VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital

Jonathan Griffin

I’m very grateful to Dr. Gant, Dr. Phipps, and the entire reception/admin team at VCA West LA. Everyone was warm, calm, and clearly knowledgeable, which made a huge difference during a very stressful visit with my elderly dog. The doctors took time to answer my questions and explain the treatment plan and next steps clearly, which gave me real peace of mind- especially translating test results into everyday language. The front desk team was kind and supportive as well. It’s comforting to be in a place where people lead with both expertise and genuine care especially within systems than can otherwise feel clinical and cold. Truman, myself and our little family thank you!

Feb 1, 2026

Angela S

This hospital is a gift to all fur babies. I feel so fortunate that I was referred to this hospital for my dog's emergency injury. She needed to be seen quickly by a surgeon as well as a cardiologist because of her heart murmur. The hospital was quick and careful with everything they did. Dr. Mark Parlier is an amazing doctor and incredible surgeon. He was not only thorough, but exceptionally kind to both me and my dog. We were so fortunate to have him as her doctor. Although we were dealing with a scary laceration injury and a concerning heart murmur, Dr. Parlier was positive, honest, and methodical with his planning. I truly cannot thank him enough. Not only was he an excellent surgeon and was able to fully close her paw pad wounds to reduce the potential for infections and reduce the healing time process, he was also incredibly diligent with addressing her heart condition. I felt confident with his coordination with the cardiologist and that he was putting my dog's heart condition as the priority. He also took the time to discuss the progression of her heart disease with me and to discuss options for me to continue to care for her heart condition going forward. He was truly wonderful! When he came out of surgery to give me an update, he gave me a small thumbs up as he was walking toward me. It's those little things that make all the difference. I felt like I had barely been breathing during her surgery and that thumbs up allowed me to catch my breath finally. His follow up after surgery was detailed and understandable. At no point did I feel rushed and he allowed me the time to ask all of the questions I needed. Upon discharge, I felt fully informed and didn’t feel like I didn’t get to ask something necessary. I cannot express enough how exceptional Dr. Parlier is and how well he handled our situation. He is truly extraordinary! I am confident her situation would not have resulted in the same success had we not had him and VCA West Los Angeles to care for her. I would recommend this hospital and staff to anyone I know for the best care for their animals. I feel so fortunate.

Jan 10, 2026

Angelina Barrios

All I can say is great things about this hospital I in all honesty wouldn’t go anywhere else. I have two elder dogs, and VCA Specialty Hospital has been an absolute blessing. One of my dogs had CHF, and the Cardiology Team gave me precious extra time with my soul animal through an LAD surgery (which isn’t performed in any other hospital) and their incredible ongoing care. They monitored him closely both before and after the surgery, adjusting his heart medications with precision and checking his organ levels weekly or twice a month to make sure he was always within a healthy range. Their attention to detail, compassion, and teamwork were truly extraordinary. Dr. Garretto was not only brilliant and responsive always replying to my questions right away but he was also someone my boy truly loved. He was never afraid to go to his appointments. Every time we drove into the parking garage, he would lift his little head high, excited because he knew he was about to see his favorite person. That kind of trust says everything about the care and energy Dr. Garretto gives to his patients. Dr. Barrett was another incredible part of our journey. She was always very honest with me, and I truly respected her for that even if it wasn’t what I wanted to hear. She offered extra alternatives and thoughtful options to help give me as much quality time as possible with my boy. Her thoroughness, compassion, and commitment over the year and a half we were under her care meant so much she was always fully present and truly cared. Dr. Doan was also wonderful , often responding to my late-night emails (sometimes at 1 or 2 a.m.), bringing me reassurance and comfort during emotional times. When it was time for my boy to pass, the entire staff showed so much empathy and love. They sent flowers, reached out personally, and Dr. Garretto gave us the most beautiful, memorable memorial gift 💝 one that I will cherish forever. These are the kinds of humans you want caring for your fur children genuine, loving, and wholeheartedly dedicated and I am endlessly grateful for them. A special thank-you to Roxanne, the cardiology vet technician, who has been an incredible source of emotional support. She’s not only skilled but also so easy to talk to ,she helped me process the grief and still is currently. I find comfort through her kindness and empathy. My other dog has her own health issues that were caught early while I was caring for my boy, and we’re so lucky to have Dr. Otero on our team now to catch this early on. He is an exceptionally dedicated and highly skilled doctor , the best in the game! I’ve even received emails from him in the early mornings, checking in and offering guidance. He truly goes above and beyond to help. His compassion, depth of knowledge, and steady presence bring such peace of mind. He’s supported by his amazing staff Yessica and Ruth, who share that same level of care and professionalism. They even sent a sympathy card for my boy who wasn’t their patient ,simply out of genuine kindness. I’ve been coming to VCA for over a year and have never had a single issue from anyone on the cardiology department to the primary care team , or front desk they all have been professional, thorough, kind, and full of heart, they all have gotten to know us & treat us like family . I rarely write reviews, but this one felt necessary. This is my genuine testimony of gratitude for the VCA Specialty Hospital team — they are exceptional humans doing extraordinary work, and I’ll forever be thankful for the love, compassion, and care they’ve shown my fur family.

Oct 9, 2025

Adam Tschorn

Dr. Otero and his team at VCA West LA are the absolute best. They helped us tremendously as we navigated our beloved cat Bob’s illness. They took time to explain everything, laid out all the treatment options and kept us updated and informed at every step of the way. And, when it finally came time to say goodbye to our cat, they stepped up there, too. We will remember their professionalism, kindness and empathy for a very, very long time.

Jan 16, 2026

Kaylee Simpson

Last spring, I took my 6-month-old kitten in to get neutered, but two days later he was lethargic, refusing to eat and borderline catatonic. I brought him back to the original vet, but they repeatedly downplayed my concerns. My gut told me something was very wrong, and my worst fears were realized when we discovered an abscess near his groin. I immediately rushed him to West LA, where the seriousness of his condition finally became clear. Little Tattie had developed a dangerous post-op infection and was at risk of becoming septic. The team triaged him quickly and calmly, even as I fought back tears. After a short wait, Dr. Hayward met with me privately to further explain Tattie’s condition and outline a plan of action. The team carefully cleaned and stabilized him. Although this took longer than I expected, I understand how ERs work and I never once felt neglected or ignored during this time. When they brought my little boy back out, he immediately started making biscuits, a small but heartwarming sign that he felt safe and loved despite everything he had endured. They sent us home with antibiotics, pain medication, and clear instructions. They even recommended we temporarily switch to wood litter for its antibacterial properties. The first 72 hours were critical, but by the next morning, he was already improving. The following two weeks were difficult, but thanks to the dedicated and brilliant team at West LA, little Tattie made a full recovery.

Jan 13, 2026