I cannot be more grateful for Dr. Shannon. This is a little lengthy, but please....let me explain.Twelve years ago, I turned 18 years old. The "Yo quero Taco Bell" dog was super popular at the time. ... Read More
I cannot be more grateful for Dr. Shannon. This is a little lengthy, but please....let me explain.Twelve years ago, I turned 18 years old. The "Yo quero Taco Bell" dog was super popular at the time. My mom viewed dogs as big, clumsy, slobbery, scary balls of destruction and therefore I had never had one. However, she knew I really liked the Taco Bell chihuahua so she got me one. Without telling me what she was planning, she drove me out to a rest area in Chester, SC. A lady pulled up with three 10 week old chihuahua puppies in a basket. My mom said with the biggest smile on her face, happy birthday...go ahead and pick one. I chose a fawn colored little girl with a dark stripe on her back. She only weighed one pound! On the way back home in Charlotte, I named her Annie. She was my constant companion for the next six months until I joined the Army as a veterinary technician. My mom "promised" to give her back. Not surprisingly, I never got her back. She has comforted my mom in the most trying of times and has never left her side. A few years ago, she became a service dog to my mom so she is now able to take her anywhere and everywhere. Fast forward 12 years. Annie has dealt with bouts of pancreatitis several times in her life, has had severe vaccine reactions, and had issues recovering following a dental cleaning once. Needless to say, this is about the most sensitive dog I've ever met in my life. Therefore, my mom is extremely nervous at the vet's office. She has never had great experiences at the vet because of Annie's previous issues. None of her issues were the staff's fault, but it was how they handled those things that made a bad situation worse. Annie's behavior changed suddenly a few days ago and because it was so acute and so unusual, I told her to go see a vet immediately and get bloodwork, urinalysis, and X-rays at a minimum. Immediately she went to an animal hospital, I will omit the name. Terrible experience there. The staff treated her badly. Again, details I will omit...perhaps they had a bad day. She left crying and I hurt for her. Knowing that all she wanted was answers or at the very least, pointed in the right direction. I told her not to worry, I would find her a good vet. I used Yelp to find a veterinarian in Summerville that had great reviews. For the record, I am a veterinary practice manager and have been a veterinary technician for 12 years. I knew that she needed a vet that would hold her hand and help her understand what was wrong with Annie and what she needed to do to help her. I found Sweetgrass Animal Hospital had two reviews that had exactly what I was looking for. I sent her there and called the office to give them a heads-up. I anxiously awaited the phone call that would tell me how it went, hoping and praying that Dr. Shannon and her assistant would treat my mother with care and concern. I was not disappointed!! My mom called me and said that this was by far her best vet experience and that Dr. Shannon showed genuine care and wanted to help my mom in every way possible. I was so happy I nearly cried. This dog means everything in the world to my mom and I always encourage my staff to treat pet owners the way they would want their mother treated. I have nothing but praise for Dr. Shannon and I know my mother will be a life long client of hers. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Read Less