Marina Veterinary Center Inc.

Waited over 30 minutes to wonder when my appointment might be acknowledged. I had to ask the receptionist, as the info was not volunteered, and found out there was only one doctor working. That doctor was busy treating a walk-​in who had a pet with an emergency situation. There was other staff around but no one to be considerate enough to communicate the situation (that is a reasonable situation at a vet, maybe it was because they only had one doctor working on a Saturday) Had to ask again what was the ETA or possibility of getting appointment met, receptionist said maybe 15 minutes more but doctor has to see the _​appointment_​before mine. If only she could have shared that info when I walked in rather that let me stand around, soothe my cat meowing in a box, and most reasonable of all suggest that I reschedule an appointment. Nope. Instead shrugged shoulders, winced ‘sorry’ and watched me walk out the door. No attempt to ask if she could offer another appointment time. I guess cat check up isn’t a priority or money maker, or maybe she could care less. That’s definitely the impression she gave.

The dog that rescued me the most amazing thing on 2 or 4 feet to walk into my life was in pain and couldn’t not move her neck or body much at all, she paid in the corner with a helpless look to help her. After day 2 I took Eva went to the vet, he did some movement test on her she cried a lot and the basic other normal checkups and was then diagnosed with a ruptured and degenerative disk that was leaking and causing spinal disease and nerve destruction, the next step was paralysis. He basically said this moves fast and its surgery to try and help. He said while I decide she needs to be crated, no waling no jumping no stares and I had to carry her everywhere in hopes there can be scar tissue to close the leak and maybe prevent paralysis without surgery but no guarantee and that the spinal disease and infection can spread fast and become many other things. He said get a 3k MRI then surgery is 4k. I spent 2 days researching and giving her the pain meds thinking this seemed to fast and drastic. They did blood test and urine. Which they never even called to go over the next day. It was a $ 500 visit.
I read that laser therapy can help generate cells and repair nerve damage. I found a place in Marina Del Rey and went for the laser treatment. Poor girl was not moving couldn’t not move her head. While there Dr Rachel Jones asked all the questions on her past few days, she spent time watching Eva staring at her and then started feeling her I said please don’t do a thorough checkup she is in pain I don’t want to damage anything. She then said come here and feel her neck, she said do you feel those bones I said yes she said her neck vertebrae is out of place and kinked nerves. She had Eva look straight forward and said she her neck is leaning to the right and her eye is drooping. She said I need to put this back in place and then to some spinal corrections and laser therapy and she will be ok today, I was freeking out but had nothing to lose the last Vet was basically telling me in a few week Ill have a big decisions to make.
She then muzzled Eva had her assistant hold her then grabbed her neck and Eva screamed for a second, she then let her go fast took of the muzzle and watched Eva take off to me and start wagging her tail, she went back over gave the Dr a big lick in the face. The Dr Jones then did the spinal correction and laser treatment while Eva was pinned down with a weird device Eva fell asleep! When she was done Eva was running around the room, it was like a miracle… The Dr Jones then went and got all the records from my previous vet went over the blood and urine test in detail explaining it all. She re-​prescribed medication said don’t crate her and lets see her next week. Dr Jones spent an hour with us never once making us feel like there was another client or rushed she didn’t care what was next for her she was there for Eva 1000%
Eva came home herself, still cautious due to the pain she experienced but it was amazing night and day. Best day ever for me. Dr Jones is amazing she is my new vet.
As for my old Vet, My old vet VCA Santa Monica. This was where I had to put my last dog down at, I never felt any sort of personal touch there even when I took my 2 dogs there for the past 4 years, different doctors and wham bam thank you man!
Im not going to be stupid and discard that fact she might have some other nerve damage as she has shaken in her legs, not sure arthritis or old age. I carry her up and down stairs limit her jumping as she still wants to run and jump on and off everything like a puppy. She is till tired still recovering but its 100% better and she is not in pain. Im staying hopeful and grateful I met that Dr Jones it was so amazing I still cant believe or explain it when I was feeling before that her days were numbered.

I have a very special bulldog, he is very anxious and a bit aggressive, so needing to take him in for visits is always stressful, but the people at MVC are so great with him and he’s fallen in love with Dr Britto. They take great care of him and always follow up via emails and phone calls, which I absolutely love. My husband and I are very happy with all of the staff at MVC and will continue to entrust them with Hercules’ care!

