I recently moved to the area and and brought my dog in who has been in pain and very lethargic. I explained to Dr. Grimm that my dog had been exhibiting some different behaviors due to knee issues and... Read More
I recently moved to the area and and brought my dog in who has been in pain and very lethargic. I explained to Dr. Grimm that my dog had been exhibiting some different behaviors due to knee issues and that she has been crabby.
Dr. Grimm seemed somewhat kind to my dog, although not overly so, but when she tried to administer drops into my dog's nose, my dog would have none of it and started turning her head and growling with warning nips. I had already explained to the doctor that this was a new behavior and that she is definitely not herself, but Dr. Grimm proceeded to tell me that my dog needed special training and that she shouldn't be around children, that it was very easy to spoil little dogs, and I couldn't let her get away with that behavior.
I have to say, I tried to defend my dog a little, but mostly didn't know what to say. I told Dr. Grimm she had never bitten anyone, and that the family that babysits her have 3 young children who love her, as well as our 7 year old niece. Despite this, I agree with another reviewer that Dr. Grimm came across condescending. She seemed to not hear what I was saying. I don't know her intent, but the last straw for me was in the waiting room after the appointment, she pet my dog and asked my dog if they were still friends (my dog had her ears back showing submission and didn't bark or anything), and then she said "We might be friends, but yeah, you need an attitude adjustment." She then started to tell me that all the vets at Great Oaks held the same views and that I might not be hearing the same things I would hear from a vet in my home state. I was shocked that she would speak of my hometown vet in this manner (when she knew nothing about them or how my dog behaved there), and that she felt it was okay to speak about this in the waiting room while other people were there.
All this to say, if my dog does need training, I am willing to do it, but I want a vet that is willing to understand that my dogs behavior was extremely uncharacteristic. I felt Dr. Grimm made an assumption and would not listen to what I was telling her, and in my opinion, did not respect patient privacy. I think she needs to work on her "bed side manner" with the pets and owners. I still gave 2 stars, since I can't speak for the other veterinarians at this location.
My dog has anxiety (especially over the vet), and Dr. Grimm didn't try to work with my dog at all. I would have hoped for a more nuanced and compassionate doctor who seemed to really like my dog and who showed a willingness to work with my dog in trying to calm her. It doesn't feel good to go to the vet and have them tell you everything that is wrong with your dog and to leave feeling terrible about your visit. As of now, I will not be returning to Great Oaks. Read Less