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Amber Leaf Animal Hospital

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Amber Leaf Animal Hospital
Amber Leaf Animal Hospital
(12 Reviews)
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28W730 Roosevelt Road West Chicago, IL 60185
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Consumer Feedback

(12 Reviews)
Service
4.5 star average for Service
Environment
4.5 star average for Environment
Expertise
4.5 star average for Expertise
Staff
4 star average for Staff
Recommended
4.5 star average for Recommended
Value
5 star average for Value
We have been taking our pets to Amber Leaf for the past 15 years, and it’s time to call it quits. This used to be a happy place, with courteous front office staff and excellent doctors. The fish tanks that sit in the lobby are a metaphor for the condition of the place now: They used to be beautiful and vibrant, but now they’re covered with green slime. The place is now routinely dirty, both in the lobby and the examining rooms. The aging facility has not had an update in decades, except for a recent coat of paint – which hasn’t helped much.

The senior office staff is out of control. (The younger staff have always been helpful and courteous.) At one time they were kind and courteous to clients, and compassionate and caring with the animals. But they’ve been there too long. It seems that they’re just burned out. Or perhaps they’ve just been allowed to operate on their own with no supervision or moral guidance. They are routinely rude and brash to clients, and appear to care less about the animals. If you’re unfortunate enough to have one of the senior staffers answer the phone, it very much feels like they think they’re doing you a favor to make an appointment. God forbid you just had a question to ask.

I have scores of anecdotes of rude and unprofessional treatment by these senior staffers, but here’s just one as an example. On one very sad occasion, we brought our beloved Carson in to end his journey. He was dying of liver cancer. The fact that this was his last trip into the exam room was well known by the staff, and the younger staff was fussing over him as he waited. On his walk into the room he stopped to sniff a stuffed animal that was part of a display on the shelf. Carson was a big guy, and the toy was right at nose level. He only sniffed it! He didn’t jump, or grab the toy. He just SNIFFED it!. One of the grumpy senior staffers saw this and yelled “Hey! Leave that alone!”. We were all horrified, and my wife and I said nothing - already doing our best not to cry.

The last straw was last week when my wife brought our elderly, blind, diabetic dog in for grooming - with the express pre-arranged agreement that her special needs would be accommodated. The senior staff, and the groomer, could have cared less about their commitment to this little girl, because they were ‘too busy’ that day. (The appointment was made days in advance!) That was combined with a generous dose of the usual rudeness. The stressful, two, thirty minute car rides were all for nothing, and little Ginger returned home.

A later appointment to discuss the terrible treatment with the owner, Dr. Rohrbach proved less than productive. He was disinterested in the issues, and actually accused me of being abusive to his staff. (Having recorded the entire conversation with his staff, I can certainly prove otherwise.)

Dr. Rohrbach seems to be ‘phoning it in’ as he gets closer to retirement. After the wonderful Dr. Chernok left Amber Leaf, I was forced to choose a different vet, and chose him. On one occasion he did an entire medical ‘exam’ on our dog without ever actually touching him! On another occasion Rohrbach forced our 120lb shepherd mix onto one of those stainless steel examining tables, that he cranked up, so that he wouldn’t have to bend over. Our dog was terrified, and again nothing was accomplished, except a brief, perfunctory conversation. It seems to me that any vet with an ounce of compassion would have abandoned the silly table, and got down on the floor to do the exam. Rohrbach has the right words, and the schmooze, but lacks any genuine care or concern for either his clients or their pets.

I then tried Dr. Rudiger. He’s great, and he’s been our doctor for most of the eleven pets we’ve taken there over the years. He’s kind and caring, patient and thorough, and he genuinely seems to care about the animals he treats. It has been a delight to deal with him. It appears that he’s the ‘heir apparent’ to take over the practice when Rohrbach retires. It can’t happen soon enough. Unfortunately, at the present time, Rudiger either doesn’t notice the poor behavior of Rohrbach and the senior staff, or he’s powerless to do anything about it.

We’ll miss our relationship with Dr. Rudiger, but unfortunately he doesn’t operate alone or in a vacuum. Perhaps when he has full authority, the swamp will be drained and the fish tanks will be cleaned. Until then, I suggest that you take your pet elsewhere.
by Russ R xxx.xxx.88.185
March 03, 2017
Were the waiting room chairs comfortable while waiting for your pet?
They were average
Would you recommend this provider to others?
Yes
Was this provider thorough in discussing the risks and benefits of your treatment options?
Definitely
Did the waiting room furniture appear to be clean?
Yes
Did this veterinarian fully explain your pet's condition?
Absolutely, I knew exactly what my pet had and what treatment options were available.
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.76.226
July 25, 2014
Does this veterinarian send reminder cards for your pets annual check-up?
Always. Not only do they send reminder cards, they also send adorable cards during the holidays
Was there a designated area for your dog to go to the bathroom?
Yes, It was extremely convenient and well kept
Was this animal hospital's staff friendly?
Yes, they went above and beyond
Did you feel that this veterinarian's pricing was fair?
It was some of the best pricing I have seen
Did this veterinarian have a large selection of medication available for your pet?
Absolutely, they are always in stock and even offer flea medication by the month
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.124.12
March 04, 2014
Are you going to visit this provider again?
If I need to, I'll return
Does this provider always put the customer first?
Yes, they always put customers first
Did this provider listen to your input and concerns?
Yes
Did this provider's staff seem to respect him/her?
Yes, I could tell the staff respected him/her
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.142.60
November 26, 2013
Was this provider sympathetic to your situation?
Yes, they were sympathetic and caring
Was this animal hospital's staff friendly?
Friendly Enough
Does this provider welcome questions?
Absolutely! They are happy to answer all of my questions
Did this provider ever take personal phone calls while in the appointment room with you?
He/she would never do that! Their full attention is always on me.
Did this animal hospital use current and safe equipment?
Fairly current
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.178.207
September 08, 2013
Were the waiting room chairs comfortable at this animal hospital?
Average
Did the staff make you feel uncomfortable when you called with questions or concerns?
Yes, they made me feel like I shouldn't have called
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.50.4
April 12, 2013
I was very happy with the service I and my two cats received.
by Ren xxx.xxx.18.22
February 11, 2013
How would you compare this provider to others in his/her field that you have visited?
Among the best I have seen
Did this provider leave you unattended for an extended period of time?
No, I was always attended to
Was this provider sympathetic to your situation?
Yes! They went above and beyond to make me feel special and respected
Would you recommend this animal hospital to others?
I Already Have
Was this veterinarian gentle when caring for your pet?
Unbelievabley gentle, it is very apparant they truly care about pets well-being and comfort
by Lance xxx.xxx.186.210
December 13, 2012
Is this provider easy to reach in an emergency?
Yes, they answered my call right away
Were you able to relax during your appointment?
Yes
by Anonymous
January 07, 2012
Was this veterinarian compassionate when your pet was sick?
Yes, their compassion was greatly appreciated.
Did you feel safe in this provider's care?
Yes
Was this provider argumentative or easily angered?
No, they were very calm and understanding
Did this veterinarian fully explain your pet's condition?
Yes, I had a clear understanding of my pet's condition
Does this provider welcome questions?
Yes, they don't mind answering my questions
by Anonymous
December 26, 2011
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Map and Directions
28W730 Roosevelt Road, West Chicago, IL 60185