Alaska Veterinary Clinic

Used to love this clinic however last 2 experiences have been horrible! The staff at the front is beyond horrible and rude. Received a reminder in the mail that my dog was due for a checkup and shots. When I called I found out my vet had retired and I was scheduled with one of the others, Dr. Campbell. When she came in the room she was aggressive and abrassive to say the least! Lecturing me about my dog needing a cleaning when I expressed I had concerns about my 6 pound dog going under anesthia… Her response obviously we dont want your dog to die and we try not to have that happen but «shit happens’… Wow!!! Horrible bed side manner and she needs to take it down about 10 notches. I also posted a comment to their facebook page but of course they control that ‘enviornment» and only want the «good’ on their… Dr. Campbell nor the office manager bothered to pick up the phone and call me when I expressed my displeasure with the vet… Between the rude staff and the abrassive vet I would NEVER recommend this place to anyone!!! SO sad that its gone so downhill I just loved Dr. Woolridge!

Awful staff, uncaring, rude and shameful, not the kind of place when you are concerned for your pet you want to go to, never again!

It’s been a year and a half so I think I can finally recount this horror.
I switched to this clinic when I moved a block away and saw good reviews. My cat was nearly 18 years old and I’d been managing her chronic medical condition for 8 years. By this time she was well into hospice care and I received good support from the veterinarian and technician staff over her last few months.
After managing her decline with pain meds and fluids and having many conversations about the appropriate time to stop, the day had come. I called and asked for an appointment and the receptionist non-​challantly belted back across the line «So you need a euthanasia appointment?» Wow! Thanks for the compassion and sensitivity.
When I went in, I asked if the appointment could be moved to the end of the day as I didn’t want to be surrounded by the hustle and bustle in such a painful time. (I’ve worked as a vet tech for several years in several hospitals, and that is usually how these situations are handled.) I was again loudly denounced without a shred of sensitivity by the receptionist so I asked to speak with the veterinarian. By this point, it was all I could do to contain my tears.
The veterinarian came out to the front desk and recommended «we» return when «we» are less upset — they could fit me in 4 days later. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I had been diligently nursing my cat and agonizing over this moment for many months, my best friend of 18 years was suffering enough that it was finally time to stop it, and they couldn’t be bothered?! (Every place I’ve worked would’ve done anything to accommodate a patient in such a moment.) I was utterly aghast.
And now I had to scramble to find somewhere else to go. I called my old clinic in Eagle River, Ravenwood, and they let me hurry in right before closing. The receptionist was kind and sweet and they treated the situation with the somber respect that it deserved. And they didn’t rush or shame me when those tears finally fell and became sobs.
What a wretched experience made infinitely worse by the people whose very purpose it is to reduce suffering in moments like those.
And just last week, I had the exact opposite experience when my new kitty randomly got dreadfully sick and, despite our many efforts, could not be saved. I highly recommend College Village where they have excellent prices, excellent care, and excellent humanity.

Sad, but now that they are a «Corporate» vet clinic, AKA, not locally owned, their prices have skyrocketed, they are «retiring» Dr. Wooldridge, who has been my vet for many years. and starting October 1, 2015, you will not get to choose which Vet tends to your animal, you simply get whichever Vet they schedule your appointment with. I am taking my business elsewhere.

They are retiring the BEST vet in the state, Dr. Woolridge. He is an amazing veterinarian! I was lucky enough to have had him for my vet for the last few years and I am very sad to see him go. I love all the gals at the front desk, but Dr. W was the reason I brought all of my pets there. It is with an unfortunate and heavy heart that I am going to start looking for another vet.

They are the best! I have called more than once to ask if something is an emergency and they have gotten me last-​minute appointments when it is, testing without an appointment when it is not, and really helpful advice when they’re not quite sure. I’m always greeted with a smile and they are kind to my giant puppy.
Also important to note– they have not charged me for follow-​up appointments and their prices for a regular visit (and for meds, etc.) always seem fair & reasonable.

They are always extremely helpful and friendly on the phone and In person. I do not take my dog in very often, only when shots or due or before traveling, but they ladies at the front desk are always very personable, remember my pet by name and make me feel they are genuinely happy to see us and help. The Vet’s are also very knowledgeable, helpful, and make my pet feel at ease. Let’s not forget they are reasonably priced. I called around when my dog was a puppy and they had to best prices, and I also think the best service!

