Reviews of Shoal Creek Animal Clinic (Veterinarian)

Richie

Very thorough exam; I was very satisfied with my cat's treatment and explanations from Dr. Elder. The veterinary tech was very good too. My cat can be hard to handle.

Lexi Anderson

THIS IS THE PLACE TO TAKE YOUR FUR BABIES! My little baby was so scared, and they made him feel right at home! He loved the staff, and didn't even cry when he got his shots!

Linda Lowe

I have been a client at Shoal Creek Animal Clinic for the past 20 years. Dr. Elder, Dr. Askren and staff are and have always been courteous, professional and compassionate not only with my pets but also with me. They are always willing to devote the time in exploring all avenues of treatment. I would highly recommend Shoal Creek Animal Clinic as I believe pets deserve the best care they can receive and Shoal Creek Animal Clinic is the clinic for that care. Linda Lowe

Darla Dickerson

Yesterday I called many other offices, but was most impressed by the enthusiasm and knowledge my husband and I received from Carla. She was very helpful, answered all of our questions, and even went over prices with me! We will be new to the area and look forward to meeting all of the staff when we move to Athens in the upcoming months with our fur-babies.

Chris Sullens

Dr. Elder is the best. As a Vet Tech I have worked with several vets and he has them all beat. We have taken our dogs to him for years and when our lab died of old age he was wonderful and has a great bedside manner. Unfortunately some vets treat the death of a pet as just an animal and not a member of the family. Thanks to everyone at Shoal Creek!!!!!

Jessica Fabbricatore

Everything about our experience from checking in to the visit itself to paying was excellent. Our dog does not do well with other dogs, but the woman at the front desk made sure that was not an issue. During our appointment, the vet techs were friendly and professional. Dr. Holley was very thorough with our dog, and made sure we understood what she was doing. The services our dog received (two 3-year vaccines, yearly check-up, and ear infection treatment) were reasonably priced, and they made sure I knew how much each service was before they did anything. I had a great experience here.

Darie Wolfson

We just moved to Athens and were looking for a new vet. We took our rottie Angie and our pit/lab Rocky in for annual exams and shots. We were blown away by the service and attention both we and our dogs got. Dr. Elder was great about giving us options rather than just dictating to us how to care for our animals. The tech are great- they did a phenomenal job of treating our animals lovingly and with respect and also making an interpersonal connection with us. We will definitely stick with this practice as long as we're in Athens!

Amelia Ross

Doctor Elder and the staff and Shoal Creek are excellent. I've been taking my animals there for years and I trust them completely. They always make me feel comfortable and truly go the extra mile to ensure my animal's health. They are incredibly considerate and always follow up at least once if not more. I would recommend them to anyone.

Taylor Kopel

Dr. Elder and the rest of the team were fantastic. This was our first visit to Shoal Creek Animal Clinic. Our puppy had its first shot, de-worming, and flea meds done. I came in with a long list of questions and Dr. Elder took the time to answer each one in detail. He even provided information I had not thought to ask for. The rest of the staff were extremely helpful as well. We will be returning for future care!

Antonia Welch

Shoal Creek Animal Clinic is the best vet I've ever had. It's worth the drive across town for the quality of their service and unmatched care and compassion. Really, I cannot recommend this vet clinic highly enough.

Katelyn Mackoul

Such a great place with friendly staff that really take care of your precious pets.

Tolindra Collins

It was my first vet visit with a pet. My 8week old kitten Khaleesi was excited to have cheese wiz and didn’t even flinch when she got her first shot. They do their best to make sure your animal is safe and comfortable. Reasonable prices for her care. The head doctor is very caring and sweet and is very thorough explaining health plans for your pet. Thank you Shoal Creek Animal Clinic.

Morgan Mendieta

The best vet in Athens, hands down! Dr. Elder and his entire staff treat my dog like their own and provide excellent service. With a dog that is always getting herself into trouble, I am thankful for a vet clinic that keeps up with her history and always knows what to do.

Richie

Very thorough exam; I was very satisfied with my cat's treatment and explanations from Dr. Elder. The veterinary tech was very good too. My cat can be hard to handle.

