Companion Animal Hospital: Swinamer Sonya DVM

Pet HospitalConnecticutSoutheastern Connecticut Planning RegionGrotonPoquonnock Road

801 Poquonnock Rd, Groton, CT 06340, USA

3.0

It really feels like profit comes before compassion here. While the staff is nice enough, the whole experience left me feeling like just another paycheck for them rather than a pet owner looking for genuine care. If you go here, be sure to ask about every single charge in advance—otherwise, you’ll get an unpleasant surprise when it’s time to pay. I’ll be finding another vet that actually prioritizes the well-being of animals over their bottom line.

Douglas March
  • Overview
  • (860) 449-9800
  • www.tlc4pets.com

Hours

Monday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday 8:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Sunday Closed

Welcome to Companion Animal Hospital: Swinamer Sonya DVM

Companion Animal Hospital, located at 801 Poquonnock Rd, Groton, CT 06340, USA, is a comprehensive "Pet Hospital" serving Groton, Fisher Island, New London County, and surrounding areas. Accessible by phone at (860) 449-9800 or mobile at +1 860-449-9800, the hospital has been providing veterinary services for many years, with a stated focus on compassionate care and lifelong health for pets.

The environment at Companion Animal Hospital aims to provide a professional and functional setting for veterinary care. While direct descriptions of the aesthetic environment from the provided information are limited, the hospital's services indicate a facility equipped for a range of medical procedures. The focus is on offering advanced diagnostic tools, surgery, and preventive care all under one roof, suggesting a well-organized and efficient space to facilitate these services. The presence of varied medical equipment, such as digital X-rays, rigid video endoscopy, digital cytology, and tools for fecal and skin analysis, implies a modern clinical environment. The availability of boarding services also suggests a dedicated space for pets needing temporary care, which would necessitate clean and safe accommodations. Customer reviews, while mixed, do acknowledge that "some of the staff is nice," indicating a degree of positive human interaction within the clinic's environment. The overall aim appears to be to create a setting where medical procedures can be performed effectively and pets can receive the necessary treatments, with a focus on providing comprehensive care within the hospital premises.

Companion Animal Hospital offers a wide array of services designed to provide comprehensive care for a variety of companion animals, establishing itself as a versatile "Pet Hospital." Their core services include essential wellness and vaccination programs, which are customized for both dogs and cats to include core and lifestyle-based vaccinations, as well as year-round parasite prevention. They provide a range of advanced diagnostic tools, including digital X-rays, rigid video endoscopy, digital cytology, fecal and skin analysis, and urine sedimentation using Imagyst, to aid in accurate and timely diagnoses. Surgical services include a variety of soft tissue procedures such as spay/neuter, mass removals, bladder stone removal, and wound repairs, with a strong emphasis on comprehensive pre-surgical exams, pain management, and post-operative care. Dental care is also a key offering, with services like cleanings, extractions, and digital dental X-rays to ensure good oral health. Beyond these common services, Companion Animal Hospital provides specialized care for allergies and dermatology, offering allergy testing, parasite treatments, and skin infection management. They also cater to exotic pets and birds, providing specialized care for reptiles, small mammals, and avian species, including wellness exams, nutritional guidance, and treatment for common species-specific conditions. Additional services include nutritional counseling and weight management programs, laser therapy for pain reduction and healing, and urgent care for non-life-threatening conditions during regular business hours, with referrals to emergency hospitals like Pet Doctor 911 for advanced critical care. They also offer pet boarding services for dogs and cats, as well as health certificates for pet travel.

Several features define Companion Animal Hospital, reflecting its operational approach as a "Pet Hospital." The hospital emphasizes its commitment to "compassionate care and lifelong health," aiming to deliver veterinary services with "love and expertise." A significant feature is its AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accreditation, which indicates that the hospital meets rigorous standards of excellence in veterinary medicine, a distinction held by a relatively small percentage of animal hospitals. The hospital proudly serves pets in Groton, New London County, and Fisher Island, NY, and has been providing high-quality, professional care for over 39 years, showcasing a long-standing presence and experience in the community. They are open six days a week, including Saturdays, which offers convenience for pet owners seeking appointments. The availability of same-day appointments for pets that are ill or injured requiring urgent care during business hours is another key feature, aiming to provide timely attention for immediate concerns. The hospital also highlights its team of "experienced vets" who are committed to meeting the standards of veterinary excellence. However, some client reviews raise concerns about the hospital's pricing and billing practices. One client expressed that "profit comes before compassion here" and advised asking about "every single charge in advance" to avoid "unpleasant surprise when it’s time to pay." Another review mentioned being "surprise charged" for shots administered without consent and noted that medical supplies are "over-price 2.5 times the cost." These comments, while representing specific client experiences, point to a feature of their operational model that some clients find challenging concerning cost transparency and affordability.

