
Ironsides Animal Health (formerly Wellfarm Veterinary Consultants)
Pet HospitalVirginiaRoanoke CountyRoanokeBandy Road
4024 Bandy Rd, Roanoke, VA 24014, USA
4.0
I could not be happier with my experience with Ironsides. Dr. Varnell came to my farm within 2 hours of my first call for an emergency with my goat, Phillip. She was quick, knowledgeable, and caring. Phillip made a full recovery! This is a fantastic vet service for our small, backyard hobby farm.
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Overview
- (540) 200-8092
- www.ironsides.vet
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Pet Hospital
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Welcome to Ironsides Animal Health (formerly Wellfarm Veterinary Consultants)
Ironsides Animal Health, formerly known as Wellfarm Veterinary Consultants, offers a mobile veterinary service catering to the needs of farm animals in Roanoke, Virginia, and the surrounding areas. As a mobile Pet Hospital, Ironsides Animal Health brings veterinary expertise directly to your farm, providing convenient and timely care for your livestock. This service model is particularly beneficial for owners of small, backyard hobby farms or those with larger herds, eliminating the stress and logistical challenges of transporting animals to a traditional clinic.
One of the notable features of Ironsides Animal Health, as highlighted by a positive customer experience, is their responsiveness in emergency situations. According to a review, Dr. Varnell arrived at a farm within two hours of the initial call for a goat emergency. This rapid response demonstrates a commitment to providing timely care when it matters most, potentially making a critical difference in the health and recovery of your animals. The same reviewer also described Dr. Varnell as "quick, knowledgeable, and caring," indicating a combination of efficiency, expertise, and compassion in her approach to animal care. The successful recovery of the goat, Phillip, further underscores the positive impact of their prompt and effective intervention. For owners of farm animals, having access to a mobile veterinary service that prioritizes emergency response can provide significant peace of mind.
The transition from Wellfarm Veterinary Consultants to Ironsides Animal Health appears to have brought about some changes in service and customer experience, as indicated by a more recent review. While the customer expressed initial satisfaction with Dr. Varnell and the "friendly and efficient service" received for their sheep and donkeys under the Wellfarm name, concerns were raised following the merger with Ironsides. These concerns primarily revolve around communication, pricing, and customer service.
According to the review, post-merger, the responsiveness to email and text inquiries reportedly declined significantly, with replies taking two to three days or sometimes not being received at all. This lack of prompt communication can be frustrating for animal owners, especially when dealing with health concerns or needing timely advice. Efficient communication is a crucial aspect of veterinary service, and a delay in response can lead to anxiety and potential delays in addressing animal health issues.
The same customer also reported a "dramatic" increase in prices after the merger. While changes in pricing can occur for various business reasons, the lack of transparency and the subsequent handling of inquiries regarding these changes appear to have negatively impacted the customer's experience. When a detailed invoice was requested to understand the price increases, the customer stated that the interactions became "unfriendly." This suggests a potential breakdown in communication and customer service regarding financial matters.
Furthermore, the customer described an instance where reporting the addition of three lambs to their file received no response. This lack of attention to administrative updates can also be concerning for clients trying to maintain accurate records with their veterinary service provider. The culmination of these issues led the customer to express feeling uncared for, which they reported resulted in Ironsides Animal Health cutting off services and ceasing communication. This outcome highlights the importance of maintaining positive client relationships and addressing concerns in a professional and empathetic manner.
The review also mentioned a previous experience with the helpline during a perceived emergency involving sheep, where the person on the phone reportedly lacked sufficient knowledge about the species. This raises concerns about the level of specialized knowledge available through the initial point of contact, particularly for owners of specific types of farm animals. Access to knowledgeable support during emergencies is critical in a veterinary service.
In summary, Ironsides Animal Health (formerly Wellfarm Veterinary Consultants) offers the convenience of mobile veterinary services for farm animals in the Roanoke, VA area. A past positive experience highlights their ability to provide rapid and effective emergency care. However, a more recent review indicates potential challenges related to communication responsiveness, price increases, and customer service following the merger. It's important for potential clients to be aware of these differing experiences when considering Ironsides Animal Health for their veterinary needs.
