under educated. They are unfamiliar with prescription diets, lab test or triaging pets and appointments. The turnover is VERY high.
Please, for your pets sake and for the sake of your sanity - Avoid this place. The quality of medicine is just as poor as the customer service and staff knowledge.
|
|
*
|
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
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
*
|
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!!
|
|
*
|
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+
|
|
|
|
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 $$.
|
|
*
|
11/5/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My experience with Dr Ackerman and his staff at King West Vets has been phenomenal. The staff are knowledgeable, accountable, professional and timely. Dr Ackerman is very compassionate, informative and his bedside manner is excellent. The clinic's website is extremely educational. Specifically, Dr Ackerman's account of animal behaviourism appears to be empirical. I have applied his animal behaviour training techniques (i.e., the alpha training) successfully. Resultantly, both my dogs are much more calm and better behaved. Overall, I have only had positive experiences with Dr Ackerman and his staff and I strongly recommend the veterinary care at King West Vets!
|
|
*
|
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 ****.
|
|
|
|
9/2/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Met Dr Kent Ackerman at a cottage on the weekend. He showed me in minutes his dynamic techniques on alpha positions to help me with my dog. As a pet parent I knew my dog was Alpha but I didn't know how to correct it. He is a good natured dog but high strung (because of my lack of understanding). I needed a way to help him relax and help me to be an alpha. Dr Kent showed me his simple techniques that are gentle, easy and effective and within a few minutes I was making progress feeling more confident and my dog was calmer. These techniques need to be paracticed on a daily basis but are easy and a nice way to bond with your pet. I have made progress in just a day and am really excited to see what will happen in a week and onward. My dog is already many degrees calmer on day 2 just from adjusting his job of being in protector mode to just being. I highly recommend every pet parent at least try these techniques and see for themselves. Kirsti & Jack "The bug"
|
|
*
|
8/29/13 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
I'm *very* impressed with the staff at King West Vets. Professional, intelligent, and compassionate. Unlike other clinics that I've been to, KWV has put my pet ahead of their business; which is quite rare, I truly appreciate that. Above all else I can take great comfort knowing that my little buddy is receiving the best attention from highly skilled staff who really, really care!
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
*
|
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.
|
|
*
|
7/25/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Dr Kent is awesome, I loved the behaverial work with Mayo and Mellow! I noticed a difference right away was a great experience!
|
|
*
|
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!
|
|
*
|
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.
|
|
|
|
7/4/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Dr. Kent and staff are absolutely incredible. Trying to raise a young pup to be healthy and balanced can be very challenging and with the help and support from this team, we're on our way. Thank you very much and Duncan always looks forward to the next visit.
|
|
*
|
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!
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
*
|
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.
|
|
*
|
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.
|
|
*
|
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.
|
|
*
|
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.
|
|
|
|
11/9/12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
We had such a good experience here. We have a large German Shepherd who went from being dominate to a wonderful family dog due to Dr Ackerman's experience with animals and his understanding in animal behavior. We had been to 3 different vets and none have been as calm and as knowledgeable as Dr Ackerman. This was the first vet that didn't muzzle him, within minutes we were being shown ways to dominate and make him listen to us and not the other way around. On our first visit he picked our 120 lb dog up and placed him on the examining table which had never been done before. That was the moment when I knew it was worth driving over an hour to get here. We live an hour outside Toronto but this was the first vet I felt completely comfortable with and knew I could trust. We are back in tomorrow to have his stitches removed after having a large growth taken out. I used to dread having to go to the vets, now I find it a relaxing experience. The girls at the front desk are very friendly.
|
|
*
|
7/23/12 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
Dr Kent Ackerman was amazing! Contrary to what previous reviews say he is kind, caring, understanding, knowledgable and does what is best for each patient. He never once made me feel like I had to buy a service and always assured me that my little girl would be just fine. I have been to previous vets who told me a week after I got my dog that she was really sick and would neeed thousands in tests and maybe procedures to see what was wrong before we could even beging to fix the problem. Within in minutes of meeting me Dr Kent had a good hunch what the issue was and he was right, he also assured me that my dog was going to be ok. He was able to spay my dog after I had been told at other places that she was high risk. Going to King West Vets has been a great experience, highly reccomend their services which are always friendly and in a comfortable environment.
