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VCA Brookline Animal Hospital
Category: Pets Veterinarians Veterinarians [Edit]
678 Brookline AveBrookline, MA 02445
(617) 383-4903
New Client Special
New Clients get a Free First Exam. Click below for the offer:
http://www.vcahospital...
- Nearest Transit:
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678 Brookline Ave Opp Pearl St (60, 65)
Brookline Ave @ Pearl St (60, 65)
Huntington Ave @ Riverway (66)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8 am - 10 pm
Sat 8 am - 4 pm
Sun 9 am - 3 pm
51 reviews for VCA Brookline Animal Hospital
51 reviews in English
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Review from Meg S.
Boston, MA
3/1/2012
I'm blown away by this place. Even after I left, it kept getting better.
-They saw us on short notice (less than 24 hours)
-Staff welcomed us and knew exactly what issue we came in for when we walked in the door.
-Staff was friendly and caring.
-Our appointment was at 7:00, we showed up 15 minutes early and hardly waited
-We were actively seen for a full hour (between reception, vet tech and Dr. Groper)
-Dr. Grouper was friendly, informative, honest, knowledgeable and genuinely caring. He was on the floor with my dog giving her her check up. He was honest about what would be a waste of money and what we should be concerned about. He was knowledgeable of what was going on in the Boston area as far as dog illnesses and you could tell he really cared about my dog.
-They clipped her nails for free!
-Everyone was helpful and very personable at check out. They interacted with both me and my dog.
-Dr. Groper personally called the next night to see how my dog was feeling and to let me know he had thought of another treatment that might be helpful for my pup.
-Staff made a follow up call two days later to ensure our visit had gone well and if I had any questions about the treatment.
Ok, it may be pricier than a clinic, but we only go to the vet once a year- I'm ok paying a little more if the staff is genuinely concerned for not only the welfare of my dog, but my wallet too. -
Review from Alexis K.
Updated - 4/22/2012
Due to difficulties with the pharmacy, Brookline Animal Hospital has lost my business. I like Dr. Feldman all right, but I don't have time for poor customer service.
I wanted them to send a prescription for Revolution (a prescription flea deterrent) to an online pharmacy, Doctors Foster and Smith. A completely legit online pet pharmacy, BTW. After a few days past, I called Doctors Foster and Smith to find out why my order has not been filled. Their customer service said that my vet has not made contact with them, though Doctors F and S's customer service has tried several times. I then called my vet to find out that they only send prescriptions to online pharmacies with my consent. If filling online prescriptions were so problematic, the pharmacy should have told me. Getting my eye doctor to fill my prescription for contacts I order online is less problematic than this.
After back and forth, to be fair, the BAH pharmacy did price-match but I wanted them to fill the prescription with Doctors F and S, due to the convenience factor of having the meds delivered. The next few weeks for me are quite busy and battling with the 66 bus is not really much of an option for me right now. I'd rather have the meds delivered now than wait.
Since I placed my order, eleven days have passed. Today I have finally received a clear answer: they will not send the prescription to the company directly (and allegedly, this has always been their policy) but will write a prescription that they will send to me.
Even dealing with the person on the phone today was epic. I appreciate her explaining things clearly but when I requested that the prescription be sent to me, she reiterated my options AGAIN. What part of "send the prescription to me" is unclear? They have my address on file. The instructions are clear. This isn't a conversation or discussion; as far as I am concerned, "send the prescription to me" cannot be stated in clearer language.
Given the issues are their fault, this ordeal is simply unacceptable and has left a bad taste in my mouth; getting a prescription filled should not be this difficult or time-consuming. Given that we are in an area that has many vets, I will not be using their services any more. If this were something that my pet needed to live, I shudder to think about the outcome.Listed in: Owning Pets in Boston
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/4/2007
They may be a teensy expensive, but I love them. I've been to the there twice, and I've always… Read more »
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Review from Cris E.
Boston, MA
12/27/2011
Hey! It's pricey, but you get what you pay for and not to mention...this is Brookline!
If you want your pets (children) to receive top notch care and service, then I recommend this animal hospital.
We see Dr. Grouper (medical director) for our kitties. I love how he doesn't sugar coat anything and let's you know the deal! Very knowledgeable and good with our pets. He helped with their intestinal parasites and fleas.
The interns are the sweetest! They're all so kind and loving to our pets.
The wait is a bit long but they will come check on you more than once and ask if you need water or anything. I love that.