Regarding promotional information, Companion Animal Hospital leverages its status as an AAHA Accredited Hospital, which is a significant mark of quality and a strong promotional point for pet owners seeking high standards of care. They actively welcome new clients, offering a promotional incentive of "$25 off your first exam," which is a common strategy to encourage initial visits. The hospital also promotes its wide range of services, emphasizing their comprehensive approach to pet health, from preventive wellness to advanced surgical and diagnostic capabilities. They highlight their ability to provide specialized care for exotic pets and birds, which can attract a niche client base. The convenience of being open six days a week, including Saturdays, and offering same-day urgent care appointments (during business hours) are also promoted as benefits for busy pet owners. While the hospital promotes its "caring, friendly, compassion & quality service" and its long history of serving the community, it is important to note the counterpoints raised in some customer reviews regarding pricing and billing. These negative reviews, mentioning concerns about feeling like "just another paycheck" and "too expensive" with "surprise charges," serve as a form of feedback that potential clients might encounter. Therefore, while the hospital actively promotes its comprehensive care and quality standards, prospective clients may also need to be aware of the expressed concerns regarding cost and billing practices. The hospital provides clear contact information and an online booking option, facilitating access for interested clients. They also offer an online store for convenient access to pet products and discuss their role in providing pet health certificates for travel, appealing to a broader range of pet owner needs.

Companion Animal Hospital: Swinamer Sonya DVM Services

Companion Animal Hospital: Swinamer Sonya DVM Details

  • Accessibility

  • Wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • Amenities

  • Toilet
  • Planning

  • Appointments recommended

Companion Animal Hospital: Swinamer Sonya DVM Location

801 Poquonnock Rd, Groton, CT 06340, USA

Reviews

It really feels like profit comes before compassion here. While the staff is nice enough, the whole experience left me feeling like just another paycheck for them rather than a pet owner looking for genuine care. If you go here, be sure to ask about every single charge in advance—otherwise, you’ll get an unpleasant surprise when it’s time to pay. I’ll be finding another vet that actually prioritizes the well-being of animals over their bottom line.

Mar 02, 2025 · Douglas March

Only reason I'm giving 2 stars is because some of the staff is nice. This place is way too expensive. In the past they have administered shots without my consent and just surprise charged me with them. They over-price their medical supplies 2.5 times the cost. I.e. what I can get online for 14 dollars they charge me 40 dollars for. I do understand that you have to run a business, but they should understand that not everyone is made of money. They already charge an arm and a leg just for simple tasks. Its preposterous.

Sep 13, 2021 · T McD

This past Saturday, our 11-year-old dog went to Companion due to difficulty breathing and laying down Friday evening. While at Companion, when my dog had X rays done, there was no radiologist to read them. From 9:40-1:45 they could not find a radiologist. The vet wanted them to be read because what was seen could have been two different diagnoses. He could not stand. He could not eat. We were told to not take him to Ocean State as they would turn us away. According to our text messages with her, she was still trying to find a radiologist at 1:30 and discuss his case and a possible transfer with Ocean State in Rhode Island. However, according to medical records, Dr. Jensesn already made the call and determined diagnosis regardless of not being confident with his X rays. Companion does not have a radiologist on staff, or access to an on-call one to send records to, especially on weekends. This could be detrimental to other pets. Four hours later, Moose died less than 30 minutes after being given a medication. He went from borderline stable beats per minute (we were told we can’t go unless it’s over 80 at rest even though he had to have oxygen while at Companion and the car ride was over 40 minutes) to 96 beats per minute. We couldn’t even get him in the car. He passed away. We have been patients of this veterinarian for over 20 years. We have checked his medical records and while on oxygen, Moose's heart rate was over 120. He was still sent home, with medication, and an emergency vet 40 minutes away. We were given directions of how to proceed and when to take him to Ocean State. In addition, when informed he passed, Dr. Jensen could not spare the five minutes or compassion to call our family because it was her day off. Maybe because she sees death more often in her field, but the lack of compassion has affected our respect and view of Companion Animal Hospital. During grieving, families should be given a call from the vet, especially when seen earlier on the day of their death. I understand she has a day off, and everyone needs time off, but pets are members of people's families. Please reconsider sending your pets here. Your pets deserve compassion, a fighting chance for survival, and your families deserve respect.

Aug 09, 2021 · Ashley Morgan

If I could give this no stars I would. Our bill was $500 and did not give us an estimate before hitting us with the bill. During covid we weren’t allowed inside. They did not run this by us before charging us with hundreds in admin fees and for services our pet did not even need. They stated some services were required but later the woman said they are actually only recommendations. Terrible service. What if we could not afford this? DO NOT GO HERE unless you want to pay hundreds in “Administrative fees.”

Apr 24, 2020 · Sarah Gilliam

I have had to move around a lot in recent years, and have been to several different animal hospitals. This place and its staff really go above and beyond for me and my cats. I have had extremely pleasant experiences with both Dr. DeWolf and Dr. Bender. They are awesome, especially through the pandemic crisis. Would highly recommend.

Apr 18, 2020 · JT

Pet Hospital