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Summit Veterinary Referral Center
About This Business:
Value Pet Clinic is a group of low-cost veterinary clinics operating in the Seattle area. Since we are a walk-in clinic no appointments are necessary,… read more »
5 reviews for Summit Veterinary Referral Center
5 reviews in English
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Review from Erin H.
Gig Harbor, WA
10/20/2011
I've taken my pets here and been impressed with multiple doctors here.
Dr. Okrasinski is a highly skilled surgeon with an excellent bedside manner. He operated on my dog multiple times and always kept me in the loop on how he was doing, and called me back right away whenever I had a question or concern. He saved my dog's life and gently walked me through the whole scary process with grace!
Dr. Gillings consulted with me right away after my dog's cancer diagnosis. She was supportive and encouraging and I trust her advice.
Dr. Herman and Dr. Lawson cared for my cat when he was hospitalized with a life-threatening illness for multiple days. They couldn't always get to the phone right away when I called, but called me back in a timely manner and clearly doted on him while he was in their care.
I've been really happy with the team at Summit and though I hope I won't need their services again, I know that if I do, my pets and I will be in good hands. -
Review from Zoe M.
Gig Harbor, WA
9/19/2011
It is not often I write bad reviews, concerned citizen letters, or anything of that nature. I am more of a "you get more flies with honey" kind of a person. I like to focus on the good and let the bad go. And yet, I find myself with little recourse in a very frustrating situation. Thus, I am writing this review as a way to caution others from getting into the same predicament I find myself in today.
To put it bluntly, avoid - at all costs - Dr. Herman at Summit Veterinarian Referral Center. The long version? ---- I have a "regular" vet (one I love by the way, Dr. Carla Rasmussen in Gig Harbor). She is communicative and compassionate, while being efficient and thorough. Just what a vet should be. There are many good vets in the Harbor, but Dr. Rasmussen is my choice. One year ago, I took my dog in for a routine spay at my regular vet and received the news that her liver looked terrible and that she was suffering from liver disease. This was a huge shock to all involved. She had displayed no signs or indications of anything but a happy 13-month old, ready to take on the world. After receiving this news, I began to do research on internal medicine specialists in the area. Hands down the most qualified specialists were the doctors at Summit. Specifically looking for an internist, I chose Dr. Herman. When I went in to see my dog at our vet an hour later, we were advised to take her to Summit. I explained I had already done research and was on the same page, ready to take her to the Summit specialist.
We arrived at the specialist shaken and emotionally distraught. We were met there by our dog's breeder (who are very kind friends). We noticed the Summit facilities were spacious and clean and the reception staff, nice. We went through the normal formalities of having our dog weighed, etc. and waited for Dr. Herman. Dr. Herman explained she'd reviewed Nandi's chart but would like to run another blood test and gave us a protocol for beginning an herbal regimen. She said she would contact us with the blood panel results. At that point, we left feeling we would do as much as we could for our little girl.
And that's when Dr. Herman went incommunicado. She does not return phone calls. She does not call you with test results. In fact, I had to call four times to get our results and I when I finally received a call back, it was a week later by her assistant (which is fine except when you have two follow-up questions that cannot be answered by the assistant). And to be clear, Dr. Herman didn't have to send their lab results out, they did our test in-house.
Scheduling a follow-up visit, I arrived prepared with a list of questions. She answered them and I left feeling at least I had gotten answers in a timely matter this time. Apparently, that's what you have to do...pay $188 for an office visit every time you have a question.
This poor communication has continued for the last year and it has finally hit an entire new low for me. This past Tuesday, my regular vet called to consult with Dr. Herman about fluid filling our dog's belly (a sign her liver is not absorbing proteins...and not good to say the least). Both vets agreed to put her on three different drugs. Dr. Rasmussen recommended the dosages for the first two and Dr. Herman said she'd get to her about the third. Both Dr. Rasmussen and I left msgs over the next week, but we heard nothing. I called again on Friday and was told Dr. Herman was out of the office that day. So...we had to wait until Monday when she is back in the office to get our dog's dosage. Then we can fill the prescription and begin her on that regimen...one week later. It may sound like a short time, but imagine if you went in for a common cold and the doctor didn't call in your prescription for one week. It's a long time when your dog's belly is filling up with fluid and the vet is predicting she only has a couple of months to live. It's a long time when the medication could possibly stop or slow down the fluid accumulation.
