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• Forever Grateful to Dr. Carr

  -Christine-Gulliver's Mom from Derwood, MD
  Pet Name: Gulliver

  I was thrilled when I first learned that VCA Referral had added an Exotics Department. My sweet black/white guinea pig, Gulliver, had a death sentence hanging over his head because of a severe tooth root abscess. The surgery Dr. Carr performed and the subsequent care she provided saved his life. She and her team are dedicated, caring and compassionate professionals who go the extra mile in providing the specialized care that these little critters need. Thank you Dr. Carr - Gulliver and I think you are awesome!!

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  Caring in the Time of Sadness

  -Stormy McCarty from Ocean City, MD
  Pet Name: Stormy

  My cat Stormy had been referred to VRA for Feline Hyperthyroidism with an enlarged heart. I had opted to get the Radioactive Iodine treatment in the hopes of curing this disease. Soon I found out that I would have to leave my little man for one week while getting the treatment!!! Being that I live 3 hours away from VRA this was such a hard decision to make, but I knew this would be the best decision for his health. Well little did I know that the week he would be away from me would be one of the most awful weeks I have encountered in a long time. I dropped Stormy off Sunday and the staff that greeted me were warm, caring and compassionate sensing how sad I was to be away from my boy for so long. They even asked if I wanted a tour of where he would be staying.. Shortly into the week I received the terrible news that my grandmother was diagnosed with terminal cancer..In between visiting her in the hospital and just crying over this devastating news there was one bright spot that kept me smiling.. That was the daily phone calls I got from a Tech named Sara updating me on my cat and how he was doing.. These phone calls weren't just your generic phones calls like he is eating, drinking and pooping normally.. Sara would call and talk into depth about what my cat would do during the day and tell me all about the funny little things that only my cat would do, which made me realize she really was paying close attention to my special guy. I would actually look forward to these phone calls because they would get me out of my sadness and truly bring a smile to my face.. If Sara and the Staff at VRA don't know it, let me be the first to say you guys don't just take care of pets you take care of the owners too.. You ALL are truly compassionate and caring people and I thank you so much for making me and my pet feel like the most important people and pets in the world..If I ever have anything else that may need to be referred to a specialist I will not go anywhere else but VRA.

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  Angels live at VCA

  -Gheera's Mom from Gaithersburg, MD
  Pet Name: Gheera

  I could tell you the story of my precious girl Siamese Gheera, and how she developed diabetes and ketosis, which went undetected for years at her regular vet. But instead, I'll tell you about the amazing, immediate, and stellar care she received at the VCA--and how, because of that care, my Gheera just celebrated her 12th birthday! She continues to be treated at the VCA for checkups, but because of the "angels" at the VCA, Gheera's diabetes is in REMISSION. I can't thank you all enough~

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  Josephine's Dental Explosion Defused by Dr. Carr

  -Bright Eyes Sanctuary from Rockville, MD
  Pet Name: Josephine

  Bright Eyes Sanctuary's senior-most rabbit, Josephine (approx 13 yrs), had her mouth 'explode' on her one day and left her with two oronasal fistulas (holes from the roof of the mouth into the sinuses) and was barely able to breathe from resulting congestion. Dr. Lisa Carr, who has been treating the Bright Eyes exotics (rabbits, guinea pigs, parrots) and other animals for many years, lovingly and expertly put Josephine back together again. Checking her mouth every week for several months, and packing and repacking her fistulas with medicated gel, removing diseased teeth and roots, while at the same time being so gentle with Josephine that she looked forward to her weekly doctor visit, we feel she received the best possible care she could have received anywhere.
  
  Today Josephine looks like a young rabbit and is feeling great. She doesn't have many teeth left but she is just fine. Time after time, we bring in Bright Eyes Sanctuary geriatric patients and patients of all ages to be cared for by Dr. Carr and her team in the Exotics department and she returns them to a state of optimal health. She also spays and neuters all of our new intakes and treats many of our adopters animals as well. We are very grateful for the dedication and expertise of Dr. Lisa Carr! Thank you to her and VRA for providing such a great, healing atmosphere and team.

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  Chauncey's Thank you to Dr. Steinberg

  -Tracy Schaal from Ijamsville, MD
  Pet Name: Chauncey

  Our precious rescue dachshund Chauncey came to Dr. Steinberg in 2010 with an acute back injury from IVDD. Dr. Steinberg and his team literally wrapped Chauncey in their arms upon arrival to VCA with gentle kindness, empathy and most importantly, the most phenomenal neurosurgical skills we could've hoped to receive. Chauncey made a full recovery.
  Since then, because of his IVDD, Chauncey has had another injury. Once again, we made one visit to Dr. Steinberg and we are on the road to recovery. We just wanted to thank you very much for all of the love and compassion you have for your patients and their owners. It really makes a difference in the lives that you touch.

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  Excellent care, friendliness, professionalism

  -Jane and Rajan Kesavavilas from Gaithersburg, MD
  Pet Name: Gabriela - Gaby

  Ms. Smith:
  
  We are writing this letter of commendation to your staff for the excellent care, friendliness and professionalism shown to us when we brought our cat, Gabriela (Gaby), in for bleeding from her bladder. We arrived at 2:00 am on Saturday, January 28, and were discharged Sunday afternoon. We returned Monday afternoon for a kitty ultrasound.
  