Another plus is the late night hours. We see Dr. Grouper close to 8 PM which is very hard to find in the Cambridge area.
You will also receive a courtesy call to check in on your pets status, well being. -
Review from Timmi C.
Brookline, MA
12/15/2011
So far so good! Since we've had Rhea (our german shepherd puppy), we've done our research on vet hospitals, and settled on this one based on reviews.
The place is true to most reviews. They aren't cheap, but seems to be the best place to come for care. We started Rhea off with Dr. Sanchez, and somehow ended up with Dr. Groper, and although we've read some not so positive reviews on Dr. Groper, we've experienced nothing but good things with him.
Rhea will be getting spayed next Friday, and Dr. Groper called and explained the whole process to us, and made me feel comfortable, and left me with no lingering questions, and even if I did have any, I would feel comfortable calling to ask.
Rhea loves Dr. Sanchez and Dr. Groper, and that's all we really care about! Friendly service, great care is what you pay for here!
Although the only thing holding me back from giving them 5 stars is that I get the impression that the front desk receptionist or whoever that answers the phone, she can confuse me (it's happened twice so far), and sometimes I get the impression that they can be a little disorganized, but that's just my opinion! -
Review from Kate P.
Arlington, MA
12/18/2011
I just went to the VCA Animal Hospital with my two eight week old kittens, and I am very happy that I did. The reviews seemed a little too mixed and made me nervous before I went, but the place is just fine. Don't let the bad reviews keep you from going.
One of my kittens has been vomiting for some time, and I had to bring him to the emergency hospital on a Sunday (because of course, kittens will get scary sick without fail on the day that vets are closed). I called around town for ANY vet that would take him today (the day after the ER scare), and I was referred to Brookline from the Arlington office because Arlington was full up. They listened to my concerns, addressed all of them, and got all of the info they needed from the ER ahead of time.
Doctor Kaplan is soft spoken, but very nice. He handled my kittens just how I would want, and had great table-side manner. He was very thorough, and gave me the option of taking my sick kitten home with me while I wait for blood work results instead of keeping him there. They also trimmed my kittens' claws for free, which was fantastic, because one of my kittens has six toes on each foot. He thought it was cool I have a turtle, and he didn't push anything unnecessary on me. He even suggested that since both kittens needed worming right away, it would be best to wait on shots for at least another week so as not to overwhelm their systems or my pocketbook.
I'm giving four stars for a couple of things that had nothing to do with service. The place does have a weird feel as you walk in, as it does smell like cats (understandable, it's a cat hospital with a carpet in the front). The big thing for me was the price, which was not completely unreasonable, it's just that I am a restaurant worker with student loans and rent, and I may have to go to the free clinic for now until I can afford a real vet. When I can though, I may go back.
One last thing. Right now there's a special for first time visits, and that's that you can get a coupon online for two animals to have a free visit (doesn't include labs or medicine). I asked the receptionist about it before I came, and printed it out before I left, but must have lost it on the subway amid the people crooning to oggle my kittens. The receptionist printed one out for me! It was so nice. OK, long post, sorry. Good place! -
Review from Haley B.
Boston, MA
11/27/2011
I can't say enough good things about VCA. I am a first time dog owner and they have been amazing. My adopted rescue had a lot of problems when I got him and VCA couldn't have been more helpful.
They are pricey, but we got a free first time office visit coupon on their website which helped out a lot. After that first office visit they called to follow up twice. When the problems persisted the tech and vet spoke to me over the phone two different times. Dr. Feldman was great with my puppy, and recommended two more things to try over the phone. All in all the one office visit I paid for got me about three weeks of follow up care until the problem was taken care of and I had a healthy pup! -
Review from donald s.
Brookline, MA
11/5/2011
Scott and the rest of his team have been taking care of my English bulldog name Jack since he was 10weeks old. Scott has been fantastic with Jack. If he need anything above the normal checkups Scott calls the next day to check in on his health.
At first i was not impressed with the grooming done upstairs but since they hires a new woman , Joyce again just fantastic!!! I will use them forever! -
Review from Jamie G.
10/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is amazing! My dog started limping really badly so I called and got an evening appointment for after work. Went in, got checked in by very friendly staff and waited for doctor. Explained all the symptoms and immediately she wanted to test my dog for Lyme Disease. So we got the test done there and 10 mins later got the results... indeed she tested positive for lyme! I would have NEVER guessed it was lyme... just thought my dog bruised or broke her leg! And the limp happened a few months ago too, and the vet we took her to then just said it was a bruise and she'd be fine, but this doctor knew what else that symptom could mean. So we got her pills, and went to pay, and turns out we got to have a free first check-up, so we just had to pay for the blood test and pills... AMAZING! I would definitely come back here and recommend to everyone I know!
