Cornelius Pet Hospital

4.9 (206)
2387 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93003, USA

Hours:

Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Cornelius Pet Hospital

Schedule Regular Vet Visits

One of the best ways to save on vet bills is to prevent expensive health issues before they develop. By scheduling regular wellness checkups, your vet can detect health issues early, helping you to avoid costly treatments and surgeries down the road.

Price Shop for Pet Prescriptions

Oftentimes our fur babies are prescribed human drugs off-label. Your vet is apt to charge more for these medications than you would pay at your local pharmacy. In fact, big-box or chain pharmacies can offer steep discounts. So it’s best to price shop.

Pet Insurance

Most pet insurance providers will pay between 80% and 90% of the vet bill. You can even get coverage for routine care and things like vaccinations and dental cleanings. If you do the math, you’ll most likely find that pet insurance makes financial sense in the long run as well as gives you peace of mind.

How Do You Choose the Right Pet Insurance Provider?

Pet Insurance Review makes it incredibly easy for pet parents to select an insurance provider they feel good about. You can use our handy comparison tool to get the gist of what a company offers. We’ve also collected over 150,000 reviews of insurance companies from real pet parents like you to rank the top providers in the market. Here is the current ranking of each:

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2025
Rating Provider Total Review
4.4 AKC 894
4.5 ASPCA 12,057
4.9 Embrace 20,305
4.9 Fetch 27,409
4.1 Figo 2,786
4.5 Hartville 177
4.9 Healthy Paws 10,736
4.8 Lemonade 815
4.6 ManyPets 2,428
4.6 MetLife 5,637
4.8 Nationwide 21,417
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.4 PetPartners 117
4.3 Pets Best 14,113
4.7 Pumpkin 2,549
4.6 Spot 9,855
4.8 Trupanion 62,914
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,445

Or, you can simply get a fast quote from multiple providers and go from there.

Thinking of insuring your pet?

Get Quotes & Compare

Getting to Know Your New Vet: Essential Questions to Ask

Choosing a new veterinarian is an important decision for any pet owner. You want to find someone who is competent, compassionate, and a good fit for you and your fur baby. To help you get the most out of your first appointment, here's a list of essential questions to ask your new vet:

Tell me about your experience with [pet type].

Different vets have different areas of specialization. Some are experts with cats, some dogs, some pocket pets, and some horses. Knowing that your vet has vast experience treating your specific type of pet can bring you peace of mind.

How do you handle emergencies?

You must know what to do in case of a pet medical emergency. Inquire what after-hours policy the clinic has, whether they have on-site emergency care available, and if they have a relationship with any nearby emergency animal hospitals.

How do you communicate with pet owners?

Good communication is key to building a trusting relationship with your vet. Ask how they prefer to communicate (phone calls, emails, online portal) and how often you can expect to hear from them.

Are there any breed-specific health concerns I should be aware of?

Some breeds are predisposed to certain health conditions. Knowing what to watch out for can help you catch problems early and get your pet the treatment they need.

Do you have any questions for me about my pet?

This is a great question to ask because the answer will show that the vet is interested in getting to know your pet as an individual and is willing to listen to your concerns.

Bonus question: Can I take a tour of your facility?

Getting a feel for the clinic's environment can help you and your pet feel more comfortable during your visits. Remember, you’re not just looking for a veterinarian, you’re looking for a partnership. Do not be afraid to ask these questions and any others you can think of. Any vet worth their salt will be happy to answer them. Because the more informed you are, the better equipped you'll be to make decisions about your pet's care! And that should be every vet’s top priority.

Reviews from Google

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Kerry Newlee

Our favorite vet moved out of the area and we went to Dr. Lafevre and Dr. Heikes at his recommendation. He was so right that we would love them! Later, we were so excited that our new favorite vets opened their own practice! We appreciate the entire staff and the genuine care they show for our pets from babies to seniors in their final years. Pitter and Patter approve too!

posted: 08/29/2025

Kaylee Cristine

Zion and Nixon have been seeing Dr. Heikes since before he and Dr. LaFevre opened this practice. There are so many reasons we followed them and now feel right at home at Cornelius. It’s truly our home away from home, where we know our two huskies are in the best hands. The knowledge, facility, and equipment here give us confidence that our boys are receiving the best care possible. Dr. Heikes has been incredible with them, whether it’s dental care, skincare, or those scary visits when you just need answers. In those moments, having someone with his experience to guide you through makes all the difference. This team never makes you feel alone and will always do everything they can to make sure your pets are cared for. We trust them wholeheartedly. Our boys get so excited to go to Cornelius and they even know where we're going when we're streets away. It warms my heart and it’s such a rewarding feeling to know we’ve entrusted the right team. Zion gets weekly laser treatments, and I once asked how they possibly get him to sit still. One of the vet techs shared that she made a little treat board for him and that they've built a relationship where it just keeps getting better and better. Katherine and Abby at the front desk even know my preferences so well that they send me PDF invoices before I can ask. It’s the details, the little things, that mean the most. Dr. Heikes, Dr. LaFevre, Jesse, Catherine, Rosie, Abby, Ashley, Tonya, Kim, Lyzette, Skylar, Kim, and anybody else I may have missed, -- thank you to the entire team for caring for our boys as if they were your own!

posted: 09/09/2025

Pat G

Everyone was very helpful and kind. My 14 yr doxie had her teeth cleaned (some removed) so she was under anesthesia. I was anxious but the vet tech who went through the pre op stuff was very kind, thorough, answered my questions and calmed my fears. Dr. LaFevre called me while my dog was under, explained to me what needed to be done and assured me all was going well. I deeply appreciated that. I was comforted by the thought that she was in caring competent hands. She was also given a get- well box which contained a get well card signed by all the staff, a bandana, leash holder for bags for you know what, a toothbrush and I'm forgetting something. It was very thoughtful and a unique gesture in this day and age. Thank you again for it. There was also a follow up call early next morning to see how she was doing. Now we are 5 days out and my gal is doing well. For as long as I have my sweet dog so will Dr. LaFevre and Cornelius Pet Hospital.

posted: 05/12/2025

Aga

Aga

So thankful to have found Cornelius Pet Hospital as a first-time dog mom! The staff is kind, knowledgeable, and genuinely cares about animals. Catherine welcomed us warmly and even gave Luna a toy on our first visit. Our check-up with Dr. Brandon and Tanya was great—they took time to answer all my (many!) questions with patience and care. Every visit feels personal, and they always remember Luna when we stop by. I highly recommend this clinic to anyone looking for thoughtful, holistic care for their pets!

posted: 05/14/2025

Gabrielle Giddens

I had a wonderful experience with Dr. Lafeure and the team! I brought in my new puppy, Zion, for his first vet visit, and from the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed. The nurse, Tanya, brought us into a clean and fresh-smelling exam room right away. Everyone was so sweet, patient, and gentle with Zion—he was greeted with so much love. We had just adopted him from the shelter, and they were able to schedule us for a visit the following Monday without any hassle. I highly recommend this vet clinic—we’re so grateful for their care and kindness! WE WILL DEFINITELY BE BACK SOON!!!

posted: 06/16/2025