Van Meter Veterinary Clinic ico

Van Meter Veterinary Clinic

Pet HospitalIowaDallas CountyVan MeterMain Street

720 Main St, Van Meter, IA 50261, USA

4.0

I am so grateful to everyone on staff at Van Meter Veterinary Clinic - my hounds are not the most social, and it had been such a struggle to find a vet willing to accommodate their needs. They treat not only me, but also my dogs with so much respect, I don’t know if they realize just how great of an impact they’ve had on my reactive dogs. I appreciate all that they’ve been able to do for my “little problem children” , I couldn’t recommend a better practice ❤️

Alissa Olson
  • Overview
  • (515) 996-9919
  • vetinvanmeter.com

Hours

Monday 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday 7:30 AM - 12:00 AM
Sunday Closed

Welcome to Van Meter Veterinary Clinic

Van Meter Veterinary Clinic is a veterinary care provider located at 720 Main St, Van Meter, IA 50261, USA. Operating within the "Pet Hospital" category, this clinic aims to serve the animal health needs of the Van Meter community and surrounding areas. For direct contact, they can be reached at (515) 996-9919 or via mobile at +1 515-996-9919.

The environment of Van Meter Veterinary Clinic is designed to facilitate comprehensive animal care, but its atmosphere can be perceived differently depending on the specific circumstances of a visit. Situated on Main Street, it likely offers a readily accessible location for local pet owners. For pets with behavioral challenges, such as reactivity, the clinic has demonstrated a willingness to accommodate their needs, implying a staff and perhaps a physical setup that can handle more difficult animals. This suggests a patient and understanding approach to animal handling, which contributes to a more positive environment for certain pets. However, the varying customer experiences, especially regarding end-of-life care, suggest that while the general environment is professional, moments of high emotional sensitivity might be handled inconsistently. A typical pet hospital environment includes examination rooms, a reception area, and facilities for various medical procedures. The clinic's ability to manage "reactive dogs" indicates that they might utilize specific handling techniques, quiet areas, or staggered appointments to minimize stress for these animals. The overall impression of the environment is one that strives for professional medical service, with some emphasis on accommodating diverse animal temperaments.

Van Meter Veterinary Clinic provides a range of services fundamental to maintaining the health and well-being of companion animals. While a comprehensive list of all services is not explicitly detailed in the provided information, typical offerings of a "Pet Hospital" would include:

  • General Wellness and Preventive Care: This encompasses routine examinations, vaccinations to protect against common diseases, and preventive treatments for parasites.
  • Diagnostic Services: To accurately assess a pet's health, the clinic would offer various diagnostic tools such as blood tests, urinalysis, and potentially basic imaging (e.g., X-rays).
  • Medical Treatment: Management of illnesses, injuries, and chronic conditions, including prescribing medications and developing treatment plans.
  • Surgical Procedures: Common surgeries, such as spaying, neutering, and addressing minor injuries, are typically available.
  • Dental Care: Services related to oral health, including cleanings and extractions.
  • Behavioral Consultations: The clinic's success with "reactive dogs" suggests a capacity to provide advice or support for behavioral issues.
  • End-of-Life Care: This is a critical service, as highlighted by one review, though the experience with it can vary. Ideally, this would involve compassionate euthanasia and support for grieving pet owners.

The clinic's willingness to "accommodate" pets with specific needs, as stated by a satisfied customer, indicates a flexible approach to service delivery. This suggests that they may tailor appointment times or handling techniques for animals that require extra care.

A notable feature of Van Meter Veterinary Clinic is its demonstrated ability to "accommodate" and provide respectful care for pets, particularly those with behavioral challenges like reactivity. This commitment to handling "problem children" dogs with "so much respect" is a significant differentiator and a strong point of praise from clients with such animals. This suggests that the staff is trained in low-stress handling techniques or possesses a particular patience and understanding for anxious or difficult pets. This creates a highly positive impact on the well-being of these animals during veterinary visits. However, it is important to acknowledge that the clinic also faces criticism regarding its handling of extremely sensitive situations, specifically end-of-life care, where a perceived "lack of compassion" regarding scheduling and the time allotted for grieving left a client "reeling from the shock." This stark contrast in experiences suggests that while the clinical and handling aspects for challenging live pets are commendable, consistency in empathetic communication and flexibility during emotionally charged moments, particularly at closing time, might vary. The clinic’s location as a local option for veterinary care in Van Meter is also a key feature, providing accessible services to the community. The staff's willingness to work with pets that are not the "most social" highlights a unique and valuable skill set. The positive review emphasizes the "great impact" the clinic has had on the owner and their dogs, indicating a deep level of trust and satisfaction when their specific needs are met.

