Horizon Veterinary Specialists Ventura, California

We brought our little Maltese into Horizon on December 31, the worst possible day. Most vets were closed, Horizon was open, crowded, and on a reduced staff. But they saw Daisy, and the vet we spoke to, Dr. Jessica S. Beymer, was caring, concerned, and gave us several choices to make regarding Daisy's treatment. When we made our decision, she said, "That is exactly what I would choose if it were my dog." This gave us a lot of confidence. And it has worked! We would highly recommend Horizon, Dr. Beymer, and a lovely woman named Nancy who made everything possible if you ever need emergency or other veterinary services.

Being in the medical profession myself (JD ROSS DDS INC), Dr. Scott and her team were so supportive and compassionate during our emergency visit. I initially spoke with their front office team member Nancy. We spent almost 20 minutes on the phone discussing Playas signs and symptoms. Nancy guided us through treatment options and also gave us other emergency clinics that may be helpful, due to the high volume of emergencies they were experiencing at the time. Turns out, when we really needed to bring her in, they had capacity for her and admitted her right away. Dr. Scott performed her initial exam and immediately called us with her differential diagnosis and recommendations. Further testing was needed (ultrasound) and because of the diverse speciality practice Dr. Scott’s team created, they were able to perform those tests within their facility. Such a difficult job managing the illness of our dog, but also providing us realistic treatment options and expectations while we were also emotionally compromised. We took immense comfort knowing that Playa was being treated by a team of professionals who were compassionate with her. Based on the guidance and level of care I received during my emergency visit, I would highly recommend them to my friends and family.

Dr Beamer and Brook were so kind and supportive when my friend had to euthanize her 15 year old very sick Chihuahua, Mini. I just wanted everyone to know how compassionate and loving they were with both Mini and her MOMMA. They turned the sad experience into a very beautiful cherished memory and I want to THANK THEM FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART????♥️

I would NOT recommend this emergency vet at all to anyone. This is twice now I have taken my puppy to them and both times they have turned her away . This last time she was so sick she had thrown up at 30 times twice before we even left the parking lot , they have one Dr on shift and all they could do was give us a list of other 24/hr clinics that are at least an hours drive and aren't taking any new patients because they have reached their capacity. I want them to know that if anything happens to my dog I will be filling a complaint with everyone I can and obtaining legal representation.

This is an emergency animal hospital so expect to wait a while to be seen. I arrived at 9:30am and I didn’t leave until 6:00pm dr. Johnson took great care of my Ziggy. I would have waited forever if it meant getting Ziggy the help he needed. Also, the bill wasn’t too crazy either, but he didn’t need anything major done. I expected to pay more to be honest. I’m grateful for the staff here who sees pets come and go all day long and they just keep on trucking with a smile. I could never do what they do. I’m grateful to them for helping my Ziggy. I got to bring Ziggy home today and I’m oh so thankful.

I brought in my puppy one night he was terribly sick, the Dr has no compassion for what she does it’s either pay an arm n a leg or you have no choice but to try n figure out how to help your pet yourself . They guaranteed my puppy wouldn’t make it if I left back home with him , but guess what I’m very fortunate to say he is alive he made it ! If the staff is reading this just know that you guys should have just a little bit of compassion n not just want money

They were great 2 years ago when I rushed my schnauzer there after he was mauled by a loose pitbull (sadly, euthanasia was the only option). However, last Saturday I rushed over mid-afternoon with my 4 year old cat, who was failing quickly from either an infection or possibly a urinary blockage. This time, i was turned away bc “ every cage is full” and they’re short-staffed. Upon being informed that the other emergency vet down the road was closed that day for lack of a doctor, the Horizon attendant gave me the numbers of emergency vets in Thousand Oaks (30 miles), Woodland Hills and even Santa Barbara. Thousand Oaks was also full. So, rather than make an even longer drive, I sat in my car and waited for animals to be picked up by their owners. After 45 minutes, two patients left. I went back to the door and asked if they could take my cat now. Don’t they have at least two empty cages? The attendant said “it’s not a cage problem; the technicians are all treating other pets in ICU. And those two dogs were having stitches removed.” Turning away a seriously ill animal while they REMOVE STITCHES??? Her smug reply—*They* had appointments.” And to think of all the times I’ve taken pets to my regular vet for appointments, only to be asked to reschedule due to an emergency.

Money hungry denied puppy multiple time within 3 days till he lost to much blood and then took him just to put him down

I hope the people working 10/11/2021 have a miserable life. If my service dog dies because you denied seeing her after I said I already called everywhere...

