Sangamon Avenue Vet Clinic: Slager Staci DVM

Mar 2024

We had an emergency a week ago - our perfectly healthy 5 year boxer collapsed in our yard, not breathing at 5:15pm. We initially were going to take her to the er, but that was a 20 minute drive and we knew she wouldn't make it. We called this vet, only minutes from our house, in a panic. They met us at the door and rushed her straight back. Unfortunately, we lost her. The staff stayed late and gave us as much time as we needed with her. They were very kind, compassionate, and empathetic. We can't thank them enough. We appreciate everything they did for us.

May 2023

Sadly, we have recently left this clinic. This is particularly due to our recent experience with the staff concerning the passing of our beloved 17 year old golden lab we had been bringing there for nine years. The doctors have provided excellent care for our cats and dogs over the years, particularly Dr. Smith. We found this vet after leaving another one in town where the entire staff was rude to us and mean to our dog. We were very happy when we moved to SAVC with the treatment and care from the friendly doctors, veterinary assistants and the office and boarding staff, and our pets were happy there at their well visits and made comfortable there when they were ill. But over the past couple of years we noticed a change in the attitudes and behavior of some of the front office staff--officious and indifferent at best, uncaring, and even rude at times. Our dog had been seriously ill twice in six months and we thought we were going to lose her each time, but after treatment there, she rallied. The third time, though, we knew she was suffering and would need to be seen immediately as she was probably at her end. I called in desperation and was told by an abrupt and indifferent person that they had no availability and I would have to go elsewhere. She did not offer suggestions--I had to keep asking. She was officious and uncaring. Then, she put me on hold abruptly, and returned and said someone had been "whispering in her ear" and we could bring our dog in the next day. Unfortunately, our dear girl passed away at home that afternoon. I called back to cancel the appointment and find out about cremation services, and I got the same attitudes, this time from two different people who reminded me I should call and let them know when I was bringing her in ahead of time so they could have the paperwork ready. When I did that the next day, I told them I would need help carrying her into the clinic and was told they would "try to find someone" to do that if they weren't too busy. When I brought her in, there were three young women behind the counter, one of whom I believe had talked to me on the phone the night before. One person gave me the forms to sign, one ignored me completely though I was the only one there and was visibly distraught, and another kept staring at me with a smirk and didn't say anything. I mentioned help carrying her in again, and the woman told me she needed my payment first--as though I wasn't going to pay! I was a regular client! She and a vet tech came out with me to get her, and as I cried, they just stood there--the vet tech talked gently and soothingly to my dead dog and not to me. I had to go back in and blow my nose; when I did, one of the other women behind the counter stared at me without a smile while I was crying. It was unbelievable. NOT ONCE in four separate encounters, three on the phone and one in-person that took at least twenty minutes, did any SAVC staff member display an ounce of empathy towards me. NOT ONCE did anyone say "I am sorry for your loss." Six simple words could have made all the difference. They acted like they didn't care--it was just another day at work for them. When her ashes were ready for pick up, I got a businesslike and rushed call informing me; when I went into the office, the same three women were there, two ignored me, and one took a bag out of a cupboard that had my dog's remains in it, set it on the counter, and said, "there you go." She might as well have been handing me a bag of dog treats. We did get the standard sympathy card in the mail as is customary, but that doesn't excuse the behavior. I wrote a long letter explaining what had happened and sent two copies, one to each of the vets that have treated our pets over the years, Dr. Smith and Dr. Best. I have heard nothing in response. The people who meet the clients up front, both in-person and on the phone, need some training in how to respond to distraught clients in situations like mine, or maybe they should be in a different profession. It i

Mar 2021

Covid measures are definitely observed with parking slots and humans not allowed in. You pull up and check in and they assign you a parking spot. Then they call to verify who you have brought in to see the vet. It's very minima human interaction and DR Saner and Dr Norrie are my favorites currently