VCA Sandy Lake Animal Hospital

Reviews

• KD

  Kyle Dailey

  Sep 11, 2025
  2.0
  I took my dog here for an exam after adopting him from Operation Kindness a month ago. The initial exam was sponsored by the shelter, so there was no charge. My dog received treatment for a case of heartworm after his initial exam. Everything related to that went fine and the dog is doing well so far. The location manager, Aaron was overall professional, helpful, and kind. No issues with him. Even though I know he may have disagreed with some of the decisions I made for my dog, he handled everything professionally. When I arrived, one of the techs brought me into the exam room and explained to me that my dog is going to need some more vaccines (he received all the core dog vax at the shelter), and the cost would not be covered under the agreement with the shelter. I declined, so she went to get the manager. They said in order to receive the heartworm treatment, he would have to stay overnight for observation, and in order to stay overnight, he would need the dog flu and leptospirosis vax. I said I'll observe him at home instead. That's when they sent in the vet. I had a different experience with the vet, Ms. Alleman, whom I hold to a higher standard, than I did with the rest of the staff. I found her to be very unprofessional and not very knowledgeable either. When she came in, she burst in with very high energy and came right at my dog, arms flailing, loudly speaking at him in a high-pitched, excited voice, and reaching out to pet him. Someone who doesn't know anything about dog behavior may think that's a nice way to greet a dog to make him feel good and happy, but I expected more from her. For context, my dog had just been in a shelter for 83 days, after being in a worse shelter before that. He had just been adopted. Prior to the shelter, he was used as a "bait dog" for dog fights. Now he's in a vet's office, confined in a small room with several people he doesn't know. Anyone who knows anything about dog behavior knows, coming right at a dog you've never met with such high energy, speaking loudly at him, reaching out, and making eye contact are all signs of AGGRESSION in dog language and it makes them extremely uncomfortable. I could see my dog's body language change instantly when Ms. Alleman came into the room because of the energy she projected. You interact with dogs all day long, Ms. Alleman, and this is how you greet a dog you've never met? By putting on some "cute" show for the owner, with no consideration for the dog? Luckily, my dog is extremely docile and submissive, because I can imagine with a different dog, that could get you bitten. She proceeded to try and talk me into the unnecessary vaccines, I declined. Lepto is mainly spread through urine-contaminated water. Not sure why that's applicable when my dog stays overnight. They were fine with him being in the office, but somehow staying overnight creates a huge "risk." They finally agreed to let me take him home overnight, which I appreciated (I give credit to Aaron for that). Then, after hearing the story about my dog being used as a bait dog, The Unstable Ms. Alleman, as I've seen her described in other reviews, starts crying. I understand you're an "animal lover," but I just think crying in that context is unprofessional. Later, I mentioned I was feeding my dog a raw meat diet, to which she replies, she "knows nothing about that." Again, I expect more. How do you not know about the healthiest, most species-appropriate diet for dogs? Have you done no independent research outside of the "sponsored by purina" groupthink that you were taught in vet school? Overall, my experience was fine, I just think that the vets themselves should be the most import aspect of the visit, and be held to the highest standard. That's why I'm giving it a negative review. I can't blame them too much for trying to upcharge me for every single thing, because that's every vet's office and it's just another business after-all. People just need to know that their #1 goal is to make as much money off of you as possible, and your dog's health will always come after that.
• MA

  Madelynn Anderson

  Aug 26, 2025
  5.0
  Dr Alleman is my favorite Vet I’ve ever seen. I have 3 pets 2 didn’t have a vet home until I met Dr Alleman when I got a puppy. Now I’m on the Care Club and have a vet I trust with my older 2! So thankful I found her at VCA Coppell!!! Couldn’t have a more real person help me with my babies!
• BB

  Becky L Betts

  Jul 24, 2025
  5.0
  VCA has been a Godsend! They have taken so much time and have given such great care to my small dog that has hip issues. They are also MUCH more reasonable in cost than my previous vet. I have absolutely no complaints and would very highly recommend them!

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