Since 2016, Alan Toothaker was the veterinarian for our sweet, beautiful golden retriever Sophie during the months each year that we have spent in Maine. In November 2024, he examined Sophie and drew labs. He told us, "she's fine," "just adjusting to her medications." Without much change in her symptoms until the last hours, she died 2 weeks later as we were finally taking her to an emergency room. On 2/26/26 the Maine Board of Veterinary Medicine disciplined Dr. Toothaker for poor record-keeping and violating practice standards in his care of Sophie, and separately regarding another complaint that alleged he mistreated animals and staff. See Ellsworth American 3/25/26 [https://bit.ly/EA260325_LocalVetDisciplined]. You can read the details of these two cases -- AND THE 4 PREVIOUS ACTIONS -- on the State of Maine web page for his license [https://bit.ly/ToothakerMaineLicensePage]. This includes for my case the specific consent agreement that Dr. Toothaker chose to sign to avoid going to court (administrative hearing). You will also see there that he was still on probation for previous infractions when he treated Sophie. Beyond these state actions, Dr. Toothaker also paid $145,360 to resolve complaints by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) about his mishandling of controlled substances in 2023 [https://bit.ly/DEA_ToothakerFine]. As a (human) doctor, after Sophie died, I requested from Dr. Toothaker's clinic, her complete medical record, and I was appalled. We had brought Sophie in because she had not been eating well, but the medical note said she was "eating and drinking well," the kind of text one has in a default note template that's supposed to be changed in the real note, but he didn't. The lab results had numerous red flags that Dr. Toothaker ignored. When I presented to another veterinarian (without giving away the subsequent events) the data that Dr. Toothaker had before him at Sophie's last visit, and asked whether going with "she's fine" seemed right, that vet said "I would not choose to ride for a few weeks on 'she's fine.' I think you would be better served to go see an internal medicine specialist." We would certainly have taken her to a specialist -- driven that night to Portland if needed -- in line with the extensive medical care we have gotten for her over her life. Unfortunately, Dr. Toothaker did not suggest taking her to a specialist, so we didn't do it, and now Sophie is dead, 3 days after her 9th birthday. She had a complicated medical history which Dr. Toothaker knew about but ignored. Equally worrisome in a different way, namely, his trustworthiness, after he received my complaint from the Board, he reported that he -- oops! -- had failed to include in the "complete medical record" that he had sent me, more complete medical ("SOAP") notes maintained "in a separate module" of his electronic medical record. This conveniently discovered note contains at least one statement that I know to be false, and many others that are highly implausible. My impression, though unproven, is that he fabricated these notes in response to my complaint. Dr. Toothaker still claims that he did not do anything wrong medically, but the veterinary board thinks he did, and so do I. I noted in my complaint that Dr. Toothaker is friendly and affable, but that does not make up for his being cavalier and irresponsible about the actual medical care of animals. Before letting Dr. Toothaker care for your pet, I highly recommend you read his disciplinary actions and look at the medical notes that he has previously written for your pet. Sophie died quietly on the floor of our vehicle. I didn't get to say goodbye to her. read more

I've taken two of my dogs here and have had excellent service every time . EXCEPT FOR ONE ISSUE....I worked at a vet for 10 years and I know what a physical is supposed to involve. Check eyes, ears, mouth, listen to the heart and stomach plus feel their entire bodies for abnormalities. They charge $65 and it says it's for an office visit and physical. When I took my Aussie puppy there I was not pleased that first they don't turn on the exam room lights. The doctor came in with two syringes, jabbed them into her and opened the door for me to leave. He never touched my puppy nor performed any type of physical. He didn't even wear stethoscope. So what am I paying $65 for if I don't even get a physical? I find that very upsetting to charged for something that doesn't happen. I would be 100% satisfied with their hospital if they weren't charging me for something they don't do but state on your receipt that they did. read more

Can't get ahold of anyone! Keeps putting on hold and cutting me off.. like who wants to take a pet somewhere and have no fn idea what is going on with my dog.. read more

Extremely POOR customer service! It is a disservice to customer service to even call it that, they are rude and do not do what they say they will do and boy do they have attitude on the telephone IF they ever answer! Dr. Toothacre is a nice caring vet, but he is surrounded by imbeciles. read more

I just called to make an appointment for my new rabbits, roughly 10 weeks. The woman I spoke to on the phone seemed quite annoyed with me and kept interrupting me as well. I told her they needed updated vaccines and everything and she laughed at me and said rabbits don't need vaccines. She made me feel very stupid for suggesting that. I found out they actually do need them shortly after calling them to prevent them from getting fatal diseases. read more

