Testimonials

Dear Dr Hamilton and all the Great Staff at VMSG,

We want to thank you for the excellent care and attention that we have received these last few months.

Akasha is really on the mend and no matter if it was 10am in the office or a midnight panic call, the care we received has been second to none! Everyone we have had contact with at VMSG has been super.

When you are dealing with maybe losing your pets eye, Dr Hamilton has kept us informed on all the options and how best to proceed on treatments. She has been extremely professional and so kind.

All of the client service staff are outstanding. From the minute they welcome you in the door with a smile and greet you by name, the kindness and empathy shown when you are in distress , it is a special place.

We highly recommend your office to our family and friends and are very pleased our pet (Furchild really) is in such good hands.

We THANK YOU ALL very much,

VANN & PAULA
Of course AKASHA TOO !!!

Last May 2010, I took Lady Rufus, a Welsh Pembroke Corgi, for her morning walk. It wasn't long before she spotted a rabbit. She gave chase, but when she reached the end of her roll up leash, she spun around hard. She tried to put pressure on her back leg and walk but couldn't.

Patricia and I took her to our Veterinarian. After Rufus had x-rays, we learned she had an "injury of the cranial cruciate ligament" and needed immediate attention. I had heard of a new surgeon and hospital in San Juan Capistrano, so Patricia and I decided to take Rufus there.

After we arrived at the new facility, we met Dr. Fitch and a few of his assistants, who made us feel as comfortable as possible. Patricia and I didn't know if Lady Rufus would ever walk again or if she would have to be put down. Dr. Fitch explained this is the most common orthopedic injury in dogs. That made us feel somewhat better. However, she would require surgery for TPLO implants in both back legs. He also explained that she would require a sling, so I could hold her back legs up, while walking her during recovery. And she would require a special harness and leash that would take pressure off her back legs if she tried to chase another rabbit.

The next day after surgery when I went to pick her up, Dr. Fitch provided at no charge, a large crate and portable gate, my choice, to prevent Rufus from jumping or running to injure herself. Again, I had doubts she would ever be able to walk and run normally. Dr. Fitch assured me she would.

As time passed, Patricia and I received daily phone calls from Dr. Fitch' staff, asking about Lady Rufus' progress. We were impressed with their follow up and concern. We didn't feel alone.

The bottom line is, I'm glad we made the decision to entrust our "companion" with Dr. Fitch. We even met his wife, also a specialist, who removed a large foxtail from Rufus' eye (not planned). Lady Rufus received the best of professional service and care at VMSG hospital. We have the highest regard for everyone there, and recommend Dr. Fitch and his staff highly.

Larry & Pat & Lady Rufus, the 'Team'

To the Doctors and Staff,

Thank you for being there at one of the worst times of my life. Thanks to you, the end of RJ’s life was beautiful and peaceful. He had a wonderful life and I loved him dearly. I cannot express how grateful I am for your kindness and your help.

Carol D

Dear Dr. Hamilton and VMSG staff,

Eye am feeling better now- thanks to you!! Eye was so impressed with your facility, the level of expertise and all of the care eye received before, during and after my surgery.

You went above and beyond protecting me from the ulcer that threatened my eye. You also showed genuine concern for my overall wellbeing. Eye was touched to know that you even investigated a couple other “suspicious” bumps on my body while eye was under anesthesia… even though it was not requested nor required of you.

When eye do something good, my parents reward me with a treat. Eye think YOU did something really good and definitely deserve a treat.

Enjoy and Thank You!!!!

Remy
(and: Silvia and Roman)

To the great staff of VMSG Orange County,

Just in case you don’t know already, what you all do is a gift. On bringing Casey in to you 2 weeks ago now, (sorry I’ve let all the time go by without letting you all know) what a gift you all gave me in dealing with Casey and me with much kindness and consideration. I have been dealing with Casey’s Addison’s for 5 years now and because of your service I can finally breath… because of your efforts I know there’s definitely a place I can take him and he won’t leave there worse off. He is doing great! Within days he was back to normal, as the Dr. said. I just wanted you all to know how well you represent VMSG.

