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VCA Orchard Animal Hospital

Updated 2026-07-06 · 1,309 reviewed · 191 listed · Scored from 76 Google reviews · How we rank ›

4.2(76) 69 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Verified
General Veterinary CareSurgery & Specialty CareEmergency & Urgent CareExotic & Avian Care
VCA Orchard Animal Hospital
Services
General Veterinary Care, Surgery & Specialty Care, Emergency & Urgent Care
Reviews
76

What recent reviews say

Five-star reviews praise Dr. Brownlee and Dr. Kinneman for attentive, knowledgeable care and staff like Kelsey and Taylor for calming nervous pets. Handwritten welcome notes and personal touches set the clinic apart from bigger chains. However, serious complaints center on misdiagnosis of a cancerous mass that went undetected for years, turning away a dog with abdominal pain at closing, aggressive surgery recommendations before diagnosis, and dismissive responses when patients raised concerns. One reviewer called the clinic "severely overpriced" after losing a dog to late-stage cancer they believe the vets failed to catch.

Recent shift: Two high-praise reviews from a year ago (one about Dr. Brownlee, one about post-surgery care) predate the severe complaint (also from a year ago but edited) about misdiagnosed cancer and dismissive staff response. The most recent reviews (past 5 months) are consistently five-star, but the cancer misdiagnosis and staff defensiveness remain serious concerns that have not been publicly addressed or resolved.

Praised for
  • skilled and compassionate vets
  • strong vet tech team with named staff loyalty
  • genuine care and patience with nervous pets
  • handwritten notes and personal touches
  • clear communication and detailed explanations
Watch-outs
  • misdiagnosis and delayed cancer detection
  • turned away potentially ill animal at closing time
  • insensitive communication after pet death
  • high surgical pricing without full consent discussion
  • defensive responses to patient concerns
  • poor follow-up on inconclusive test results
compassionate-staffskilled-vetscaring-bedside-mannergentle-with-animalsresponsive-emergency-carepoor-communicationexpensiveknowledgeable-vetsfriendly-front-desk
Best for: Pet owners seeking a clinic with established vet-tech relationships and willing to pay for personalized attention and specialty services.
Think twice if: Pet owners concerned about diagnostic accuracy, especially for lumps or masses; those needing urgent evening care or budget-conscious about surgical recommendations.

Strengths

  • Named vets with strong patient followings (Dr. Brownlee, Dr. Kinneman, Dr. Oberman)
  • Experienced vet tech team known for calming anxious animals
  • Personal touches like handwritten welcome notes
  • Services including cold laser therapy, digital radiology, and specialized dermatology

Worth knowing

  • Vet tech Kelsey retained patient loyalty across her moves between practices
  • Dr. Brownlee noted for compassion with cats; Dr. Kinneman praised for patience with nervous puppies
  • Dr. Oberman provided same-day specialist referral for complex case
  • CareClub membership available (described as pricier by members)
  • Surgical recommendation of $2,715 for undiagnosed mass
  • Outside pathology referral charged at $500
  • Staff provided post-anesthesia supervision and treats to calm rescue dogs

What reviews say by service

General Veterinary Care
Praised for attentive wellness exams and puppy visits; criticized for years-long failure to diagnose cancerous stomach mass.
Surgery & Specialty Care
Complimented for soft tissue and spay procedures with recovery care; faulted for aggressive surgical recommendations before definitive diagnosis.
Emergency & Urgent Care
Turned away dog with abdominal pain 30 minutes before closing, citing insufficient time.
Exotic & Avian Care
Listed as offered; no review evidence found.

How it compares

  • Rated 4.2 against a 4.58 average across the 174 general veterinary care businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 35% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

Ranking Method
Star rating 53
Review volume 82
Review recency 100
Review sentiment 46
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
58
4
4
3
0
2
1
1
13

Common questions

Do they have someone I can book with if Dr. Brownlee or Dr. Kinneman isn't available?
Yes. Reviews mention Dr. Oberman and Dr. Kerr also see patients. The clinic offers CareClub membership for reliable access to qualified veterinarians.
What happens if I need care close to closing time?
One reviewer was turned away 30 minutes before closing with an ill dog, so call ahead to confirm they can fit you in.
Do they have a CareClub or membership plan?
Yes, CareClub is available but reviewers describe it as pricier. One customer felt the peace of mind and reliable access made it worthwhile for their family.

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Last updated 2026-07-06