Thomas Kelley

I was very pleased with my first visit here after adopting my dog. Everyone on the staff was very friendly and helpful and they were so sweet to my pup. They even called after the appointment to make sure he was doing alright with the shot that he got and again to follow up about a question we never got back around to that I had during his appointment.

Katherine Echols

I have been using Shoal Creek Animal Clinic for about 2 years now, and I will NEVER go anywhere else. Dr. Elder is kind, friendly, informative and thorough! The vet techs are fantastic and there is always a friendly and helpful person sitting at the front desk (or on the phone when I call). I have 3 dogs, 2 of them are friendly and sociable, so a vet visit is no big deal, but my oldest dog has had a rough past which has left him skittish and aggressive towards dogs and people. The staff at Shoal Creek Animal Clinic are so kind and understanding toward me and my dog. They do everything they can to make the visit as least stressful as possible, but still give him a thorough examination. I know it is not easy to deal with such a "difficult" patient, but they make it seem like it is no problem at all. They even call me the day after a visit to make sure everything is OK and that I don't have anymore questions. I truly appreciate Shoal Creek Animal Clinic and would recommend it to anyone and everyone!

Courtney Graves

I read good reviews about Shoal Creek and it was conveniently located, so I took my fur child. However, my experience was a little different. I was very worried about my dog having a skin issue. The veterinarian couldn’t tell me what the issue was by looking at her skin, but that he was going to run some tests. However, he seemed to think it could have been the mange. And even though my dog was not tested positive, I guess he thought it necessary to alert the whole staff. So, as I was checking out with the front desk assistant, she used a napkin to grab the pen I used to sign my receipt. I understand the mange is serious, but with everything considered, I just felt disrespected and a little embarrassed quite honestly. I received a call a few days later that my dog tested negative for everything. Took my own knowledge (and the $60+ I spent there) to realize my dog just had an allergic reaction to flea bites. I’ve taken my pup a few more times and haven’t had too bad of an experience, besides my dog hating being touched by anyone she doesn’t trust, and even professionals having a hard time with it. Everyone on the staff seems nice enough, but it just made me uncomfortable.

Shirley Spencer

Great friendly service

Joan Watson

The DVMs & staff at Shoal Creek are excellent! They are very thorough in their exams & very gentle with my furry family members. I have been a loyal customer for 17 yrs & would Not consider going anywhere else.

Jodi Beasley

Dr Elder and the gang are wonderful!!!

Stephanie Eldridge

The vets and employees are incredibly friendly, accommodating, and listen well to their customers. Dr. Elder has shown time and again that he not only knows how to handle, but genuinely cares for his pet patients. He offers clear explanations for any concerns, tests that need to be done, and diagnoses. For as long as I'm in Athens, I'll be taking my kitties here.

Matthew Davidson

They were always very friendly and made me feel comfortable. I stumbled onto them because they were the closest to my house but I wouldn't go anywhere else now.

Lindsey Parker

Love, love, love Shoal Creek Animal Clinic. Dr. Elder and his staff go above and beyond. They are efficient, compassionate, and knowledgeable. Thank you for all you do!

Lexi Anderson

THIS IS THE PLACE TO TAKE YOUR FUR BABIES! My little baby was so scared, and they made him feel right at home! He loved the staff, and didn't even cry when he got his shots!

Haley calhoun

As a new puppy owner, I was nervous about my little one's first visit. Shoal Creek made my Millie as well as myself feel comfortable. They made sure I was well informed without making me feel judged. It was a great visit; very impressed.

Brian Gravely

***Don’t go anywhere else in the Athens area. This is the place to take your animals!*** Dr. Elder and his staff are the most caring group that I have ever come across in veterinary medicine. Time and time again, they have proven to be more concerned and careful than any other veterinarian office that I have ever experienced. They truly treat your animals as if they were their own, something that few can say. They never give off the “get you in and out” vibe that many offices do. This begins and ends with the secretary Angie, who is beyond helpful and loves every animal that steps through the door. Their vet assistants are always so happy to see you (Marsha is THE BEST), and they are incredibly thorough in everything that they do. Dr. Elder is such a spectacular vet— there are too many great things to say about him for one single review.

dancer Ethier

Shoal Creek has always been professional, friendly, and timely when serving our pet cat!

