Ruth Helen Wolf Animal Hospital & Clinic

A friend referred me to dr.setlock. My pug had an irritated eye and they were willing to squeeze us in that day. The desk staff and assistants were all so friendly and amazing. The doctor was through and knew exactly what was wrong. I will absolutely return to this vet for all of my dogs needs. And I will refer people to them as well. Very happy with the experience and the cost was reasonable as well. But I would have paid just about anything for my baby to get better.

I have been going to this animal hospital since 2001. Dr. Setlock and his team are amazing — patient, compassionate, and understanding. When a furry friend is sick or injured — rest assured you can afford the necessary high quality treatment here.
This is a very busy vet clinic — they are very attentive to the animals and their proud parents. Never too busy to answer questions, return calls, refill scripts, or squeeze you in for an emergency or urgent situation.
So if I’ve had to wait 10 or 15 minutes for an appointment or been on hold for 5 minutes — that’s fine; I know I’ll receive the same care and attention for my beloved pet.
Dr. Setlock, Dr. Herron, the vet techs, and receptionists all have shared and been witness to my smiles and joys of being a new pet owner, the toddler and teen times of my furry friends, the senior years, healthy check ups and sick visits, and the tears and sorrow of saying goodbye. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.

Adopted 2 cats from Orphans of the Storm and was told that I had to use their vet for spaying and first set of shots. We could pick up the cats the following day.
One cat only needed shots and fecal exam.
I was informed that they put the other cat under, shaved her (nicking the skin) then realized she was already spayed.
Both got shots and only one had a fecal sample collected, but they wanted to charge for both and have me bring a sample at a later date. Both got a clean bill of health even though the one they shaved had goop running out of her eye.
Fast Forward one week, Wife decides to take the one back while she is still under the 2 weeks health warranty. The vet seamed to know what she was doing, yet there seamed to be a disconnect between the vet and the vet techs. We were told that the cat was put under and given all the post op feeding/​care instructions. Now the vet tech claims she wasn’t put under and the vet seamed shocked that they would shave a cat without putting it under, but the tech claimed that was the new policy.
Our vet is nowhere near the cheapest vet in the area, but the prices my wife saw on the billing invoice for the office visit made our vets office look like a discount center.
Both my wife and I got a very assembly line feel.

I adopted a wonderful dog at Orphans of the Storm during their «clear the shelters» event. When you adopt a dog from Orphans, they transport him to this hospital where I was able to pick him up. I had so many questions for the vet being a first time dog owner. I made a list of questions and was ready to learn as much as I can. When we got there, we went into a room with someone who seemed like an assistant. I mention that this was during clear the shelters because I know it was one of the shelter’s busiest days ever so I’m assuming the hospital was equally busy that day. I am fine talking to an assistant and never seeing the vet if I feel taken care of, but I didn’t. She was very short with all her answers and just kept telling me to «ask at the front desk.» I didn’t get any of my questions answered and left very frustrated.
A few weeks later I received a post card that Buster was due for some shots and to make an appointment. I thought this was weird, seeing as he was just there. But I needed a new vet anyways so I found a new place and made an appointment for the shots. When I got to the new vet, they informed me that these were booster shots that need to be given 3 weeks after the initial shots. I had waited about 5 weeks to bring my dog in so he needed to start the series of shots all over again. I was incredibly frustrated with Ruth Helen. I told them I was a first time dog owner and had a lot of questions. Not once was I told that he would need more shots in 3 weeks. Sending me a post card a week before he was due seemed incredibly irresponsible and unprofessional. This is probably common knowledge to an experienced dog owner, but at the time that wasn’t me. I had to go back to this new vet 3 weeks later which cost me an additional $ 60 and my poor baby another round of shots.
I was required to go here to pick up my dog but won’t be back. I know that was a busy day for them but at least make an effort to answer my questions and show good customer service. The only reason for the 2 stars is that I paid extra for a teeth cleaning which was reasonably priced and they did a great job.

The doctors and staff of Ruth Helen Wolf Animal Hospital are OUTSTANDING! Excellent experience on every visit! I cannot even describe how THANKFUL I am to have my pets being taken care of by the Best of the Best team of doctors, nurses and receptionists! You guys ROCK! Thank you so much for always being there for us!
For those who are looking for caring veterenarians and nurses I highly recommend to come visit their state of the art facility, meet the doctors and staff! Your pets will thank you over and over again!

Have been here several times. Pricing is good compared to other vets as are the vets and nurses but their front desk staff is just rude. Don’t chastise me for being late when it’s less than 5 minutes — it must be their standard practice. Today they are making me wait indefinitely for being 4 minutes past my appointment. Literally. The girl tried to tell me after I’d been checked in and sat down that I was «9» minutes late when it was only 7 minutes past my appointment time — we all phones with pretty accurate time, so don’t exaggerate. Seriously — why the minutia? Are you trying to get repeat customers? because it doesn’t feel like it. Still waiting — it’s been 24 minutes.