|
|
*
|
7/9/12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My experience with Dr. Ackerman was amazing! I would recommend him to everyone. I have dealt with a lot of vets in my life and not one of them comes close to the care and knowledge that this guy has! He even took time to teach us about behaviour. I did not feel him to be arrogant at all. I felt him to be confident and that is what I want especially if he's going to be cutting my dog! (she had hip surgery) which was very successful and almost half of the price others were going to charge. The clinic wasn't only very clean but really nice and up to date. The staff I found great as well...very personable. I only witnessed him joking with his staff..never rude to them. I cannot believe anyone would complain about this person. I have to suspect that those who complained were provocative, cheap and very annoying.
|
|
*
|
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!
|
|
|
|
6/5/12 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
After my cat went through expensive inconclusive tests at another clinic , I found through research, that it was suffering from kidney failure. I fed it a kidney formula food and kept it comfortable for another 10 months until it was suffering so went to this clinic to have it euthanized but the vet wouldn't do it without examining the cat so I agreed. He then said the cat had a fighting chance and played on my emotions to make me think that my cat would be okay. After spending about $2000, much suffering by my cat for the next 2 and a half weeks, and many tears, he then said that my cat wasn't going to live after all and the staff said I could have it euthanized for about another $160. I ended up taking my cat to Animal Services where they charged $20. If I wasn't so emotionally distraught , I never would have spent so much money as I initially believed, , that it wouldn't live. plus the fact that my income from pensions is not very high.
|
|
*
|
5/3/12 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
My wife and I bring our cat Oscar here all the time, and we are always thrilled with the care he receives. The doctor and his staff are great with him. I have had to wait a short time for a couple appointments, but it has always been because of an emergency surgery which is understandable. Highly recommended and worth the wait.
|
|
*
|
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.
|
|
|
|
3/21/12 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
The staff are very kind and caring however the wait time can be brutal. Jayne is great!
|
|
*
|
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!
|
|
*
|
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!
|
|
*
|
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!
|
|
*
|
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
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
1/16/12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Dr. Kent has performed a very skillful micro surgery on my Chihuahua Johnny. Not only was his pricing half the other competitive quotes, but the work was phenomenal as Johnny is running at full speed. I have come to know Dr. Kent very well since this surgery and recommend him and his clinic with highest regards. We come all the way from Ajax to have him work on our dogs! We have referred him to all our family and friends. Cheers, Molly Hilton.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
1/2/12 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
Some people just like to complain. They fit our dog in as an emergency (we are from Colorado). The staff was so kind. The place was great. The vet did a super job -- including eye surgery. I was so pleased with everything -- it must be horrible to read these reviews and see how nasty some people can be! Dr. Ackerman and staff were great! Don't let the reviews below fool you for a second!!
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
11/19/11 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
I first came to get a stool sample checked and they tried to upsell me into shots, a wellness exam, bloodwork etc - and everytime I asked how much, dr Atkinson said that I would be save money by bundling these services. When he finally admitted he had me up to $450, I started to decline the services. Each time I said no- he would praise my decision. I barely escaped just to be set upon by the receptionist - who also tried to upsell me. He also flirts like crazy to get you to buy more. He has a high need for praise and attention - rarely is his attention on your pet. I do not recommend. This vet is only about the money. Run away.
|
|
|
|
11/19/11 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
This is a terrible clinic. Dr. Akerman is a horrible man he is rude and has a serious god complex. I am suprised he still is in business and is allowed to practice medicine. The clinic its self is dirty, and small. The treatment area is horribly cluttered and filthy. He is all about money and really does not care about your pet. This man and his clinic is disgusting!!
|
|
|
|
10/14/11 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
ASK HOW MUCH EVERYTHING IS! They will upsell anything and everything you don't need.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
6/25/11 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
There is a high staff turnover at this clinic which can be frustrating as someone always seems to be in training, with the exception of Michelle, who appears to be the eternal loyalist (and very good at the job). You MUST ask about the cost of what is being done! I've had several bad experiences there, not with the services rendered, but with the alarmingly high cost. If you take a close look at your invoice, there are multiple charges for one service, and it adds up very fast. Dr. Ackerman is happy to break down the fees before you agree to procedure though, you just have to ask. I must agree with other reviewers that staff are not treated well. The veterinary service provided though is exceptionally good. Dr. Ackerman has a way with animals that is very gentle and aimed at causing the least possible discomfort. I recommend the clinic but be very wary of the cost!