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Review from Brian B.
Brighton, MA
6/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
We recently got a mini schnauzer puppy, and after a very brief and slightly negative stint with another vet, we found Dr. Groper at VCA Animal Hospital.
The service and care for our pup has been excellent. Getting an appointment is very quick, and the hospital hours are very convenient. Dr. Groper was even available in the evening on short notice when our puppy was sick and vomiting.
Our experience with this vet has been nothing but positive!
A+++ -
Review from Kara H.
Boston, MA
7/28/2011
We started going to the VCA about a month ago and can't say enough good things, both about their vet care and boarding services. When we took Roxy into the vet, he was amazing. She warmed right up to him and don't think she even noticed the shots!
Boarding has been very convenient and Roxy always returns home happy. They listen to you about your dog and cater their care based on certain needs. They started walking Roxy alone cause she tends to get nervous with new places and dogs, but now that she is familiar they take her out for group play time. They are also open late on Sundays and you can drop off as early as 8am the day you board and pick up as late as 8pm the next evening, which makes it affordable for weekends. -
Review from Deanna G.
Cambridge, MA
5/31/2011
I've been a client for about three years now with three different dogs and have nothing but good things to say about the vet care here. Dr. Feldman treated one dog for mange, one for cancer, and my new pup whenever her rambunctious ways cause a problem. I've been to many vets where they won't tell me anything before suggesting lots of expensive tests. Dr. Feldman has gained my trust and confidence with her quick ability to assess what's happening and how to most efficiently treat. She knows her stuff!
VCA Brookline isn't the cheapest place but over the long run I have complete confidence in their judgment and care of my pets. And I have never had the slightest feelingof being upsold...and there have been times when my anxiety and worry would have made me an incredibly easy target.
One star gets knocked off just because their administrative staff could not seem to figure out how to separate my records from my ex. I tried to get them to fix my records countless times and it seemed to involve the complexity of separating conjoined twins. In all, a small price to pay for the quality of care I receive. -
Review from amanda s.
Medford, MA
1/6/2011
As a Veterinary Technician and animal care provider people are always asking me my opinions on local hospitals.
So once again I come to Yelp to share my experiences.
I have been to this hospital twice with my clients pets.
One for an eye emergency and again for a routine yearly exam and vaccinations.
My first visit was an emergency for when I arrived to take a dog for a walk - there was blood coming out of her eye!
I called, they said come right in.
As soon as I arrived they took her right in to make sure she was okay.
Dr. Groper was the vet available for her - though seemingly very busy he did his best to be patient with me. Apparently there was nothing earth shattering wrong with her eye and it had stopped bleeding before I arrived at the vet office. However, mom and I were happy to be "better safe than sorry." She is one of those pups with big, beautiful, BULGY eyes. :)
They were patient while waiting for mom to arrive to take over care.
Liza Sanchez was the veterinarian who cared for the dog I brought in for his annual exam. She was kind and gentle. Respectful of my training as a Veterinary Technician. I was amazed that she trusted in my ability to hold him for his vaccines. She knew my clients dog right away and was very impressed with his behavior. She knew the difference in his behavior - as he was exhausted after being out hiking for hours prior to his exam - so no whining and craziness! You could tell she knew him!
The technicians are kind and well mannered. Quick to help. The reception/techs are also quick to get you in and out without feeling rushed, but also not waiting.
I was even able to return to pick up heartworm preventative and they knew his brand and helped me get on my way.
So far so good!
Thanks Brookline Animal Hospital! -
Review from Richard P.
Chestnut Hill, MA
11/15/2010
I had mixed experiences.
I brought my dog to VCA during the late summer because he had an ear infection and was distressed by it. When I went there, the staff was friendly, but seemed to be uneasy with handling my dog. He's a small guy, but they were not very gentle with him. They plucked his ears and applied a small amount of antibiotic. They then gave me a prescription. My initial visit with them, plus medicine was around $100, which wasn't bad at all. I do have a complaint about the type of medicine they prescribed. They gave him an oral pain killer that made my dog completely lethargic. When we got home, my dog looked like he was drunk.
Eventually, my dog recovered fully (without the pain killer). And for the next couple of months, we lived-out our happy lives.
