Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center

My Golden Doodle Hannah (also Service and Therapy Dog) started suffering with seizures, after being ripped off from Cherryville Anm. Hosp. and almost putting Hannah on a drug cocktail of phenobarbital which God only knows what would have happened (was to strong of a dose), I wanted a second opinion. I meet with Dr. Ron Hodges and he recommended Hannah have acupuncture with Dr. Gabriel. Hannah has been seizure free for one year now thanks to Dr. Gabriel and Dr. Ron.
Cici our American Bulldog (also Service Dog) started having problems with her back leg, she tore her ACL. Dr. Carlos Hodges (Dr. Ron’s brother), discussed our options of TPLO verses the old way of repairing the ACL. Due to Cici’s size and weight Dr. Carlos strongly recommended the TPLO surgery. Dr. Carlos could have passed Cici off on any other vet, but he didn’t. Dr. Carlos did Cici’s surgery and is working with us for Cici to have a better life. Cici is re-​cooperating from her surgery. So far Cici is doing very well with the surgery. Cici is a very active dog and not use to lying around the house so it is very difficult to keep her sedated. We have finally found medications that are working for her.
Dr. Ron and Dr. Carlos are extremely helpful with both my Service Dog’s needs. They have put my Girls needs first above anything. The love and compassion for animals is always first with both brothers. The staff they employ whenever I have gone there has always been kind, caring, courteous.
I do understand it is difficult when you have an emergency and money is tight for everyone. Some need to understand it cost them a small fortune to keep their practice going and be able to give everyone quality vet care, while employing a staff that is equally there to help you. I have been to other vet’s in the area and I honestly must say the care and concern I get from Dr. Ron and Dr. Carlos is above standard. All other vet’s want their payments right up front also, the difference is the Care, Concern, and Commitment you get at Valley Central.

Dr. Ron is extremely helpful, and he is always willing to explain things in great detail. Thank you for caring for my dog, Valley Central!

Our vet recommended that our American Bulldog, Buster, be scheduled for exploratory testing last Friday by Dr. Carter at Valley Central. Though I was concerned about the negative reviews, trusting our vet, Dr. Visintainer and speaking with an Internal Medicine nurse at the hospital, Kim, I was reassured that Buster would get good care. Throughout week, I spoke with Kim and another nurse about properly keeping Buster nourished and hydrated in anticipation of Friday’s procedure. Unfortunately he took a turn for the worst on Thursday and I spoke with Kim who agreed that we should bring Buster in through the Emergency Center. They met us at the car with a gurney and were knowledgeable, compassionate and caring. Sandy, one of Buster’s nurses, kept us constantly informed of what to expect. Dr. Epps was simply outstanding from the moment we met him, taking Buster’s history, suggesting first steps, reviewing test results, allowing us to make informed decisions on what we should do and spending all the time we needed with us. Upon further testing, it was apparently that Buster was much sicker than anyone realized and Dr. Epps outlined options but suggested that the most humane thing would be to say goodbye to our boy, as he would never recover. He never wanted to give us false hope or order unnecessary tests. Between testing, we laid on the floor with Buster and in the end, they gave us all the time we needed to say goodbye that night. Kim called when her shift started the next day as she was expecting Buster to be an in-​patient and expressed her sincere sympathy. Although the outcome was not what we expected, the care Buster received was outstanding in every way and we were comforted along the way. We would recommend them to anyone with a furry love in need of this medical attention.

I hesitated taking our sick dog to Valley Central after reading some of the negative reviews, but on a Sunday morning following an historic blizzard we didn’t have many choices. We couldn’t have been happier with our decision!
Dr. Stacey Dietrich is the vet who saw our pup after a quick and easy check-​in, and she was one of the most patient, understanding, and thorough vets we’ve EVER seen. She never once tried to rush us, no matter how many times we questioned and re-​questioned her. She didn’t chastise us when we told her we feed our dogs a raw food diet, or when I questioned her about her recommendations. She immediately understood our concerns and offered alternatives that we were more comfortable with.
And finally, she offered us an à la carts list of tests she recommended, ranging from a conservative approach, to a more comprehensive (and of course, expensive) protocol. She explained each test in detail, and what we could learn from any possible results, and never once pushed us to do more testing than was necessary.
In short, Dr. Stacey Dietrich let US decide what the best course of action was for our own dog, after she gave us the information we needed to make an educated decision. She even made recommendations on how we can best follow up with our regular vet, to ensure our dog will receive everything he needs, but nothing he doesn’t.
We trusted in Dr. Stacey Dietrich so much that we wish we could see her as our dogs’ regular vet, and not just in an emergency situation.
Finally, I should mention that the two nurses we saw were also extremely kind, helpful, and patient with us and our sick dog. I’m sorry that some people’s experiences were unsatisfactory, but we were completely satisfied and happy with our decision to take our dog to Valley Central, and absolutely would do so again in any emergency.

