Westbrook Animal Hospital

Reviews 4

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Nancy Sands

The people at Westbrook helped our cat Augusta die peacefully yesterday. They treated her with love and tenderness. Here is Augustas story I wrote earlier this year for the Stoney Creek magazine called "Life at the Creek." Today, it is her eulogy. My name is Augusta Sands. I was born in 1999 and thrown out of a car to fend for myself. I had a litter of kittens when I was barely a kitten myself, and was unable to raise them. Most of my miserable life was spent hunting in the wooded area along Stoney Creek’s thirteenth fairway. With no place to shield me from the elements and no health care, as an adult cat I was emaciated and weighed just 4 pounds. Barking dogs and women with brooms were always chasing me, but my greatest fear was thunderstorms. The loud noise, flashing lights, and fur soaking downpours terrorized me. There was no refuge. In August 2000, my luck began to change significantly. The Man started offering me some crunchy food from a bag and even fashioned a cardboard house for me on his deck. The Woman was not so friendly; she was a much tougher egg to crack. One evening a thunderstorm blew in, and The Man could tell I was terrified, so he brought me into the house. I hid under the sofa until the storm abated, then The Woman put me back outside. Days went by and finally The Man persuaded The Woman to adopt me. That’s how I became a family pet. They thought I was a kitten but when they took me to the vet, they learned I was a tiny malnourished adult cat. The doctor also told my new owners about the kittens I lost; it embarrassed me but The Woman rubbed my head and I think she had tears in her eyes. The Man named me “Augusta.” He said I came to him from a golf course in the month of August. So, I practically named myself! I have named him too. He’s “Can Opener!” I’m a grateful animal so I’ve always tried to please my owners. When they ask me to roll over I happily oblige, and when they pat on a chair, I jump there and lie down. My bathroom is in the garage and I meow at the door when I need to go out. On afternoons if The Man takes a nap, I help keep him warm by resting on his tummy. When I was a youngster, I would bring seldom-appreciated presents and place them on the front door stoop. In more recent days to show gratitude, I tolerate my owner’s eight Grands. Although they sometimes pull my tail, I’m gentle and have never scratched them. I relish lying on newspapers and appreciate my owners always having papers handy for me to enjoy. The Man says I’m reading through osmosis. There are special people who love me. My best friend is Savanna who takes care of me when my owners travel. She brings me kitty candy and rubs my back. I’m an old cat now; nearly 18. That’s equivalent to human age 88, so those back rubs are really nice. The Woman runs me out of the kitchen when she is preparing food, but then she finely chops something delicious so I can enjoy what The Man is having. . Miss Anne is another friend, and she is not doing well. She’s going to a place for seniors who suffer from Alzheimer’s. I’ll still get to see her though; The Woman added me to the visitors’ list and I’m sure I can make Miss Anne smile in her new home. Although my name is Augusta, I have nicknames. The Man calls me Gussie, and The Woman calls me YourCat. Other than an occasional thunderstorm my life is pretty cool!

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John Thompson

I had to move across the country recently. At my old vet in Hot Springs Arkansas I went through a very difficult financial period when i had 2 clients stiff me for over $7000 in work. The two vets I visited claimed they were helping me. One vet only wanted to sell me the Insulin pens for my diabetic cat at $300 (if I remember right that would last about 3 weeks). I went to another that helped me by prescribing ProZinc which cost $130 for 3 week supply. I moved to Sun City and took my little boy into Westbrook Animal Hospital. They prescribed VetSulin which cost $48 for a 3 week supply. So I have to ask myself just how much those others were helping. Both sold the meds at their store. Both HAD to know how much cheaper VetSulin is. regardless of that, when i took Wilbur into Westbrook i knew instantly I was at the right place. It is extremely clean and very inviting to walk in. The receptionists (they have several, never only one that I saw) were beyond nice. They genuinely seemed concerned, were extremely attentive and just very pleasant. both on the phone and in person. When you first visit they take %50 off the initial visit (i dont know if this is per pet or per owner, so it might be %50 off each cat/dog but Im guessing its per owner, so only the first time you visit. id like to know the answer to this because I have 2 other cats) the most incredible thing is, they are understanding of financial issues. You can pay %25 of your bill and make payments on the rest. Let me tell you, for a diabetic cat this can come in handy because the fructosamine procedure is I believe $280. so breaking that up will be very handy if needed. Dr. Chris Hummel is who I saw and he clearly cares. he was very gentle with my cat, and did a very thorough initial assessment . I was instantly sure I was at the right place. Side note, he mentioned he has a diabetic cat too. This isnt terribly common I dont believe, but having a doctor that is very familiar with this disease is really helpful. I cant say enough good things about this place and especially its staff. they also called the following day every time I took him in for a procedure, checkup. Wish I could give a higher rating. 10 out of 10 if possible. Theres a reason all but 2 reviews over 4 years have rated this 5 out of 5.

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Coriander Dhania

I was extremely disappointed with my recent experience at Westbook Animal Hospital. For the simplest service, the vet Emily Smith refused to treat my pet unless I spent in excess of $100 for unnecessary lab work. Smiths business approach is "hands off until you pay consultation and exam fees, THEN schedule a future visit for unnecessary, costly lab work." I regularly shop at the Frys next door and I am no longer surprised or curious that Westbook Animal Hospital is always empty. During my visit, no one was in the waiting room and the few exam rooms in the office were vacant. I strongly discourage anyone who considers taking their pet to this facility. I regret visiting Westbook rather than driving a little farther to my superb vet Dr. Sink who has treated my pets for 6 years at Grand Paws Animal Clinic (now at 11310 W Bell Rd #103 in Surprise, AZ 85378). I highly recommend Grand Paws. The first visit is free and the professionalism and care is phenomenal! As long as I live in Maricopa County, I will continue to take my pets to Grand Paws and avoid Westbook like the plague!

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Jerilyn Zeller

Had to take my small dog here when he wasnt feeling well and Im so glad that I did! Theyre opened 7 days a week and are very accommodating. I was nervous about my little guys condition but Dr. Wiederholt kept me informed throughout the visit even when my dog was in the back getting blood work done and having x-rays taken. She was the one who called me with tests results the next day and the following day, which was so awesome! They will list out recommendations and options for procedures and medication and wont pressure you into services, I felt comfortable making my own decision (which meant paying how much or how little). They do have a payment option but I didnt need to go that route. Their facility is well equipped so I didnt have to go anywhere else, one-stop-shop. If you are in the West valley and shopping for a pet clinic/hospital Id highly recommend coming here. My pet is family and everyone here treated both me and my dog with care and empathy.

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