Take care,

Renee

Dear Dr. Holsworth and the VMSG Staff,

I just wanted to thank you all so much for the great care you provided to Bubba. It has been 3 months since I brought him to your office, unable to bear much weight on his left rear leg. Other than a couple places where his hair hasn’t fully grown back, you can’t even tell there was ever a problem!

I had been through torn CCLs before with my other dog and Dr. Holsworth had to talk me into the TPLO surgery, I was sure I wanted TTA. His expertise and wonderful bedside manner convinced me TPLO was the way to go for Bubba. I put my trust in him and couldn’t be happier!!

I am so pleased with the care and concern that was given to us during a difficult time from the entire VMSG staff. I can’t thank you all enough!

Best wishes,

Lynn Treloar

Dear Dr. Bruecker,

You performed surgery on my dog Jackie's leg. It has been exactly twelve weeks since her surgery and I wish you could see her today! She is such a happy, playful, and active little girl!! I never realized that Jackie liked to play so much. Now she's always running around with my other dog, Parker (who she did not like before). Amazingly, I can now walk both my dogs together! Jackie keeps up really well, even on long walks. It is so incredible to see this transformation. I don't have the words to express how grateful I am for what you've done. From the day of our consultation to our last check-up, you and your staff have been kind, caring, and excellent at what you do! Thank you so much for taking the time to explore all the options for Jackie. I truly appreciate all the time you spent with us during the first visit and am thrilled with the results. VMSG is an exceptional facility!

Warm regards,

Linda Anabtawi
April 23, 2009

Dear Doctors,

Thank you so, so much for bringing my Marlee back from the brink. I can’t thank all of you enough for what you did to take care of Marlee and me. First, thanks to Dr. Perkins for so thoroughly and patiently and empathetically getting all the necessary information from me to ensure the proper diagnosis and for getting her going on her treatment. Dr. Hervatic: I did not get to meet you, but the call I received from you after Marlee’s first night – just knowing she had survived – was so appreciated. I know you were there all night making sure that she progressed.

Dr. Scott – thanks so much for the thorough and thoughtful discussion about what was going on with Marlee, what I could expect, what might have been the source of her problems, and your concern. Dr. Kogan, I guess I got to see you the most, and so did Marlee, who really loved you. I am sure that your presence every day she was at VMSG made all the difference. I was amazed when I got to walk her on one of my visits after she was getting better that she zoomed back into her cage! She usually wants to run out of the vets! Dr. Chow, thanks for taking over for Dr. Scott to make sure Marlee was out of the woods and getting ready to come home.

I also hope you will pass on to your staff my thanks. I didn’t get to meet with them, and don’t know who was part of Marlee’s care team, but I know it was a total team effort.

Marlee is a special dog. I adopted her after her first owners refused to take care of her serious illness. It turned out she was deaf and has chronic IBD. She is so amazingly loyal and loving. I have two other dogs whom adore her too. They were lost while Marlee was at VMSG and were thrilled to have her home. We all thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

I can’t stop telling my friends about VMSG. Last year, Dr. Ortega helped get Marlee healthy after a horrible bout of IBD, and Michelle was wonderful at communicating with me about her continuing care. The emergency earlier this month confirmed my deep appreciation for the care you provide. Your facility is amazing. If I ever needed critical care, I would hope to end up in a facility as good as VMSG, only with a bed instead of a cage. I also deeply appreciate the time you all spent with me, your careful and thoughtful explanations of what was going on, and your honesty. You provided me with frank and accurate assessments of where Marlee was. You didn’t try to raise my spirits with false hopes. Your way of explaining everything was the perfect balance of compassion, facts, and concern. Your professionalism speaks for itself. I am sure you lose your patients from time to time; but I believe that any sick dog has the best possible chance at VMSG.

I have enclosed a couple of pictures of Marlee and my other two pups, Coki and Lobo. You can be sure that Dr. McFarlin of White’s Animal Hospital and I will get them directly to VMSG if they ever need the incredible specialists that you all are.

Best regards,

Georgene Vairo
March 26, 2009

To the Doctors and Staff,

Thank you for the care and kindness you gave to Buffie over the last 2 years. We are very grateful for all the help and compassion you provided both to us and Buffie.