Haley calhoun

As a new puppy owner, I was nervous about my little one's first visit. Shoal Creek made my Millie as well as myself feel comfortable. They made sure I was well informed without making me feel judged. It was a great visit; very impressed.

Brian Gravely

***Don’t go anywhere else in the Athens area. This is the place to take your animals!*** Dr. Elder and his staff are the most caring group that I have ever come across in veterinary medicine. Time and time again, they have proven to be more concerned and careful than any other veterinarian office that I have ever experienced. They truly treat your animals as if they were their own, something that few can say. They never give off the “get you in and out” vibe that many offices do. This begins and ends with the secretary Angie, who is beyond helpful and loves every animal that steps through the door. Their vet assistants are always so happy to see you (Marsha is THE BEST), and they are incredibly thorough in everything that they do. Dr. Elder is such a spectacular vet— there are too many great things to say about him for one single review.

Sally Ouyang

Absolutely love the staff and vet here! Dr. Elder and his staff are the best! I’ve been going here for three years and every time the service has been wonderful. It is more expensive than other clinics but I personally think it’s worth it. At some clinics, you don’t get to be in the room with your pet, but here you get to go into the exam room and be with your pet!

Thomas Baldwin

Shoal Creek Animal Clinic cares about your pet. They are professional and very patient with you. I've not had a bad experience and they will take you right away if its an emergencies.

Josie Davis

Love the doctors and staff at Shoal Creek Animal Clinic! They always get us appointments within a few days or on the day we actually call! Also, we never have to wait long to see the doctors once we're there! I personally like how they use their dry erase boards in the exam rooms and take the time to explain the information to us so we know exactly what is going on with our pups!

Susan Curtis

A very fast, friendly response to my newly adopted cat's sudden need

Bennett Smith

Since we have moved to Athens a year and a half ago, we have used Shoal Creek to take care of our 90 lb labradoodle Porter. We have seen two different vets, and have been impressed with both. For us, the staff have been very helpful and nice. We will keep using them until I graduate.

Warren Abel

Absolutely the best vet clinic in Athens. Dr. Elder and the entire staff are amazing.

Sam Foster

They are great and their prices are great. They have really helped my 14 year old dog through his cancer. Highly recommend!

Britta Nelson

I recently relocated to Athens and really lucked out finding such a great veterinarian my first go. My cat is quite a difficult patient with a myriad of health problems, including a heart defect, and usually needs to be sedated to be examined. Dr. Elder and his technician were able to perform the examination and get him the treatment he needed without sedation. Additionally, I was presented with options to help treat my cat's condition more chronically rather than going to the vet every six months for steroid injections, which are detrimental to his health and really stress both him and me out. It is apparent that Dr. Elder really cares about his patients and their fur-parents. I will be returning to this practice in the future and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to any friends.

Brielle Tate

They are patient and caring, and treat your animals like their own. I trust them to take good care of my two cats. They also accept Care Credit, which has been a life saver for me several times.

Kiaya Childs

The vet was friendly and knowledgeable I loved our visit and look forward to future visits

Joey Lincoln

Very friendly and professional staff, incredibly caring and sincere veterinarians and techs, prompt and flexible appointment availabilities - I couldn’t ask for a better vet for my fur baby.

Graham Ferguson

Very nice staff. They worked very well with my shy dog. Vet was very open and a great listener. He did a good job taking care of my dog.

Lanie Barlow

My pets always get excptional care here.

Jesse Kuzy

They were able to schedule an appointment quickly for an urgent issue. Staff was friendly, professional, and gentle with my cat. Diagnosis, treatment, and some take-home meds issued in about 25 minutes door-to-door. Pricing was as expected, pets aren't a minor expense. They fixed my cat fast. No complaints.