We love this place – the staff is so friendly, and they remember you and your pet from your first visit. The doctors we’ve had are so good with our little ones.
Last year, when our cat Yin-​Yang got very, very sick, they did everything they could to help out. He saw Dr. Wooldridge first, who was the only vet I’ve ever seen who YY would let pet him. YY HATED vets. Later in YY’s illness, we worked with Dr. Lindquist, and she was also excellent. They were both gentle, understanding, and very clear about what they were doing and why. When it turned out YY was in pain and not going to make it, they were so nice, and dealt with my sad blubbering very kindly. They made the process of putting him down as painless as possible, for all of us.
So, it was a no-​brainer that we would take our new little one, Mila (aka muffin-​face) here for her first check-​up. The desk staff remembered us and our sweet YY, and they were so excited to meet Mila. Such a great, positive atmosphere. We saw Lindquist again, and both she and the assistant were as helpful as ever. They showed us how to administer the medicine properly, have us tips, and got some Mila love (who apparently does NOT hate vets, thankfully).
We are so glad that our girl is in good hands. They have taken good care of our family, and they’ll do the same for yours.

Ragnar is having a tear duct issue. We called and got in the next day. The front desk was very friendly and helpful in getting our records coordinated from another clinic. The vet and vet tech were very kind and loving to Ragnar. They gave us very good info about the problem and he is in there today getting his tear ducts cleared out. I have been there probably 5 times and each time has been a great experience.

HORRIBLE RECEPTIONISTS. The one male receptionist was polite and helpful but every time I’ve called I feel like I am just a waste of their time and they make me feel stupid. They also make me feel like they don’t want my business by the way they are so short and snarky. I went to another clinic that had GREAT customer service instead. I never even had my dog seen by them because of this so I can’t say anything for the rest of the clinic.

Alaska Veterinary Clinic has been my pets’ vet for more than 30 years, and I’ve had many animals cared for by the wonderful staff. I have counted on them for everything from the excitement of a «New puppy» check-​up to the incredibly painful moment when we have to escort a beloved furry friend across the rainbow bridge. At every turn, the staff of AVC has been professional, kind, and compassionate. My family relocated to the Valley about three years ago, and I transferred care of our two dogs to a clinic closer to home. After several frustrating, time-​consuming, and impersonal interactions with the staff at the new clinic, I decided it was worth the drive to transfer their care back to AVC. The staff warmly welcomed us all back, and the new Dr. we met was just as kind and thoughtful as the others we have known over the years at AVC. It’s so good to be back!

We LOVE AVC and all their staff! They have been updating a few things as of recent (extended hours, etc) and have also hired some more people, etc. All my favorites are still there… Dr. Wooldridge, Annamaria, Ferretta, Nikola & Mitchell. I am really enjoying Dr. Hawn as well!
I was referred to Dr. Wooldridge by a good friend over 10 yrs ago, was told he did the BEST ear cropping. He DOES do the BEST ear cropping, Roxie, my 1^st Boxer received compliments from some of the Top Show Boxer breeders in the lower 48!
We loved Dr. Wooldridge so much that we decided to use him as our Vet for Roxie. We used several vet clinics in Anchorage and this is by far our FAVORITE!
After spending a small fortune at another local clinic on our beloved cat Abby, we decided to take her to AVC for a 2^nd opinion. The price difference in tests/​X-​rays were incredible. We were getting ripped off at our old vet clinic! After consulting with Dr. W, we knew it was best to end her suffering since her quality of life would only go downhill as nothing could be done. I’ve always wondered if we took her to AVC earlier if he could have found the real problem with Abby much sooner. (Abby’s old vet let the issue go for at least a year or 2, saying she was constipated instead of finding out why, just kept giving us Laxatuna… gee, turned out she had a huge cancer mass in the abdomen blocking her ability to poop regular.)
Anyways, when it was time to put Abby to sleep, Dr. Wooldridge was WONDERFUL & compassionate, I got to hold her in my own loving arms while she went peacefully to sleep. I was so thankful to hold her so she wasn’t afraid.
With my Boxer Roxie, Dr. W. gave everything he could, every chance, everything before we agreed it was time for Roxie to go, Roxie’s favorite Vet Tech Nikola held her with me and cried along with me as she went peacefully to sleep. Hands down the hardest moment in my life so far but I was thankful I had the support & compassion of all at AVC.
Roxie enjoyed boarding at AVC, the staff took GREAT care of her and made sure she felt right at home!
Our new Boxer Lucy loves going to AVC too, they take great care of her when we are out of town and they give the BEST baths, she always comes home smelling so good!

Our boxer mix, Jack, recently had his first appointment at Alaska Veterinary Center. We were very impressed with the friendliness of the front desk staff and the vet tech. I found it easy to schedule an appointment and we were seen within 5 minutes of arrival. We saw Dr. Knudsen and he recommended a tooth extraction for Jack, which I’ll be scheduling soon. Based on our initial experience, I would recommend Alaska Veterinary Clinic to anyone looking for a vet.