Just had to say goodbye to our cat. Dr Jones and team were wonderful. Couldn’t have asked for better care, support and kindness during this difficult time. Dr Jones is appropriately pragmatic and caring and her team are too.

Dr Jones knows her stuff, and is into holistic care, which is great. I had been taking my rescued senior German Shepherd dog, Max, to her as he had a persistent skin condition, a result of advanced gut yeast (Leaky Gut Syndrome, which I had hypothesized from my extensive research). Treatment costs were reasonable, office and facilities are spacious and clean, and I had no complaints other than what follows. I try to leave a fair and objective review without bias or emotions. There is no place for that in a review which is to help others and rate a service.
When I told Dr Jones that I wanted Max’s thyroid function checked, she wanted to do the tests in house. I wanted Dr Jean Dodds to do the testing, as she specializes in thyroid testing for dogs and is very well known in this specialty area. I got the results from Dr Dodds, a normal thyroid function, and called Dr Jones to arrange for a consult about further treatment options as Dr Jones was my primary vet. At this point, a very diva-​like personality emerged. She suddenly became unavailable, and her staff kept fending off my desire to make a paid visit. She was out of town, or she was on vacation and would not be back for 3 weeks, etc.
I believed the staff, so waited to see her on her ‘return’. I kept having ‘unavailability’ issues for appts. Finally, I was told I was fired as a client!!! Dr Jones did not like me asking questions to understand my dog’s issues myself. I am not competing with my vet for her business, nor questioning her competency, nor getting free education. I need to understand what is going on with a chronic, long-​term, frustrating skin issue which made my dog smell of yeast for all the 8 years he lived with me. My dog was a puppy mill breeding stud dog, emaciated, worn-​out, and very neglected as a puppy and stud dog. I knew he would be a difficult case, but he looked at me from the shelter cage, and asked me to get him out of there with his tired eyes, so I did. I fed him the best kibbles and homemade food, and ramp-​ed up his immune system. I researched ‘yeast’ till it almost became a specialty field of knowledge for me. I wanted to fix him. So I ask questions gently to find out why something is prescribed, and other options so we can test every option there is. I did this also as an experiment to use Max to help other animals as yeast is a terrible problem with all rescued animals from reptiles to mammals. If there is a cure, I will find it!
Dr Jones fired me as a client. This is fact since her staff informed me in person. She became huffy as soon as I mentioned another vet for thyroid testing. This is my observation. She became ‘unavailable’ after that. This is also fact. I was sad, as she is a good vet. But I don’t like diva personalities in science fields, especially in any doctor, animal or human. We work together, patient and doctor to find cures for suffering creatures. To put your ego before the task at hand is to let down your profession of curing sickness.
Please do not let my review deter you from seeing Dr Jones. But be informed and act wisely.

I’ve been taking my Boston terrier here for years and after battling mange and giardia I couldn’t be happier that I found Marina vet. The prices are fair and I prefer them over VCA without doubt. I recently had an appointment with Dr Jones who is honestly the best. So knowledgable and took a lot of time to explain everything and gave my pup the attention he deserves

Extremely disappointed! My fiancé went to drop off our puppy to be spayed and they told us the price for her spay was going to be $ 730+! When I called to schedule her appointment a couple weeks ago we were quoted $ 308. They couldn’t give us an explanation why the price more than doubled. We will never go here.

Wonderful care. They understand my giant breed dog (not everyone does) and he loves going. That is probably the best recommendation anyone could give. He is a livestock guardian breed and trusts no one until he’s checked you out. He does not hesitate to walk through the door. The quality of care I appreciate the most is the their ability to give choices. Communicate. Not all surgeries are necessary. Not all treatments are expensive. From the desk staff, the techs, to the doctors they always treat the pets with care and genuine concern. If something is a mystery, they stay on it until it’s resolved.

Dr. Karen Halligan is the best vet that I have taken my dog AIden to in the area. Aides had gastrointestinal issues that we desperately tried to resolve for about 3 or 4 years and Dr. Halligan resolved the issue. She is very loving and caring but more importantly extremely competent and a straight shooter and she tries to keep costs down. My dog loves her. We have tried many vets and we are staying here. We ran from Dr. Shane’s office-​where my poor Jack Russell received what I believe was substandard care requiring 2 emergency room visits and one visit with Dr. Gallivanting to rectify the situation. I have also had my dog see Dr. Jones as well and she was also very kind and competent.

