I just have to take a minute to recognize the people at Sunshine Animal Hospital because my…read moreexperience there honestly deserves more than just a quick five-star review.
From the minute I walked in, I felt welcomed. Dante at the front desk was fantastic. He answered immediately, was friendly and patient, answered my questions, and even helped me with an issue I was dealing with. He greeted me with a genuine smile, and you could tell it wasn't fake or forced. That really stood out to me because unfortunately, not every vet's office makes you feel welcome when you walk through the door.
Marlyn was another huge part of why this visit was so special. She was seriously a breath of fresh air. I was nervous because I have a 17-year-old dog, and I was already anxious about everything. Marlyn has this incredibly positive energy that immediately made me feel more relaxed. She was so personable and kind, and she interacted with my dogs instead of just treating them like another appointment on the schedule.
You could tell she genuinely loves animals. She played with them, gave them attention, and even did my other dog's nails without charging me. That was so unexpected and so appreciated.
She also took the time to explain the medication and dosing to me and went over possible side effects. She wrote everything down so I could refer back to it later, which was extremely helpful.
Then she surprised us with Halloween bandanas for both dogs! I honestly wasn't expecting that at all. She made what could have been a stressful vet visit into such a fun memory. We ended up taking pictures of the dogs in their bandanas, and they came out so good they looked like professional photos! It really says something when someone is genuinely happy doing their job, because that happiness is contagious.
I also can't say enough about Dr. Mark Twilla. He has been with me through some incredibly hard moments. When I had to put my dog Soldier down, I was absolutely devastated. I was crying and a complete mess, and Dr. Twilla was calm, compassionate, and never once made me feel judged. He handled that moment with the kind of kindness and dignity I will never forget.
He has since cared for two of my other dogs, and I've always had a great experience. The wait is usually no more than five minutes, the rooms are clean, and he takes the time to actually explain what is happening. I never feel like I'm being talked over or pressured into things I don't understand.
After having an experience elsewhere where I was facing a $10,000 bill, I really appreciate having a veterinarian who explains the situation, gives honest recommendations, and helps me understand my options. Dr. Twilla is friendly, knowledgeable, and actually listens. That's becoming harder and harder to find these days.
And I want to thank Carlos as well. I was honest about having some financial difficulties, and instead of making me feel embarrassed about it, he worked with me. I was genuinely grateful for his understanding and help. You can tell he cares about the people and animals who come through the doors, and I think that says a lot about the kind of leader he is.
Honestly, I think the reason the entire team at Sunshine is so great is because it starts with leadership and carries through to everyone else.
I've lost pets, I've worried about pets, I've cried over pets, and I've celebrated plenty of moments with them too. Having a veterinary team that understands how much these animals mean to us makes all the difference.
Sunshine Animal Hospital has earned my trust, and that's not something I give easily. I will absolutely be recommending them to my friends, family, and anyone who asks where they should take their pets.
Thank you, Sunshine team, for taking care of my dogs and for treating me with compassion along the way. You guys really are amazing.