Lake Area Animal Hospital

I want to share the story of my beloved Zeus and why I would never recommend Lake Area Animal Hospital, especially their Hawthorne location. This is not a reflection on Dr. Corda, who was wonderful and compassionate throughout the process, nor the majority of the staff, who were kind and professional. This is about a failure in leadership, a lack of accountability, and a prioritization of money over patient care. Zeus had been struggling with recurring UTI infections, which we had been treating with another vet. When we noticed blood, we took him to Lake Area in Melrose, where Dr. Corda examined him and discovered his prostate was abnormally large—one of the biggest she had seen. She prescribed medication to reduce testosterone in hopes that it would shrink the prostate and determine whether or not it was cancerous. Less than a week later, Zeus took a turn for the worse. He wasn't eating, drinking, or able to relieve himself, and when he tried, he was in visible agony. I called Lake Area, and while they had no openings in Melrose, they could see him in Hawthorne. I rushed him there, explaining the urgency and even showing them the X-ray on my phone since they couldn’t access their own records. I asked for another X-ray to determine if his prostate had grown, which would help us make the hardest decision of all. Instead of addressing the clear and excruciating pain Zeus was in, the doctor at Hawthorne ran a fecal float test—not remotely relevant to his condition—and then prescribed 40 pills of Flagyl, despite admitting she didn’t see anything concerning in the test results. She then sent us home, and I was billed $262 for nothing that helped Zeus. That night, Zeus’s condition deteriorated further. We took him back the next day to Dr. Corda, who immediately performed another X-ray. His prostate had grown exponentially, pressing against his intestines and bladder, making it impossible for him to relieve himself. We scheduled him to be put to sleep the following day at 11 AM. When we got home, my wife and I couldn’t bear to see him suffer any longer. I called Lake Area, and they thankfully got us in that afternoon to help him pass peacefully. Dr. Corda and the nurses treated us and Zeus with the utmost compassion, and I will always be grateful to them for that. After Zeus was gone, I realized I still had the pointless medication from Hawthorne and went in to speak with John, the supposed "Office Manager". He said they wouldn’t refund me for the antibiotics since Zeus had passed due to state law, but he could accept them as a donation. I handed them over, hoping this would be the last of it. Since then, I have called multiple times, leaving messages for the owners, Daniel and Dr. Amber Rea, with no response. I simply wanted a refund for the Hawthorne visit, which not only wasted money but prolonged my best friend’s suffering. Today, after days of being ignored, I called and told them that if I didn’t hear back, I would be leaving reviews and sharing my experience publicly. That finally got their attention. John called me back—not to resolve anything, but to say they "welcome constructive criticism" but not on public platforms and basically there was nothing he could do for me. At this point, it's clear to me that money is more important to them than the well-being of their patients or the trust of their customers. I was not asking for anything unreasonable—just a refund for a service that did nothing but delay the inevitable. I hope that by sharing Zeus’s story, others will think twice before entrusting their pets to Lake Area Animal Hospital, particularly under the ownership of the Rea's and the management of John. I will never return, and I encourage others to consider the value of integrity, compassion, and true patient care when choosing a vet. Rest in peace, Zeus. You deserved better.

My 2 dogs have been patients of the Hawthorne clinic simply out of the convenience of the location. Reggie is very kind, genuine, and welcoming. However, Dr. Rae lacks professionalism. Last week, I brought my 15.5 year old doggie Prince in to the Melrose clinic. After the tech came back and forth in the room, we determined euthanasia would be the best option. (The tech was dynamic.) Dr. Rae later entered the evaluation room. She did not provide a greeting. I was crying profusely, grieving over the loss of my companion and she can’t even say hello or acknowledge my husband and I? It was so cold and rude. Although this is typical of her behavior, it was so inappropriate for the moment. Dr. Rae does not ever acknowledge me but this was not the time for that. This person lacks compassion and seems heartless.

Our visit here was right after another vet had harshly turned us away and scared the pants off of me.!! They took us right in and I just had a sense of calmness and trust. The got my total loyalty that day. We will continue to be a patient at Lake area hospital. I truly believe my sweetheart willow is in the best hands.

The staff was very polite, helpful, and friendly. I brought my cousin's dog in there a couple years ago when she got poisoned. I was hysterical in tears because I loved that dog. The veterinarians and the staff that were helping the vet were very helpful. They were not acting at all afraid of the fact that she was a pitbull, like some people tend to. Instead of muzzling her, they chose to keep it off of her, because she was already suffering enough as it was. The one that assistant was actually opening up her mouth with her hands rinsing it out. She was not showing any fear whatsoever. They asked me what kind of dog she was, and when I told them they took heed of that. Then treated her like the dog that I knew. Lovable friendly and not one that would ever injure anybody. They try to make, Sugar (she really was), as comfortable in her last hours as possible. They were also in constant contact with me even after my cousin came in to be with his dog. When she got put down they were calling me up and giving me a play-by-play., all because they knew that I was the one that brought her in, when I found her. They knew that I loved her and so they treated me like I was her owner, just as much as he was her owner. If any of the staff reads this I just want to tell you if you remember, Sugar, thank you so much for everything you guys did for her. God bless you.

On July 9th 2023 I had to put my puppy Ford down due to cancer. That in itself is a very trying episode. Dr. Hughes and her staff were very helpful through the whole process and made it easier and kinder for Ford to cross rainbow bridge. I really appreciate all I did for my family and for my puppy whom I miss a lot.