Pam and Peter Simon

Dr. Thompson & Staff,

It has been a little over one year since Rocky was diagnosed with IMHA. The first couple of months were very scary, we were not sure if she was going to make it. Due to the great care and compassion we received from the doctors at VMSG, Rocky is doing amazingly well. You would never know she was so sick. Thank you so much for all you have done. Keep up the good work.

Thanks again,

Rocky, Chuck & Lori

Dear Dr. Ortega, Michelle and Staff of VMSG,

Congratulations on your one-year anniversary. We are celebrating an anniversary too. Last May we rushed my Bouvier Des Flandres, Dugan, to your facility with a severe case of congestive heart failure (thanks to Dr.Smith of Carpentaria for spotting it and coming in on a Sunday evening!). Thanks to the efforts of you and your staff, my dog made it through those first critical days... And now, we've just celebrated his one-year anniversary since his diagnosis!!

At every step of the way, everyone at VMSG kept me up to speed, never rushed me when I needed more information and always greeted us as if genuinely happy to see the dog improving. I am truly grateful to you, Dr. Ortega, Michelle Rice and all the dedicated staffers at the facility. Because of your care, Dugan has been able to enjoy one more year - and counting, of happy walks, yummy cookies, and playtime with his canine pals. May VMSG have many more years of being able to bring this joy to others... And to ease the difficult times for those less fortunate.

Sincerely,

Lauri Turner

Thank you for the excellent job you did on Kiwi's TPLO surgery last year, and subsequent removal of her hardware. We followed the post surgical instructions to the best of our ability, and Kiwi is doing very well now.

I had accepted the idea that Kiwi might be finished with her competitive Agility career, we were just thrilled that at 10 years old she could join us for beach walks again. Kiwi has never been one to sit quietly on the sidelines, and she persisted in convincing me to let her try her athletic activities once again. Very gradually we helped Kiwi improve her fitness and muscle strength through careful conditioning, and we took many months to ease Kiwi into some low-level Agility practices just to make her happy. Kiwi was doing so well and was really enjoying getting to play the game again we realized that she is feeling as good as she did before her CCL tear.

Kiwi is going to the 2006 USDAA Agility National Championships in Scottsdale, Arizona in November. I never thought this would be a possibility for us a year ago, but Kiwi is a tough cookie and really wanted to return to the sport she loves and excels in. Here are a few photos of Kiwi from an Agility trial in June 2006; you can see how great she looks today. Look how high her back end is over a few of the jumps! She is focused, runs the courses quickly, and loves to compete. I am thrilled to have Kiwi back as my partner again and she is much happier too.

Thank you for all that you did for us!!

Anne Swan, Kiwi and Zip

Thank you for your excellent and thoughtful care. Where would I be without your help?

Oliver Smith

Thank you for providing such expert and compassionate care for Nemo. We truly appreciate your generous efforts and would like to thank your wonderful staff.

We know that Nemo will continue to have the best life possible through your medical expertise.

With our sincere gratitude,

Shannon, John, Matt, CCSPCA Volunteers & Nemo

Your wonderful care for 11 days proved to be exactly what he needed to come home. You are all the best.

The McGaws

Our family can't speak highly enough about VMSG and Dr. Holsworth. Although it's a long and difficult process we went through everyone was so wonderful to us. Thanks again!

Heidi Larson

Our beloved dog Koko recently spent almost two weeks in ICU at your amazing facility after being diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis and megaesophagus. We would like to express our deepest gratitude not only for the quality of care she received, but also for the incredible kindness and patience we encountered at every visit. We especially thank your entire staff for the compassion shown to Koko while she was under your care. There were so many people helping with her case every day, and we apologize for not naming everyone.

Thank you to the helpful staff at the front desk who answered our numerous calls and helped us coordinate visits with Koko. Thank you to the tech staff who watched over Koko 24/7 administering meds, making sure she was fed and watered, and especially for giving her attention and making her comfortable at all times. Thank you to all the interns (Dr. Ma, Dr. Jensen, et al) who worked on her case, with special thanks to Dr. Hayles for talking us through a very scary episode one of her first nights home. Thank you to Dr. Scott who was Koko's vet upon being admitted, and who first suspected Myasthenia Gravis. She was so kind in explaining the results of numerous tests. Thank you to Dr. Deppe for taking on the case for just a day during the holidays. He sat down with us and answered every question with such patience.