Rebecca Stills

Literally, the best vet ever. I took my dog and cat to at least three or four vets in Athens before I finally found this one. And it was on the other side of town! That's how good they are there. Abbi, (I think that's how she spells it) at the front desk, is just the most friendly and helpful person ever. The vet techs are wonderful and so are the vets. Dr. Elder and Dr. Asken will sit with you and their little white board going over options until you feel satisfied. They are so friendly and are not trying to break your bank - just make sure your pet is healthy. They really treat you like a person there and give you all your options and pricing before you make any decisions. They really want what is best for you AND your pet. Even though they may be *slightly* more expensive than other options - they really make up for it by being so informative, willing to work with you and really loving your pets. Whenever I had to buy medications, they would even try to track down a rebate for me. That's how cool they are. I recall they refer to our pets as "companions" which is amazing because Doctor Who but also because it relays a certain amount of respect for the relationship you have with your animal. I am VERY sad to have to leave Shoal Creek as I just moved out of Athens but I would certainly recommend them over every other vet in town (or any town) hands down.

Rebecca Sacks

Shoal Creek always treats my fur baby with kindness and love.

Michele Edenfield

My pups and I LOVE Shoal Creek!! I have been going to Dr. Elder since 2009. He is great with my dogs and does not mind answering all of my questions. He truly loves his job and it shows. I recommended a friend transfer their dog with health issues to Shoal Creek for a second opinion. Dr. Elder provided many more options/ideas for treatment than the other vet's office and their pet's health has improved tremendously! The staff is also a great part of the experience. Everyone knows our names and they are always so helpful. I would (and have already) highly recommend Shoal Creek to anyone. :)

Oliver James

This clinic is by far the best vet experience I've had. Prices are comparable to past vets and the people are excellent at what they do. They called same day to give back test results as soon as they were ready. Any time one of my dogs has had a vaccine, they've called the next day to check in and offer advice if needed. Highly recommended!

Kim Barnes

We have received great compassionate and thoughtful care from this vet clinic. Having lived in Athens for almost 20 years, we have been to several local vets and this has been the best by far.

Brielle Tate

They are patient and caring, and treat your animals like their own. I trust them to take good care of my two cats. They also accept Care Credit, which has been a life saver for me several times.

Stephen Shepstone

Over the past 10+ year and am honored to say that this office is the most caring, friendliest and educated animal clinic I have ever dealt with. They treated Hershey (chocolate lab) with such affection up to the end. I couldn't imagine using any other office and I would VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THEM! I want to personally thank them for the understanding and caring in the end, it helped us through a hard time.

yousef amircani

the best doctor who dealt with my best friend Popeye (6lb Yorkie) he care and treat them like his own, I made the mistake of taking him in weekend to UGA they killed him and charged me $900+ the worse place for animal corollary

Sue Myers Smith

Dr. Elder is such a wonderful veterinarian. I've used Shoal Creek since I moved to Athens, and Dr. Elder is definitely carrying on the same great pet and client care that Dr. Askren did before he retired. He's been adept at handling our cranky and now-very-senior cat and guiding us through treatment of his various issues. The veterinary nurses at Shoal Creek are equally wonderful! I can't recommend Shoal Creek and their wonderful staff enough.

Kiaya Childs

The vet was friendly and knowledgeable I loved our visit and look forward to future visits

Joey Lincoln

Very friendly and professional staff, incredibly caring and sincere veterinarians and techs, prompt and flexible appointment availabilities - I couldn’t ask for a better vet for my fur baby.

Cayla Ridley

My puppy fell ill and my usual vet is closed on Wednesday. Needless to say, I was a ball of stress. The staff at Shoal Creek not only made time out of their day to see my puppy they also gave quality care. Thanks to Dr. Elder and the staff my puppy is feeling fantastic ! :)

Susan Kilgo

Our beagle hurt her back and was very well cared for by Dr. Elder and his staff. Everyone at Shoal Creek is very professional and caring. We had a good experience from beginning to end. The front desk staff were polite and easy to work with. We were able to come in the day we called when our dogs problem with her back began. When we arrived for our appointment we did not have to wait. It was the first time our dog had been seen at this clinic and the front desk staff had already gotten all of the vaccination records and other important other information from our vet at home so we had no paperwork to fill out. The vet technicians were very polite and sweet with our dog. They were very careful with her since she was in pain. Dr. Elder listened to all of our concerns, explained everything to us and made sure we understood how to take care of our dogs injury. Everyone at the clinic seemed to genuinely care about us and most importantly our dog and that was a very good feeling. They even called us a few days later to make sure our dog was improving and feeling better. I would definitely recommend Shoal Creek Animal Clinic,