Please avoid Horizon at all costs! Last month I had no choice but to bring my Pomeranian Bella to Horizon late at night after she had an incredibly high heart rate, frantic behavior, and had thrown up excessively. She had recently made a full recovery from Pancreatitis last year and started showing signs of cognitive decline recently. Around midnight we arrived, and she was taken in to be seen by Dr. Donckels. After about 30 minutes Dr. Donckels came back to tell us that Bella had either a brain tumor or brain hemorrhage, and would need more tests and extensive overnight care. Immediately she suggested and blatantly tried to persuade us toward euthanization, against our desire, but after discussion we agreed she’d remain overnight in their care with more tests being run. Around 5:30 AM we received the call to come in to say our final goodbyes, and Bella was put down two hours later. This is where the complete disregard for our loved one’s life begins. Before leaving one of their technicians asked us how we’d like Bella’s aftercare to be handled. We agreed to communal cremation and requested a clay paw print to keep for our family’s memory, asking three times to ensure that we will be paying for and receiving a clay paw print. Fast forward two weeks, and we still haven’t received anything in the mail. After waiting nearly a month, we contacted the aftercare services company on two separate occasions and spoke to two different representatives, to find out that Horizon did not send her with the proper colored tag for a clay paw print! Sure enough, I immediately called Horizon and spoke to their manager Karen who tried to put the blame on the aftercare services. She continued to insist that she couldn’t do anything and I had to wait until their Practice manager got in touch with me, and couldn't even refund the $78 they charged me for something I didn’t receive. Clara Pelton, the practice manager, finally called me a week later to issue the refund and apologize for the situation, claiming that they wrote a note on Bella’s tag that “the aftercare should have noticed, even if it was a different color.” No matter what excuse Clara tried to make, it was clear that they still didn’t want to take responsibility for a mistake that can’t be fixed. To top it all off, my girlfriend took her father’s dog to the family veterinarian that Bella used to see, and they were unaware of Bella’s passing because Horizon never contacted them or sent any records of her emergency visit. After all this transpired, I’m scared to imagine how they might have treated my baby on her final night. Please avoid Horizon and their incompetent staff at all costs.

My GSD got GDV. I was watching her slowly die. They needed a deposit to start work to save her life, but every minute counted. I told them I could pay and they trusted me when they had no reason. They started treatment simply on my word. I then lived up to my word. Horizon saved her life. My buddy, my best friend, is alive today because of basic human kindness, compassion, and trust. I wish they worked on people. They make the world a better place... if not just mine.

On Saturday Night one of our dogs went into serious distress (howling in pain) so we drove immediately to Horizon. On arriving we were ignored by the receptionist, who was not occupied. After five minutes, she checked out some other patient who had been in the back and asked to see our dogs gums??? After looking at them, she informed us that they were full and not taking new clients. Then she handed us a photocopy with some other veterinary options. I am flabbergasted that we had to wait for her to tell us this. And why is she checking our dogs gums. Obviously she has instructions from her superiors and “as the receptionist” was practicing medicine with her vast education. What if the dogs gums looked different? Would they then have had room? At best, these people are dishonest, but my opinion, is that they are simply idiots. Don’t go there if you’re in a crisis. They provided horrible customer service. Hopefully their actual doctors have more knowledge and will care that the receptionist is practicing medicine on their behalf. Again, go somewhere else if you care about you pets…

NEVER take ur pet here. After making us stand outside for 15 mins while my dog was bleeding they came out and said they couldn’t see her. WAISTING time I could have been someplace else. DISGUSTING

I have no words for how amazing these people are. They saved my sweet baby girl doggie after an accident, and were so caring, sensitive, kind, and compassionate with me as I navigated the fear of dealing with this situation. Dr. Scott and the entire staff here were communicative and kind from start to finish. THANK YOU ????????????

Did not like my experience with this vet, I understand they may be overwhelmed with the sudden surge of pet emergencies but I felt like they did not do they're job. Diagnosed my 1yr old pup with a very rare disease then on review before taking him were sitting in parking lot and immediately changed it to rat poison, we did everything we paid so much money the first time and the 2nd time just like that changed the diagnosis before blood work even started (for 2nd visit). Also not good guidelines for home treatment I've gotten better advice from people who have had they're pet go thru similar and survive, they just recommended euthanasia! No K1 supplement I even had to request an appetite booster myself. I'm pretty sure he came out of there with a cough and I asked to address it they didn't want to not even a nebulizer or recommendation for anything they just said it was nothing. I understand that the Dr changed shifts and things can get left out but that's they're job and communicating info over is part of that, some people really on their support animals and I think they've forgotten that. I hope this dosnt happen to anyone else.