  When we arrived early Saturday morning, we were met by an ER tech who immediately took Gaby back to be seen. We couldn’t believe how smoothly everything went.
  
  Andrea Whiting and Megan Ford, ER techs, and Brenda Aguilar, receptionist certainly made a good first impression. Lorraine Reece and Megan Patterson in the Critical Care Unit later that day were excellent. Unfortunately, we did not get names for all of those we encountered.
  
  These people, along with the physicians, make your hospital successful. We know good service from bad. Good service comes from having staff that are compassionate, empathetic, knowledgeable, patient, and who wear a smile. You have all and more in this staff.
  
  Please give them our sincere thanks and praise for a job well done for Gaby and us.
  
  Sincerely,
  Jane and Ragan Kesavavilas

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  Thank the doctors for care of Gaby

  -Jane and Rajan Kesavavilas from Gaithersburg, MD
  Pet Name: Gabriela - Gaby

  We brought our cat, Gabriela (Gaby), to your hospital Saturday, January 28, 2012. She was bleeding from a tumor in her bladder. The first physician we met was Seth Bleakley. He took a thorough history from my husband and me and reviewed the medical records from Dr. Newman, the referring MD. During the three hours we spent there, he continually updated us on her progress and explained things to us in a very understandable manner. Before we left, he outlined a plan of care with costs. His caring attitude impressed us the most. We left Gaby knowing she was receiving excellent medical treatment. Over the weekend, we saw him again. Even though he was not directly caring for her, he checked on us to see how we were doing.
  
  The next physician we spoke to was Anne Stoneham. Although we did not meet face-to-face, she displayed a caring manner and explained things thoroughly to us over the phone. She gave us the possible diagnoses (tumor vs. clot) based on her scan.
  
  The last physician we worked with was Trevor Williams. We were impressed with his knowledge and his bedside manner. He talked with us several times and even sat with us at her cage. He did not rush us at all. When Gaby went back on Monday for her ultrasound, Dr. Williams took time out of his busy schedule to comfort us, meet with Dr. Baron about her results, and to speak with a surgeon about options to give us.
  
  Please thank these doctors for all they did for Gaby and us. We would not hesitate to use your services again and recommend it to our friends and family.

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  Thank you for the compassionate care

  -Patricia Brown from Gaithersburg, MD
  Pet Name: Samson

  Dear VCA,
  I just want to thank you for the compassionate care you gave me and my 20 year old cat, Samson, on the morning of Jan. 31. 2012. I brought Samson in around 4 a.m. He had been having a seizure for approx 40 minutes. I made the difficult decision for euthanasia -- Samson died around 6 a.m. Your receptionist, vet tech and doctor were all caring and tender with both Samson and me at this difficult time. Again, I deeply appreciate the compassionate care both Samson and I received. Thank you so much.

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  Compassionate, Professional Care

  -Barb Mooseberger from East Berlin, PA
  Pet Name: Molly

  Hello,
  On Monday, my 1 year old chihuahua Molly became suddenly ill, with excessive diarrhea and extreme dehydration. The local veterinarian saw her right away, but Molly was in shock, and they were concerned that without overnight continuous care, she would not last the night. They referred me to your hospital. Along with dealing with the suddeness of Molly's illness and the fear of losing her, the thought of leaving her in the hands of strangers 85 miles away did not appeal to me at all! But upon our arrival, the kindness, caring, and professionalism of your staff put me at ease. She was immediately taken to the ER, and tests/treatment began. After checking her in, and seeing the Doctor, I was taken back to see her and say goodbye. The room was so clean, with state-of-the-art equipment, and Molly was calm and resting, with kind nurses explaining what was going on. While I was still en route home, the Dr called me with the results of an ultrasound, and outlined his course of action. A Doctor called twice a day with updates, and I could call a nurse at any time regarding Molly's disposition. On Wed I received a call that Molly was well enough to be released! When I arrived, the Doctor came out and explained everything that Molly needed in the way of home care, along with meds, and detailed printed instructions. Then the nurse brought out a much, much healthier, happier Molly!! What began as a horrible experience ended happily! We have made new friends with the staff at VCA Veterinary Referral Associates, and I have total confidence in them. They truly love what they do, and will give all animals compassionate, professional care.

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  VCA and Dr. Kate Westcott Were Amazing

  -Staci and Bob from Ijamsville, MD
  Pet Name: Spence

  I can't thank VCA and Dr. Kate Westcott enough for their care and compassion when we had to make the difficult decision to say goodbye to our precious Spence. Spence had been sick for a couple of years and visited many doctors, VCA being one of them. We could not find the cause of his illness and over time through every treatment possible, Spence waned from 19 pounds to just 7. When we knew he could not hold on anymore, I had to make that horrible call early one Sunday morning to VCA. Although Spence was not a "regular", the associates and Dr. Westcott treated us and Spence as if we had known each other a lifetime. Our last moments with Spence were made to be treasured. And if that wasn't enough, I arrived home yesterday to find an engraved plaque with Spence's paw print sent to us from VCA with personal notes enclosed. I was brought to tears! Words do not express how touched I am by our experience with VCA. One of the hardest days of our lives was made a little easier by people just caring for others. Thank you so much!