Veterinary Healing Center of El Dorado Hills

I tried to drop my dog off this morning to get spayed (I had an appointment). The receptionist/​front office person saw me standing there, but proceeded to stay on a lengthy phone call. After the lengthy phone call ended, she then got out a file and did another 5 – 7 minutes of work on it. I waited probably 15 minutes for her to finally start on me. Her attitude was condescending and annoying, quite snippy, and I was having none of it. Finally the estimate she handed me indicated a «low amount» of $ 350 and a «high amount» of $ 450. Apparently for a routine spaying surgery, the prices can vary that much.. . which is too much.
After glancing at the estimate, I set it on the counter and walked out with the lady still trying to ask me silly, tedious questions. There was nothing else to discuss. I did say «thanks,» though.
In sum, I left (with my dog) and will seek services elsewhere. I hope the veterinarian who owns this office reads this, and after reading it, I hope he/​she explains to his front office lady the following obvious points:
1) When a CUSTOMER who HAS AN APPOINTMENT comes into the office at 8AM to drop off their pet, that person NEEDS TO GET TO WORK and IS NOT GOING TO SIT AND WAIT FOR 15 MINUTES for you to GET OFF THE PHONE.
2) It’s a bad idea to have a snippy attitude if a customer does not answer questions to a level that you consider to be satisfactory. She asked me if the dog had anything to drink this AM. I have no idea. Probably the dog drank some water. I don’t know, I am not going to know, and NO I am NOT GOING TO CALL MY WIFE TO ASK HER THAT. No amount of pissy attitude on your part is going to improve my attitude, ESPECIALLY AFTER YOU MADE ME SIT AND WAIT FOR 15 MINUTES TO FINISH A STUPID PHONE CALL.
I realize that I am not a perfect dog owner, because among other reasons I did not carefully monitor my dog’s water intake before her routine spaying. If that’s the type of customer this establishment expects, then I’m glad I ended our relationship now, because it would not have ever worked out. «It’s not you, it’s me,» haha.
Also, as a comment, there were lots of signs/​ads around the office for «holistic dog healing» etc. which I frankly think is silliness that is used to separate people from their money as early and often as possible.
Finally, I have to say that I felt great personal satisfaction in firing this vet office after having been subjected to the long wait and the snippy attitude.

i can’t say enough great things about Dr. Cahoon and his staff! I left today after my dogs appointment feeling very optimistic about his future treatment with Dr. Cahoon. My dog Kuma has been struggling with inflammatory bowel disease for 4 years and most doctors have just put a bandaid on it. Dr. Cahoon is digging deeper and incorporating Western and Eastern medicine for an overall approach, including the nutritional aspect of it. He really took the time to understand my dogs history and the disease he is fighting. I feel he brings so much to the table with his 25 years in emergency/​critical care, general practice and now eastern medicine, you can’t find a more well rounded veterinarian!

We recently relocated to the area and were looking for a new vet. Thankfully we found VHC thanks to an ad in the Folsom magazine and Unilocal reviews. We LOVED our vet down in the Bay so VHC had big shoes to fill and they did. :)
We have two senior pugs and we were THRILLED to hear that Dr. Cahoon specializes in brachycephalic dogs (smashed faces) and actually has an English bulldog and I think a pug too. I knew we were in good hands because these breeds are unique.
Our 10yo pug, Jersey, had a bad case of pneumonia and we needed a follow up chest x-​ray, that’s what brought us in to VHC. We had Jersey’s initial visit and x-​ray with the original vet but didn’t want to drive back down to the bay. Anyway, Dr. Cahoon didn’t like what he saw in his follow up x-​rays and wanted to try and get down to the bottom of the problem. He was reasonable and wanted to take a systematic approach to try and get a «definitive diagnosis» so we knew how to treat Jersey. He was caring, compassionate, and involved us every step of the way. Dr. Cahoon presented many options and was very clear with why he suggested what he did. He was financially conscious and wasn’t judgmental. He even refunded us for medication that he prescribed that Jersey didn’t end up needing. I thought that was a lovely touch and much appreciated after spending tons of money on our baby. Every dollar helps.
Anyway, I could go on and on but I just love his approach… He’s got great ideas and your animals best interest at heart. Dr. Cahoon many times said, «Let’s try this approach but not until Jersey’s stable», I appreciate that.
We’re going to start some Eastern medicine (acupuncture and Chinese herbs) in a few weeks and I’ll be sure to update my Unilocal review with my experience then.
If you’re on the fence about bringing your animals here, I highly recommend them! Not to mention the first initial consultation is only $ 1. Great opportunity to check out the clinic, staff and meet the Doctors and assess for yourself! Oh and shout out to the staff who have been awesome with our pugs so far!

Love Dr. Cahoon and the staff! I have been going here for years. I appreciate that I am given the option of care treatment plans from bare minimum to ultra cautious comprehensive testing and can make the choice based on my budget and/​or values for care of my pet. It can be expensive to do all of the testing, which is what I tend to do, but I appreciate knowing it is my choice and not something the doctor forces/​requires me to do.
I also appreciate their hours. Makes it easy to get in at some point for unplanned needs in addition to scheduling regular check ups.