We went to this vet on a Sunday morning at 10am (they say they open at 10) because our regular vet was closed. Our dog is really sick and we had to stand outside in the hot sun for 20 minutes and they never opened the door or answered their phone. There was no sign or message indicating that they were going to be closed on this Sunday. We were already distraught, and now our dog is even more sick from overheating. I think it’s extremely inconsiderate to say you open at 10am and then not even have anyone there to open the waiting room or tell patients there is a delay, or at least indicate that the office is closed on a Sunday. I’ll never go back. We found another vet that has much better service.

I love this vet. They use holistic and traditional medicines and techniques. So friendly and caring.

We have been to many Vets and having a Bulldog there are many Vets that can’t wait to gouge you financially for their visits. This was the best experience we’ve had yet with our Bulldog. Dr Jones is totally chill and actually listens to what you have to say. We left with an agreed upon action plan for Papi and I was pretty shocked when the total was over $ 1,000 when we left. Plus… she actually called a few days later to check in to see how Papi was doing. That doesn’t normally happen. Thank you so much for your attention to detail and for follow up/​follow through. We will be repeat customers!
Sean, Cindy & Big Papi

I’ve been taking my dog butters here since I rescued him 2 years ago. They literally brought butters back to life here. They told me step by step everything I should be doing and now butters is happier than ever! They remind me about his check ups and boosters. They treat the pets like their own. Thanks for the service guys!

We have used Dr. Jones and colleagues off and on for the past 4 years. At first, she was fine. Our most recent contacts, though, have been very negative — a lot of upsells — not just products, but also more expensive procedures than our pets needed.
About a year ago we took our old cat to have a tumor removed. We had been told during the pre-​surgery exam and blood work that we would be able to take our cat home the same day of the surgery.
The day of the exam, before the surgery when we were dropping our cat off, Dr. Jones cornered my husband and I in the office saying she would be keeping our cat over night — for $ 1000+ extra fee. When we asked for an explanation about the change in procedures we were asked why wouldn’t we want to do everything we could for our pet. After much back and forth (and basically being told we were «bad parents»), Dr. Jones said we could take our cat home after the surgery but it would be our fault if something happened.
My husband wanted to pull our cat right then and not go through the surgery at that clinic. I couldn’t handle going through the stress of waiting for the surgery. Our cat had the surgery and was fine even though she didn’t stay overnight. However, the emotional guilt trip and additional upsells from the clinic were the last straw. We have found a new vet.

This is a great veterinary center. I have a dog and wanted a holistic vet and found Dr. Rachel Jones at this place. I cannot say enough good things about her. She’s really engaged and takes a very personal interest in her clients’ pets. I’ve not visited the other vets at this location, but I assume they are equally as professional and committed to their work.
The staff is always friendly and I can usually get a general appointment within a day or two. I’ve visited other places (VCA and Bay Cities — both were fine). But to meet my desire for a holistic vet, who suggests natural remedies before drugs, Dr. Jones is a perfect match.
Here’s an example of the kind of care I’ve received…
On one occasion, my dog was leaking urine. Just a slow drip. I googled that symptom and read that it could be sign of a urinary infection. I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Jones and she performed a urine test, which did show that he had strep, a bacterial infection in his urinary tract or bladder or wherever. I avoid taking antibiotics myself and she was sensitive to that fact when I expressed similar concern for my dog. Nevertheless she recommended it for this case, but also gave me a one-​time dose of probiotics, to administer after the symptoms stopped. (Since antibiotics can wreak havoc on the good bacteria in the gut and cause other problems.)
So then, my dog had the same problem a few months later and I schedule another appointment. She knew I was concerned about the antibiotics, so she suggested we try a spinal alignment first to see if it solved the problem (she explained that it can sometimes be the cause of urine leaking). She perform the spinal adjustment and I thanked her and went home to observe the outcome. That afternoon, I noticed the leaking had stopped. I was blown away. She had also shown me how to adjust his spine myself (although just manually, without the devices she was using).
The last part of the story is, it happened a third time a few months later. Uh oh! Well, before I even called to schedule an appointment, I just tried aligning his spine myself, albeit very cautiously. It was probably more like a massage. Amazingly, it worked! The leaking stopped. So I’ve learned something about my dog. (It’s worth noting that he’s part terrier and often barks and lunges while on the leash, which can jerk his neck when he charges full speed and snaps back — which could be causing him to get out of spinal alignment).
Anyway, needless to say, I’m very happy. Thank you Dr. Jones! I wouldn’t think of going anywhere else!

