Hampshire Veterinary Hospital
“I had an amazing experience with this practice and my extremely difficult dog, who does not like strangers, being touched, or especially being restrained. His appointment itself was completely routine—bloodwork and vaccines—but getting him safely handled for that routine care has historically been anything but routine.
The practice I use for my other dogs has only ever been able to do a visual exam on him because hands-on handling simply was not a safe option. He is a deeply mistrusting dog who will fight restraint rather than tolerate it, so I was understandably very anxious about how a routine appointment would work for him, particularly the idea of dropping him off and having him handled and sedated without me there.
What made this practice so different was their willingness to listen to me and work with me on a plan that actually made sense for *this dog*. I am not a veterinarian, but I know my dog extremely well, and I understand what he can safely tolerate and what is likely to escalate him. The staff respected that knowledge while still doing exactly what they needed to do medically.
They allowed me to stay with him, handle him myself, and help him through the process while they quietly and safely sedated him. Once he was sedated, they were able to complete his routine care without putting him through an unnecessarily difficult experience. The difference this made for both of us was enormous. I was calm, he was calm, and we were able to get everything done safely.
A good friend recommended this practice after I explained how difficult it had been to find appropriate routine veterinary care for him, and I am incredibly grateful she did. The staff's bedside manner and willingness to collaborate with me were exceptional. They never made me feel judged for having a difficult dog. They simply listened, made a plan, and helped us get through it.
I drove two hours each way for this appointment, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. He will be coming here for his veterinary care from now on. They joked that difficult dogs were becoming their specialty, and honestly, I think they may be onto something!
Thank you to the entire staff for treating both my dog and me with so much patience, understanding, and respect. You made routine care possible for a dog who is anything but routine to handle, and that means more to me than I can really put into words.”
