Dr Kendall Bodkin

Apr 2024

I'm not a person who writes reviews, but for this experience I strongly felt I needed to share my story. I've been breeding Maine Coon cats for 10 years and it's always been difficult for me to trust my babies to anyone. A sensitive situation arose, and I found it impossible to get understanding or help from any veterinarian in Oregon where we reside. I'm not going to identify the issue, but I will say a lot was at stake. I slowly called further away from where we live when I can across Dr. Deborah Peele. She patiently listened to my story and instantly said "I can help you". So, 6 days later my husband, our 8-month-old Maine Coon and I were on a plane to Coeur D Alene, ID. We were greeted as if we'd been coming to this clinic for years. The front desk gal was friendly and inviting. We left our boy at 8am feeling confident. The day dragged on, and the clinic texted us every couple of hours keeping us updated. We were extremely nervous about the procedure, but Dr. Peele assured us all would be fine. We picked our boy up and he was doing great. We felt he was attended to well. We stayed the night in Coeur D Alene and returned to Oregon the next day. The clinic has kept in contact with us making sure our boy was doing well. Thank you, Dr. Peele and Hayden Pet Medical Center for helping us through this difficult time and getting our boy to a place he needed to be.

Aug 2023

The time has come for me to share my experience with Hayden Pet Medical Center. It's been four days since I had to put down my wonderful yellow lab, Kayla. As I reflect on that day and write this review, through my tear stained fingers, I cannot have chosen a better place to bring her to for our final moments together. I woke that morning and I knew something was wrong. Whether your child or pet, a parent knows best when something just isn't right. I called another local vet that I had taken her to just over a year ago and they said they were full, they could not take her. They offered an appointment at the end of the month (16 days from now). I told them she'd probably be dead by then. They then offered to have me show up the next day at 7 am as a walk-in to see if they could squeeze us in, but no promises. My girl needed help, and she needed it today! The emergency clinics they referred me to in Spokane, Post Falls, and CDA all had such horrible reviews. I was not going to subject her to that. I called around several other vets in the area and they were all full, so sorry. And then I called Hayden Pet Medical Center. The young lady on the phone said, "Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this. Hold on, let me talk to the Doctor to see what we can do". Within a minute, she returned and said, "Dr. Sussman can see her", and we were in there within the hour. The clinical staff greeted us right when we walked in the door, took Kayla's weight, and immediately escorted us back to a private room. Within a couple minutes, two clinical staff came in to ask us what was going on, took her vitals, and consulted with the doctor. Dr. Sussman came in and suggested blood work and x-rays, and she let us know what her initial concern was. Within 30 minutes, we had the results. A splenic mass had ruptured. She was bleeding internally. Dr. Sussman delivered the news with such amazing compassion and tenderness, being fully aware of the gut wrenching decision that an owner must make. She explained our two options, the expected outcome of each, and the costs for each one. Neither option was good news. I could see the discomfort in my four-legged girl's eyes. I could smell on her breath that she was dying inside. Yet, despite her trauma all she wanted to do was be with me, right by my side to be sure I was okay. Just like she's done every day these past 10 years. My two options clearly became one. They allowed me time to pick up my daughter, who lives 20 minutes away, so that she could say her final goodbyes. They brought Kayla to us in that private room and assured us we could take as long as we wanted. In the midst of our private time, one of the clinical staff quietly came in the room and said, "It's ok for her to have this now, if you'd like her to". A nice piece of chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. Wow, how she enjoyed that wonderful treat! Then it was time. My daughter exited a private side door that the clinic has for those who walk this path so that they don't have to pass with tears through the waiting room. They allowed me to stay with "Good Girl" while they prepped her for the procedure. I was allowed to be with her, face to face, as she drew her final breath. I looked in her eyes and she looked in mine. And then she was gone. They allowed me to remain with her for as long as I needed. I never felt rushed, never felt a burden, never felt like I was just a number. Rather, despite meeting the staff for the first time that day, they made me feel like I was part of their family and they were part of mine. They graciously presented me with keepsake options for my remembrance of her. One final head scratch, one final hug, one final kiss and then I left. Hayden Pet Medical Center, what word do you use when "thanks" seems so insufficient? As long as l live, I will remember the gentleness, compassion and availability you gave to our family. You are doing God's work for people like me. I will forever be indebted to you. Six Stars: that's Fi

Jun 2023

Arriving without an appointment I was kindly greeted and explained my concerns about my Winston. Due to the delicate circumstances the nurse Dana took me right away. She showed me to a room with a comfortable setting. The doctors and nurse told me to take my time and explained my options. They went each step. The entire staff made every effort to console me as I made the heart wrenching decision to let Winston go. For a very difficult situation I could not ask for better care from their staff. Thank you