Almost 2 weeks ago I have adopted a two-​year-​old male cat. Upon adoption the kittie had seen a veterinarian at the Wolf Helen animal hospital who gave the kitty a clean bill of Heath.
I took the new kitty home and from the beginning he was throwing up and had diarrhea, as well as eating little to none. Since I was given a clean bill of health from the vet, I assumed this is just him adapting to a new environment, and hence why having temporary stomach issues.
After a weeklong separation, I had introduced him to my one-​year-​old female cat and they got along great. 3 days later, my female cat stopped eating as well as had serious diarrhea. After waiting a few days both kitties only kept getting worse and worse. I had to be on clean up duty all day and night long.
Since Ruth Helen animal hospital did not properly examine my new kitty, I have taken both cats to my old vet. After lengthy and expensive tests, it was determined that both kitties were severely sick with an infection. The vet also stated that my newly adopted male cat had infected my current one-​year-​old female.
I have called Ruth Helen Animal hospital to inform them of the situation, and the representative seemed uninterested and bothered to be talking to me. She was not only completely not caring about the situation, but kept stating that the cats must have gotten sick afterwards. Also she stated I should have taken them back to them, even though the cat was initially misdiagnosed. She was unapologetic and did not seem to care at all about my cats health or the cost that now I am incurring.
I am extremely surprised and very disappointed that the shelter as well as the recommended veterinary would allow me to adopt a very sick cat now costing me over $ 500 in vet bills, on top of the $ 100 adoption fee and $ 100 initial vet bill.
This veterinary clinic did not do their job, and provided me horrible and Inexcusable service. They should have never allowed me to take home a very ill cat and checked for stomach illnesses. This is absolutely unacceptable.
I warn EVERYONE I encounter, especially every pet parent, to stay away from this horrible veterinary clinic.

I like the vets, but I’m less impressed with the staff. Every time I call, they answer with the clinic name and «can you hold?» They don’t wait for you to answer, just put you on hold. And I’m usually on hold for at least 5 minutes. Today it’s 10 and counting. They’re nice when they finally get on the phone, but I think the front desk is understaffed.
Needed to get some meds refilled, and I had to make 3 phone calls to get them done right. Even then, when my BF showed up to pick them up at the time they said the meds would be ready, they weren’t ready. He had to wait 10 minutes to get them, and the tech who brought them out scowled and slammed them on the counter. Maybe she was having a bad day, but she didn’t create a good impression on him.
I think the level of care is good, but would like to see the communications improved.

We are military and had just moved to the area and were taking our dog (non-​neutered, 10 yr old, boxer mix) in for yearly shots. Everyone I spoke with was so kind and helpful. My husband took our dog to his appointment and said everyone was great and things went so smooth. We found out that our dog has heartworms. The Doctor called and was so sweet and sympathetic giving us options and time to decide. I must have called like 4 or 5 times after that. Asking questions and panicking I guess haha. Everyone I spoke with was really helpful and didn’t seem bothered one bit. Sad to say we are leaving the area but I would definitely recommend this place. Kind and professional place.

Adopted a kitten from a longtime shelter who sent it to Wolf for neutering and declawing. Was to pick up the cat on Monday but because of a respiratory issue had to stay a day longer. Then there was an eye infection. 2 weeks later we picked up the kitten who was given a clean bill of health and no additional medicine. That night, the sneezing started and the kitten was having issues with its left eye. Our vet examined the kitten and sent us to an eye specialist who determine that he had herpes and it was destroying his eye, Aggressive eye treatment was one of the options vs. surgery or eye removal. Now have the issue apparently under control. What amazes me is that Wolf decided that the kitten was given a clean bill of health when that clearly wasn’t the case. Now to top that off, the cat is 5 weeks from the date that the claws were removed and the stitches that were suppose to dissolve remain. I would never recommend going to this place and if I ever adopt a cat again from the organization and say I have to take the cat there, I would walk away from the adoption.

Though I disagree with Wolf Hospital’s overvaccination practices, I am satisfied with their response to our situation. The desk staff were incredibly helpful and so nice and understanding. I cannot emphasize enough how professional and kind they are. I’m tempted to give two stars, but I think their customer service, if not their medical practice, merits a five, so this is a three. We were refunded for the rabies vaccine and they contacted the vaccine manufacturer to refund the cost of the medicine my dog was prescribed. All of this happened within about 2 weeks after we talked with them in person. My dog is still recovering, however, and his health has no price.

I brought my dog Chance earlier in the year when he was a puppy. A few weeks later I decided to have him neutered at the same facility.
I brought him home and he still seemed to be in a lot of pain the next day. So, I called to get him an appointment to make sure that he was ok. The receptionist said she could not get him in for a couple days. I asked if I could pick him up extra pain medication. Finally, after being on hold for a half hour she agreed. I was super worried about him but that was the best I could get.
I stopped in to pick up the pain medication and the place was empty. I tried to get the guts up to ask for a nurse to just check the dog but the receptionist was unhappy so I left it alone.
I called again a couple months later asking if I could get my other dog in because I was concerned that there was something wrong with her leg. The receptionist let me know that they were completely booked for the next five days with a uncaring voice.
She also let me know if I was concerned to just go to an emergency clinic.
So, if you need quick, caring, accommodating vet this is definitely not the place.

you can’t go wrong with this animal hospital. young and knowledgeable vets. All the latest equipment. DIGITAL XRAYS!!! great prices. Very busy practice. Book your appointment early they fill up fast.