I took my dog back to VCA in September for his annual physical and vaccinations. They gave him the full battery of shots, but didn't really examine him at all. The doctor examined his eyes and mouth, but did not look in his ears (after a prior visits conditions, you'd think they'd follow-up). They weighed him, and that was about it. Altogether, my 2nd visit came out to $300.
It was nuts.
Anyway.
It's not mid november, and my dog's ear infection is back. I felt like it could have been prevented had the Dr. actually looked at his ears last time we were at a vet. I am taking my dog to MSPCA-Angell.... we had great results there last time, and way cheaper. -
Review from Von D.
Boston, MA
1/1/2008
If your Micheal Vick ; please bring your animal here.
The only thing this so called hospital cares about is: Money money money....and aint a damn bit funny when you bring in your animal for help and they leave in a pine box. ( BTW-do not bring in your animal for a weekend stay!)
r.i.p: my pooch beanie. -
Review from Meg K.
Jamaica Plain, MA
10/31/2006
I am super picky about vets, and I had some really bad experiences in Boston. Bad enough that I schlepped my kitties to Connecticut once a year to my parent's vet. When one of my babies had (so I thought) a bladder infection recently, several of my friends recommended Brookline Animal Hospital. After calling around, I found a great vet at BAH. A vet answered the phone, and she was waiting for us when we arrived 20 minutes later. She had a great manner with my somewhat bratty 16-pound tom cat. She talked to me at length about my options with his care, and then again during follow-up calls she was helpful and never rushed me.
The facilities are clean and modern, the staff is friendly and helpful, the location is great for people in JP/Brookline/Fenway. The prices are at the low end for the area. -
Review from Shal S.
Newton, MA
11/11/2006
My dog got bitten by another dog at the park yesterday. There were two puncture wounds and tons of blood. I took Coco straight to the Brookline Animal Hospital to figure out how serious the wound was. Dr Scott Groper was on duty and he is amazing. He has an amazing presence and is wonderful with the animals. He took charge straight away. CoCo was assessed and scheduled for surgery immediately.
The Vets and the staff take such good care of all the animals in their care. They are personable and knowledgeable. They are excellent with the owners as well as their pets. :)
I started going to Brighton Animal Hospital after we moved from Brookline to Newton because Brookline Animal Hospital is expensive. However, now I appreciate why. They are worth every penny. -
Review from Sara H.
Brookline, MA
4/27/2009
I'm conflicted. While they do an amazing job caring for my cat, they're expensive, and they way that I was treated when my cat was sick, really bothered me.
I should note that I'm a severe cat-lady.
Beau, my two year old cat, went in for a check-up, and the vet that saw him was very friendly. Overall, a good experience.
A week later, Beau came down with... something. He couldn't keep food down, and he was acting strange. I brought him in and he was immediately put on fluids and cared for. I received updates very often over the phone and in person. I appreciate the fact that he was looked after so carefully, but I wonder how he got sick in the first place -- probably from the check-up. I think it was bad luck on my / his part, but the vet who saw him when he got sick rubbed me the wrong way. I was crying pretty hard, and she told me to stop because my cat can 'feel my worry', to paraphrase. Riiiight.
Either way, they kept him for the day, and he was back to his old self in no time. I was charged quite a bit for the process, but he's my little baby, so oh well. They definitely went above and beyond caring for him, but should he have been cared for in the first place, for the second time?
I think that I'll be bringing him to his old vet in NH from now on, but for emergencies, I can trust this place.
I can't begin to imagine what I'd do if I didn't have a decent amount of savings... I hope that they offer payment plans for people in a situation like this. -
Review from Megan S.
Allston, MA
1/27/2012
Hello! First off I can't even begin to express how wonderful the staff were last night at the Animal Hospital. My poor cat has been having some serious bladder issues and I was a nervous wreck. Dr Feldman, Jessie and Monica were incredibly patient and compassionate and really made it feel like my cat had been a patient for years. Not only was everyone super sweet they were also very understanding of my financial restraints and really did everything in their power to make this bill as low as it could be. They even helped me sign up for a Vet care only credit card on the spot. I was approved my cat was treated and the day was saved. I love these guys. many thanks from me and T-Rex!
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Review from Sara M.
7/12/2011
After an emergency with my dog that my dogwalker handled expertly with the help of Dr. Groper, I started bringing my dog and cat here. I am able to bring them both in at once, saving me a trip in the Zipcar. Dr. Feldman is awesome, she was higho-energy and great with the cat and the dog. She followed up with a phone call the next day to let me know how the bloodwork went. She recognized that I was nervous about general anesthesia for my dog and the cost of care and took the time to address all of my concerns. My pets have been well cared for and I am very pleased with the service I received here.