At the suggestion of my wife we brought our 12 year old German Shepherd into see Dr. Cahoon with a view to exploring treatment for our dogs degenerative myelopathy. Our other vet had prescribed pain medication and anti inflammatory drugs to minimize pain, but offered that it an incurable disease that will eventually lead to full paralysis and death. Dr. Cahoon suggested acupuncture along with a dietary change and herbal supplements. I was very skeptical but agreed to try it. The cost was affordable and we thought we had nothing to lose.
After the first treatment our beloved dog was moving easily and could lift his rear legs to pee, just like before the disease onset. After 3 treatments he can scale the stairs to our home and with only an occasional misstep is for all intents and purposes back to normal. I have become a believer in this form of treatment and am extremely grateful that Dr. Cahoon patiently swayed me to try this for our dog. We are happy to have our dog living a somewhat natural, pain free life as long as possible.

I’ve always had a great experience here. Yes sometimes you have to wait a few minutes but hey that’s a reality and not huge deal to me.
They’re always accommodating on last minute appts.

Such a wonderful and helpful staff! Took my dog in for a dental and they did an amazing job! I was so nervous about my dog going under but they made me feel comfortable. It was a little pricey but on par for the quality of care she received. I will definitely recommend them.

We have been going to Veterinary Healing Center (Lake Forest Pet Hospital) since we moved here in 2004. The staff is always helpful and goes the extra mile to help you understand and make the best choices for the care of your pet. They even came to our house for one of our dogs who hated going to the vet. That’s customer service !

We have been bringing our beloved pets here for many years. Rarely do you have doctors who care so much about the animals AND the people. They have given excellent care to our cats and dogs. I love how they mix Western and Eastern medical practice for the maximum benefit. They are all about care and not just the money. I highly recommend this office.

Really disappointed with the customer service and strange direction this business has gone. Brought my cat in to drop him off for boarding (had made the appointment several weeks prior and was quoted the same amount as usual which is $ 28.00 night) We’ve been bringing him there for years, it’s the only vet he’s ever had. Whisker will be 19 this year. As i tried to pass the receptionist the food and cat she started acting odd and said just one minute and walked off into the back room and was back there for awhile (I was the only person in the place). Eventually she came back out and said we have a new form all our clients need to sign and she handed it to me. No big deal, I filled out and signed the form and then tried to get my cat and all his things handed over again and again she acted strange and said just one moment and went back into the back room again. This time she was back there for much longer and I thought what in the world is going on? But she eventually came out again and I asked her if everything was okay and she said yes, but then said um because of whiskers condition we will need to give him fluids every other day which will cost you $ 30 each time. Well I have a plane to catch so I said okay but I feel you should have disclosed that to me over the phone. He had just been boarded here last month and that wasn’t a requirement and he’s had this medical condition now for several years and its not been a requirement in the past either. So again I tried to hand my cat and his things over to her and AGAIN she started acting weird !! Off she walked into the back room again !!! This time even longer. After quite awhile I opened the door and asked is everything okay? I have to go. She said she’d be right with me. The next time she came out she said before you can leave him here the vet has to give him an exam. I said okay but he was just here last month for a full exam and blood work. They took him back then she came back out with him and said he’s fine to be left but we’ve had a rate increase to $ 45.00 per night. By this time I had been there 45 minutes. That means I’m now paying 45.00 one night then $ 75.00 the next for the whole time he’s here. I felt stuck with no time to make other arrangements and I’m really mad about the way this whole thing transpired but again said fine but I feel you should have disclosed this to me in advance. It’s not like I’m a new client we’ve been coming here regularly for many years and he just stayed here last month !!! When i got to my car I was so mad I called another place whiskers has stayed when this place is booked up. Told them what had just occurred and they said sure bring him right over. I walked back in and got my cat and his food and am never going back to this place again !! I had always known they were more pricey but felt it was worth it because they know all our animals and have been more convenient.

Well my visit today was MUCH better than my previous one! Waited only about 5 minutes after walking in to pick up meds for the dog.
Although my reason for being there was not desirable, the staff made my visit more pleasant:-)

I had an appt for my dog, I showed up about 10 mins early to my appt and I waited about 30 minutes. I was the only one in the wait room so they didn’t seem too busy. The doctor was friendly, and staff was generally nice. Just annoyed I had to wait so long.

Dr Jacobsen is wonderful she takes the time to listen, giving all options for treatment and calls to check up on your furry loved one. I recommend this vet

I have been taking all my pets to Dr Brad Cahoon. He has been a great Dr for the animals but a big support system for me. He has helped me make decisions I could not because of what my heart was feeling.
Now that he went back to school for Eastern medicine and acupuncture he will be able to help my animals more in the future.
I would and have referred people to him because I trust him

I’ve been coming to Dr. Brad Cahoon for several years now – but not exclusively. I’ve moved around the country and even internationally, and my dog has been to several different vets, but I always come back to Dr. Cahoon. Why? Trust and he’s damn good at what he does.
Currently, I live in the Bay Area and coming to the clinic takes me at least 3 hours (one way). I drive in specifically to have vet appointments with Dr. Cahoon. He’s always been amazing with my dog and his overall demeanor and professionalism have built a trust between the clinic and myself that makes the drive completely worth it. And now that he’s expanded into alternative medicines – such as Acupuncture – I can come to him for everything. Plus, on my recent visit, he was telling me about the upgrades to his clinic, such as digital x-​ray equipment; yet, he’s still waaaaaaay better priced than anyone I’ve found in the Bay Area.
Plus, he now runs the entire clinic, which is a huge bonus. I never had a good experience with the other vet or his staff (something that would have originally altered my score). But now that Dr. Cahoon is fully in charge, I’m happy to give him five stars.
I couldn’t be happier with Dr. Cahoon or recommend his clinic more. He’s educated, experienced, trustworthy, funny (if not a bit sarcastic), and affordable… all the things I’d want in a vet.