Always great service and best care for my Husky & Pug. Two surgeries and 10 years later and my pets are both happy and healthy. Thanks Alaska Veterinary.

Received a response from the Alaska Veterinary Clinic.
Though it was somewhat polite, it concentrated only on the positive, sidestepping the issues presented, and failed to address how the business will deal with those issues/​improve. However, sidestepping will not help me or other clients «forget» the errs.
Instead of dealing with the issues, the AVC representative only acknowledged the positives/​compliments, only lightly apologize for my «confusion,» and then tell me Alaska requires pets to receive the rabies vaccine by 4 months. I appreciate hearing how the technicians and vets try very hard to be up to date on information, etc; I really do. However, I’m also concerned as a client about if a business is listening, and if so, how they will address any errors /​problems presented, particularly with customer care and HR/​PR relations.
She stated that «our receptionists are trained to aid the doctor in keeping accurate patient records and educating clients to local and state vaccine laws.» Yes, but how does simply asking me why I have not yet had the rabies vaccine serve as «educating clients to local and state vaccine laws»? So, the receptionists’ behaviors are considered acceptable to the business? I never noted any complaints about «keeping accurate patient records.» My complaints were about receptionist etiquette and treatment of clients.
Should you read any of her other responses to other Unilocal reviews, while the responder is somewhat polite, the essential point is always missing. It’s never about how to address any errors on the clinic’s part; whether intended or not, it’s comes off as just about «protecting» the clinic.
Here’s the client perspective that a strong business always keeps in mind:
— I wasn’t the one confused; the receptionists were. They lacked basic etiquette skills, from the phone call to the physical meeting. They don’t know proper methods of dealing with clients. That’s a business error.
— That’s something businesses should always strive to improve on, wherever possible. Any client would want to know that a business recognizes this as an issue and how they plan to adjust it.
In my case (read others), there was 0 concern/​response for how the phone call went, how the staff behaved, and most importantly, how those errors will be addressed. While her response may seem polite over a quick glance, by failing to acknowledge or address any of these issues, to a concerned customer/​pet parent, it can really seem flippant and dismissive.
—
OVERVIEW:
From a business standpoint, a professional would ask, what’s the point of that response? Isn’t HR/​PR supposed to be looking out for the business and client relations? All customers need mistakes addressed, not compliments rehashed. Perhaps there is a problem with training, and instead of being trained on just how to assist the vet, the staff could also be trained in basic manners/​etiquette, perhaps a cotillion class. The business owner would probably agree. As a professional, while her responses are somewhat polite, we are always concerned with the bottom line, and this doesn’t address the crux of the issue.
And as for whether pets are required to have the rabies vaccine by 4 months, that’s something the responder should take up with her vets and his technicians, whom were satisfied with allowing customers to wait until before the pet turned 1 year old. Simply asking me «why» she was not yet vaccinated is not a way for staff to educate.
Essentially, in any business – and a hospital/​vet clinic still runs on a business model – the customer should always be first. They need a new PR/​social media model to follow. The current model centers around lightly saving face but is neither concerned with issues presented nor correcting those issues. At the core of a real HR/​PR professional, your concern should be what is the problem, how can we fix it, and how can we become better as a business? In that way, the business betters itself, and it’s a win for the business. When the clients are happy, the business is happy. Business and PR 101.
As a professional, it’s been difficult finding the level of professionalism you’d find in other industries in the animal world, but here’s to hoping we’ll eventually find one. We Unilocalers are generally fair; should this clinic change its model and care about the problems clients are experiencing, and should we all see this change, I will update my review.

I had an appointment for 1240 and was done and heading back home at 0120. Staff was great from the front desk to the assistant and the doctor. I took my cat in for worms and was told to bring in a stool sample for a test. When I got there and explained what kind of worm I had seen she said that she knew exactly what it was and wasn’t going to waste my money ($ 55) on a fecal test. They did a wellness exam, clipped his nails and gave him a shot. They handled my cat very well. He was surprisingly calm and comfortable. I absolutely love this place and would recommend it to others.

it is easy to get an appointment and everyone is so nice. I have seen Dr Pala and Dr Heron and they both seem to know a lot about pups and seem to care a good deal. Mitchell and Kaitlin are also very knowledgeable and caring. went to another vet clinic in town for a second opinion as my pup has a sort of stupefying problem, but definitely prefer AVC.

This is the best veterinarian office I have ever been to in 45 years of pet ownership. I went to 2 other vets in Anchorage before finding this office. The doctors and staff are very caring. It’s especially nice that they are right in the neighborhood.