Veterinary Specialists of CT

I’m so thankful for them! I’m a very paranoid dog owner and they are always extremely patient with me if I call in the middle of the night or any time of day with a worry about my dog. They don’t pressure me to come in if they aren’t too worried about what’s going on, and always tell me how I can check my dog out at home. They care about the animals, not just the $

My husband and I have taken our dogs (& two cats that have owned us) to Dr. Gustafson at Veterinary Specialists of CT for over 15 years. My husband took his dogs here before we were married, so it has been a long-​term relationship with this exceptional, wonderful practice. My beloved Oliver (Staffie/​Boxer Mix) was cared for beautifully, and also treated for numerous health challenges by this practice. The knowledgeable, attentive, skilled care, provided by Drs. Gustafson & Knack, made a much longer, healthier and more enjoyable life possible for my BFF Oliver. Oliver was a noble dog & a dear companion and I’m so glad he was a patient here. Their entire staff — front desk and technicians — are superb. Thank you CT VET Specialists. Highly recommend for high quality care.

It is time to move on to a new veterinary practice. After just moving to the area we gave Vetspecs a try for six months. I will keep it simple and to the point — In my opinion the communication and personal touch aspects of this facility are not what we are used to for the care for our dog. I am not saying the veterinarians are not technically capable but the facility seems to be run on more of a corporate mindset with a high fee structure.

I’ve now been here twice. Once for a physical and then again today, two weeks later for a deep cleaning. I have a 5 year old yorkie who has few medical problems thankfully. I would spend every dollar I have to bring Della to this vet. They are wonderful. Every staff member I dealt with on my two visits was phenomenal. Helpful, upbeat, happy, and very caring to Lil Ms. Della Reese. So much that she actually got excited when we pulled up in the parking lot for her second visit.
I also love the set up with a nice grassy area where you can walk your dog before and after visits.
This place is not cheap but then again your beloved pet is not replaceable. However, I never fell over sold or over charged. Nor did I feel that they cut any corners. Everything they did for Della was thorough and necessary.
I can’t really comment on major surgeries or treatment of major illnesses, so take that for what it’s worth.
Come here, I promise you and your pet will not be disappointed.

I drive an hour to bring my dog (child) here and have been coming here for 10 yrs. tried another vet closer to my home and came back. I trust all of the docs, they and the staff are all so nice and helpful!

Just received a notice for flea and tick control for two of my dogs that are deceased. Imagine my shock as I read notice letter. This hospital has definitely lost their way, it is ALL about the money here. I write this after using and recommending for over 20 years.

My rescue (border collie husky mix) required ACL surgery last March performed by Dr. Berzon. Ellie is about 10years old but very active and I didn’t feel that she was progressing as fast as I was hoping for after the surgery. Whenever I would call and ask for advice they always told me to bring her in for evaluation. Dr Berzon would always personally evaluate her and reassure me that it takes time and patience (never a charge for these visits).
This past October I brought her in because she was still favoring that leg. Once again (at no charge) Dr. Berzon took me and Ellie outside so that he could watch her walk and he looked at me and said «give her the winter with no restrictions!» I wasn’t happy with that advice at the time but he said it with such conviction that I went with his directive.
I just got off of the phone with Dr. Berzon’s voicemail. My message was that I believe that he’s a genius because my Ellie is back to100% because of the wonderful care there and the skill and experience of Dr.Berzon.
I would certainly give them my highest recommendation! Also, I was fortunate to have had pet insurance during all of this of which they paid for 75% of everything with no hassles. My advice to any pet owner would be to get pet insurance for their pets… it will make a huge difference when you need it.

We just had our first appointment here with our new little guy and are beyond impressed. Not only did they open during inclement weather — on time, no less!- they were very sweet and helpful with regards to our new addition!
We are sincerely looking forward to working with Dr. Furphy and the rest of the team and are confident that we will continue to receive exceptional care!
Thank you for making this part of our adoption process uncomplicated and easy for all members of our family, both two and four-​legged.

My dogs was put down here just today. The staff is so caring and compassionate. He went so peacefully and the vet was even nice enough to put him to sleep out in the sunshine. It was so beautiful. They trimmed his tail hair and tied it in a ribbon for us to bring home. Words can’t express how grateful I am for this place. They let my little boy go peacefully and in the sun where he belonged. Thank you for that. RIP Sunny boy. We miss you.

This practice is exactly as you would expect … seasoned caring Veterinary Specialists who are committed to the health and well being of your pet (and his «parents»). We have had several experience with a variety of doctors at Vet Specs and they were all EXCELLENT. Dr. Berzon is an extraordinarily gifted clinician. He assisted in the chronic care of the orthopedic problems of our elderly Standard Poodle when no one else could help. At the end he managed our boys pain with care and sensitivity. He is also personable and straight forward — great qualities. Dr. Knack, has followed our other Standard Poodle who has thyroid disease and is a non-​alarmist and very experienced! Has always returned my calls promptly and provided all the information to support his recommendations. Dr. Goldman recently treated another of our Standard Poodles (currently 3 total) diagnosed with an incurable dermatological condition. Dr. Goldman is intelligent, sincere, empathic, and enormously supportive. She and the staff got us through a rough diagnosis. The phone call I received from Dr. Golbo re: the pathology report was equally sensitive and caring. This place is wonderful! We have always been treated courteously and professionally by the reception staff. If I could, I would give them 10 stars *** Thank you, all!
Dr. Sandra Scantling, Farmington –CT 6 032