This place is such a horrible place, ignore any good reviews on this place. Brought my dog here when he was sick and they didn’t tell me anything just beside that he had something wrong and I had to pay $4000. I questioned them and told them I don’t have that type of money, so they ask me to apply for a credit card. Once applied I got approve for $1000 but still wasn’t enough. They let me take my dog home that day knowing he was dying on me and give me a total of $2000 for a bill because he was there one day. They told me I had to put my dog down because he had no chance of survival. I didn’t listen to them and told them I will like to keep his treatment going but to take him home since I did not have money for him to stay there. They had misinformed me of what type of disease he had after several blood works. This place keep accepting new pets everyday while they can’t keep up with the ones they have already. Don’t come to this place if you don’t have the money to pay close to $5000.

If you want to put your dog down THIS IS THE PLACE TO COME!!! I just love how this place does not care about animals, unless they are profiting off of them! EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE WITH POOR SERVICE. They kept diagnosing my pup with different types of illnesses, that weren’t even correct. Took my pup elsewhere and they gave him the right medication and recommended great types of supplements and my boy looks a lot more better, this place did not want to help me at all unless they got money. Couldn’t even get them to tell me what was wrong the first day unless I paid them. RIDICULOUS!

Spent $800 for antibiotics, bloodwork and a cough suppressant.

This place is HORRIBLE. I got turned away! At first the tech comes out and says do I have an appointment I said no. ( hello this is a 24/7 hospital in my head) so she gives me this little paper with other vets and says go to Santa Barbara. I said I’m not traveling. My cat needs to be seen she’s been throwing up and having diarrhea for two weeks. I even brought them a stool sample. This women comes out without ANY COMPASSION she wears glasses and have curly hair with highlights and prints me out another page of clinics saying to try them. That they were at full capacity and had 3 surgeries. There WAS NO OTHER CARS OR ppl in the building waiting. I don’t know how any of these ppl sleep at night knowing they are doing the bare minimum. I work in healthcare myself. It would be different to have compassion. Shame on YOU HORIZON!!!!! Never coming here EVER AGAIN

I couldn't possibly be happier with my experience at Horizon. I've had to hospital my dog there twice now because of aspiration pneumonia, the first of which he probably would have died anywhere else. The critical care specialist quickly identified sepsis, immediately gave him the right combination of full spectrum antibiotics that addressed his infection, and had him on continuous oxygen (despite his repeated attempts to pull the tubes out constantly). They absolutely saved his life. My dog ended up staying there for an entire week so I had interactions with pretty much all of the Doctors and was so impressed with every single one. Not only with their knowledge but also their kindness. They made sure to give me thorough updates on a regular basis and were patient with my call-in's to check up when I missed my boy. You can tell the technicians who worked with my dog were really kind with the animals and are really good at at their jobs too. When I asked any questions they immediately had thorough answers that showed that they were paying good attention and knew the whole story about my dog and not just a small portion of it. Meeting them in person made me feel like my boy was in good hands every single day that I couldn't be with him. I honestly can't say enough good things about this place. Your pets are in amazing hands here and I can't recommend it enough.

I arrived there jun 25 2021 with my cat who had paralyzed hind legs. I knew the options were grim. So what I would have expected: Emergency exam & Euthanasia. You know what happened? THEY TURNED ME AWAY. 2 years ago we had to say goodbye to our 2 dogs 2 weeks apart. We did that over there. No complaints & professional. I understand everybody is under stress because of covid and the amount of new pets. But to turn someone away with a dying animal without even looking at it and say "go to Thousand Oaks" is not something I think worth a positive review. From their website "Ventura-based Horizon Veterinary Specialists is a small animal specialty & emergency hospital providing 24-hour, 7-days-a-week care for your pets." Except when they don't want to. Then they don't CARE

Ignore any good reviews, this place is criminal. Literally. Brought our dog with a recommendation to perform an ultrasound, and they wouldn't do it. Because she wasn't looking half dead, or just not super sick at the time, they refused. These people are sick in the head. Our dog has been ill for weeks, and we waited for them to call us, so we could get this done, only for them to deny us when we arrived. Serum Spec cPL 0-200 is normal. Her level is 441 and the blood work states she needs an ultrasound to see how severe the issue is. Not sufficient. Unless they are almost dead, they want no part in helping them out. So now after all this time we still don't know why she's so sick. I tried to avoid these creeps after looking at all the bad reviews, but there was no one else available.

