Presidio Way Veterinary Hospital

This review is about a year overdue. I have been taking my cat, Petey, here for over two years and adore Presidio Way. The staff is so professional, warm, and accommodating. Petey had an emergency endoscopy over a year ago, which was such a traumatic experience — I was a total mess! Everyone at PWV treated us so kindly and they literally saved his life. In particular, Kaila Helmer is a wonderful vet. I cannot sing her praises enough and endorse PWV all the way!

Whoa a vet that opens late? What? Are we in dogtopia? Hell yes friend we’re in San Francisco, so if you need a vet that has some awesome medi-​treats come here.

The first time I went to Presidio Way — I was pleased with them and liked them. I thought the staff is incredibly nice and friendly and the personal service is great. I do think they really care about the animals and the place has a very friendly feel
My second time I visited — I have to admit i was very frustrated. My dog was sick and they absolutely accomodated me and fit me in — so I appreciate that.
My dog is healthy and only 3 years old but has been sick (vomit and runny poop) and I decided it was time to have it checked out. She seems to have energy and her eyes are bright so she wasn’t in terrible shape.
This is where I got frustrated — after looking at her they told me they were going to do a few tests, take a few samples and give her a few things and then next thing I know I am getting a bill handed to me for over 300 dollars. The office visit is $ 52 — so I know that just walking through the door is $ 52 (or sometime more) and perhaps I in my mind I expected it to be around $ 100-​$ 150… but I walked out with a bill 5x the price of the office visit and they don’t know what is wrong with her.
I know SF is a wealthy place and this vet is in a wealthy neighborhood but money still matters to me and I wish the vet had broken down for me, in advance, what sort of costs I was looking at and what my options were ahead of time. The vet just assumed that i can pay a $ 310 bill for 20 minutes of service.
Maybe this happens with vets all over the city and maybe shame on me that I should have stopped her and asked for more clarity on what was getting done and at what cost. I think about a ¹⁄₃ of the bill wasn’t totally necessary and we both (my dog and I) could have lived without it.
That being said — I still like this place and I like the vet as a person and as a doctor. I will probably go back but I will be very careful to get a full breakdown of costs ahead of anything happening to my dog. I urge anyone who reads this to get a full breakdown of the bill before its too late too.

We have been bringing our pup here for more than six years and of the last two, we have been extremely blessed to see Dr. Kaina Helmer. She has a special way with our rescued mixed dog, Argus. He is skiddish and nervous at the vet (and on any tile or cold floors, no matter where) but she put him at ease – something that I have not seen before or since. We have always been pleased with the care at Presidio Way, and therefore want to thank all the staff, from front to back, for the care they have provided to Argus and to us as his owners.
After a couple regular checkups over the first year with Dr. Helmer, I asked her about the bald spot on his head, something he has had most of his eight+ years with us. She asked if he had ever had a blood test to check his thyroid, and he had not. After a few more tests, she was able to determine he did indeed have a low thyroid and we began medication to help. Now, nearly a year later, his bald spot it hardly noticeable.
In addition to her excellent manner in the exam room and caring, calm demeanor, Dr. Helmer has also been there for us as Argus had to undergo emergency surgery several weeks ago due to a herniated disc. She offered sound advice, support, and went above and beyond the call of duty. I so wish that Presidio Way had emergency operations, as I know Argus’ care and outcome following his surgery would have been so much better had they been directing his medical care. We had to take him in on a Sunday to the SPCA who spent 2 minutes looking at him and prescribed pain meds and anti-​inflammatories, and then not 18 hours later I was rushing him to the ER to have emergency surgery as he was partially paralyzed and in intense pain.
I would highly recommend you bring your pet to Presidio Way, and in particular to see Dr. Helmer. Thank you Dr. Bloom for bringing her into your practice! And, thank you for keeping your employees happy– the front desk and phone service, even email service, is great and it makes our experience with Presidio Way that much better. All around a great place to care for your furry friends. Thank you!

My dogs are my family and one of my greatest joys in life. For many years, I have entrusted this family’s well-​being to Dr. Bloom (who goes above-​and-​beyond!), and more recently to Drs. Helmer (friendly, calm and collected!) and Crain (awesome new addition!) at Presidio Way. That said, this comment/“review“means little without bestowing major kudos to the techs and staff, who are all stellar professionals. From everyone at Presidio Way, my dogs (and I!) receive high quality care, respect, and honesty.
The vets and staff at Presidio Way have, across the board, shown excellence in service. :-)
Fyi: in advance of any treatment (complex, routine, or trivial) I am always informed of options/​alternatives and cost.