I was sent to Valley Central by my vet because he did not have the necessary equipment or staff to care for my dogs ailment. He did warn me before we left that it could be expensive, and he was not kidding. I will say that the staff & Veteranarian that treated my dog were kind, professional, and attentive to our needs. Unfortunately the bottom line here is the almighty dollar, not caring for your pet. They hit you for cash before you ever see a doctor. And if you do not have the money you are out of luck. My only option was to come up with $ 600.00 to keep him alive until morning, which would buy me some time to find another $ 2000.00 to continue his treatment. Tough decisions had to be made & my boy is in doggie heaven now. So my advice would be to stay away unless you are flush with $$$$.

Monday night, more like Tuesday morning 1am, the most important living creature in the world to me is brought into this care center in my arms after signs of an accidental poisoning. In the middle of the night there is an oasis of hope. i found a caring attentive staff-​a full staff!-including receptionists, at least one nurse and at least on vet. after diagnosis she was put on iv fluids, meds etc. she was closely monitored and attended to and her treatment changed as her condition did. 36 hours later Amelia was back in my arms and back home, as happy and healthy as she’s ever been. how about their high fees i’ve read about in many reviews… i’ll be glad for rates to go through the roof, let them all become multi-​millionaires-​what they did for me, i could never put a price on.

Love the team here– I drove over an hour because they came highly recommended for my golden retriever. Extremely friendly, knowledgable staff who will treat your pet as if it’s their own!

If it’s midnight, or a holiday, and you have an ABSOLUTE EMERGENCY, this place may be your only choice. And it’s not a good one.
The first time I went there, it was almost midnight, and I came home to find my cat had a hole in his stomach! He had impaled himself on something. I rushed him there wrapped in a towel, where they of course made sure I could cover the $ 150 security deposit before he could be seen. The vet basically told me he’d die if I didn’t let them perform surgery right then, and quoted me over $ 600. I didn’t have $ 600, which they guilt tripped me about. I insisted they send me home with antibiotics for his infection and I’d call my vet in the morning. After much guilt tripping, I took my cat home, stayed up with him all night, and took him to his regular vet the next day, where the surgery and 2 day’s worth of antibiotics and pain meds cost me $ 90. $ 90!!! Hmmm…
The second time I went, it was New Year’s night and my new puppy rolled off the couch and broke his leg. I sat in the waiting room (for an hour with a puppy screaming in pain) and watched as they turned away a crying woman with a dying pet because she didn’t have $ 150. Her pet probably died that night because these people don’t give a sh*% about animals. Anyway, after an x-​ray I was told my puppy needed a $ 1500 surgery right then and there. Since I had learned my lesson after my cat, I simply requested pain meds for the night and copy of the x-​ray. More guilt tripping, basically telling me what a horrible pet owner I was. First thing in the morning, my puppy went to see my regular vet, who looked at the x-​ray and informed me he broke his salter bone, which is a common break in small breed puppies, and that it would heal just fine on it’s own. It did, and he’s perfectly healthy and happy.
The mission of this place has nothing to do with animal care, it has to do with the bottom $ line and it’s shameful! How they can talk about caring for animals and then TURN AWAY sick pets because their owners don’t have the money at that second is beyond me! So if you are forced to go there because of timing, keep in mind, get whatever pain meds or antibiotics that will get your pet through the night and then take them to a real vet the next day.

This place is amazing. Dr. Ronald Hodges is a saint. I took my 11 month old cat in for repeated vomitting, lethargy, and dehydration. Yes they do ask for a $ 125 on the spot for a consultation fee but it is an ER so thats typical. I only waited 15 minutes before we were taken back and an addtl hour while her bloodwork and ultrasound were done. Found out it was nothing serious, and after an antibiotic, a steroid, some anti nausea and some fluids we were on our way. Yes their fees are high but so is any ER; but they will work with you. I am a single mother with two kids and after finding out my bill was over a $ 1000 I about fainted. But Dr Ronald Hodges only charged me for the consultation and the blood work. So I only paid $ 330. The staff is courteous and you can tell they really care about your pet. I would go back here if needed in a heartbeat. Highly recommended!

THE WORST. Dr Carlos Hodges NEGLECT KILLED my dog. STAY AWAY!!! Read these reviews and KNOW they are true. he has charges against him and more are coming.

Went there today because my dog was vomiting since yesterday… Thought I could get him seen … Probably needed an antibacterial drug… But these folks want $$$$$as soon as you walk in… They talk about estimates and procedures… I filled out the paperwork… Which requires a $ 125 fee up front… no one was waiting in the waiting room… and I could see that at least 2 of the rooms were vacant… Yet I waited probably 15 mins until I came to my senses and ask for the money back… They obliged… and I left… I’ll see my vet tomorrow. I ask this question… Do they care about pets or money?

Bless you Dr. Ronald Hodges.
I went to 2 different local vets:
1– vet in Allentown (said X-​ray was fine)
The Allentown Vet recommended I put my dog on pancreatitis medication so I did. So mad I ever wasted time and money going there.
1– vet in Easton 2^nd opinion — I went 2 wks later. They noticed something abnormal in an X-​ray (they called me days later to tell me this)
Finally, I took my dog to Valley Central since Nowhere else could do an ultrasound immediately.
At this point my dog (my baby) has been sick for 3 weeks almost.
Dr. Hodges did an ultrasound and in MINUTES told me my dog either has a tumor or ate a foreign object. She’s having surgery today.
Thank you Dr. Hodges so so much! We seriously love you. I will never go anywhere else. I Cannot express my gratitude to you enough.
I have heard nothing but good things about Valley central and now I know why.
7÷9÷15 My dog has been doing great. Dr. Hodges saved her life!
She was acting herself 2 days after surgery. Bless him! He is such a great Doctor and good hearted person. It is impossible to find such an honest Doctor that cares so much about the welfare of your pet. I wish I had gone here first. But the important thing is they saved my girls life.