Caroline Sharkey

When we first moved to Athens with barely a penny to our names, we were able to access affordable vet services for our old dog. The care and attention far surpassed our expectations. Last week, our dear old guy had to say good-bye to us and Dr. Elder took care of him with respect and grace. Today, we got a beautiful handwritten card from Dr. Christopher Elder - a long and sincere condolence. This meant the world to our family and my kids will cherish this card. I highly recommend this clinic and can personally vouch for their staff and their services.

Im_that_kid_ Geo

Very well attended,Very nice people,treated my dog as if it was there own,Price was very affordable,Highly recommended.

Matthew Shannon

I would gladly recommend Shoal Creek Animal Clinic to anyone! They were the first vet I have ever had, and helped me with any questions I had about raising my puppy (my first time being a dog owner). Every visit I made went smoothly and they were very organized. They were all very friendly as well! The two times my dog got sick, they were able to help me get her back to being healthy quickly. Also, the procedure to spay her went smoothly and she healed very well (could not even tell she ever had surgery a few months after). Overall, they were everything I needed and they made every process stress free. I was very satisfied with how they treated both my dog and myself!

ANDREA J Ayala

Shoal Creek Animal Clinic has been my number one vet since my first experience with them in 2011. I came to Athens as a grad student with my three partners in crime, Belle, Bianca and Poohbear, all dogs, all rescues, and all wonderful and neurotic in some way. Poohbear passed away in November of 2015, two months shy of his 18th birthday, and as an Australian Shepherd-mix, that meant he was pretty old. Seriously old. And the happiest old dog ever. I'm convinced he was gifted this amazingly long life with an amazing quality of life as a result of the outstanding, top notch medical care he received under Dr. Elder. As for my girls, I have complete confidence they are now entering their senior years happily and healthily, and any questions and concerns I have are always investigated and taken into account. The technicians and receptionists (especially Angie!) are always amazingly friendly and super helpful on the phone. I've traveled a lot as a field biologist and have taken the pups with me on a lot of cross-country adventures lasting weeks to months. It is no stretch for me to state they are the most helpful and accommodating clinic I have dealt with in any location. And while a poster below mentioned they are expensive, in all honesty, they're not. The honor of most expensive clinic goes to the Hillcrest area of San Diego. However, here they just offer more comprehensive services. I'd rather take my dogs to a clinic where I have an option of adding a blood work screening and the full spectrum of vaccines to the physical exam yearly as opposed to a clinic that only has the capability of performing the basics. Yes, the basic exams might be comparable in price but the extras are going to cost more in time, supplies, and of course, if something abnormal is found, treatment. So I see the options as being there because they are what are best for my dogs and I am never pressured to take the more expensive route. In short, when I deal with Dr. Elder and the rest of the folks at Shoal Creek, there is never any question in my mind about whether a proposed treatment plan or even the exploration of a potential health issue is what is best for my pups. I highly suggest them to all, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised by how professional, kind, compassionate and knowledgeable these folks are.

Holly Fling

When I took Jane in with a puncture wound, I asked for some advice about her frequent potty accidents, which I assumed were an indication of a behavioral issue since they only began to occur so often with my return from a conference. From my description, Dr. Elder realized there was likely an underlying medical cause. While we couldn't get a urine sample (go figure!), he prescribed an antibiotic that would treat both the infection in the puncture wound and a UTI. It's been four days now, and not only is Jane's wound healing nicely but also she hasn't had an accident in the house for the past three days! All of my dogs love Dr. Elder and his staff. Even my CHF dog gets so excited when we pull up that he practically drags me to the door. When my friends tell horror stories about tricking their pets into going to the vet, I know I'm fortunate to have chosen Shoal Creek Animal Clinic. They definitely have my recommendation, but, more importantly, they have Knightley, Bingley, and Jane's recommendation!