I took my 16 wk old Aussie puppy for her last round of shots. First visit at this facility. Now I worked at a very busy high end vet hospital for 10 years and I have certain expectations. I was put in an exam room where they couldn't be bothered to turn a light on. I had questions and concerns. The vet came in had the vaccines in his hand gave her the shots and opened the door for me to leave. When I paid the bill I was charged $65 for a physical. No physical was given. I know what is involved in a physical. Eyes, ears, mouth, listen to heart, lungs and abdomen. She got none of those things. Nothing. I did take her back for a spay and she did extremely well. But they make u buy an e-collar for $25 and I didn't have to use it nor was told I had to buy one. I have no problem whatsoever paying for a physical, but I have a problem paying for one that didn't occur. I'm on the fence and I agree it's hard to reach them by phone. The main receptionist does laugh at you and the other has zero personality. She's totally stone faced and shows no emotion at all. read more

Dr. Toothaker has all my confidence. He has experience and tells you honestly what alternatives you have for an ailing pet. It is difficult to reach his office on the phone at times. You just have to keep trying. I have never had "poor customer service" and the receptionists have always been most polite. I would travel from NJ to Maine just to have his advice about my precious pets. read more

I have been with them as a patient nearly 15 years. Now my senior dog is a nuisance. I have been shamed because of a medical condition that once it's out of control it's hard to get it back. It became a medical emergency... and they just didn't respond!! The groomer IN THEIR BUILDING!!!! I wouldn't take a pine cone to her to groom!!! Something shady about her!!! Unfortunately, it's time to retire ... he's lost his direction!!! And Priscilla.. stop the laughing!!!! Serious conversations .... Don't laugh!!!! read more

Looks nice on the outside and in the waiting area, fooling everyone - it's a HELLHOLE inside where no one is allowed. DO NOT board your dogs or drop off a found animal here. They don't give a shit about anyone but themselves. The dogs will be sitting in their own secretions, fed once a day, locked inside for the entirety of their stay, and the dogs being "held" will be euthanized no questions asked without ever seeing the light of day. They don't even bother looking to see if they could be a lost dog that's been posted. Don't ever step foot into this place. For reference, these are "boarding" dogs. read more

Small Animal Clinic - "Boarding" dogs - Veterinarians Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

The vet I was going to wasn't available and my cat required surgery for a hematoma on his ear. Dr. Toothaker and his staff have been great and did not have to wait. read more

Dr Toothaker is extremely knowledgeable and experienced. He always has time for my pups. Appointments usually can be booked within a week. Staff is friendly and courteous. read more

Every pet owners worst nightmare.... you're away on vacation with your dogs and one of them is up all night literally yelping in pain and you have no idea why. Being 4 1/2 hours away from home, going to our vet was not an option so we called around to several vets. The response was the same from all of them, "did you try to call xyz vet? We're understaffed and overbooked". Ugh!!! When I called Small Animal Clinic and explained our situation, I got "we're understaffed and won't be able to take you until 11:00, I'm sorry". Apologizing for giving us an appointment that we couldn't get anywhere else! We'll take it! Now my biggest concern was being taken for a ride by some vet who knows we're in a vulnerable situation. Would they perform needless expensive tests and charge us outrageous fees? NOT THE CASE!!!! Dr. Toothaker knew immediately what was wrong with our dog before he even examined her. He said the symptoms sounded like a slipped disk which is common with this breed (Bichon). He had me put her on the table to exam her and was able to pinpoint that the slipped disk was in her neck. He examined her to ensure nothing else was wrong. He prescribed prednisone and gave us something for her pain if she needed it. We were literally in and out of the office within 30 minutes and we didn't have to take out a loan to pay the bill.... it was $75. Started our pup on the prednisone right away and by the same evening she was back to her playful, loving self. If you find yourself in the same situation this is DEFINITELY the place to bring your fur babies! read more

Absolutely amazing! They've done wonders for my pets and taught me so much also. Very caring when it comes to the animals as well. Will always continue to go with them!!! read more

I was so impressed with the doctor's caring, concern, personality and knowledge. I am passing thru on vacation and my darling golden had a tick here and I was worried as he never had one before. I was able to get a quick appointment with very little time here. He spent a long time with me explaining all of my options. The staff was very nice. Denise Andrews read more

This clinic permanently injured my rabbit. I took him in for neutering and apparently they tied his leg down way too tight during the procedure. Immediately when he got home he wasn't using the leg and about a week later the skin started to fall off. It's permanently paralyzed and he lost most of the skin due to the lack of blood flow. We took him to a different vet and they said they suspect whatever vet tech tied his legs for the procedure didn't do it properly. I wish we could go back and just not have him neutered or at least taken him somewhere else. read more