|
|
|
|
6/22/11 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
Brought my puppy there for his first exam/shots/etc. Now i called to ask about neutering him. I was quoted $250 (approx) for a 'basic' procedure which includes next to NOTHING and a more accurate figure (which includes an IV and anestetic - you would think that this is included in a basic procedure) was a total of $697 BEFORE tax. It took me 20 mins to get this information because the girl on the phone kept putting me on hold (then coming back very distracted and laughing and talking to her colleagues while continuing with my quote). Next she started forcing more vaccinations on me telling me that my dog may be exposed to racoons or squirrels (after i told her that he seldom goes outside) and it would be irresponsible to not stuff him up with drugs/vaccinations/antibiotics. I explained to her that i dont have any racoons or squirrels in my condo so she countered this by saying that he can contract something that I bring in to my apartment on my clothes.. or from the air.. or fr
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
5/9/11 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
We've been going to Dr. Ackerman for 3 years now and he's always been amazing with our cats; never rough with them and takes the time to let them know he's a friend while explaining to us how he plans on treating them and always consulting us with an estimate on the cost and services. Recently, our cat Moose became almost fatally sick needed a surgery which is done almost exclusively by specialists. We compared prices with a specialist and it became obvious to us to ask Dr. Ackerman to perform the surgery; he's so wonderful with our pets--he has treated them almost all their lives--and knowing we're not in the best financial state saved us well over two grand in vet bills. When he did perform the surgery, he came in on his day off--just for our Moose--and has made sure we were frequently consulted as to Mooses' condition and our cost/service estimate. Thanks to Dr. Ackermen and his lovely staff, our Moose is back to his old self and we couldn't be happier with his services.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
9/4/10 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
Dr. Ackerman was kind, diligent and generous. After a difficult dog surgery he stayed late to see my pet and another emergency patient, putting aside his plans for the evening to see us. His honesty about the likelihood of recovery and amazing relationship with animals were enormously comforting in a very difficult time. I have been to several other vets in Toronto, and none has left me feeling with as good an impression as Dr. Ackerman did. This was my first time there, but I will definitely return if I need veterinary services in Toronto again.
|
|
|
|
7/29/10 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Horrible service. Absolutely horrible. The staff were unprofessional and the vet was extremely arrogant in my opinion. I felt sorry for the student he had working with him. I have no idea how this clinic stays in business. The facilities were dirty and the wait time was over an hour. This is not somewhere I would take my pet ever again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
SYSTEM: 3 negative duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
10/8/09 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
I have been seeing Dr. Ackerman for ages now, fantastic dr. and really knows his stuff. Unfortunately, maybe due to economic times, prices have seemed to go up significantly, and service has seemed to go down. I'm still dedicated to him though, my wallet and I are no longer friends... I completely agree with the last comment that "you get what you pay for" and I agree, but I find there is too much needless testing and fully exhausting of all possible situations on the customers dime. I find that there is too much "Practice" going on, and not enough delegation. If your not specialized, then send the customer to the specialist...
|
|
|
|
8/13/09 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
This is the best vet ever. Dr. Ackerman is some sort of animal whisperer. The staff is awesome, and extremely friendly. Our dog had major tumour sugery in the lungs and Dr. Kent Ackerman stayed late somedays to take care of Reilly's needs. One day he even came back after going out for dinner at 1am to do some work for our dog. People who complain about the price should understand that this clinic is by far, the best one out there that I have ever experienced, and really, you get what you pay for and this clinic is a Porsche Carrera in a world full of Yugos and Chryslers. Hats off to the whole staff there, you really have done everything you could have done for Reilly. He even willingly goes in to the clinic with his tail wagging even after everything he has gone through. He loves the place, and the staff love him right back. Even Newf and Gus have made our many visits there enjoyable(people who have been here know what I am talking about)
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
3/20/09 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
Sorry, but I had the worst experience...over charged for puppy shots....charged for needless Giaradia shots...charged twice for office visist (2 dogs)...claimed my dog needed eye lid operation, not true...
|
|
|
|
9/4/08 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
Great vet! Really cares about the animals - he took our dog in an emergency and we had never been there before!
|
|
|
|
11/7/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
By far the best vet experience I've ever had! Dr.Ackerman is incredibly nice, takes the time to talk to you, answer questions as well as takes a few minutes to let the animal get comfortable with him before doing anything. Super clean upscale clinic, nice staff and overall fair prices. Plus he gave me a 10% discount for bringing both my cats in. I highly recommend them to everyone!
|
|