For promotional strategies, Van Meter Veterinary Clinic should strongly emphasize its unique expertise in accommodating and providing respectful care for pets with behavioral challenges, such as reactive dogs. Featuring testimonials from owners of such pets would be highly effective, as this niche expertise is a significant competitive advantage. Phrases like "We welcome all paws, especially those with a personality!" or "Expert Care for Reactive Dogs" could be used in their marketing. While the clinic should strive for consistent compassion in all aspects of care, especially end-of-life services, promoting their strength in handling difficult temperaments is a powerful message. They could offer specialized consultations for behavioral issues or workshops on managing reactive pets. Regular wellness campaigns promoting preventive care, which is a standard offering, would also be beneficial. Online presence should ensure clear communication of their operating hours and policies regarding appointments, especially for sensitive procedures, to prevent misunderstandings like the one described in the negative review. Providing information about their flexible scheduling or alternative arrangements for emotionally challenging situations could also build trust. Leveraging their local presence on Main Street, community outreach, and partnerships with local pet trainers or rescue organizations that deal with behavioral issues could further enhance their reputation and attract new clients seeking specialized care for their unique pets. Maintaining a consistent standard of compassionate communication across all interactions, particularly during sensitive moments, will be crucial for managing client expectations and upholding a positive reputation.

Van Meter Veterinary Clinic Photos

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Van Meter Veterinary Clinic Location

720 Main St, Van Meter, IA 50261, USA

Reviews

I am so grateful to everyone on staff at Van Meter Veterinary Clinic - my hounds are not the most social, and it had been such a struggle to find a vet willing to accommodate their needs. They treat not only me, but also my dogs with so much respect, I don’t know if they realize just how great of an impact they’ve had on my reactive dogs. I appreciate all that they’ve been able to do for my “little problem children” , I couldn’t recommend a better practice ❤️

Oct 14, 2024 · Alissa Olson

This past Saturday, I had the most unprofessional and bizarre experience I've ever had with any veterinarian. We scheduled an appointment for our terminally ill kitty a few days in advance, having come to the difficult decision to end his suffering with dignity. We arrived at the scheduled time as agreed, ready to get help. What we didn't realize was that they scheduled us within 15-20 minutes within their closing time. There was no mention of this at the time we made the appointment. Not knowing this, we went ahead with our consultation. When my wife asked to use the restroom, Rose the technician's response was, "If you can do it in the next 5 minutes because we're closing." This prompted us to ask Dr. Bolser if we'd be allowed any time to grieve with our pet once he passed, and the unbelievable answer was "Absolutely not, we're closing in a few minutes." We, of course, couldn't agree to this, and we returned home knowing we'd need to live this difficult day on a new day and with a different vet. We’re still reeling from the shock of the lack of compassion we were shown. If you hope for a kind, compassionate vet clinic, I strongly recommend looking elsewhere. Based on our experience, you certainly won't find it here.

Aug 26, 2024 · Thomas VH

They came in on a emergency basis when my dog was passing away and helped my dog pass comfortable on their day closed and then helped us make cremation plans and everything I am so thankful for them

Dec 14, 2024 · Leslie Fowler

I wouldn’t recommend going to this vet clinic. Here are my reasons. Dr Bolser doesn’t check out your new pet from head to toe, but he lies on his records and writes down that he does and I’m sitting in the room watching him too. Most vets you have been doing business for years and knows your pet try to be accommodating and helpful if your pet is having an emergency, this doctor doesn’t, he has no compassion and has the audacity to tell me to take my puppy that needed his help to the emergency veterinary clinic. He used to work for that one for many years. The only reason I kept going to this clinic was because of previous vet and owner Dr Anne IIes. She was a wonderful Vet. Dr Bolser also teaches part time up in Ames at Iowa State Veterinary School. The students he brings down to run his clinic one of them told me my pup needed plastic surgery on his eyes when I asked her about his eyes. The same exact pup 8 months later Dr Bolser neutered, he told me he would pull out all of pup’s baby teeth. When my pup comes out of surgery Dr Bolser tells me he left one of his canine tooth? Why? So he can charge me for a second surgery on a 2.5 toy poodle and also while neutering my puppy he accidentally cuts his stomach it was so deep it required stitches. I decided after that to find another vet that is competent and compassionate. I took the same pup in to new veterinary clinic and he does surgery to remove that very last canine tooth’s which we thought and he finds 5 more baby teeth. When you ask him a question he hems and haws around and can’t answer your questions.

Sep 06, 2024 · Lisa Cretsinger

Great people. I felt my dog was is good hands.

Jan 30, 2025 · Jacqueline Doherty

Pet Hospital