Academy Veterinary Hospital

My father and I share the same name.  We have a number of cats and have been taking them on occasion to this vet when they needed care.  We would go there because it was just a block away from us. We always paid our bills...never any issue whatsoever...generally with a check.  One day, I had a very sick little kitten...an emergency.  My father gave me a signed blank check to pay for the vet.  Apparently, they had changed their policy about accepting checks...  My father had dropped me off there with the deathly ill cat and I told them that he would return to pick me up within the hour and that he could then give them alternative payment.  Very well, they said...and then proceeded to take in patient after patient that walked in off the street as I had...not all necessarily patients with appointments,  Finally, I said, are you not going to look at my little kitten?  No...not until we have your payment!  I was under a great deal of stress watching this little kitten suffer...I didn't curse them out...but I angrily let them know that I would never bring another creature to this place...walked out and took the kitten to another vet.  Remember, I live a block away, a neighbor, actually...was well known by these people and had always without issue paid them...and now, they wouldn't even bother to attend to this dying kitten because they had not yet received a credit card number.  Of course, I never intended to go back and have been going to Pet-Co ever since who have given me the best of service and genuine concern.  Today, my father dropped by to make an appointment there for one of our cats.  He tells me that they took him aside and told him that they will no longer treat our cats because of this incident...years back.  Quite petty, if you ask me.  If you don't have the correct payment up front...don't dream of taking an animal there if it is an emergency! Read Less

Academy Veterinary Hospital is the best place to take your pet.  We have been going to Dr. Said for over 30 years.  Doc as we call him  truly cares about each pet.  His staff is friendly and you receive immediate attention when you walk in.  Sincerely,Elke Hoffmann Read Less

I took in a stray cat that was around my house because it followed me when I came and left my house.  Eventually its cuteness won me over and I took her in.  After two weeks of notifying animal control and receiving no claim on her I decided to keep her, as was my legal right at that point.  Concerned about her health, I wanted to take her to a Vet and found that most of the clinics around here are on the expensive side.  After searching, I saw an ad for the Academy Veterinary Hospital in Durham and decided to go with them, making an appointment with Doctor Ahmed Said.  The drive from Chapel Hill was not bad, but the location of the office might be viewed as "sketch" by some people.  Once I got there I saw that the waiting room was full of pet owners and was immediately greeted by the Vet technician.  Shortly thereafter I was checked in and the cat was weighed and had a photo taken of her.  After a short wait I was taken in and since the cat was living outside she was thoroughly screened and had a comprehensive medical treatment that included deworming, rabies shot, and other vaccinations.  Since my cat was being a little diva and not cooperating with blood extraction she needed to be sedated and left overnight in their care, for which I was not charged.  It was much appreciated that this clinic is not about nickeling-and-diming their customers.  Doctor Said and his technicians (Johnetta and Crystal) are very warm and treat the animals with loving care as if they were their own.  This made me feel very at ease with this Vet clinic.  I'm glad I found this Veterinary clinic, and I highly recommend it. Read Less

Dr.Said is a great vet I met him in 2000 when my dog was sick.He was diagnosed with heartworms.He and his staff were knowledgeable and compassionate through out his whole treatment. Thanks to him and his great staff Sam is still with us and in excellent health. Read Less

I moved to Durham in 1989 from Washington, DC. I was so glad to find out that there was a veterinary hospital near where I live - Academy Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Said and his staff have been taking excellent care of my many dogs and cats since that time. As an example, back in 2009 my hound mix dog, Megan, who was about five months old contracted the parvo virus and was critically ill. When Dr. Said diagnosed her with parvo, he was very honest and up front, telling me he could not guarantee she would survive - it was a 50/50 situation. She stayed in the hospital for a week and was treated with high potency antibiotics, IV fluids, etc., and had excellent daily attention by the male veterinary assistant. It was a touch and go situation for several days. Megan did survive and is a healthy, happy dog. One of the female veterinary assistants has been with the hospital over 10 years, and she greets you by your name when you come in for an appointment. Another experienced veterinary assistant recently came to Academy who is bilingual, which is certainly a plus because many of the clients only speak Spanish and her ability to communicate with them is very important especially in giving medication instructions and setting up future appointments. Additionally, the costs of services at this hospital are very reasonable, as compared to other veterinary hospitals in Durham, and I can speak from experience with other hospitals. I have been extremely pleased with the care my ""fur children"" have received from Dr. Said and his excellent staff, and I have referred friends with new pets to Academy. Read Less

I find Dr. Said and his staff courteous and fair. Never have I felt pushed into purchasing things I did not want or need at that moment nor did I feel that I was being talked into unnecessary services. Read Less

I took my dog here for boarding over the holidays. When I arrived I had a bad feeling but had no choice but to leave him. After a week my regular kennel had room so I had a friend move him there. When my friend arrived she was overwhelmed by the stench of urine. When he was brought out he, along with the items I brought along with him, was covered in urine. I would not recommend this kennel to anyone who cares about their pet. Read Less

I agree with one reviewer who said the facilities here are not the most sparkling. That reviewer also called them ""depressing."" I think the reviewer forgot that the place is for treating dogs not people. Dr. Said seems to work in a sanitary fashion and has a friendly, helpful staff. He's also not nearly as expensive as other vets I've used in the Triangle, and he seems to care a greal deal about his work. During one visit, I saw him go out to treat a dog brought over by animal control. No, the office is not as attractive as our former vet's office in the Morrisville/Cary area, but I can't say that equates to a lower quality of care. I'm very pleased with the care that my favorite dog has received in what has been a trying time for her. If you live in the Duke St. area of Durham or reasonably close by, Dr. Said's clinic is a good option to consider. Read Less

I went to Dr. Said and his staff at Academy with my Yorkie and was very satisfied and impressed with everything. The prices were reasonable (compared to other vets I had checked into), the staff was friendly and well knowledgable, and Dr. Said made sure me & my puppy was taken care of! We have now been going to him for over 2 years and are still very much satisfied! Read Less

I saw this vet to get a check-up for my new dog. The facilities are not very clean, and they are somewhat depressing. They said negative things about my dog's health, and didn't seem to know much about the breed. Everything the vet said was false upon a second opinion at another vet. They seemed more interested in making us buy a plethora of things by invoking fear in saying our dog was ill and he needs this and that. Read Less