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| - Simply put, I love Dr. Bracken and his staff. I even love the "feel" of the office - it's small and older, which tells me they've been doing this a while, thus have processes that are tried and true. As a patient, I can validate that.
Before I get too far into this review, know that this office has only one practicing vet - Dr. Bracken. He has a full staff, including many technicians who treat for minor issues, such as nail trims, anal gland expressing, and more. This ensures patients aren't backed up, out the door. Obviously, treatments requiring more technique and skill are reserved for Dr. Bracken.
Also know that you will sometimes experience long waits in office, and occasionally find the phone to ring busy. This is another reason I give this practice 5-stars - it proves they devote full focus to each patient one-by-one.
At this risk of sounding hokey, I almost get emotional about what this practice means to me, because they cared for to the end, my boy, a 15 yr old male Maltese, Pierre. It was for Pierre that I found Dr. Bracken, as a referral from another friend of mine who also has a Maltese with liver disease, like Pierre.
Before I came to Dr. Bracken, I kept telling Pierre's previous vet I knew something was wrong, and I cited his symptoms, which, admittedly, were rather vague. I just wasn't getting the treatment and respect I needed for Pierre from his previous vet, thus I made the appointment at Arcadia Animal Clinic.
I waited in the examination room on our first visit, a Saturday, for over 45 minutes until Dr. Bracken came in. I was very frustrated but immediately forgave him when I witnessed the level of attention and care he devoted to my Pierre. Dr. Bracken listened and *heard* me - he respected that as Pierre's owner, I knew Pierre best. And because of that, if I felt something was wrong, something must be wrong!
The reason Dr. Bracken was late to our room is that when he's seeing a patient, his sole focus is at that moment, with that patient. Time stands still for him and is irrelevant compared to the kind of care and respect that patient must receive.
After many tests and trips in, Dr. Bracken confirmed that Pierre had Cushing's Disease, which was challenging to diagnose because Pierre's symptoms were so atypical. Pierre was diagnosed thanks to Dr. Bracken's persistence.
After informing me of Pierre's disease, Dr. Bracken requested I call him daily with updates on Pierre's status. I thought this was an exceptional request on his part, however since then, Dr. Bracken has made the same request of me numerous times, even with my current dog - he likes daily updates on cases, and truly stays aware for proper care.
As Pierre's health declined, there were a couple emergency trips - both times the staff prioritized my dying dog above regularly-scheduled patients. This is why there are the occasional long waits - an emergency situation arises when a dog/cat must be seen to save their life.
Dr. Bracken also helped me deal with the emotional strain. I asked him how I would know would be the right time to let Pierre go, and he offered at the time what seemed a vague answer - "when you see that his illness is more present than his personality." I didn't understand what that meant because it wasn't the right time. A few days later, I awoke to Pierre not acting like Pierre - it was his illness that I saw present that morning; not my boy. It was time.
I called Dr. Bracken's office, and they immediately accepted Pierre that evening. I had the whole day to hold him and say goodbye.
The level of respect Pierre was given was unparalleled. I'd previously seen Dr. Bracken carry another small dog that had passed out of a room - he was carrying that dog in his arms like it was a newborn, looking into the dog's face with a loving smile. He seems to see all the love that animal has devoted to its family, and loves them back for it.
This is why I felt comfortable helping my boy cross over under Dr. Bracken's care. It made a horrible situation more peaceful for both Pierre and I. I didn't feel additional stress and strain from a vet or vet staff that had poor customer service; it was just the opposite. They treated Pierre and I in an elevated manner, as if we were part of their family.
I have since adopted another Maltese - a female this time named Jade. It presented an unintended "test" to see if Dr. Bracken would treat little Jade with the same elevated care he did for Pierre. He does. Dr. Bracken holds Jade exactly the same way, talks to her exactly the same way (a hushed, loving tone), and me the same way (assuring me that I'm not caring for Jade alone.) Also, Dr. Bracken doesn't order unnecessary tests for Jade, nor does he recommend vaccinations that aren't relevant for the desert environment.
Now you know why I get emotional in discussing Dr. Bracken. I've never witnessed this level of care for pets, and especially never for humans. If only we were so lucky.
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