Village Crossroad Animal Hospital

I am extremely disappointed by the way I was treated when I was informed that my cat, Walt, had died. This office has treated many of my family’s animals throughout years and we have received good care in the past. The up-front staff has always been wonderful. I wanted to bring an experience to light though that was unnecessary. Losing a beloved pet is devastating under any circumstances, but the way this information was communicated to me was deeply upsetting and lacked basic compassion or sensitivity. I was told that Walt (the cat of my recently deceased father) had “exploded from both ends.” Those words were completely unnecessary and profoundly inappropriate to use when speaking to someone who had just lost their animal. There is a way to communicate difficult medical information honestly while still showing empathy and respect for the grieving owner. Walt was not just a patient or a medical case. He was my beloved companion, and I was already experiencing an unimaginable amount of distress surrounding his illness and hospitalization. In that moment, I needed someone to recognize the gravity of what I was going through—not language that made an already traumatic experience even more horrifying. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding Walt’s death, I believe veterinary professionals have a responsibility to communicate with compassion, especially when delivering the death of a beloved pet. The lack of bedside manner I experienced is something I will never forget. I sincerely hope the clinic uses this experience as an opportunity to reconsider how staff communicate with grieving pet owners. No one should have to hear their beloved animal’s death described in those terms.

This practice is extremely professional and helpful. The doctors and staff are so caring and compassionate. They took care of our dog from puppy to end of life and I cannot recommend them enough!! I would give more stars if I could!

The staff could not be more professional and caring. So grateful to have our pets cared here