Letter from client

December 2011

The following is from a client who went through a devastating experience with her pets. It was her wish to share her personal experience with the public:

I just want to give my thanks and appreciation to Dr. Fernandez and the entire staff at Lakeside Animal Hospital.  You will never find friendlier and caring individuals; their emotions and sincerity comes from the heart.  I recently had a house fire and lost many of my beloved and cherished cats. All the staff at Lakeside Animal Hospital immediately responded and offered assistance not only to the animals, but also on a personal note. Several staff members arrived at my home to retrieve the cats that had perished in the fire, and to take the six surviving cats to the hospital to be examined; all at no charge to me. This was very generous and very much appreciated as my cash flow was next to nothing. It gave me peace of mind knowing that my surviving cats were in a safe environment and would be well taken care of. The entire staff is very caring, and concerned about the well being of my babies. And my cats love them!

On another note, Dr. Fernandez paid out of her own pocket to have all of my deceased cats cremated. I am here to tell you and anyone that will listen: THERE IS NO OTHER VETERANARIAN THAT goes the lengths that Dr. Fernandez has gone both personally and financially to make things easier for me and my animals during such a difficult time. Not only Lakeside Animal Hospital ensured the health and safety of my animals but immediately came to mine and my mother’s rescue by offering and providing assistance with just about everything without being asked.

 We were and still are having difficulty with the insurance company, as they do not want to pay our claim and housing assistance was not included in our policy. Several staff members from Lakeside jumped into action by assisting with the boarding up and securing of our home. They brought us food and drink throughout the day, began taking donations, provided us with toiletries, and well needed clothing and other major essentials. Some of the staff and their relatives went through their own belongings and provided myself and my mother with clothing and footwear. Another staff member has been assisting us with trying to find a place to stay. 

One will never find more caring individuals professionally and personally. Every individual that works for Lakeside went above and beyond on many levels to assist my self and my mother in a very difficult time and three months later they are still offering and providing assistance.  I truly do not know where we would be or what we would have done without the assistance and caring support we had and still have from all the Lakeside Animal Hospital Staff. 

On a totally different note, I would like for people to know if you have animals that are near and dear to your heart Dr Fernandez and the staff at Lakeside will provide the best care and will go to all lengths to provide your animal with a long and healthy life.  If you know an animal that is sick I am here to tell you that you will find no better veterinarian than Dr Fernandez, she is excellent with the animals and compassionate with the owners. Dr Fernandez’s care comes straight from the heart. She truly loves what she does. I know this because several of my beloved cats had serious ailments, such as kidney, liver, heart and cancer issues due to age, and Dr. Fernandez provided such good care that some lived 3 years longer than expected. I had one cat that had suffered kidney and liver issues on more that one occasion but due to Dr. Fernandez’s excellent care; he pulled through each incident and was doing fantastic. Unfortunately he was one of the cats that I lost in the fire.

I have many other stories as above, my cats have survived many close calls health wise and have lived to be ripe old ages. I had one that lived to be 21 years old due to the excellent care and love provided by Dr. Fernandez. If I have to move any distance due to the house fire, I will travel what ever distance to continue to take my cats to Lakeside Animal Hospital because of the excellent care and love provided by Dr. Fernandez and her staff. I know I could not find a better veterinarian anywhere else equal to the quality of care myself and my cats received.

In conclusion I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to all staff members and especially to Dr. Fernandez for their love and support through a very difficult experience. I can not put into words on how much this has meant to me, my mother, and my cats. Thank you is just not enough.