Thank you to Michelle Rose for her knowledge and compassion in dealing with our hundreds of questions, and always offering us the best of advice and a shoulder to lean on. Finally, our heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Ortega and Dr. Thomson, whose experience and commitment is unsurpassed. The time and energy they gave to Koko, and to answering our questions and understanding our concerns, was truly amazing. Now that Koko is home, that care continues as Michelle and Dr. Ortega have answered numerous calls late at night and emails sent in a panic. We thank them for their patience and understanding. It is such a comfort to know that they are just a phone call away.

Your hospital offers the best veterinary care available because of your incredible staff, from the care each and every patient receives to the kindness shown to their humans who entrust their pets' lives to you.

Sincerely,

Koko and Family
Silvia, Mia, Janis, and especially...
Koko Emhardt

These types of events are never easy to go through with your dogs, but if you ever need a specialty or emergency vet center, I highly recommend VMSG in Ventura, they are wonderful! They have a fantastic facility with the latest equipment, excellent surgeons and specialty vets, and a great staff too. The dogs get excellent care and are monitored 24 hours a day.

Anne Swan

Opie’s Story

My name is Opie. I was born in the fields in Ventura (very near to VMSG) to a feral mom in 1995, but found my forever home as a kitten. I love to “nurse” on my adopted Mommies’ ears and hug their necks. I have a chest full of rubber lizard toys that I play with every night. I also love to hunt in my backyard and sit in my catnip patch.

Late one summer night in 1997, I accidentally escaped through an upstairs window that was supposed to be closed. I was having so much fun cruising the neighborhood and checking my territory, that I didn’t even hear my Mommy calling for me. I was feeling so adventurous that I decided to cross the busy street behind our house. The next thing I knew, there was a loud screeching noise, a car engine speeding off, and me lying in the middle of the road in a lot of pain.

My Mommy must have heard this happen as she had been out looking for me because only a minute later, she was gently picking me up and running back toward the house. I let out many painful wails even though I could hardly breathe. Before I knew it we were rushing to the Pet Emergency Hospital.

The impact with the car dislocated my left hip, completely fractured my upper right arm, and caused a large tear in my diaphragm allowing my internal organs to compress my bruised lungs. I was scared and I hurt everywhere. They let my Mommies come back and see me in my oxygen chamber and all I wanted to do was just get out of this scary place and go home. They were crying and talking to the doctors but then they left.

The next day, they came back, much to my relief. However, I was in so much pain that it was hard to be excited. Before I knew it, we were back in the car. We only drove for a couple of minutes, but being out of my oxygen chamber made the few breaths I could take extremely hard. Then they were rushing me into a new scary place and I was placed in a thing called an incubator. I had arrived at the Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group.

There, I had my very own sweet intern to sit next to my incubator and make sure I was keeping my nose in the oxygen cone. I was to have surgery that ay to repair my diaphragm. My broken limbs would have to wait as they were not life threatening.

Dr. Kenneth Bruecker saved my life that day! He and his talented and caring staff gave me back my life. My Mommy says he saved her heart that day, too. In the following days, he repaired my arm with rods and pins and he repaired my hip by removing the head of my femur and creating a “floating” hip. I was kept very comfortable because of their care and pain medication.

After eight days of their wonderful care, I was able to go home! It was a very long road back to health, but with lots of rest, physical therapy, intensive care, and love, I healed. On one of my check-ups with Dr. Bruecker he was so pleased to see that I was walking and more so that even the nerve damage in my arm had been completely resolved!

It felt like a miracle, but it was all due to their being the most wonderful people in this world. These dedicated heroes help and save animals lives, and in turn, help their people.

Today I am 13 years old, have the spunk and vigor of a kitten, and still rule my domain. Words and meows cannot express the gratitude and thanks that I and my Mommies feel for having been given my life back. I am a happy, breathing, and walking example that life is very precious. The incredible people who work so tirelessly to help even the smallest creatures, are forever in our hearts and deserve the world in appreciation and gratitude. Thank you for my life!

Opie Dake
August 2008

Opie was diagnosed with probable metastatic cancer in 4/2009 and his family made the selfless decision to let him go. He was a very special kitty and will be missed; our hearts go out to his family during this difficult time.