Found Presidio Way Animal Hospital after a Google search and read several of the reviews. The clinic is clean and well staffed.
Brought my 7 year old English Cocker Spaniel in for a check-​up as he was not acting his usual self. Dr Hemler was great and was very thorough going over his past records and ensuring that he was in good health.
Will recommend to others.

I’ve been a loyal client of Especially Cats for many years, but finally decided to find a new vet near my home. Presidio Way came up on Unilocal with rave reviews, so I jumped.
The phone contact was prompt, and friendly, and they got Woody in that day.
Upon my arrival, I was greeted cheerfully and found there was a happy buzz in the waiting room, and get this: No screaming felines or barking canines, how odd!
Instead, I found happy animals, large and small, including a white Persian with a fresh ‘Lion’* cut, and a 9-​week old Chihuahua rescue pup.
Amazingly, all of the humans, from clients to staff, appeared equally pleased with their own experience. It was enjoyable vibe.
When I checked in, I explained to the front desk that because I am currently unemployed, I needed to keep the appointment cost lean and mean, and targeted to the problem at hand.
I found nothing but understanding and willingness to listen to me and work with my situation. It was refreshing and gave me confidence in the services I could expect.
Dr. Crain was fantastic! Sharp, funny, knowledgeable, sweet, she took the time to explain exactly what was going on with Woody and how to solve it.
She was extraordinarily clear on the costs of procedures needed or recommended, and got my approval for each one, which I found respectful of my needs.
I left with a generously low bill, (including the waived examination fee, thanks Unilocal!), a happy and thoroughly spoiled-​with-​care cat, and an overall wonderful experience.
Woody is doing great and seems to be flaunting his Cone of Shame. In fact, I’ve noticed a hint of Shakespearean meows, he thinks he’s Kenneth Branagh!
Thank you Presidio Way for the superb experience.
*RIP Cecil

Just brought my adopted pooch to Dr. Woodberry for the first time. He’s a senior dog rescued from Muttville so don’t know much about his history prior to him winding up at the shelter. Dr. Woodberry and all of her colleagues were great. Answered all of my questions (which were many since I haven’t owned a dog in many years and want to make sure I look after him correctly). She also not only prescribed, but also explained what additional tests, vaccines, and meds (flea/​heartworm) he needed to continue from what the shelter provided him prior to adoption. Definitely feel like she’ll tell you what you need, and then let you know about other options to care for your pet, but not try to sell you on something that’s not necessary. Would highly recommend!

I was blown away by my experience with Dr. Kaila Helmer! She was approachable, knowledgeable and genuine. I feel confident I’m getting the best quality care around for my pup. Thanks Dr. Helmer and Presidio Way staff for making me (and better yet, Delilah) feel welcome and at home!

I am so glad I brought my beloved Shiba Inu, Zoë, to Dr. Tim Bloom. A friend recommended Dr. Bloom, and I’m so glad she did. Zoë was healthy up until about 14 ½ years, when she was diagnosed with acute renal failure. She was my first dog, and I had no idea how serious renal failure is.
MIRACULOUSLY, with Dr. Bloom’s loving care and gently ways, he gave Zoë and me 2 more beautiful years together, when normally, I found out later, this diagnosis leads to death in a few months.
Dr. Bloom was always careful to make sure Zoë was happy and not in pain or distress.
I’ve been to about 3 other veterinary clinics and never had the same competent, kind care that I did at Presidio Way. When my heart heals and I have another dog, I will always go to there, nowhere else.
I’ve read some reviews complaining about cost. Believe me, Presidio Way does not cost anymore than other clinics. If you tell Dr. Bloom your budget, he will work with you. You need to tell them though. The vets at Presidio Way love animals so much, that they start from the assumption that you will want every test, every medicine, make every effort to keep your pet alive, and importantly, happy and free of pain.
I recommend Dr. Bloom and his wonderful staff, wholeheartedly, and without any reservations. If you love your pet, and I know you do if you are reading this, you will take them there for all their care.

I hesitate to write this review since, to be fair, I have to admit my own failing in it but… My 7 month old french bulldog appeared to have an eye infection/​cold/​allergies — something going on. I could not get an appointment at my regular place soon but Presidio Way Vet could get me in at 5pm. First, Dr. Blum didn’t see me until 5:45pm. Second, he insisted in pulling out my dog’s third eyelid to inspect it. Dr. Blum was surprised that my dog reacted poorly when he poked as his infected eye. He took him in the back — away from me and the kids — to pull his eyelid back but then came back and said he had to sedate him because the dog was too aggressive to let him pull his infected eye lid back. I agreed — I didn’t know what else to do — that was my failing. I should have walked. In any event, Dr. Blum totally traumatized my dog. I have since found out you don’t sedate a dog in a situation like this — or keep pushing when the dog is reacting poorly/​clearly scared. All I needed was eye medicine. On top of this, Dr. Blum gives me eye drops instead of ointment — drops are harder to get in. Dr. Blum lectured me about getting me dog fixed and how my dog was most aggressive he’s every encountered.
A few days later I took my dog to his regular vet who said don’t fix him yet, he’s not aggressive, here’s some ointment, you don’t push a dog like that who is having a tough time and you certainly don’t sedate him in that situation. It’s taking awhile for me to get my dog calmed down. No one has ever said he is aggressive.