This vet's office runs an animal "shelter" and takes in animals brought to them by animal control. Unfortunately, this "shelter" does not provide any online searchable database or other easily accesible method to local dog owners looking for their missing dogs. In an article that appeared in the Bangor Daily News on April 10, 2012, a local dog owner had two dogs brought to the Small Animal Clinic's "shelter" by animal control. This "shelter" held them for the minimum time allowed by law and then shipped the dogs to an out of state "rescue" group. While the dogs were at this "rescue" group, the dog owners called the Small Animal Clinic "shelter" to see if they had the two dogs. This "shelter" denied knowledge of these dogs. This lack of professionalism would leave me with a zero star rating if able. I think dog owners should have more rights. read more

Super nice staff and vet. We were visiting Acadia Ntl Park when our dog got an eye infection. The staff at our campground recommended Dr. Toothacre. The staff got us in that day - their last appt of the day. We got lost and were a little late but they were so nice when I called and asked for directions. The price he charged was the same as what my vet at home charges. I appreciated that they didn't charge extra for squeezing us in or not being regular patients. If I lived in the area, I would be happy to visit the Small Animal Clinic for my dog's regular vet care. read more

This is the best vet around! My parents dog was attacked on their porch by a coyote. The small Animal Clinic clinic along with the emergency vet in Brewer worked together to help him get back to himself. When we brought Mink (my parents dog) to the small animal clinic from his overnight at the emergency vet he had tape holding his jaw on. It was horrible. Dr. Toothaker did multiple surgeries on mink and got him home. We have to visit more often than most but all the staff is so amazing and always tell mink how handsome he is and that they are so glad he's okay. He is their baby and is so loved. I highly recommend them for anything. read more

So happy and thankful for the care and friendliness of the staff here! We recently had a heartbreaking time with one of our dogs. Dr Toothaker, and the staff were so understanding, empathetic, and caring to our dog, and to our family! I highly recommend the Small Animal Clinic! They are the best! read more

When we went to the vet, they sexed our bunnies wrong ! And no, i didn't get them mixed up because there was only one girl. Sooo our bunnies unexpected babies. would not suggest to go there to get your bunnies sexed. read more

Dr. Toothtaker takes geat care of my dog. I have a 12year old beagle mix that needed a hernia operation. Dr. Toothtaker was able schedule surgery very quickly. My dog is much better now. I was very nervous and made a unscheduled appointment, he clamed me down and explained again about surgrey. I was worried dog owner. I also bored my dog here and the staff is great friendly. They know my dog name, me not so much. I just moved to area. The only negative thing is waiting room. It has gone to the dogs. I know this is a bad joke, but waiting room could use so updating. read more

Please, if you care about your pet go to a different local clinic or hospital. It's hard to speak about everyone there but when people in the waiting room look at your loved one more than the main vet...you might be in the wrong place! read more

Do NOT take your animals here. This place runs less efficiently than a traveling circus. First of all, we had to board our sweet black lab here last minute due to a family emergency. They had a fair price and were convenient for our travels. $16 a night would equal $80 for five nights, not including an updated Bordatella vaccine, which we paid $5 for at our last vet. We came prepared with copies of all records and supplies. Although the office wasn't busy, the girl that took our pet back seemed very overwhelmed. She took his records, varified our phone number, and quickly went over our pick-up date. Then she disappeared. We waited in the lobby for a moment and she waved us out from the kennel area, so we left to catch our flight. When we returned five days later, we had a $200 bill. Confused, i explained to a different but equally overwhelmed employee that our dog was boarded only five nights and only needed a Bord. Vaccine. She then handed us an explanation of our charges. $80 for boarding, $15 for bordatella vaccine, $15 for a rabies vaccine, $15 for parvo, and $15 for another vaccine, all of which he already had and were NOT outdated, as seen in our records. We were also charged for a full office visit (that he did not have and i did not authorize) plus waste removal fees. I tried not to make a scene but we were NEVER quoted this amount, NEVER signed anything stating these services would happen, and i was NEVER called to authorize them. I asked them to remove some of the charges since they were NOT needed or authorized, but they just kept dancing around the issue and blankly apologizing without attempting to right any wrongs. My husband and i were furious. We took his food and bed from behind the desk and they brought our dog out after i paid our ridiculous bill. As if things could get any worse, my husband took our dog outside where he peed for TWO minutes straight and pooped TWICE. We have left him at home for 10+ hours in emergency situations and he has never had to do his business this bad. I dont even want to know how long it had been since he was let out. The staff said goodbye and thank you to me but i told them that we had brought him with his favorite toy (a large Nylabone, $20) and his two bowls for food and water. One of the girls disappeared into the kennel area for several minutes only to return empty handed and claim they "dont know what happened to them." They took down my phone number again in case they "come across the items." I am BEWILDERED at how this place hasnt burned down. I demanded that they return my items valued at almost $40 or write me a check. I haven't received a call back. My dog does not act the same, we are missing personal property, and we were completely taken advantage of financially. DO NOT USE THIS ANIMAL CLINIC! IT IS A JOKE! read more