VCA Commonwealth Animal Hospital

Reviews

• KJ

  Katherine V. Jurado

  2 days ago
  1.0
  I took my then 2-year-old dog to VCA for what I believed would be a routine visit for an ear infection. I chose VCA because I thought it would be more affordable, and I had never experienced any issues with veterinary visits before. I came prepared with treats, a leash, samples, and commands that typically help keep my dog calm during exams. Unfortunately, from the start of the visit, I felt that the staff and veterinarian were uncomfortable with him and made assumptions before really trying to work with him. A muzzle was required before meaningful attempts were made to examine him, which only seemed to increase his stress. He was whining, crying, and vocalizing throughout the appointment, and I repeatedly offered to do whatever was needed to help facilitate the exam. What frustrated me most was that he was labeled as nervous and aggressive, when from my perspective much of his reaction was caused by the way he was being handled. Rather than helping him feel comfortable, the situation seemed to escalate. I left feeling unheard and disappointed by the lack of patience and compassion shown during the visit. Since then, I have taken my dog to several other local veterinary practices as well as emergency veterinary hospitals, and none have had similar issues handling him. Those experiences showed me that different approaches can make a significant difference, especially with anxious dogs. Afterward, I read other reviews that described staff interactions as rude, irritated, or passive-aggressive, and those comments reflected my own experience. While my dog's ear infection was ultimately addressed, the overall experience left me feeling judged rather than supported. For that reason, I chose not to return and instead continue to use veterinary practices that prioritize low-stress handling and work collaboratively with pet owners.
• DS

  Dan Sullivan

  Aug 5, 2026
  5.0
  These doctors at this animal hospital are truly amazing. I felt they weren't trying to nickel and dime me to death.
• CO

  Calista Ogburn

  Jul 17, 2026
  1.0
  An absolutely disappointing experience here. We had a lot of questions because this was our first time with a young puppy and we wanted to be sure we got everything right. The front desk lady was nice at first but then became so rude and said “please Jesus” under her breath. She stormed from the desk to go talk to the doctor when we were informed that a vaccine would be covered under the first complimentary health exam. We were just so confused and she responded with irritation and passive aggressiveness. My family felt so attacked and felt like a burden hearing her say that. They also rarely answer the phone during the day and makes it so so difficult to schedule. The doctor was good but so unfortunate that the other staff were not respectful. Do NOT go here and visit other Fairfax vet hospitals instead!
• MH

  Maria Hinojosa

  Jul 4, 2026
  1.0
  It was a horrible experience. Dr. Jennifer Zambrisky treated us with a lack of empathy and respect. As clients, we expected professionalism and compassion, especially during such a difficult time with our puppy. Unfortunately, our experience was very disappointing. I do not recommend seeing her at the Fairfax location.

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