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Review from Jon V.
Boston, MA
5/4/2010
OK, so Brookline Animal Hospital has me feeling a little beside myself. The good first, I guess. The standard of care appears to be fine. Scott Grouper, DVM is a great vet with a good bedside manner. He's also cute if you go for the straight bear daddy types. The facility is fine. That's all I can come up with on the good side.
The bad: It cost me $800 dollars to get my two healthy dogs an annual check-up. That's not even funny. When i wanted to renew my heart worm meds that hadn't lapsed, Brookline Animal Hospital tried to extort me into coming in for another $800 round of check ups, less than a year later even though my dogs were up to date on all their shots, etc. It didn't feel good to me. I work in public health and I see barriers to care all the time. Mandated check ups are a barrier to care when they cost $400 apiece because I CAN'T AFFORD IT.
The customer service from patient services and the pharmacy was patronizing. They were like Fembot stepford wives trying to explain to me why I had to spend money to spend money, and the were avoidant when confronted. They remind me of that airline stewardess my father left my mom for.
So I'm taking my expensive little doggerz to a new vet in JP. I will promptly let you know whether they gouge as much as BROOKLINE ANIMAL HOSPITAL. -
Review from Marsha N.
Dorchester, MA
6/29/2011
I tried to find out how much it will cost to put my dog down, someone said 90/and 95 for ashes,,i called several other places and they want 400/500 I would spend this for him to live not to die,I called and no one got on the phone has anyone had to do this to their pet..Please let me know,,he is my first pet and he is almost 16 ,,I have had him since he was 8 weeks old..so sad,,but he has had a great life......Thank you ,,,Marsha
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Review from Izzy B.
Somerville, NJ
4/11/2007
Dr. Feldman is the best VET ever!
After two vets and the MSPCA, she is the doctor to go to in Boston. She's friendly, honest and won't try to charge you for any UNNECESSARY work. I recommend her to everyone of is looking for a vet. The Brookline Animal Hospital is totally out of my way but the service is excellent.
AND they are open on Sundays!!! Plus they answer their phones, even in a non-emergency! -
Review from Meredith a.
Boston, MA
9/6/2010
I tried switching from BAH to Angell Memorial, and it gave me a new appreciation of BAH!
I think their prices are pretty reasonable and they have some nice doctors.
I do not reccomend Dr. Groper though. I have found him to be very rude and callous. One of my cats became extremely constipated, and when I brought the cat in, Dr. Groper said "Oh, goody" when he found out what was wrong. Gee, sorry to inconvenience you. Dr. Groper.
He also has these big, fat fingers and he is none too gentle with them. He also told me he prefers dogs.
I always ask for anybody but him.
Update: I just found a great vet there, Dr. Feldman. A really nice lady!
The people in reception are also very nice, although there seem to be different ones every time I go there. Maybe because they have to work for Dr. Groper? -
Review from Susie F.
Boston, MA
1/11/2012
About Dr. Groper..... there are a lot of things written about him, it seems you either love him or not.... I have to say that for my old girl Katie, he added about 4 years to her life. She was a sweet old Huskie mix I had adopted at age 10, and at 13 she had torn a knee ligament. I was trying to decide whether to put a 13-year old dog through major surgery and recovery (plus I lived on a second floor apt. and knew I was going to be carrying a 70 pound dog up and down stairs for quite a while). He looked at the x-ray which had accidentally captured her other leg as well, and noticed that her OTHER knee was totally frozen up with arthritis. He reasonably concluded that we had to operate on her "good" knee, or otherwise she would be crippled for the rest of her life - and presumably a shorter and more miserable life than with her knee fixed. So we went ahead with the surgery and she lived to almost 17 - nearly unheard of for a "big" dog like her. So bedside manner or not, he knows what is best for the dog. Maybe not for the person, but for the dog.....
So why not 5 stars?? I had a disagreement with them over the cost of medicines - which I found exorbitant, for the 8 or so pills I needed during a tumultuous house move while I looked for her big bottle of pills. I objected to that - "company policy" I was told. That's where that 5th star went. I now see another vet with my 2 cats and 2 dogs, but would still recommend Dr. Groper as a very competent and caring vet - he's not your doctor, he's a vet, remember! -
Review from Vanessa A.
