Taking your pet to the vet can be a little bit traumatic for both you and you animal friend. What you expect is friendly reception, short waiting time, helpful and trustworthy doctors and a solution for your pet's problem if there's any.
What your dog/cat/hamster etc. expect is a cruel 5 minutes in the waiting room with other terrified animals, a stranger who touches them like no owner would touch them, an occasional treat from that stranger and then a really quick and easy way out.
The St Francis clinic offers you and your pet just that. I've heard about this place long before I actually visited it with my scary looking but soft like butter English Bullterrier, Liza. At least three friends PLUS my landlord suggested it as the best vet in town.
The location is very central and easy to acces/find. The reception is small but the warm welcome is never missing. In the waiting area you can find the usual petfood packages, pet toys hanging from the wall and information leaflets about treatments, insurance and other useful stuff if you're an owner.
We had an appointment, so the waiting was really short, about 5 minutes. Making an appointment was really easy via the phone, no unnecessary questions about my uncle's history with turtle diseases.
The doctor we met with was really relaxed which is always important for doggies like Liza, who basically shits themselves on the way to the vet because somehow with somekind of sixth sense they know we're going there even before the owner does. Anyways, the doctor was really helpful and explained a lot, which I think is the least they can do since the consultation fees are way too high (think about 30-35 pounds every visit just for talking with a vet, and it's not just St Francis, other places are even more expensive!).
The only thing he might have to consider improving is the actual syrange movement. I mean if you stare the mighty bullterrier/aligator in the eye, show them the syrange and try and stab them in the neck.. well, don't be surprised if the mighty bullterrier will show her teeth with a loud growl and you'll be jumping up on a ceiling trying to avoid the forced amputation of your arm. But to stay serious, I think a subtle, shot is workable too, I had vets before giving shots to my dog that I didn't even notice, not to mention the dog. Fortunately the shot was eventually given and arms stayed intact with their owners, the second try was near perfect.
I can't remember much after the consultation since my dog was pulling me rather hard, she just wanted a quick way out. But I do know that this clinic is hard to beat in honesty, the amount of information given, the knowledge of the docs or the friendly atmosphere of the place. So do go there if you have to because they are taking the time to explain everything and anything to you and your dog will get his/her occasional treat as well. read more