Choosing a new veterinarian can be a stressful proposition nowadays. The idea that you have no idea who the veterinarian is prior to scheduling a paid appointment is truly ludicrous. A customer should... Read More
Choosing a new veterinarian can be a stressful proposition nowadays. The idea that you have no idea who the veterinarian is prior to scheduling a paid appointment is truly ludicrous. A customer should be able to meet with the veterinarian prior to any services being paid for. It really has become a hit or miss proposition for the customer. With that said, here is a description of my experiences with Clementon Animal Hospital in Clementon, NJ. A telephone call was placed to see if they were accepting new patients and whether or not they were AAHA accredited; turns out that it was a yes on both fronts. During the phone call a general time was set up to meet with the doctors the following Monday sometime after 3:30pm, so as to make sure there was a comfort level by me, the customer. Monday came and went and unfortunately the meeting previously scheduled did not take place, due to having to complete finals at my college, and the amount of time needed to complete them. So having chosen now to wait until the fall semester was complete, which was only three days later, another phone call was made to determine if a time was available to meet with the doctors. Turns out, yes indeed there was a time that very day to come and visit. Great, I thought.Upon arriving to the hospital a short time later, the emptiness of the waiting room was apparent, not a single other customer. The office seemed cold and stark. The representative greeted me awkwardly. I introduced myself and explained the reason for my visit, a short time later I was invited into one of the few exam rooms. I did take notice of the emptiness of the hospital in general and pondered if this was a sign of something more serious. Most veterinarian offices I have been to, typically have a few other customers waiting in the waiting room. A short while after entering the exam room, a woman entered and introduced herself as Dr. Lyons (Actual Name is Sachina Lyons-Brown, DVM), and I introduced myself as well. The conversation was relaxed and comfortable. "Was this hospital the right choice," I asked myself? I still was not sure at this point. After about ten minutes discussing my needs with Dr. Lyons, I asked that a treatment plan be created for such things as wellness exams, vaccines, and so on, so that I could plan and budget accordingly. She enthusiastically obliged my request. Upon leaving the exam room, I checked out with the representative at the front desk again, explained that I met with the doctor, and asked if they could please call me later that evening once the plan had been created. So that options could be discussed and appointments scheduled. This way one, I didn't have to wait the around the office and two they were not rushed into completing this request as it was not urgent anyways. Evening came and went.The following day arrived with no contact from Clementon Animal Hospital. How odd, I thought, here they have a new customer, seeking out their services. One would think this is the time to put their best foot forward, right? Surprisingly, not the case as I was about to find out. A decision was made to call Clementon to discuss the request made the previous day. I proceeded to call and I was transferred to 'Trish' the office manager, she rattled off approximately 15 things and explained it will cost this much. Great, I thought, sounds like they took time to create a treatment plan. Not really as it turns out. I then proceed to ask, "Would it be possible, seeing as you named a lot of things, and so I can sit down and spend some time evaluating your plan, for you to put in writing the vaccines that are due and or past due now, and how much they will cost to complete, list what vaccines are not due, but list how much they will cost when they become due so I can budget accordingly, and then lastly detail the other services you are recommending and how much they will cost." This sounds pretty straightforward, right? Detail your services in writing. Apparently this was too much work for them, 'Trish' placed me on hold, got back on the phone and in so many words or less explained that they didn't feel they could help me, that they spent too much time with me already, and that I or my animals were basically not worth their time. Well, I guess I can't say I wasn't too surprised, I gladly accepted that indeed they could not help me and that they probably were simply in this business to make money and that the health and wellness of my pets did not play into their business equation. After ending the conversation I proceeded to pick up my records. Off to find another veterinarian I feel will be qualified enough to handle an educated customer like myself. On a final note, I do not state or imply that they are either good or bad veterinarians, or that they have done anything wrong. But what I will say is that this was my representation of my experience with Clementon Animal Hospital, and honestly, it turned out to be less than stellar. I wish them Read Less