I first met Dr. Salinger in November 2024 a week after rescuing my (then) 2-year-old Newfoundland, Bruno. When we rescued him, he was very unsure of everything and on a hefty dose of Prozac daily. Upon meeting Dr. Salinger, he didn't do very well and she recommended that we do a behavioral program. We weren't opposed, we just wanted to do what was best for him and see how he adjusted over the coming months before committing. After some research, it was over $2500 with 1 in-person visit, a book to take home, heavily medicating the dog, and virtual visits from there. By January-February 2025, it was very apparent that Bruno did not need to be medicated on a daily basis, he was just very afraid of the vet & groomer. He absolutely loves everyone he meets and has never shown even the slightest sign of aggression. With family in the dog training business, we wanted to see if these fears could be worked out with them and as little medication as possible but kept Bruno on Prozac until January 2026.
In January, we had another appointment - this time with Dr. Hatala because Dr. Salinger was out of town. Dr. Hatala was absolutely amazing, and I felt like she really heard the concerns I had regarding Bruno. He was still on Prozac over a year later, and I felt like it was having an inverse effect and making him more nervous. She suggested that we didn't go through the exam that day, and that we could ween him off the Prozac over the next 8 weeks and be given Trazodone & Gabapentin for future vet visits to see how that works. As he came off the Prozac, he was a completely different dog for the better, and we couldn't be happier that he finally seemed to stop being anxious.
After being completely off of the meds from March, I scheduled another appointment at the beginning of May. I thought I had scheduled with Dr. Hatala since I felt more comfortable with her, but it was with Dr. Salinger instead. From the second she walked into the exam room, I knew it was over. There was no "hi, how are you," she just asked if we had gone through the program she had recommended a week after we rescued Bruno. I told her we hadn't and tried to explain that we wanted to feel him out before doing it, but she cut me off in the middle of it. Bruno was then muzzled and I held him down while she started the exam. Dr. Salinger tried to get a blood draw but wasn't able to get one because "his legs were too hairy." She took a break before trying another blood draw, and I apologized for the situation because I thought he would be better since he was on the Trazodone & Gabapentin prescribed by Dr. Hatala. That was when Dr. Salinger went off. She told me that I "could laugh it off all that I wanted, but the fact is that [my] dog had a problem and [I] was doing nothing to fix it." She also stated that she had no idea how I and the other doctor, could, in good faith take him off his daily Prozac. I tried to explain that I was not going to medicate him daily when his problem clearly seemed to be her, but I was bashed for not doing the program she recommended. I tried to ask for recommendations for a program in between what she wanted and what I wanted, at least some kind of program with minimal medication where the visits were IN PERSON. She completely dismissed everything I was saying, and frankly - made me feel like a complete idiot for even wanting an animal. She made me feel like I was doing nothing but harming Bruno, even though he had made an amazing amount of progress in the 18 months we have had him.
At this point, I couldn't believe what was happening and the words that were coming out of her mouth. She suggested we try again for a blood draw, and I said that she isn't a good fit for us whatsoever and that we would be leaving. At this point, I was sobbing uncontrollably. We paid and left.
Never in my life have I experienced someone, let alone someone who is supposed to be a care provider, with such a lack of understanding and professionalism. I wish I could support a local vet like this because the staff were amazing, but I will not be going back.
Brought my dog in here. They did some bloodwork and then sold me drugs for her. Quoted me on the phone before setting up a appointment and then billed me twice as much. Pills didn't help my dog at all. Staff was unhelpful and rude. this place is a scam, avoid at all costs!
