Hometown Animal Hospital

Reviews 3

PA

patty breakstone

I live in Aventura and drive 45 min. to get there. Why? Im not crazy. I have an adorable 2 pound yorkie named Jack. After having 2 very scary experiences with vets in my area, I was recommended this hospital. On my first visit, Jack was 4 1/2 months old. He had a parasite that 2 other hospitals couldnt find and was so dehydrated that he almost died. Within a day, he was himself again. At that point, I was officially 100% committed to Hometown. I wish I could say that was it...but no. During the following 3 months after the first visit, we became "frequent flyers". Jack has been treated for a cough (meds & nebulizations), a broken elbow (surgery by an orthopedic surgeon), and got 12 teeth pulled (his baby teeth never fell out). That is a lot of anesthesia for a little guy, and the wrong vet would have killed him! They have state of the art equipment. For a simple example...they use an ear probe that magnifies deep into the ear canal and projects onto a computer screen seeing things that a human eye cannot. Of course, Jack had an itchy ear. It couldnt be something predictable like an ear infection or ear mites. He had a chunk of wax deep down in his ear canal (it was flushed out and he was fine).They have sonograms, EKG machines, and who knows what else (Im sure Jack could tell you if he could speak because they have probably used it on him!) After any procedure, the doctor gives you binder explaining the procedure, pictures, and instructions for aftercare. The staff is AMAZING! Not because they greet Jack by name the minute we walk in, but because I have observed the way they treat all pets. Ex: when the nurse goes to take the pet from their owner to the scale, they are so sweet. If they are nervous to leave their owner, they are patient and play with them until they are ready (mind you, the scale is about 5 feet away from where their owners are sitting on adorable rattan sofas, possibly having coffee and bagels supplied by the hospital (which is spotless and free of dirty pet smell). I have never had to wait more than 15 minutes with an appointment and they have ALWAYS fit me in with an emergency. The one time I had to go to another hospital because they were closed, it was a disaster AGAIN. They told me they couldnt get the X-ray because "he is too small, very distressed, and could go into shock." I stayed awake all night carrying Jack around until I could go to Hometown in the morning. When I finally saw Dr Bellows, he told me to go home and get some sleep because I looked awful (I wasnt offended, I was so grateful). He said, "go home, you cant walk around holding him anymore or you will fall apart. Ive got this". I felt so comfortable leaving him in charge. He called to update me on everything along the way until the surgery, when I went back to meet the surgeon. As for the girls at the desk, they always explain the charges before the services are rendered. THANK GOD Dr Bellows insisted I get pet insurance the first time I was there, before having "pre-existing conditions!!! I would have been broke by now with everything we have gone through in 3 months! I still pay for office visits, but those charges are the same as any other vet. Once I cover the insurance deductible (which at this point I have probably covered every ailment), the insurance pays 90% for life! I will never go anywhere else! The first time I met Dr Bellows, thinking Jack was going to die because he was so dehydrated that he couldnt walk, he assured me he would be fine, and he was. When I was leaving he gave me his card and told me to call him if I had any questions. His business card has his cell # for emergencies! Who does that??? Not even my personal doctor. ENOUGH SAID!