Ellen Antworth

Every time I visit Shoal Creek I have an excellent experience. Both my cat and my dog who can be very scared of veterinarians have felt comfortable in the clinic and the staff treats them with the most tender and genuine care. Dr. Elder is so helpful and always makes sure I am confident in how I will be treating my animals and goes over every treatment detail until I understand. Appointments always start on time and never last longer than necessary. Thank you Shoal Creek for keeping my fur babies healthy!

Emily Brown

My cat, Leroy, was feeling ill Friday evening and into Saturday morning. I was very concerned for him, so I called Shoal Creek as soon as they opened. Despite their busy weekend schedule, they were able to fit me in at 9:30 am as a walk-in. The woman I spoke to on the phone was kind, the receptionist was warm, and the assistant and veterinarian were both knowledgeable, gentle, and warm to Leroy. They took wonderful care of my sweet boy, and he's feeling so much better today (Sunday). I can't thank them enough for their great, professional care (and reasonable prices)! I highly recommend this vet office.

Joan Berryman

I would use 3 words in describing the performance of the staff at Shoal Creek: competent, efficient, and caring. I have taken my dogs there for at least 15 years. They are like family.

Graham Ferguson

Very nice staff. They worked very well with my shy dog. Vet was very open and a great listener. He did a good job taking care of my dog.

neo 184568382

I've been coming here for over five years. It's a great place. Dr. Elder is fantastic. I've only had good experiences here. He keeps my cats happy and healthy.

David Walker

I found Shoal Animal Clinic on Yelp as we were new to the Athens area. I was very impressed with their friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Dr. Elder and Hillary were patient and caring with our dog and listened to our concerns. I am impressed with the quick response to the tests taken and their follow up.

Matthew Lewis

This was easily the best experience I have had with veterinary services. Not only was it super affordable, but the staff were some of the kindest and most professional people I have ever met. My cat was a first time to the vet here and while nervous at first was made to feel incredibly comfortable and was treated better than I could have hoped. I will definitely be returning for all future visits.

Forrest Williams

The staff was genuinely courteous and caring for both us and our puppy. They did a great job caring for our puppy and kept him comfortable our entire visit. We did not feel pressured into paying for services our puppy did not need. We will certainly be back!

Rhianon Morris

After an initial first visit that did not go as planned the staff at Shoal Creek Animal Clinic took it upon themselves to make things right and look after my furbaby. Dr. Elder truly believes and cares for his work and making sure that his clients are taken care of.

Joseph Zaworski

Kind, thorough, and devoted to the animals they serve. I've never felt like their recommendations weren't in the best interest of my dogs first and fully trust them with their care. Many years ago I called Shoal Creek Animal Clinic when my previous vet retired, suddenly finding myself with a potentially serious issue with one of my dogs and no access to any of his health records or copies of his vaccination records on hand. Dr. Askren was kind enough to step out into the waiting room to make sure it wasn't an emergency, and when it wasn't, still made time for a same-day appointment anyway. Dr. Elder and his staff have been equally amazing about accommodating mini-emergencies (and false alarms) over the years since as well, and check-up visits are always relaxed and as low stress as possible for the dogs. Really can't say enough good about them!

kelsie kvislen

They are very nice to my pets and that's all that matters!

Olivia Burgess

I've been going here since March 2012 and wouldn't change for anything. They are slightly pricier than some of the clinics around Athens but TOTALLY worth it. Dr. Elder is always more than willing to answer my questions and the desk staff are absolutely fabulous. They know both my cat and dog by name and they always love seeing them. Fabulous place!!! They also aren't victims of breed stigmatization. My dog is a VERY happy, social german shepherd but I have many friends whose vets require muzzles and what not (solely because of breed) and Shoal Creek could care less. Long story short: LOVE THIS PLACE

Ed Magruder

Might cost a little more than others but if your pets are family it is well worth it.

Betty Cressman

Very nice and helpful people.

Sara Crawford

I am a new customer (new to the area). They were able to fit my injured cat in last minute. They were easy to talk to and very attentive. They handled my cat with care. They will definitely be my new regular veterinarian.

Jené Brown

Our family - both the 2-legged and 4-legged members - have always been treated so well here! I recommend them to anyone who is looking for a vet in Athens!