This is a zero-star rating. The previous ownership was stellar. The new version is not. Here is the letter I just sent them:
Stark Street Animal Hospital
2812 NE Hogan
Gresham OR 97030
To your manager and staff:
My dogs were longtime patients of Dr. Barry. I brought my poodle, Teddy, in for a distemper shot that my records--which came from the practice you assumed--showed as due November 18, 2018. Here is what I experienced:
1. When I made the appointment by phone last week, the receptionist repeated the appointment time to me incorrectly. I wrote it down incorrectly, then called at 8 on Monday morning to ask whether we were expected Monday or Tuesday. I got a recorded call that told me you opened at 8am. I called back half an hour later and got the same recording, so I left a message asking for a call back to confirm. Receiving no call, I phoned back a little after 9 and was told to come in at 10:30.
2. I arrived shortly before 10:30. The receptionist was talking to a client who had concerns about her dog; she couldn't get through by phone so had driven in to talk to the doctor. I stood waiting; the receptionist said she'd be with me soon. This went on for 10 minutes, so I sat down. Another woman came in, and the receptionist started talking with her about her concerns.
3. Ten minutes later, I was still sitting, and the receptionist called to me from the desk, "I've got you checked in, for Bubba." I corrected her that I was Teddy's owner. She continued to assist the walk-in and then left for a side office.
4. Meanwhile, a male veterinarian wandered in with his laptop and asked if I'd been checked in. I said yes and inquired how Dr. Barry was doing; I was concerned about him. He replied, "He retired a long time ago." Dr. Barry founded the clinic and retired in the spring of this year. It would have been nice to have some recognition for the vet so many people trusted and relied upon. The vet wandered away.
5. Another ten minutes later, I considered leaving. The same vet returned and asked what I was there for. I said just a distemper shot. He asked if the clinic had examined Teddy in the past year. I said I imagined so; I don't travel with my vet records. He looked it up on his laptop and apparently Teddy had been seen. "This is a tech call," he said, and ushered me into an exam room. So I had waited more than 30 minutes to see a tech who was still not taking care of us.
6. The vet (who never introduced himself) then referred to the computer file and told me Teddy wasn't due for a shot. I said the last vaccination term was to expire in November. He said, no, that was a 3-year shot. Again, I don't travel with my vet records, but I had consulted them in order to make the appointment. The vet said, "I wish they'd check." In other words, the reception staff was at fault, and he was complaining to me, rather than go an mention it to them. He didn't try to make it right, such as saying that since I was there, was there anything else he could do for me, etc. Exasperated, I left.
7. In checking my records at home, I saw that the last distemper shot was due for renewal on November 15, 2018. It was not a 3-year shot. Distemper shots are annual. He was probably looking at a rabies shot date.
In sum, a vet who can't read a simple record about a vaccination will not be getting my business. A practice that does not welcome clients with appointments who walk in the door will not get my business. I was going to schedule spay surgery for my puppy and buy some medications as well. I would not trust your people to conduct surgery or anything else.
There is something to be said for customer service and applying oneself to the job. Dr. Barry did not have a tech give shots. He did them himself, because he might learn something about your pet in doing so. As busy as the office was, the staff always handled things professionally but with personal care. If I had to wait, at least I knew that doctors and staff were busy, not just hanging around. Yesterday, I saw five people basically loitering in the reception area while I waited more than half an hour for a scheduled appointment, only to be told to go home.
You should know that Dr. Barry told me he never took a day off in 40 years. He cared about his patients and customers. He cared about his reputation and the business he had built. I will not be returning, and I will definitely tell my friends about how you do business. read more