EL

Elaine Minionis

Latest review: 5/11/2016 I think this is the most heartfelt and well-deserved review I ever done in my life. We owe Dr. David and this hospital the life of my beautiful puppy, Bowie. Each and every person in this place is the most wonderful person youll ever meet. Really. When you are in the waiting room, watching every person of the staff working - now that I kind of know them all -, they all have so many beautiful virtues. You observe them and you are in awe. They are right there with their hearts pouring and exposed all the time for you. They really love each and every animal that enters through that door, they know them by name and they remember everything of you. Its like arriving to your Christmas family dinner :). Dr. David has been an angel to us. He is a gem, full of brightness, intelligence, uniqueness. He has been there in the good and in the bad ones, right there next to us answering every list of questions we bring to our visits, with a big smile in his face, and extending his wise hand in every health problem our dog have had. I cannot explain in words how thankful we are to have found him. Do you remember those moments in life when you just know when your loved one is in the best hands, and you rest assure that whatever they say or decide, IT IS right, accurate and supported by the deepest point of view in science you can get in terms of knowledge? That, makes you breathe in peace, relieved, happy, secure, specially as a dog parent where things get a little bit difficult to interpret (since dogs cannot talk!) Thats Dr David for us. He follows his instincts, he acts, he educates us, he loves our dog as much as we do, he calls us and replies to us and... he is so THERE; caring and loving, and as smart as you can get, since day #1. He always, always, goes the extra mile, and you leave his office so fulfilled. Our puppy caught a bad and hard to detect virus, and Bowie felt very ill. The way Dr. David analyzed, interpreted, advised and helped him throughout, was admirable. That cannot be bought, that is a gift. Thats why every person that chooses Hometown is lucky; actually, FULL of luck just because their pet is going to be taken care of by someone like him, or by any of the wonderful doctors in this hospital. My husband and I are grateful beyond words for the life that emerges from this place, and the love they are willing to give. Our world and Bowies world is a better one because of them. In regards to the hospital per se, they are incredibly organized, is beautiful and super clean, and they never forget a thing, really. Every follow-up happens, every call needed happens, every medicine refill or routine meds happen and is remembered, they even help you fill out claims for the insurance so you dont have to do it and feel insecure. Everything flows so responsibly, nothing is taken for granted, everything is appreciated and personal, you can feel that. Thank you Dr. Elizabeth too, Kaitlin, Mae, Vanessa, Ashley, Cinthia, Brooke, Humberto, and all the people in there that has made Bowie smile, that has made us trust, and have faith and be full of joy with your service. We cannot be in better hands. No one can be in better hands. Period. Thank you for being a family to us. Elaine, Rodolfo & Bowie

RI

Rita Collins

I bought an adorable puppy and Im obsessed with him! I started shopping around for a vet in the area immediately after I picked him up from the breeder. I even went to a couple of dog parks and asked around. Pathetic, I know. Hometown Animal Hospital is the name that kept coming up. Sadly, I heard several disturbing stories about other vets. Of course, I couldnt trust heresay, so I went online and started reading the reviews about Hometown. There were a couple that pretty much covered it all, and so many others that backed them up. Before going there for a consult, I took an additional step and visited a couple of the others that my friends had gone to, but was not overly impressed and definitely not sold. I made an appointment with Hometown and received a phone call from a very sweet receptionist to remind me about my appointment. The waiting area is so nice and clean. There were also a variety of great snacks, not that I need them, but thought I would mention it ! I had so many questions for the poor doctors- they probably thought I had OCD (I admit I am pretty crazy about my puppy), but they were so patient. Anyway, both the doctor and the staff answered all of my questions, made me feel totally comfortable, and then did a thorough exam of my puppy, who had an ear infection! I had no idea. They sent me home with meds and even called to follow up to see how he was doing. It was so nice to know that they cared. I mentioned it to my friend and she told me her vet has never done that. I was already planning on pet insurance, but to make things even more amazing for a pet owner like me, Hometown has something called the "Added Benefits Club!" I am looking at the brochure now so I dont state the incorrect information. I pay $26 a month, and it covers the Drs fee if my dog gets sick or gets hurt, vaccines, semi-annual visits with bloodwork, electrocardiam, parasite and heartworm screening, 10% off of in-house services, 25% off of dental, and 50% off of spay/neuter. I thought it was too good to be true! If I had to pay for all of those things myself, it would cost me thousands everu year (these things are not covered by insurance btw). As I was checking out, there was a tiny puppy with his mom. She said she is there "all of the time", like, I mean weekly, or more! I didnt ask why, but she must be even more obsessive than me, and thats pretty tough to do. Her puppy seemed happy to be there, not even nervous! She told me they are always amazing and the girls in the front always send you out with everything you need in a shopping bag, and every girl loves to receive a shopping bag :) That personal touch alone shows you that they pay attention to detail. I am so happy that I finally found the team that will keep my puppy well, I am sure of it.