I came to see Dr. Sara Woodberry to get a second option about a condition my older Carolina Dog has been experiencing over the past year or so.
It was super easy to schedule an appointment with the clinic and Dr. Woodberry spent a great deal of time reviewing my dogs history and discussing the pro’s and con’s of the various treatment options. I love a doctor that is kind, patient, understanding and knowledgeable and Dr. Woodberry is all of these and more! She is dedicated to finding the best solution to for her patients and followed up with me as soon as she received the results of a test she had ordered for my dog.
I *highly* recommend Dr. Woodberry and and also this practice. They are friendly, knowledgeable and affordable. Skyler is doing much better now and the treatment option Dr. Woodberry recommended is working so I couldn’t be happier.
Thanks Dr. Sara! Woof!

First visit here and already love Dr. Helmer and the staff– very friendly. I have been to many vets looking for the right one and finally can say I have!

Thank you DR BLOOM!!! My Sadie girl has made a full recovery. I am so thankful for your help in trouble shooting her problems with Dr Leonard. After 6 days at the vet and IV and a few drugs she is back home by my side where she belongs. I am so grateful to you and your help.

I would give a million more stars to this vet, if I could! Dr. Helmer is absolutely amazing! I sadly just moved out of the area, but am seriously considering driving the 350 miles to continue using Presidio Way as my vet.
Dr. Helmer, and the rest of the team, are incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely care about you, and the health and care of your pet. I have been seeing them for the past 3 years and they have worked wonders with my dog, who just always seems to find new ways to go to the vet– they have helped us through ongoing skin issues, a dog bite and ear issues among other things, and I can say without a doubt, we received the best possible treatment. They walk you through every step and make sure you are comfortable with the treatment and after care.
This is the only place I would take my dog, in SF!

My partner and I moved into the city 6 months ago and have been searching high and low for a good vet for our puppy that we can trust. We went through 3 different vets until we finally found Dr. Sara Woodberry. She is extremely personable and knowledgable about caring for dogs.
I could immediately tell the difference in the quality of care from Sara as compared to our previous vets. She not only addressed our concerns for our puppy when we brought him in, but also gave him a full body check-​up and asked detailed questions to understand and better help our puppy’s overall health.
I would recommend Dr. Sara Woodberry hands down to any of my friends with pets. Our puppy is like our precious child, and she gives him the attention and care that he deserves.

After moving to the west coast, my husband and I were worried if we’d find a vet we loved as much as the one we were leaving behind. We tried a few different places, but Presidio Way is the best, hands down! Dr. Thomson and Dr. Helmer are amazing! They go above and beyond to be accessible whenever we need them and it’s clear that they genuinely care about our pups and are honest when it comes to setting expectations. The entire staff is warm & friendly. I know our Ridgeback is in great hands here.
Dr. Helmer is an angel! The most wonderful and compassionate vet I’ve known :)

My girlfriend and I have two dogs– one likes to eat things he shouldn’t and the other was a rescue in dire need of a lot of care. After trying a few different Vets, this is the only one we go to. We’ve had nothing but good experiences with the staff, who genuinely care about our pups. After multiple visits, I can soundly say that this is the best veterinary hospital we’ve been to in the city.

