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Highlands Animal Clinic

Updated 2026-07-08 · 1,063 reviewed · 177 listed · Scored from 526 Google reviews · How we rank ›

4.6(526) 78 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Verified
General & Wellness Veterinary CareLow-Cost / Affordable Vet CareVeterinary DentistryVeterinary Surgery
Highlands Animal Clinic
Services
General & Wellness Veterinary Care, Low-Cost / Affordable Vet Care, Veterinary Dentistry
Reviews
526

What recent reviews say

Many long-term clients praise Dr. Drake and her team for genuine care, patience with anxious pets, and clear communication. Recent reviews from new clients tell a different story: missed diagnostic follow-ups, rushed exams that may have missed serious illness, poor front-desk experiences, and complaints that service has deteriorated since the ownership transition. The clinic appears to deliver excellent care for some and falls short for others.

Multiple reviews cite lack of senior bloodwork protocols, unanalyzed samples, unreturned calls, and rushed visits that overlooked red flags. Others report being pressured into unnecessary surgery. Long-time clients remain devoted; newer arrivals frequently leave unsatisfied and switch practices.

Praised for
  • compassionate vets (especially Dr. Drake)
  • patient with anxious/timid pets
  • clean, comfortable space
  • thorough explanations and options
  • long-term loyalty and trust
Watch-outs
  • poor front-desk interactions with new clients
  • missed diagnostic follow-up (samples, bloodwork, results)
  • rushed appointments and insufficient exams
  • unnecessary surgery recommendations
  • lack of follow-up communication
  • decline in care quality since ownership change
compassionate-staffgentle-with-animalsknowledgeable-vetspoor-communicationcaring-bedside-mannerhard-to-get-appointmentrushed-appointmentsfriendly-front-deskthorough-exams
Best for: Established clients and long-term pet owners; families with anxious or timid pets who value a calm, personalized approach.
Think twice if: New client experience is inconsistent; some report rushed exams, missed diagnostics (bloodwork, sample analysis), poor front-desk interactions, and lack of follow-up. Ask about senior bloodwork protocols before booking if your pet is older.

Strengths

  • Dr. Drake's reputation for compassionate senior care
  • comfortable, clean facility with welcoming atmosphere
  • clear communication and detailed explanations
  • willingness to discuss care options and costs

Worth knowing

  • Dr. Drake known for senior dog care and compassion; sends flowers to grieving clients
  • Dr. Dredla praised for surgical skill (minimal scarring on tumor removal)
  • Dr. Lostoski noted as excellent but has left the practice
  • Dr. Anderson mentioned as friendly and informative
  • Ownership transition noted as a turning point for service quality
  • Several reviews cite skipped senior bloodwork protocols, unanalyzed fecal samples, and missed follow-up calls

What reviews say by service

General & Wellness Veterinary Care
Long-term wellness clients report excellent care; newer clients report rushed exams and missed diagnostics.
Veterinary Surgery
Surgical skill praised (minimal scarring), but some report pressure toward unnecessary procedures.
Veterinary Dentistry
No specific review evidence for dental services.
Low-Cost / Affordable Vet Care
Reviews indicate this is not a budget practice; one client notes paying for appointments on already-diagnosed issues.

How it compares

  • Rated 4.6 against a 4.57 average across the 138 general & wellness veterinary care businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 74% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

Our Rubric
Star rating 73
Review volume 100
Review recency 100
Review sentiment 46
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
456
4
19
3
8
2
7
1
36

Common questions

Do they perform senior bloodwork at wellness visits?
Multiple reviews report NO senior bloodwork was offered or performed during initial exams, despite age and breed factors. Ask explicitly before booking if your pet is senior.
How is follow-up communication after visits?
Several reviewers report samples were taken but never analyzed, results never called in, and no follow-up on medication readiness despite promised dates. Ask their follow-up policy upfront.
Are appointments usually rushed?
Some reviews describe rushed visits at end of day with insufficient exam time; others praise thorough, unhurried care. Experience appears inconsistent.
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Staff greet emergencies with genuine warmth and speed, explaining findings clearly and following up with photos and text updates. Most pet owners describe relief and trust. One long-standing client, however, reports a pattern of scheduling splits to force repeat visits and withholding medication approval, describing the practice as profit-driven rather than care-centered. The Highlands location advertises Fear Free training and upfront cost estimates. Named staff (Dr. Steine, Dr. Nicholls, Allison, Anika G, Dr. Lenahen, Melody, Katie) earned repeated praise for surgical skill and emotional support. Yet the single one-star account suggests systematic design to extract fees, including refusal of routine anal gland care until a pricier wellness exam was paid.

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Last updated 2026-07-08