A heartbreaking and deeply disappointing experience after years of trusting APC Veterinary Clinic…read more
I have been bringing my four beloved dogs to APC Veterinary Clinic for many years. Until now, I have always felt that we were treated fairly and with kindness, especially by Dr. Jones, Dr. Crawford, Julianna, one of the veterinary technicians, and Bree, who worked at the front desk.
Bree was always wonderful to us. She consistently showed kindness, compassion, and genuine concern for my babies, and I still keep in contact with her today. These individuals helped build the trust and loyalty I had for APC over the years, which makes writing this review even more painful.
Today, I had to make the devastating decision to euthanize my beloved Saint Bernard, Baloo. He was suffering. His back legs were failing him, he was in pain, and he had been unable to urinate. It was already one of the hardest days of my life.
We were placed in a room near the front reception area, where we waited an extremely long time for someone to attend to us. During that time, Baloo was uncomfortable and distressed.
In the past, I have seen APC display a sign asking people to speak quietly when a family is saying goodbye to a beloved pet. That simple gesture of compassion was not provided for Baloo.
Instead, every time I managed to calm him, loud conversations or laughter from the reception area would startle him and cause him to cry again. Listening to my sweet boy cry during his final moments was absolutely heartbreaking.
When I finally stepped outside the room to politely ask that the noise be kept down, I expected a little understanding. Instead, I was met with the manager telling me, "Well, we fit you in today," followed by "Go back to your room."
I was stunned.
I understand that we were worked into the schedule, and I appreciated being seen. But being fitted in should never mean that a suffering animal or a grieving family deserves less compassion or respect.
As if that weren't enough, Baloo had to be stuck five separate times because they were having difficulty finding a suitable vein. I understand that obtaining IV access can sometimes be difficult, especially in a very sick animal. But after everything he had already endured that day, watching him go through repeated attempts made an unbearable experience even worse.
I am not writing this because I expected miracles. I knew I was losing Baloo. I simply wanted his final moments to be peaceful, gentle, and dignified.
My sweet boy deserved a quiet room, compassionate treatment, and a peaceful goodbye. Instead, his last moments were filled with unnecessary distress, and I was made to feel like an inconvenience for asking for quiet.
What hurts most is that this happened at a clinic I had trusted with my babies for years.
I want to be very clear that I still have tremendous respect and appreciation for Dr. Jones, Dr. Crawford, Julianna, and Bree. They have demonstrated the kindness and compassion that veterinary medicine should represent. My disappointment with this experience should not diminish the wonderful care and treatment they have provided over the years.
But I sincerely hope management takes this experience seriously.
When someone walks into your clinic knowing they are about to leave without a member of their family, they should never have to ask to be treated with kindness.
Baloo deserved better. And so does every family facing that final goodbye.