It is not a lack of education or intelligence on Dr. Herman's part. It is a lack of communication, poor time management, dismal patient care, and ultimately, a lack of respect on Dr. Herman's part. I will continue to take my little girl to Summit, but will be transferring her case to Dr. McCord, who has a record of good patient communication and rapport. It is difficult enough to find out our little girl may only be with us for a short while longer, and it is downright maddening to have a vet unable or unwilling to give us a dosage for a prescription within a week's time.
Please do not put yourself in my position. Do not go to Dr. Herman. Continue to support Summit Veterinary Referral Center, but do not support Dr. Herman's method of practicing veterinary medicine. For Summit's promise to ring true that, " your pet's health and your peace of mind are our top priorities," they need to rethink Dr. Herman's position within their establishment. -
Review from V C.
Tacoma, WA
11/7/2011
There seems to be a big dichotomy in reviews of this clinic, understandable in the very emotional subject of critical medical care of beloved pets. Anyway, my rating is a 5 star one. As our local vet could not provide the 24 hr. watch and oxygen that my very sick cat needed, they recommended that I take him to Summit, mainly because of the critical care expertise there. We decided to euthanize the next day (elderly cat with kidney problems and heart murmur). I did not want to prolong kitty's distress resulting from a tumor in his throat. This was my decision and I could see how upset the Summit staff was that they could not save him. My summary: human health care should be this good. The total cost of diagnostics (xrays and report from Chambers Creek), exams, meds and excellent treatment was approximately 1/50th of what comparable human care would cost.
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Review from Allison P.
Sidney, MT
11/8/2011
After getting neutered at one of the spay/neuter clinics, our dog became very ill. We took him to Summit late one night. They were very concerned about him and did a great job thoroughly assessing him. They kept him for several days and eventually figured out he had a sterile abscess, probably due to an allergic reaction to the dissolving sutures. A very unusual case. They thoroughly explained everything to us and let us visit at odd times of the day. They accepted our phone calls at 2 am when we were worried about him. We did have to wait quite a while every time we came to see him, but I choose to attribute that to them being busy taking care of sick animals. The facility was very clean and well-kempt. We enjoyed the Keurig coffee while we waited. We always felt comfortable leaving Teddy at Summit. Following the surgery, they were patient with us when we would call with questions or concerns. I felt as though they were as thorough as possible, but at the same time, tried to reduce costs where possible. When we paid our bill, we noticed they didnt charge us for everything little thing, which was very much appreciated. Its nice to have a hospital that is up-to-date and specialized when weird cases arise. Summit is a good emergency source and resource to the community.
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Review from Heather C.
Portland, OR
9/10/2010
My best friend Buster passed away last night, but not because of lack of effort from Dr. Hofeling and the rest of the staff. I was visiting the Olympic Peninsula and Buster suddenly began showing signs of distress - shaking, panting, and becoming so weak he could not hold his head up. I rushed him to a local vet, and they sent me to a 24hour clinic in Bremerton to have an ultrasound. They determined that Buster had a ruptured gall bladder, and needed emergency surgery. They told me the best surgeon was at Summit in Tacoma. Despite being 2:30am, I drove Buster there, and immediately they rushed him to the back room. That day, Dr. Hofeling performed the surgery. Buster came through the surgery, but began having distressed breathing. By that time I was already home in Portland. Dr. Hofeling called and explained the situation. Buster was in pain and it wasn't fair to keep him alive any longer.
Throughout the ordeal, Dr. Hofeling and the rest of the staff were always very professional yet compassionate. He never gave me false hopes which was important to help me prepare for Buster's passing. When my husband picked Buster up, the hospital had prepared a clay imprint of Buster's paw for a keepsake. My loss of Buster will always hurt tremendously, but it helps to know he was in caring hands during his last hours.