My 12-year-old Dachshund almost died from a sudden onset of diabetes caused by Cushing’s disease, and Dr. Ortega and the doctors at Horizon are the only reason she is still with us today. She was very ill and Dr. Ortega didn’t try to sugar coat it for us, which I very much appreciated. She kept us updated over the next few days on her condition and what they were doing to try and level out her blood sugar while also dealing with an insulin resistant disease. She answered all of our questions and didn’t rush us through the conversations, even though we knew she was busy. They let us come in to see Maggie for 15 minutes with masks and gloves on to give us all a little comfort during such a stressful time. The tech carried my girl in on a big soft bed with a blanket on her, and I immediately knew she was in the best of care there. A few days later she was finally on the mend, and were able to take her home after they gave me a tutorial on how to check her glucose and administer insulin. Was it cheap? Oh god no! But what emergency care is? Was everyone there wonderful? Nope, there were several people I dealt with on the phone who could use some customer service training. But seriously, that’s pretty much anywhere you go, especially somewhere open 24/7. You’re paying for the skill of the doctors who are working to save your dog’s life, and skill is definitely what you receive here. It is priceless. Dr. Ortega and her team saved our Maggie’s life, and while we might only have a few more years with her, it’s time we wouldn’t have gotten without their care and expertise.

I would never ever recommend this vet to anyone. Especially the ER!! If your baby is critical and needs a doctor who will go the extra mile - then this is not your place. I eventually lost my beloved boy 6 weeks after my first trip to the ER. I never took him back there and I wish I never ever took him there in the first place. There was such a lack of interest in his recovery (the lack there of) that is so disturbing to me. As if it just wasn’t a concern, I had to push so hard for help after spending $5000 and leaving him in their care for 4 days. Pets are money-makers not patients here. When I explained the new symptoms I found during his recovery I got “well I’m not a behavioral specialist.” I never asked if you were, I asked if the change in behavior and other issues such as lack of vision and spaciness triggers any ideas as to whether or not something else could be wrong that was missed? Could you get a more pathetic ‘I-actually-don’t care’ response than that? I gave two stars because some of the staff are amazing and they deserve the stars but I wouldn’t trust the vets and some of the nurses. When it comes to your pet’s life - they’re the ones who you need to be the stars but they don’t have it in them.

If you want the short version, yes, I would highly recommend this animal hospital. If you want the why, read on... For the complaints I’ve seen in some of the reviews; 1st, this a busy medical facility. On the weekend it is no different than going to an ER or urgent care for humans. 2nd, these are doctors with degrees caring for your pets/loved ones. Cheap & fast and medical care are not synonymous with one another. We were out of towners camping at Lake Casitas for the weekend. We came in here on a Saturday with our dog who ate a GIANT treble hook. I have no idea how she even got it down. They clearly stated my options and estimated prices to accompany them (anywhere from $350 - $7500). About 8 hours later we left with our dog, sans the hook. It was a complete success. It was not cheap (though I feel it was more than fair) and it was not quick (but more than reasonable). I ended up paying about $1900. If I swallowed a treble hook... Dr Beymer, Dr Ortega and the entire staff were fantastic. They had the opportunity to charge me an additional $5,000 for a surgery and I would have been none the wiser. Not only did they accomplish removing the hook for a cheaper option endoscopy, they refunded me a portion of the money in the end. That’s pure class. They could have robbed me, but solid business ethics prevailed. I would trust them to go back. They are not trying to pull one over on you and they are doing the best they can given the circumstances. Thanks Horizon!

Sat in the parking lot for 4 hours while our dog was in a kennel with some sort of skin reaction. After 4 hours of waiting with no explanation of what could be wrong and only having vitals checked no vet check in , just to be told it might be another 6 hours of waiting.

Prices are way too high. They wanted $850 to get a second opinion. Didn't even include medication for treatment. They are unwilling to work with you. Front staff and technicians seemed nice. I don't believe you people are in it to help pets but to make money....

Excellent care from initial phone call to care. We are so grateful to Horizon After being turned away from virtually ever veterinarian from Lompoc to Ventura …

Dr. Beymer was so compassionate when I had to put my beloved dog down. She had her in a cozy bed and wrapped in a soft blanket. Dr. Beymer said the most compassionate, kind words and truly comforted me. Thank you Dr. Beymer.

I arrived at Horizon with my little poodle Puffin coughing, choking, and fighting for breath, waited 6 hours holding her in my arms while I watched people who arrived after me with their pets go in front of me. The only time staff …