Given the limited and somewhat conflicting information available in the provided reviews, it is difficult to provide a comprehensive overview of all services offered, the typical environment beyond being a mobile service, specific features beyond on-farm care, or any current promotional information. As a mobile Pet Hospital specializing in farm animals, their services likely include routine health checks, vaccinations relevant to livestock, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and injuries common in farm animals (such as goats, sheep, and donkeys mentioned in the reviews), and potentially reproductive services and other farm-specific veterinary care. The primary feature is the convenience of on-site service, eliminating the need for animal transport.
For local users seeking mobile veterinary care for their farm animals, Ironsides Animal Health (formerly Wellfarm Veterinary Consultants) presents a service option to consider. It may be beneficial to inquire directly about their current service protocols, communication practices, pricing structure, and the expertise of their team in relation to your specific type of animals. You can contact them at (540) 200-8092 or +1 540-200-8092. Their service area is based out of 4024 Bandy Rd, Roanoke, VA 24014, USA. It is recommended to have a thorough discussion about your needs and expectations to ensure a positive and reliable veterinary care experience for your farm animals.
Ironsides Animal Health (formerly Wellfarm Veterinary Consultants) Photos










Ironsides Animal Health (formerly Wellfarm Veterinary Consultants) Location
4024 Bandy Rd, Roanoke, VA 24014, USA
Reviews
I could not be happier with my experience with Ironsides. Dr. Varnell came to my farm within 2 hours of my first call for an emergency with my goat, Phillip. She was quick, knowledgeable, and caring. Phillip made a full recovery! This is a fantastic vet service for our small, backyard hobby farm.
Jun 17, 2024 · Nancy DaveldekI recently had an unfortunate experience with Ironsides Vet, formerly Wellfarm. I was very happy with Dr. Varnell and the friendly and efficient service that we got for our sheep and donkeys. However, since they merged with Ironsides, it took two or three days to get a reply to an email or a text, and sometimes I got no reply at all. Also, after the merger, the prices went up dramatically.. When I questioned the prices and asked for a detailed invoice, they started to become unfriendly with me. Furthermore, when I reported to them that we had had three lambs to add to my file, I got no reply. When I commented that it seemed like no one there cared about me or my animals any longer, they cut me off, and refused to offer any further services or replies to my emails. Also, earlier, when I thought I had an emergency, I called the helpline and the person I spoke to seemed like they really didn't know much about sheep. I couldn't believe they totally cut me off after I simply asked about the charges on the invoice and made observations about the lack of prompt replies to my inquiries. Too bad, because I thought we had a good relationship.
Jun 06, 2024 · Richard PhillipsDr Varnell and Kristina are amazing women and animal caregivers. I am new to goats and wow has it been a very active learning experience with my herd of 4. These ladies educate and teach me each time we have contact. I am thankful to get our herd healthy and we survived an unexpected pregnancy. Yeap one doe was pregnant unexpectedly when we obtained the herd. Thankful for their caring and professional demeanor!!!!
Jul 23, 2023 · Tracy WallerThe Simms' will be forever clients of Wellfarm Vets! I called a few months ago looking for a vet that would be able to take care of our show pigs. As we have no one local that is willing to work with swine. Explained that we were quite the drive for them. Well over an hour. She never hesitated about taking us on. We were set up with an appointment to establish the vet/patient relationship. She thoroughly checked each pig along with our goats. We had a issue arrise last week with one of my daughters show pigs. messaged and an appointment was set up immediately. Both times they have been to the house all issues were resolved quickly. they are the most professional and knowledgeable Vets. another plus. they drive over an hour, treat, and prescribed medications cheaper than I have ever taken my dog or cat to the vet locally!
Jul 05, 2023 · Jessica SimmsWe have been using Wellfarm Vets this year to take care of our goat herd on our small homestead. Dr. Varnell is very knowledgeable, is really good at communicating and responding, and has great “bedside manor.” She is great at following up and has been very patient with us as we are newbies, and have only been farming for about 3 years. Dr. Varnell is the best large animal vet around, hands down!
Jan 14, 2023 · Chad FikePet Hospital

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