Woodlands Veterinary Referral

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I am a small animal veterinarian just outside of Athens and refer clients to Dr. Barker and Dr. Jacobs regularly. Recently, I had to bring one of my personal pets to Dr. Barker after she had a cardiac crisis. I stabilized her the evening of the event, but after two days, she was weak and lifeless. I was about to bring her to UGA CVM, but they suggested I try to get Dr. Barker to scan her for comparison since she had been there just two months before. Her staff worked me in within a couple of hours. They were all very compassionate and concerned for Starry's well being. Dr. Barker was efficient and thorough and searched for every possible cause of my girl's condition. She found the culprit, prescribed new medicine. I gave one dose and before we got home that evening, Starry jumped out of the car and ran up the steps to the house. She is back to normal and maybe even a little better. Bottom line, Dr. Barker and her staff saved my dog and they absolutely rock!!!!!

I have now taken 6 animals to see Dr. Barker (and/or Dr. Jacobs) and staff for referral services over the last several years. We have always been extremely satisfied with the expertise, professionalism, and service, especially follow-up service. We have done ultrasounds 3 dogs and 3 cats, and an endoscope on a cat (as a follow-up to the ultrasound). They put everything in writing for us so it is clear on what we have to do and also work with our normal vet so that they know what is going on as well. They also are very sensitive to the fact that we are 90 minutes away and have to take off work to see them, and try to do as much for us as possible in a single visit. We have been to other referral vets as well, and feel confident that we are getting the best advice from Woodlands, as we have not had positive experiences from other referral vets.

My sick dog was scheduled for one their outpatient ultrasounds at $250. Already expensive a single mom who is in school. When we arrived, I requested to speak to the vet prior to having my dog taken from me and was informed that was not standard procedure for outpatient ultrasounds. No contact is had between client and vet, all contact is between the referring vet and the vet that does the ultrasound. But she would check with the vet and see. She came back several minutes later and informed me could not meet the vet. I told her that was unacceptable and was then told I could come back the following day and pay double for a full consultation and I could meet the vet then. I repeatedly told this staff member and another who had gotten involved that i did not want a consultation, that I only wanted Dr. Barker to stick her head in the door so I would know who was putting their hands on my sick dog who could not wait until tomorrow. You are asked to blindly trust an unlicensed assistant to care for your sick pet and in an unseen vet to do procedure in a clinic you are unfamiliar with. I bluntly told them this is a very sketchy business practice. I am a registered veterinary technician (RVT) myself and have been in the industry long enough to know that this is bad business. My pet's regular vet called and spoke with Dr. Barker regarding this matter and apparently Dr. Barker felt really bad about it but said that her staff are sticklers to protect schedule. Well, my dog may need further procedures but they will not be done at Dr. Barker's clinic so she can thank her strict staff for losing that business for her. But I'm sure keeping to the schedule was more important than taking 30 seconds to prove that the vet was in fact on the premises (rather than give me the run around for 15 minutes) and securing my future business. I've never found myself so disgusted by a clinic's business practices before and I've seen some questionable stuffed in my career as an RVT.