Northland Animal Hospital — Attraction in Kansas City

My cats had received care at this clinic from 2017 to 2021. It has taken me a while to write this review based on my last interaction with them as I wanted time to process the loss of my cat and not have it be so emotionally driven. Let me say that up until July 2021 I had nothing but positive things to say about this vet clinic as the staff and vets as they were kind and attentive.

The lowered star review is for my last months there under the care of Dr. Faris. I was referred to Dr. Faris a holistic vet for the care of my cat with chronically ill condition and at first my experience was great. Dr. Faris was attentive and would take the time to explain the different approaches she recommended. But as time went on, she became pushier and very short in her bedside demeanor. My negative experience occurred when I was preparing for a move to a different and wanted to get a full check up for my cats. The test results came back abnormal but she didn't take the time to explain or answer my questions, I felt dismissed and brushed off. I had to set up a separate appointment to get all of my questions answered regarding the test results which I was charged for. The end of life decisions for pets are hard for pet owners and she seemed callus and uncaring while walking me through his test results. When I was explaining my difficulty of making a decision, she outright blurted out to put my cat down instead of walking me through the quality of life and the progression of the disease. She also said that at home appointments were not an option as they were short staffed and insisted I make an appointment at the office. Someone else had recommended laps of love when I had made the hard decision. I believe that a softer tone and patience to walk a pet parent through this hard decision would have been kinder. I spent months grappling with my decision afterwards; "did I make the right decision".

My other cat also had neurological symptoms which she brushed off, but I was adamant and saw Dr. Roberts for a second opinion who recommended me to see a specialist who diagnosed him with a rare cancer. I had been telling Dr. Faris of his symptoms for over a year and was dismissed. I spent the last 8 months debating whether or not I had made the right decision to put my cat down because she missed the diagnosis of my other cat. When I was notified of picking up my cats ashes, it was just matter of fact - here they are. I when I had explained the new diagnosis of my other cat, Dr. Faris stated "I expected that" but never, not once did she explain that possibility to me. The front desk staff witnessed her harshness and apologized on her behalf.

I did not receive condolences from the clinic after my cat passed. At first I didn't think it was a big deal until I received condolence cards from Chewy and Laps of Love. (*Recommendation to the clinic, send a condolence card to pet parents who are clients that lose their pet, I can tell you that a small kind gesture goes a long way).

My positive experiences at this clinic was tainted in the last few months with a particular provider. I do know that the staff deeply care about animals and were probably overwhelmed with increased patient load. I definitely left with a sense that business changes and money focus (increased prices, shorter appointment lengths) began changing the clinic dynamic.

Recommendation for pet parents: 1) be your pets' best advocate and listen to your intuition - switch vets if something doesn't add up, 2) if your case becomes complicated - drive the 2 hours to K State University to see an internist / specialist because the cost may end up being less (they are definitely cheaper than blue pearl and blood/diagnostic tests are in-house and are cheaper than the vet clinic), 3) Dr. Roberts, Jamie, and Holly are super kind and attentive - all of my positive experiences from this clinic has...

We took our newly acquired dog to see Dr. Roberts last week. As a shelter dog, we knew very little about her past health and medical issues. Because she showed so much anxiety at being examined by strangers, it was recommended - and might I add right so for the best interest of Bella's mental health - to return so that she could be sedated for a complete and thorough exam. I understand that people want to know ahead of time exactly what services will cost, I do too, but sometimes it is impossible to predict what all will or will not be found on complete examination. Balance that with wanting the best for your dog and it can put dog owners in a predicament. However, for me, doing what is best for my dog will always win out. I will NEVER blame Dr. Roberts or her clinic staff for not knowing exactly to the penny what services will cost ahead of time. Several issues were discovered upon sedation that required - REQUIRED - medical treatment but my dog is in better health today because of Dr. Roberts' expert advice on a coarse of not only treatment, but examination. I have read some of these reviews, and I can assure you, that anyone complaining about this clinic's pricing is just uneducated on the value of veterinarian services. NO vet can accurately predict what a dental examination will cost because there is no way to know what they will find until the animal is sedated and they can examine the teeth. I just shake my head at reviews complaining about such things. I will take my animals to Dr. Roberts as long as I have animals - she has been treating my animals for at least eight years and I have NEVER known her to overcharge or have less than the best interest of my...

If I could give them 10 stars I would! Dr. Roberts and her staff are amazing. She has treated all of my pets and even plan on taking my foster dog. Her staff is compassionate and never makes me feel like I am a crazy dog mom (I totally am). I have had countless emergencies with my boys (4 pit bulls) in the past several years. From an ear infection, to bone cancer in the face. Dr. Roberts has treated it all. She is honest and I trust her. She went above and beyond to care for one of my boys that passed away this past year by offering to keep him in her office when he became sick and I was stuck out of town. I will forever be grateful to her and her staff for the amazing care they gave my Baby Boy. Saturday, my Littlefoot, american bulldog/pit mix, hurt his arm and was whining and whimpering so crazy dog mom that I am was ready to run to the emergency room but Heather calmed me down and walked me through a plan and promised to get me in Monday if he wasn't better by then. With bed rest and some pain meds he is doing a lot better and had just strained it while probably chasing a squirrel! This is the type of customer service they offer though, they're not trying to over charge you an arm and leg with multiple unneeded visits but genuinely want to help you and your pet. The office visits are less than $50 and while all veterinary work is known to be expensive I don't feel like any service I have paid for was a rip off. (My bills have ranged from an office visit to tumor removals) I recommend Boardwalk Vet and Dr. Roberts to everyone that I know and I hope if you've read this you will take your family...