I absolutely love this place! Dr. Jones loves her patients and offers excellent treatment plans. I love to tease her and call her the Voodoo doctor because she often suggests alternative treatments for my dogs ailments that work! When we had to put our 14 year old deaf & blind pug down, Dr. Jones cried with us and showed so much compassion. She called to check on us after a few days as well. Our other pug is diabetic now but with Dr. Jones’ loving care, her life has not been affected negatively in any way.
The office team is incredible. They are busy but never make you feel rushed. I can call ahead to just pick up a refill and it is waiting for me when I rush in 5 minutes before closing. I will continue to bring my pack here for treatment.

Dr. Jones is so wonderful; my pup Toby and I couldn’t be more grateful to have found her at Marina Vet. I found her just in time — my dog’s separation anxiety (rescue pup that has been through several moves and changes in schedule in the past 4 years I’ve had him) had hit a tipping point, and I had no idea what to do. I was so thankful that a holistic vet existed on the westside, and was thoroughly surprised and impressed by her methods. She puts zero distance between her and her animal patients — figuratively and literally, getting on the floor with my pup immediately to encourage their connection. The entire facility and every staff member makes you and your pet feel at home — Toby actually gets excited to go there and see Dr. Jones! As he’s a low-​rider (Basset mix) with a very long torso and neck, Dr. Jones has also delighted Toby with chiropractic treatment which he makes evident how happy and physically comfortable he is after. Dr. Jones is truly personable, unlike most doctors of any type out there. She takes her time with every patient, and is a perfectionist in the best way — ruling out possibilities and introducing different and additional healing possibilities. We love her!

I have only been twice but the last time I was there, the vet (name unknown, not Dr. Jones) was rude, and I felt that she pushed medication on me that I could have purchased over-​the-​counter. I will not be returning.

I have taken pets to Dr. Jones before and I feel those pets were so blessed to have her. Truly, she has saved more than 1 life.
But my most recent pet has a terrible experience with her and Dr. Halligan. Both of them misdiagnosed my HEALTHY cat and I paid an unreasonable amount of money for the examinations and medications. PLEASE get a second opinion, do your own research, and use your judgement before paying for recommended treatments at this office.

Dr. Jones is the best vet your dog or cat could ever hope for. And she’s pretty great with people, too. Her holistic approach is far better than any of the traditional only vets that we’ve visited in the past. We drove all the way from North Hollywood + Pasadena to have her take care of our Charlie Barker. Totally worth every moment of road rage driving out there! Charlie is a happy and healthy old guy due in part to Dr. Jones’ care. I can’t thank her enough for her advice and talents!

Agree with other reviewers who say Dr Jones is very good with animals and has some neat holistic methods, but it’s more about the sale. After 3 visits in 10 weeks, I was giving my rescued dog a cocktail of supplements and antibiotics to ease her history of allergies and skin issues. I was eating about $ 600 in bills.
Shortly after my third visit, My pup starts to run around my place like her skin is on fire and then gets ill in the night. I call to check in with the vet to see if just unfortunate side effect (is this common?) or perhaps I should trek across town yet again for $ 60 to walk in the door. First I want 10 minutes at most of her time on the phone. After all, I’m not exactly a fly by customer.
After a missed connection and a detailed VM saying she wants to her more info before moving forward, I call back and get the receptionist. My dog is still running around like a bonfire is attached to her tail. Sounding a little panicked and mentioning the dog getting ill, receptionist comes back after a minute and says, she will relay the doc’s message: «since she isn’t getting better, you should prob see someone else.»
No, btw medicine may be making her ill or is she ok? or Doc is too busy right now but will call u back instead of playing telephone with a middle woman. And she then recommends a specialist that is $ 300 to walk in. Wow, thanks. Bummer really, just wanted a minute of her time to see what’s normal or if I am accidentally poisoning my dog. Got a call back week and half later asking when I wanted to schedule my recheck, no mention of my continued request to speak to the vet or even asking if my dog had improved. I passed. Guess I will be looking for a second opinion a little closer to home.