I brought my seven year old dachshund to this vet spur of the moment because i knew something was wrong. He wasn’t eating, stayed in bed and genuinely seemed to be depressed. He was also peeing constantly, so naturally i google the symptoms like an idiot and suddenly he has diabetes and needs to be treated NOW! So the only place taking walk ins was this place… I should have waited.
Mikey didn’t have diabetes and Dr. Compton knew that right away. I could tell she knew, but she tested him for it anyways. Then she tested him for everything under the sun and my first visit to the place was $ 1000 and he did not have anything life threatening. Diabetes is not common for his age, he is too young. Hypo-​thyroid is very common for both his breed and his age. So since neither Hypo-​thyroid or Diabetes pose an immediate threat to his life, do you test for the uncommon or common illness first? Or do you test for the most expensive? Or how about the fastest test? Hell lets just test em all! He ended up having a bladder infection and Hypo-​thyroid, a common problem for dogs his age and breed and easily remedied with medication that is not very expensive at all… which is why she didn’t stop there.
She tested Mikey for diabetes and came back and said the test was negative. then she tested for this and then that… you get the idea. I was never consulted in regards to what i was willing to pay for, could afford or what I thought was necessary. And this dog is pretty much as close to having a son as I am gonna get so I care about his well being more than my own, but after I spend all my money on tests and treatment how is he gonna eat? Her care free attitude while ordering tests is beyond unacceptable and unprofessional. it was irresponsible and if this story was about me in a human hospital, we all know I wouldn’t get passed the lobby without insurance and a credit check. This gets better…
So being new to the vet experience I was pressured to come back in for follow up exam. They wanted to test mikey again for how he was responding to the medication, then they wanted to see after that to make sure he was still good, then they put our info in their system to send alerts for routine exams and vaccinations (which I am all for). However a year after that initial visit I got a call from a different doctor who said they had been overdosing mikey on medication for his hypothyroid for over a year and he needed to come back in and we had to not only had to jump through all the same hoops, but pay for them as well. They made a mistake, a mistake that may give him heart problems later in life, but I have to pay to have it corrected? But they are the good guys right? I should trust them right?
So recently we went in for a vaccination and since I have never left there without paying at least $ 200 (because they find things to test for that looking back were completely unnecessary) I asked for an estimate on how much I should expect to pay. They emailed me back with «$ 80» as the estimate. So i brought him in and a totally new vet who has never seen Mikey before tells me we need to schedule a tooth cleaning (side note: every vet that has ever seen mikey comments on how clean they are and asks if I brush them because he chews nylabones constantly). I said ok and then pointed out a small mass on his eyelid that I noticed on the way to the clinic that morning. She said it was probably nothing, but if I wanted them to remove it she could do so during the teeth cleaning because they use anesthesia for the procedure. I told her that would that was a good idea and followed the doctor to have mikey’s blood drawn for some tests so they can be sure he can handle the anesthetics for his teeth cleaning (do you see how she snuck that in there???). I go to pay and of course because of the testing I paid $ 350 after being told I was coming in for an $ 80 exam.
I finally emailed them with frustration in regards to amount of money I was paying and how it wasn’t right that I am not told about the cost until it is too late. I also again asked for a price quote for the tooth cleaning… $ 1300 to knock him out and use a special sonic vibration cleaning tool and remove the eye mass. $ 500 for just the mass to be removed alone (which the doctor was suddenly concerned with once I expressed hesitation in regards to the cleaning). That means since the anesthesia is included in the mass removal for $ 500, they either charge $ 800 to use a sonicare toothbrush on him awake or they were trying to double bill me for the anesthesia. We won’t be sticking around to find out. I have spend close to $ 4000 at that place in less than two years and Mikey has never been sick or injured with the exception of the initial visit. That is way too much money considering he went his whole life without needing anything. Anyone know an honest vet? A skilled HONEST vet?

I think this is one of the better vets that we have been to. Jakey started to grow a bump around his anus area and I called this place and they had an appointment available for the next day to see him. Over the phone, the receptionist asked me if I wanted to make this place my long term vet. I thought that was an odd question considering I have never gone here before. The answer to her question is really determined by the care of Jakey and if they treat his problem. Am I right?
Anyways, when we get to the vet, we fill out some paperwork and wait for a few minutes. Jakey’s name is called and we proceed to the weigh station. After that, we are led to a room right next door and told that the nurse would come in shortly to take his vitals and everything. The nurse enters and asks us a few questions and if there has been anything irregular about Jakeys personality, eating habits, etc. Then she takes the temperature of his anus. O_​O! When she is done with all that, the real doctor, Dr. Compton comes in.
Dr. Compton proceeds to tell us that a vet that we took Jakey to, in Santa Cruz, was where she cleaned animals’ cages when she was just starting out. How funny. After that, she further checks Jakey’s vitals as if the nurse wasn’t competent. Haha. Then, she checks his eyes, teeth, and ears. Jakey is A-​Ok, despite the dirty teeth. She tells us that his anal gland has ruptured and that it has become infected and inflamed. He needs to be sedated and have the remaining excess of the thing drained. Sounds painful! The procedure costs around $ 400 which, and the check up which is to follow along with the vaccines to keep him up to date will cost around another $ 350.
She says the operation will take from an hour to two hours so we leave and go eat breakfast. 2 hours later, we come back right as Dr. Compton calls us to tell us he is ready for pick up. Another nurse explains to us that he needs to take four types of medications for the next ten days. Two pills, one cream, and one oral liquid-​type thing.
Since Dr. Compton was already on lunch, I asked the nurse what caused his anal glands to rupture in the first place. She explained to us this was a fairly common thing, but failed to really explain why this happened. We shall ask Dr. Compton next time.