Quincy, MA
6/15/2009
They are a bit more expensive than my previous vet in Arlington but they are worth it because they have a very convenient schedule for working people like me.
I have brought both my chihuahua and my long-hair cat. They were great with both of them. They are very thorough.
I would like to say that the groomer, Joyce (spelling?) is super! I took my matted cat to her an in 15 minutes he had no matting, fell SO soft, smelled great, had his nails clipped, his bum shaved and I was very pleased. If you want to know I paid $60.
I will continue to bring my pets here. Thank you! -
Review from Katie D.
Brookline, MA
9/1/2008
The doctors here are amazing. We have two dogs and an aging cat, the latter of which has had some... um... "intestinal" issues as of late. Drs. Feldman and Sanchez were unwavering in their work to help us get to the bottom (sorry!) of what was happening. We're pleased to report that the little furball is doing great now.
In addition, our dogs are actually fairly okay going to the Vet when we visit here. Dr. Groper is who we normally see and he's an absolute sweetheart. He gets on the floor, plays with the dogs, and works very hard to put them (and us) at ease.
We've been using BAH for three years and have never had any problems. Yes, they might be expensive but that's what VPI Pet Insurance is for - we get reimbursed a good amount of cash for absolutely everything. I believe from experience that you get what you pay for with pet care and BAH is worth every penny. What's more, their hours are amazing and there's an overnight tech as well. We've never had to wait to get an appointment and been seen immediately if one of our pets had a problem. This practice is well staffed, clean, and state of the art. I highly recommend BAH. -
Review from Megan T.
Columbus, OH
8/20/2011
VCA Brookline Animal Hospital killed my dog. Well maybe not directly but perhaps indirectly. Let me explain. My dog, Moe, went to see Dr. Groper TWICE last year. I was very unimpressed with Dr. Groper's "bedside manner" if you will. He was great with Moe, but his people skills...left something to be desired. Anyhoo fast forward a year or so. I currently live in Columbus, OH. My husband and I were looking to adopt and fell in love with a shelter dog named Loretta, who is on death row at a high kill shelter in our county. We also took a look at dogs from two other no kill shelters. We had our applications approved at those shelters last week. What does it take to get your application approved? Well, BOTH no kill shelter staff called VCA to confirm that Moe was up to date on ALL vaccinations. VCA said that he was. TWICE. In one week. However today when the kill shelter called today to confirm, they said that Moe is overdue for his Parvo vaccination. Clearly there is some confusion, as VCA staff not once, but TWICE confirmed that Moe is up to date with ALL shotes. Becuase of the discrepancy, we cannot adopt Loretta until Moe gets a new Parvo shot, which I am hard pressed to believe he actually needs. Also when I suggested that they double check my records, (you know since TWICE this week they stated that he DIDN'T need any vaccinations), the staff was a little funky but finally dug up the physical files to compare to what the computer was saying. Additionally you would think that if Moe NEEDED shots, they would contact us to let us know. Didn't happen. So yea. This incompetent staff may cause Loretta to die since she's on a timetable. So pissed at them.
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Review from june g.
Brookline, MA
10/7/2008
All doctors and animal technicians are very nice both to our doggies and also owners. Technicians are very careful and they will answer friendly anything about daily life for pets. I must say Drs. are really well trained, professional and thoughtful people, therefore, I can fully trust them and respect their decision.
Some people say it's too expensive, however, in my case, my dogie, 1 year old toy poodle, has a pet insurance and insurance company covered 80% of payment at the hospital. So I had no problem on hospital cost. If you think about money, I would recommend you to have insurance on your pets. -
Review from Julie C.
Chicago, IL
11/2/2008
First off, I'm have 2 cats so my review is solely from a cat owner's perspective.... it may be very different if I had dogs. On the positive side, there are usually coupons on the website for new clients (for up to two pets) and Dr. Sanchez was very good with a recent medical issue (i.e. calling us to check in a few days later etc and telling me what everything cost before doing it.)
On the negative- the office is always running late- by at least 15 minutes. Not a huge deal for a dog, but cats sitting in cat carriers in a waiting room full of panting dogs do not do well. It makes it much more difficult for a smooth exam later on (and annoying if you've rented a zipcar to get to the appointment).... The office can be a bit pricey, so make sure you ask before you authorize treatment.
