If you are worried they are there for you but be prepared to spend $$$$$. Their business plan is to be available and collect a bucket of $$ in the process.

I had to bring my beloved dog to the Life Centre at 5 am on a Saturday. Obviously my dog was not well and he didn't want to go to the back with the tech. I had to ask her not to pull on my dog after she proceeded to tug on him repeatedly trying to get him him to move.



I arrived during a shift change.... delay. After waiting several hours for multiple tests to be performed, I was no closer to any answers. I left to run errands and wait to hear from the vet regarding status and next steps. I got a call and was told that another vet had GRACIOUSLY come in and performed an ultrasound. Beyond hearing that things were not looking good, the vet went on to tell me how bad his hips were.... something I ALREADY know and told her about and was working on with my primary vet - and WHAT does that have to do with the immediate issues. I was having a hard enough time comprehending that the vet was telling me there was no hope of saving my boy.



So I am told there is really no hope and I must let him go..... after easing my friend from his pain I am told by the vet that i will receive a paw print and some of his fur, for which I was VERY grateful. It is about six weeks later and I have yet to receive anything. I lost my boy, paid my bill, and still have not received a card, paw print, or fur. I have made repeated calls to the vet clinic to no avail. My grief is palpable and I am inconsolable. I am not convinced that these items even left the vet clinic.... if they were even done!

On behalf of Animal Emergency Critical Care Associates at The LifeCentre, we would like to extend to you our sincere apologies for any inconvenience you feel you may have experienced last month with respect to your pet’s unexpected visit.

AECCA patient care is "triage-based," which means the order in which patients are examined and treated is determined by the severity of each patient's illness or injuries. The severity of your pet’s illness was assessed during triage. We reviewed your pet’s charts, and your pet was weighed, vital signs were taken and assessed, her pain level was evaluated, and she was deemed stable. Unfortunately, just prior to your arrival, there were several animals in the intensive care unit whose conditions suddenly worsened, which elevated them to the top of the triage list. AECCA recognizes that the wait you had to endure was annoying, frustrating and inconvenient to you. When dealing with pets with catastrophic or life-threatening problems, attempts must be made to stabilize these patients immediately to save their lives. Please be assured, if your pet had presented any life threatening conditions, she would have been triaged and we would have immediately stabilized her, managed her pain, and given her any and all medical care necessary.

We would like to speak with you regarding your recent visit to AECCA at The LifeCentre – please feel free to contact us at (703) 777-5755, and ask for our practice manager.

First let me say that after my experience, I will drive the hour + to my family vet before ever going back to this place ever again. This is my story. My dog was sick (vomiting) on a Sunday and the local Vet was not open at the time. I called in advance and was told that the wait would be short. I arrived and the Tech took my dog immediately (to check “vitals”) after I filled out the paperwork, requesting my SSN, DOB, Place of Business and Address- also a "back up person" to include their Personal information as well. This is all to ensure they get their money. I waited 2 hours before a doctor was able to see me and talk to me about my dog’s condition. The Dr. told me that she may have an obstruction and to have X-Rays. I waited another hour to get the results. NO OBSTRUCTION. I was told that they could keep for fluids, which would take 4+ hours- but if I left, I would have to pay extra for boarding. I had already been there for 3 hours. Let me also point out that there was NOT another person in front of me. A guy came in shortly after I received my X-Rays (2 hours after I had been seen) and went into a room right away. My dog threw up 10 times in 3 hours, was not eating, drinking or eliminating and all they could do was give her X-Rays and anti-nausea pills and send us on our way with a $400.00 Vet bill. NEVER EVER GO THERE. I called later to ask about her weight, and they “forgot to put it on her record.” My guess? They never checked her weight. The worst experience I’ve ever had.