University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine - Gainesville, Florida

Patti Groover “ShowMyDog”

It's been 1 year ago this week I visited the UF Small Animal Hospital with my Miniature Schnauzer who was in his final stages of Kidney failure/disease.
Looking back at the experience today, even though emotions were running high because I was constantly going through feelings of shock, grief, denial, acceptance and back to denial and grief again and again, the students and staff answered all my questions and concerns and went above and beyond the call of duty. From the moment I walked into UF Small Animal Hospital I was very impressed. The facility was immaculate and the students and staff were very caring, patient and committed professionals. I would recommend anyone faced with a difficult diagnosis with their pet to consider a teaching hospital because education is going to be one of the strongest defenses to getting through a very difficult situation.

Diane Ackerman

They are wonderful! Saved my 6 lb pups leg from being amputated!!!!

Kate M

Negative stars if possible. My dog was a critical emergency that needed a gurney because he couldn’t walk due to a cancer that never presented itself until the day of. It took those people in that emergency room over 10 minutes to get the gurney because they were too concerned with getting him checked in. I could have done that after he was already in the back getting care. Unfortunately, he passed away with absolutely no thanks to this veterinary staff. They allowed him to sit in the back while he slowly passed away for an hour and a half, without me and my comfort to sooth his stress. They lied about the funeral home contacting me so I was never given an option to choose his urn, a paw print, nor a necklace with his ashes. I even called back to make sure they had the correct number to ensure the funeral home had the correct number to reach me at. I drove 3 hours to get to what I have been told is the best veterinary care in this area, wow was that ever wrong! I will never return here and absolutely will never recommend this place to anyone. What an awful experience.

Sarah Bell

My dog was sent here by another animal ER near Orlando as they were no longer able to help her. The staff at the University were amazing and the treating veterinarians provided excellent care and communication. Would highly recommend for up-to-date, comprehensive and having a whole team of experts from different fields assessing your dog. Not inexpensive for an extended stay but on par with what the other ER was charging. They saved my dog!

Jennifer B

My 8 year year old American bulldog suddenly lost the use of her right hind leg and the next morning, her left one as well. My vet in Brunswick, Ga recommended I take her here. When we came in, I was using a beach towel as a sling, but with my dog weighing close to 100 lbs, it wasn’t easy. They immediately came to our assistance and baby talked my dog. That may sound trivial, but when it’s your dog, it’s a relief to see such genuine compassion and concern. I went in fearing the worst, but the vet was optimistic, yet honest. My dog had a lesion on her spine, and they explained the treatment plan, as well as the costs. They also have payment plans for people who can’t pay the entire bill upfront. They kept her over the weekend and called me twice every day to update me. When I went to get her on Monday, I couldn’t get there until that evening, so the vet stayed late so that she could show me how to do physical therapy with my dog. Every person I came in contact with showed true compassion for my dog. I hated leaving her there, but when I did, I can honestly say it was with a tremendous sense of relief instead of dread—I knew she was with people who cared and would not only help her health wise, but do so in a way as to make her feel comfortable as possible in her unfamiliar environment. It’s been two weeks, and though her back legs aren’t 100%, she’s doing so much better than I thought she would this soon. It was a scary experience, but the staff handled my dog—and her panicked mom- perfectly.

d franck

Most all the vets in the local area trained at University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine ... but none have all the diagnostic equipment the school does ... so WHY would you take your dog elsewhere? Dunno ....

Now, taking your pet to UF Vet School Small Animal Hospital (or their Large Animal Hospital, if you have horses, llamas, etc.), isn't like going to a normal vet. You *will* first be seen by a vet intern, resident, or student, to get your pet's history and such. That's your contribution to the learning process. They'll take your pet back and do a workup, maybe any labs that are appropriate (all with your express permission, of course).. Then the student/intern/resident returns with the staff vet, generally one of the instructors, to discuss your pet's case, and any recommended treatment (just as you'd get at any decent vet.) They'll also explain exactly what's going on, both in lay and in technical terms, for your benefit and the students'. If meds are indicated, you can get the meds from the school's pharmacy ... OR get a script to take to your normal pharmacy (where the meds will likely be cheaper, possibly even free ((many pharmacies have a list of cheap and/or free meds))); I've found the school's vets even know which pharmacies have the specific med the cheapest (remember to ask).

Added advantage: You CAN have one of the staff vets as YOUR NORMAL VET!! All my dogs have had Dr. Wendy Mandesi as their vet of record for well over a decade. She's one of the Primary Care instructors, with numerous awards on her resume. And she's fantastic with our dogs. The other Primary Care staff vets are just as good, and you can designate any of them as your preferred vet of record. You'll still be seen by the students first, but then you'll see the staff vet.

I will also mention the front desk personnel are exceptional, far better than I've seen at most vets offices I've been to over the years.

The big plus, of course, is that IF your pet needs more workup, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine has ALL the necessary diagnostic equipment ... even if your elephant needs an MRI. They also have an extensive Alternative Medicine department, that includes all sorts of rehab facilities, as well as acupuncture and other disciplines. EVERYTHING under the sun, in one place. AND the prices are quite reasonable ... and they take most pet insurance plans.

Given all that .. WHY would you go elsewhere?

Tomi Mac

This facility and it's staff are amazing. I wish I had gone to them years earlier. My dog suffers from IVDD and I wanted a 2nd opinion from the neurology department after she had 2 cervical disc surgeries at another location and started presenting symptoms again. It does take awhile to get an appointment so plan accordingly! The vet med students were great and knew my case and reviewed everything with me very thoroughly. (The more prepared you are the more prepared they can be for you!) They spent plenty of time with me and my dog reviewing her case and any questions and concerns. After the interning vet spent time with my dog she came back and discussed everything in detail. I was given ample amounts of time and attention. This was a very positive experience for me and my dog. Please note... veterinarians are not miracle workers... but UF comes close and will do everything they can for your pet! Be kind... they're all hard working.

Andrew Ward

You had a front desk lady working today(April 1st) who was horrible. An animal was being put down and your front desk lady was rude, kept scoffing, took her time typing up what what should’ve taken less than 5 minutes and kept repeating the animal was being euthanized. All that were involved with the animal were distraught and hurting. This woman made the day so much more unnecessarily tough on everyone. Please teach your front desk staff to have empathy. If she’s not capable of doing her job with empathy and professionalism, please don’t have her talking to people who are losing an animal. Very disappointed someone could be callous and rude unnecessarily at such a time with nothing to gain but to show her disgust at having to do her job. Some customer service training is needed badly with this individual.