I cannot recommend this clinic with enough superlatives
They treated my dog during this recent influenza outbreak
What care!
They called everyday to get updates
And given the three visits and all the tests the cost was so reasonable
Unreal!
Dr Sherlock is best

At the discretion of this reviewer, this post has been taken down tonight.

The rating is for Dr. Setlock. If you have an outdoor cat DO NOT go to this doctor. He gave me a tongue lashing because I allow my cat to go outside for half a day. I understand if he wanted to explain that outdoor cats have a greater chance of getting hurt, but he went on about the fact that cats eat birds, really? Has doctor Setlock heard of the food chain??? I wonder how he feels about deer season, or those large birds that kill rabbits, or other gobs of animals that kill smaller animals. I told him that since the beginning of time cats lived outdoors, and he told me «not in North America» HUH? Plus as a vet he should know that it is healthy for cats to eat giblets regularly, and that outdoor cats get more physical activity. So I look at it as a give and take — there are positives and negatives for both indoor and outdoor cats. I don’t like that my cat eats the occasional bird… i can’t even watch the nature channel, but I do realize that it’s the nature of the beast. And even here, in North America, people have had outdoor cats for years. Plus, talk to the guy who has a garden pecked at by sparrows and ask him how he feels about outdoor cats… As soon as I hear that sparrows are nearing extinction I will keep my cat inside.
Maybe Dr. Setlock should keep HIS opinions to himself.

Orphans has changed the front desk staff and what a difference! Friendly women in the front office make all the difference. The staff is friendly and helpful… plus they apologized when the docs were running late and I had to sit an extra 15 minutes! Orphans got it right… glad the front staff changes were made as I love their vets.

Moved to 1650 Hollister Dr in Libertyville [down the street from the previous address].
Wonderful, caring staff who took great care of my cat — this normally freaked-​out-​around-​people feline loved everyone after a week’s stay! Dr Escutia kept us updated better than any human hospital ever has — plus, reasonable prices and we’ll definitely be back. Love this place!

My dog has been seeing Dr. Setlock for maybe 6 – 7 years, and we LOVE him! Even though I don’t live in the area anymore (I now live one hour away), I still take her here unless it’s something small I am ok with a local vet examining. Still looking for a good, but reasonably priced vet near Oak Park that comes close to the service we’ve received here. There are too many «chain» veterinarian clinic/​hospitals, AND even private hospitals that are run like franchises. Many seem more concerned about financial targets, rather than the care for the animals. The Wolf Animal Clinic and Hospital (previously Orphans of the Storm Animal Clinic) does not appear to be run that way. Dr. Setlock has a nice calm demeanor, and will not run unnecessary tests, meds, or treatments. Having been to my fair share of vets in Chicago and other suburbs, this office is quite reasonable in their pricing.
In my dog’s annual exam, prior to the teeth cleaning visit the doctor had diagnosed a heart murmur on my dog. Knowing that she would soon be having her cleaning (with anesthesia) I inquired if any tests with regards to the murmur were necessary before she went under. I also asked if he recommended that she see a cardiologist to determine the severity of the murmur. He recommended a good cardiologist, and this doctor commented on Dr. Setlock’s ability to diagnose such a slight murmur with only a stethoscope. Bascally, in sharing my long-​winded story I just want to stress what a thorough and knowledgeable DVM Dr. Setlock is. I just wish I lived closer!
We’ve also seen one other doctor here, and while she appears competent, I much prefer Dr. Setlock. Unless my dog is ill and needs immediate care, I’ll book around his schedule so my dog can be seen by him. The vet techs there are all great, very gentle and friendly. The front desk can be a little chaotic, but it’s much improved since the OOTS days. I ‘think’ the rude receptionist that the earlier reviewer spoke of is now gone. If it’s the one I remember, I had an AWFUL experience with her when I had to put my cat down, and she should not have been working the front desk. None the less, it seems improved in the front as of late.

Alright, this one is gonna be short.
The new clinic, on the border of Vernon Hills and Libertyville is an amazing center. I’ve had nothing but great experiences. I also hope that what happened to my dog that i wrote about before was just a one time occurance. He’s been given shots since then and hasn’t had that type of reaction (knock on wood) again.
Dr. Setlock did the spay for my other dog and did a brilliant job. Every single person at the clinic is very helpful and caring.
One of the staff members also bakes dog cookies that are for sale at a reasonable price. Every dog that has had one of these cookies (peanut butter, cheese or chicken) absolutely loved it.
I recommend this vet to everyone i speak to. The new center is also really well done.