They can be a bit lax sometimes- I had to leave one of my cats over night a few weeks ago for a simple procedure and was told that I could likely get her about 9 am the next morning. After 3 phone calls and multiple messages, I was finally told that I could come pick her up at 1 PM. I think they were just busy, but just tell me that so I don't think something went wrong with a very simple procedure and so that my whole day isn't wasted waiting around.
So, a decent vet's office for annual exams, but I'm not sold on it being the best place around. -
Review from g g.
Brookline, MA
8/29/2007
I brought my cat here to address a UTI problem, and I chose to see Dr. Feldman due to the positive reviews I saw here. Dr. Feldman examined my cat and said she'd need to do an ultrasound and some blood work to find out if there was an underlying cause for the UTI. She was very good with my cat, and very understanding of my dismay when she returned from the ultrasound to tell me that my sweet little Beckett would need to have a very expensive bladder stone removal surgery within a week's time. I was further dismayed when I went to pay for this visit and was given a whopping $330 bill. It would have been nice if she'd informed me that I would be charged astronomically for the ultrasound/blood work before she did it...holy christ! Luckily I could afford this, but what if I couldn't??? Geez.
The surgery was successful and Beckett has made a full recovery. My wallet wasn't so lucky, but I chose to go with their CareCredit option (a credit card you can open and pay off interest-free for up to a year) so that will be settled soon enough. And I have to say, of the range of prices she quoted me for the surgery (the lowest being $1400, and the highest being nearly $1900!!), it did end up being on the lower end.
As for the office itself, they definitely cater to dogs and their owners, so if you have a dog and need great care, this could be the vet for you. Unfortunately I don't, and I've dealt with many long waits (well past my appointment time) where several dogs got in to see the vet before me, even though my appointment was earlier than theirs. Dr. Feldman was great, but I don't know that I'll be returning here for any reason other than to buy Beckett's prescription food. -
Review from Jillian S.
Allston, MA
3/22/2008
I aspire to someday be a cat lady. So, needless to say, I am kind of overprotective. And when my littlest kitty was young, she was really sick. Without the gory details, everything that went in seemed to come out in a less than enjoyable way. This continued on a recurring basis for a year. I saw vets at home on Long Island, and vets up here. These were the ones who were the most helpful, most honest, willing to listen to me explain and freak out over every little detail, and they never wanted to give up or charge me excessive fees to re-run tests that had already been done and come back negative, which is what every other one in the area did. Also, at one point I had to have her admitted to the emergency hospital because she had a horrible reaction to vaccines. She had to stay for a few nights, and there was somebody there 24/7, so if I was worried at 2 AM I could call and get an update. And I was able to pick her up after a late work shift when she was ready to come home.
They've also been super helpful and willing to look up past purchases when I couldn't remember exactly which food I'd purchased in the past and wanted to buy it again.
Yes, they're a bit expensive compared to some other places, but not more than the vet my family goes to on Long Island, or some other places I tried in this area before settling on them. I'd rather have to pay more once in a while to have generally healthy kitties and deal with a staff who seems to care. But that's just my opinion! -
Review from Sue D.
Washington, DC
1/14/2007
I took my new puppy here and left $110 behind after a single exam and distemper vaccination. Also, they try to force you to purchase flea and tick and heart worm preventative from them and gave me a hassle when I asked them to write me an RX. Also, their quote for spaying was more than $300 over MSPCA Angell. Needless to say, we won't be going back there. Like most things in Brookline, much ado about nothing.
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Review from Michelle J.
Chestnut Hill, MA
11/7/2010
After an awful experience at the VCA Newton, corperate sent me to VCA Brookline Animal Hospital to have a second opinion done. We saw Liza Sanchez DVM and I have to say she was a sweetheart. She understood my concerns, answered my questions and even answered unrelated questions for me.
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Review from Jennifer K.
Brighton, MA
1/4/2011
I started dealing with BAH when my cat developed diabetes three years ago. He has also required surgery for a benign tumor, and I have also boarded him there a couple of times. The staff is friendly, and I adore Dr. Groper. My cat is very wiggly, almost claustrophobic, and when Dr. Groper realized this he wrote instructions about how to comfortably restrain the beast for his nail-clippings. Prices can be expensive, but no more so than any other vet I've dealt with, and Dr. Groper was very willing to work with me during a time when I was unemployed and money was tight.
An added plus for me and my urban-kitty; BAH is literally right on the #65 bus, and a very short walk from the Brookline Village stop on the Riverside line. -
Review from B S.