We found out about Dr. Jones through a mutual, holistic healer friend. She has been unbelieveably helpful to us and I believe, because of her amazing understanding of animals and her ability to care for them using alternative treatment, our rescue dog Hugo is becoming less and less afraid.
Since receiving his first BICOM treatment (and a series of supplements), Hugo has become much more relaxed. He enjoys riding in the car, is less apprehensive around men and took his first REAL walk in the neighborhood.
No, her services aren’t cheap, and she can seem a little ‘out-​there’ (because she’s thinking outside the box and not just giving shots and antibiotics), but she’s committed to caring for all creatures and she is generous with her time and her knowledge.
I would recommend Dr. Jones and the attentive staff at Marina Veterinary Center to anyone in need of regular and alternative vet care.

We love our animals… many of would do anything for our animals…
my own story goes back 12 years… «adopting» a feral cat in a warehouse neighborhood where I trapped and neutered 22 cats in the 6 years I lived there…
Enter Trixie… at first she would run from me, and with slow, gentle love and acceptance she warmed up to me.
I have given her a safe, wonderful life.
SO, on my first visit to Marina Veterinary Center in 2009, I was thrilled to meet Dr Jones — I was in awe of the way she took her time to pet Trixie. asking questions letting my WAAAY nervous cat get used to her voice, and the idea of being at the vet…
I was very impressed with her. She told me what I needed to do for my cat, and gave me options for cheaper approaches…
So… It was stunning to me how different my visit yesterday was.
When I called for an appointment, the receptionist told me they had an appointment for 30 minutes from then. I asked if Dr Jones was available, I had a moments hesitation but the receptionist explained that Dr Halligan was very good.
I am taken to the exam room, and Trixie is weighed and temperature is taken…
and Dr Halligan soon comes in…
she does not take her time to sooth Trixie… there is not the same level of care/​concern…
I am disappointed but, the reason I am here is to get a wound cleaned and addressed.
The doctor tells me Trixie is dehydrated, and likely has hyperthyroidism, judging by the huge weight loss since her last exam.
a condition I find out later is very common in older cats.
(I put out three water bowls around my apartment that I change out daily)
The nurse shows me the estimate.
It is over $ 600…
it includes an expensive test, and some other important upkeep — heartworm pill, antibiotics, etc…
but… look, my financial reality is pretty harsh… I am an artist, and in this economy… going through a very rough patch right now… I don’t want to whine about it, but every penny is pretty well accounted for.
so, when the Nurse «works» with me on my budget — asks me what I can afford and she can work out what from there, what I can get today. and what they would advise in the future… etc.
I can get a pill instead of an expensive shot…
I am relieved.
But… I am not feeling the same level of concern that I remembered so clearly with Dr Jones… and now I am regretting taking this last minute appointment…
Dr Jones asked about me… and I was able to tell her about my financial situation…
Dr Jones worked with me… but now… I was looking at a bill with lots of expensive items and procedures.
Dr Jones… respected and treated me as humanely as she treated my beloved pet… and this is why I am giving at least two stars…
Now, this is why I would have given zero stars if I could have.
The nurse comes back in, and now there is not only the $ 300 test option but one that is $ 230… suddenly there are cheaper options…
I feel now, like I am being given the hard sell… that I am not important, and that not even my cat is important… but «selling» procedures is important…
I realize that this may only be my perception of the situation… but I am remembering back to the very personable touch of Dr Jones… and I just want to get out of there… consider my options,
Dr Halligan, is the last one to come back to the room… she sees the items and procedures I have agreed to… she tells me that I really need to get this test… «Your cat will DIE if you don’t treat this»
yeah… thanks.
the self-​righteousness was palatable… there was no sense of caring for me…
I am VERY AWARE that my financial situation has bearing on my pet…
it has everytime I have had to move apartments…
I don’t need judgments… I need options… and my best option is a different Veterinarian.
imagine…
Your cat will DIE if you don’t treat this
Emotional Blackmail is NOT good sales technique!
I will NEVER be back… calling today to have my name removed from their appointment database.
I am sorry Dr Jones… you have worked hard to create a good, compassionate business… but… intentionally trying to make a pet owner feel like he is killing his 12 year companion because he can’t afford a test is not a good practice… maybe you can explain that to Dr Halligan.
Dr Jones — 5 stars.
Dr Halligan — Zero

Dr. Jones is a quack vet peddling quack services. «Frequency» treatments for organ health? If you like leeches and blood letting then this is the vet for you… but watch your wallet because these «treatments» don’t come cheap. I’m going to report her to the state veterinary board for her patient and pet fleecing.
Quack! Quack! Quack!