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Highlands Animal Clinic

Updated 2026-07-09 · 1,245 reviewed · 181 listed · Scored from 526 Google reviews · How we rank ›

4.6(526) 78 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Verified
General Veterinary CareSurgery & Specialty CareDental Care
Highlands Animal Clinic
Services
General Veterinary Care, Surgery & Specialty Care, Dental Care
Reviews
526

What recent reviews say

Highlands earns strong loyalty from many long-term clients, especially those with anxious or senior dogs. Dr. Drake, Dr. Dredla, and Dr. Anderson consistently earn praise for patience, compassion, and thoughtful care; the clinic feels welcoming and clean. However, recent reviews expose serious rifts: some clients report rushed diagnostics that missed critical conditions in senior pets, gaps in follow-up (results never called, medications not tracked), and mandatory appointments for simple refills. A notable ownership transition appears to have shaken client confidence, with several reviewers mourning the loss of former vets and the clinic's previous warmth. Front desk interactions have also become a flashpoint for new clients.

The core tension is expertise versus consistency. Certain veterinarians (Dr. Drake especially) are described as exceptional caregivers who spend time and send flowers after a pet's death. Yet structural failures-missing senior bloodwork protocols, unanswered phone calls, pressured surgeries-suggest either staffing strain or a shift in operational priorities. Families seeking a veterinarian who remembers them and listens closely may thrive here; those needing reliable follow-up or expecting comprehensive diagnostics at every visit should ask specific questions before committing.

Recent shift: Ownership transition (noted as "previous owner left") appears to have triggered a documented decline in culture and responsiveness. Multiple clients report that the clinic was warmer and more attentive before, with better follow-up and fewer unnecessary procedures. This shift is the single largest driver of recent negative reviews.

Praised for
  • compassionate veterinarians (especially Dr. Drake, Dr. Dredla, Dr. Anderson)
  • patient with anxious or senior pets
  • clean, comfortable space
  • thorough communication and options
  • long-term relationships and loyalty
Watch-outs
  • inconsistent follow-up on test results and medication readiness
  • rushed visits, particularly at end of day
  • unnecessary procedures and lack of diagnostic depth (missing bloodwork, imaging on senior pets)
  • changed culture post-ownership transition
  • front desk staff rudeness to callers and new clients
compassionate-staffgentle-with-animalsgood-with-anxious-petsclean-facilitycaring-bedside-mannerfollow-up-callspoor-communicationhard-to-bookexpensiveshort-staffed
Best for: Long-term clients with anxious or senior pets who value personal rapport with a specific veterinarian.
Think twice if: You need reliable follow-up, comprehensive senior diagnostics, or quick answers by phone. Some reviewers reported missed test results, incomplete bloodwork protocols, and pressure to book expensive follow-up visits for simple questions.

Strengths

  • Individual veterinarians with strong bedside manner and diagnostic skill (Dr. Drake, Dr. Dredla, Dr. Anderson)
  • comfortable, welcoming physical space
  • established long-term client relationships spanning years to decades
  • willingness to discuss care options and explain reasoning

Worth knowing

  • Dr. Drake sends flowers to grieving families and is named in multiple reviews as exceptionally caring
  • Dr. Dredla praised for surgical skill (tumor removal with minimal scarring)
  • Recent owner transition noted by multiple clients as triggering a shift in culture and staff responsiveness
  • One reviewer reported a stool sample collected but never analyzed and no follow-up contact
  • Another senior dog owner reported no senior bloodwork or chemistry panel offered at wellness visit, despite brachycephalic breed with prior airway issues; condition missed until emergency presentation one month later

What reviews say by service

General Veterinary Care
Mixed: praised for patience with anxious pets and comfortable environment; criticized for incomplete diagnostics at wellness visits and lack of follow-up on results.
Surgery & Specialty Care
Strong surgical outcomes mentioned (tumor removal with minimal scarring), but some reviewers questioned necessity of recommended procedures.
Dental Care
Listed as a service; no specific review evidence.

How it compares

  • Rated 4.6 against a 4.59 average across the 167 general veterinary care businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 74% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

Scoring Method
Star rating 73
Review volume 100
Review recency 100
Review sentiment 48
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
456
4
19
3
8
2
7
1
36

Common questions

Do they offer senior bloodwork at wellness visits?
No clear protocol mentioned in reviews. One reviewer reported no bloodwork offered to a senior dog at initial wellness visit; ask explicitly before booking.
How quickly will I hear back about test results?
Variable. Some clients report waiting weeks for results with no call; others describe good communication. Ask about their follow-up policy when scheduling.
Can I get a medication refill without an appointment?
Recent reviews indicate they require an appointment for refills of ongoing medications, even for chronic conditions. Confirm this when calling.
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Last updated 2026-07-09