Stoneham, MA
4/25/2007
This is the first vet I have ever gone to with my brand new puppy. The Doctor I had was extremely gentle with my puppy and was very knowledgeable. I was very pleased with everyone and how happy and friendly they were to me and my puppy. BAH is very easy to get to and has fantastic hours! I would highly recommend bringing your pet here.
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Review from Charlotte W.
Brookline, MA
8/15/2008
My puppy started going to Dr. Groper on the advice of a friend whose dog also goes.... I love Dr. Groper because he gets down on the floor, plays with my puppy and completely focuses on HIM before I talk. As a new puppy owner, I was worried that he wasn't eating/drinking in all the heat earlier this summer, and Dr. Groper even called me late one night to check-in. If you love your animal, you can't necessarily judge a place based on whether it is expensive or cheap.... but in this case, I do get what I pay for! Woof woof!!
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Review from Miranda R.
Brighton, MA
2/10/2010
My experience with the Brookline Animal Hospital has been decent. Any of the issues that I have with the establishment itself have nothing to do with my specific vet but rather with some of the other people there. My vet, Dr. Sanchez is amazing and both my dogs love her. She is reasonable, understanding, and helpful. The hospital itself is clean and a good size. The wait time is rarely longer than 10 minutes or so although I have waited for more than 25 on rare occasions. It can be hit or miss with the receptionists. Some of them are very nice and helpful while others will ignore you or treat you with indifference. I have also been there when the chief of staff was arguing pretty seriously with a client in the lobby which was rather unnerving. He apologized to me for the scene and I have never had a conflict with him myself but I have heard that he can be rude and difficult to deal with. I assume that it depends on the person and situation as I find him to be competent and respectful. He usually says hello and pats or asks about the animals. Overall I have been happy with the care both of my dogs have received at BAH although most of my positive feelings towards the hospital are due to my experiences with Dr. Sanchez.
Things to note:
1. You might want to buy your treats and other products online, not at the office where they are marked up significantly
2. Parking can be annoying - it's metered street parking and crossing Brookline Ave near the office can be pretty menacing due to traffic from the large intersection of rt. 9 and Brookline Ave.
3. I believe the office visit itself is somewhere around $65 and a tech appointment is around $35 - check on this but it's an approximation. I rarely come out with a bill for less than $130 per dog... -
Review from Captain H.
Austin, TX
2/7/2007
We had a good experience at Brookline Animal Hospital. Our little Chihuahua had an urgent problem and they let us come in that day. South Bay could not fit us in and Angell would let us in as an emergency walk-in, but it would have cost more than twice as much just for the checkup. They were upfront with us about the costs before we came in, including the tests that they would most likely perform to see what was wrong with him. (We're willing to pay any price for our Chi's health, but that doesn't mean I want to throw my money away.) Our vet was super nice and our little puppy is already feeling so much better.
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Review from Theresa A.
Boston, MA
2/19/2010
I have been going to Dr. Groper for my dog who is now 11. He has always been very helpful when she has any issues.
Whenever I have had an Emergency (or even a false emergency since this is my first dog) they have always be able to fit me in right away.
Dr. Groper seems to really have a fondness for my dog and a genuine interest in her health. -
Review from Amanda G.
Needham, MA
12/10/2008
My dog does not go here for vet services, so my review is only for the grooming services.
After having a horrific experience at Brookline Grooming we heard from a trusted friend that Brookline Animal Hospital had excellent grooming services. Obviously we were very skeptical and wanted to check out any potential new groomers thoroughly first. I called to make an appointment and left a message on the grooming services voicemail. I received a call back from the groomer herself, Joyce. We probably spoke for no less than a half hour - during which Joyce quelled my fears and listened to my story about our previous experience at the groomer. She was very patient and informative and made sure by the end of the call that I felt comfortable "trusting" her with my dog. During the conversation I explained to her that we were uncomfortable leaving our dog at the groomers for 4, 5, 6 hours plus and she suggested we bring our dog in early in the morning on a Saturday so that she would be her first appointment of the day. We made an appointment for the following Saturday and brought our dog in at 7:30am. We met Joyce in person and found her as lovely as we had over the phone. She took a genuine interest in our dog and we felt relieved as we left her in Joyce's care. Joyce called us about 2 hours later saying we could come and pick her up. Wow - 2 hours! We were ecstatic! She came out fluffy, soft, clean and most importantly, happy. We have been going to Joyce to groom our dog ever since - and we still love her. If you have been burned by groomers in the past and are looking for someone you can trust, try Joyce at Brookline Animal Hospital.