When I first moved to West Hartford from Boston a few years ago I had been referred to a small veterinary practice by a family friend who is a breeder. Unfortunately, her vet, who is nearing retirement, was hesitant to take on my dog with all of his special health care needs. He suggested Veterinary Specialists because of their dual set-​up of a primary care practice and a referral practice. I was not initially impressed with Veterinary Specialists and therefore continued to drive my dog back to Boston for all of his appointments. As it became more difficult to sneak up to Boston for routine vet appointments, I returned to Veterinary Specialists. Each of our subsequent visits were better than the last. So when my dog got sick in August, Veterinary Specialists was my first call. I have since become a regular as we sort out the recent flare up of my dog’s medial issues and I have been more than impressed with everyone I have come in contact with. I don’t know what changed between August of 2011 and August of 2013 but it was a very positive change and I couldn’t be happier with the care my dog (and the school guinea pig) has received.

I created an account just so I could write a review.
The staff here is really amazing, and you know that they actually care about each animal that comes in. When we had to put our dog down last summer, we got a handwritten card from his vet, and from his physical therapist, the latter of which worked exclusively with our dog for months. The cards were personal and sincere, and it meant the world to us that they thought to do that.
Everyone I know has been happy with these vets, as have I.
Additionally, at the end of last year, I adopted another dog and we’ve been here often to deal with parasites and other issues (most of which were because my dog was only a few months old and she was at the shelter for over a month), and the staff here has been tremendously helpful in solving any of my dog’s issues. She has grown tremendously and is a healthy and happy dog now, and a lot of that is a result of her veterinary care.

Incredibly rude receptionist answered the phone today when I called to inquire about PT/​rehab. The only word I remember coming out of her mouth was «impossible». I’m sorry but this is no way to treat a potential customer.

For many years, we used this vet, but the shameful way that a young vet treated us on the day that I needed to have my beloved dog euthanized has made it impossible to trust them again. Unfortunately, they also failed to correctly diagnose my dog’s tick-​borne disease, and we spent several years going to an out-​of-​state specialist for treatments that did no good. The lack of correct treatment during that time led to such a worsening of his condition that we could not save him when they finally got the right diagnosis.

I took my dog for surgery here. My dog could only use three legs prior to the surgery. She had been hopping around for the past three years. The reason that she has been only using three legs Is because she had a bad surgery done three years ago from a different vet hospital. Of course, we didn’t know that the surgery was bad. I took her to the Veterinary Specialists of Connecticut for a different matter. They fixed that other matter in an excellent way. While I was there we discussed the issue of her not using that fourth leg. To make a long story short, we had surgery done on that leg to see if we could fix the issue. Two weeks after the surgery, my beagle was starting to put weight on that fourth leg. Slowly but surely by about two months later, my dog was walking, running and jumping on all four legs. This was truly a miracle. Thank you Dr. Leshem! You are the best surgeon in the state of CT, and maybe further. Amazingly skilled and a miracle worker. (Side note: During the three years that my dog was only walking on three legs, I had always taken her once a week to swim therapy to keep the leg muscle in relatively good shape. This also likely helped in her being able to walk again after the corrective leg surgery. That said, it was the surgery that caused her to be able to walk again.) My beagle is about 10 years old. I’m not completely sure about her age because she was rescued. But we think she is at least 10 years old. So there is hope for dogs, including dogs that are older.

Went there several times — not impressed at all. There is no warmth with the staff at all. Very busy and you feel like you’re just a number. Knew I could have gotten better care elsewhere and for less exorbitant fees and moved on.

Sorry to disagree. We have 2 dogs and 3 cats of which 2 are diabetic. Dr. Knack has always seen them and/​or called me back to help me decide what to do. YEs it is a practice but I totally trust Dr Knack with my 5 pets.

have been taking a dog (australian shepherd) and cat here for about five years, mostly to Dr. Maier and once to Dr. Zee
quality of care and service have been fine, pets are doing well

I love this place and I think their staff are excellent in addition to their doctors. I’ve had 2 dogs and 3 cats go to them over the years and they’ve been amazing and generous in their treatment.
I’ve also had to get emergency appts (during regular hours) with them various times and they’ve always found time to get my sick pet into the office for a checkup.
Lastly, when I’ve had to «say goodbye» to a beloved pet, they were so awesome there to the point that I’ve written Thank You notes to the staff to tell them how great they were in being patient and loving with myself, my family and my loss.
I can’t recommend this place high enough. I hear from friends that the care at my vet is too costly but I feel that it’s all worth it for the care that my pets get there. You can’t put a price on that.

I can’t say enough great things. My parents have been taking our pets to Dr Gus for years, and I even brought my cats to him for 4 years after moving to Boston because I couldn’t find a vet I liked so much.
Our dog unexpectedly died a couple of summers ago. Only my younger brother was home, and he brought our dog to them at closing. The techs stayed late with him and let him privately sit in an exam room and say good-​bye, for as long as he needed.
They really provide excellent care, I couldn’t be more grateful.