Took my French Bulldog puppy to the emergency room because it was having trouble breathing. I was fortunate to get attention right away and the care they provided was very good and had very few complaints.
The bill for a a one and a half days stay was upwards of $ 2,000. They charged $ 86 for oxygen for one hour. And little thing were ridiculously expensive. Measuring oxygen in the blood (machine clips in the mouth and reads it in under a minute) $ 27!!! This is a 1 star deduction in my opinion for rating.
Why then I rated it so low? Well, as soon as my puppy got better I was sent home with a few antibiotic pills. The staff took a liking to my puppy and said bye. So far so good.
My puppy lost his appetite and I called next day to let the vet know that he was not eating. The receptionist asked the doctor, and all I got was a dismissive «I don’t know what it could be» and was told to bring him back, and that because 24 hours had passed that I would need to pay for a consultation.
3 minute Google search revealed that the two antibiotics prescribed cause loss of appetite.
Seems like as soon as they got my money, the great care that was being shown stopped as I went through the door. I thought that some of the reviews here were wrong. Now I see how accurate they were.
I will only bring my pet to this money hungry pit if there is no other option.

This place was so rude and all they want is your money. My husband and I just got a labradoodle and he is only 4 months old. We were conceded because we felt a pocket of air n his chest and thought we would take him for peace of mind. We get there and I started to ask the nurse about the paper work and was explaining to me the CPR and all the medical fees that might occur like they were definitely happening and they didn’t even bring him in a room yet! They brought him back and I heard the nurse talking to the doctor behind the door saying «YOURE GONNA LIKE THIS ONE» and saying I’m «clamming» that he wasn’t playing with other dogs to cause this. So 1^st, she made is out worse than it actually was. Keep in mind Diesel, our 4 month old labradoodle was fetching a tennis ball in a field right before we left to go there. They told us that he was too calm for a puppy and that he wasn’t feeling good, but we were outside all day and to petco twice that day. The doctor comes in, doesn’t say a word to us, feels around his chest, AND TELLS US THAT OUR DOG WAS PROBABLY GOING TO DIE! So they made us do X-​rays and keep him there over night which cost almost $ 1,000 and maxed out our care credit card. After he took the X-​rays, he didn’t even show them to us and kept telling us he wasn’t going to make it without surgery or even if he has a lung disorder. So we picked him up the next morning, brought him to our vet, AND HE IS FINE! He had a little air outside of his lungs (acute subcutaneous emphysema) cause from sleight trauma from falling off the bed! He is at the vet now finishing up some IV fluids then he is coming home tonight! Just minimal activity until healed.
I will NEVER go to Valley Central again, they raped my wallet and almost took my dogs life. They don’t care if you are crying your eyes out like my husband and i were last night, or if you are dirt broke. They are rude, (Then even said to me keeping him over night is the best thing you can afford with your budget, in such a nasty tone) they don’t offer your personal care, and they are in and out of the room in minutes (I understand that it is and emergency room, but you don’t tell someone your dog is going to die then walk out without explanation). AND THEY ARE EXPENSIVE! For 1,000 dollars i would expect a reason why «my dog is going to die»! This place is the worst, I wouldn’t recommend this place to anybody that loves there pet. I would give negative stars if i could.

I drove an hour to the hospital because I thought I would get good care for my pet here. I waited an hour in the reception area and then another hour in a small waiting room.
After two hours from the time of my appointment I said I was leaving. the place wanted to charge me $ 200 for the appointment and I didn’t see a doctor!!!
If you care about your animal, don’t go here!!!

I have now been waiting here for 4 hours in the exam room. I saw the doctor 3.5 hours ago. Signed off on the medicine I was going to give him and still have not been given the medicine. My poor dog has been in this room vomiting for 4 hours. I am sure there are more extreme cases that need to be tended to, but then they should at least allow us to go home so my dog can be in the comfort of his home, and then I can come back when they find the time to hand us the antibiotic. To add insult to injury I can hear all of the employees laughing in the background and talking about their 700 calorie diets.

I took my cat here because my local vet could not determine why my cat couldn’t eat even with xrays. I was giving him meds and IV fluids and he was getting worse and even jaundiced so I was referred to Dr. Ron. It was well worth the 2 hr drive. Dr. Ron did an ultrasound and determined there was something in his belly. They scoped him and sure enough, my cat had a huge hairball. Dr. Ron was able to go down and pull the hairball out without doing surgery. My cat is 100% better and except for the fact that he now has to get shaved down every few months so the problem doesn’t recur, he is one happy kitty!!! Kudos to Dr. Ron and staff who kept me informed throughout the day.