Douglas Goodrich is a very passionate pet parent. He knew he wanted to work with a quality breeder to find his next dog, and the health and genetics of his future pup were his primary concern after losing a couple of previous dogs to cancer.
After meeting with Thunder Heart Kennels in Nebraska, Douglas adopted Rocko, a purebred Rottweiler and the love of his life. He trusts 1st Pet with Rocko’s care because Douglas knows he’ll be treated with kindness and concern, even though Rottweilers can be intimidating.
“We’ve tried many vets in the valley and we love 1st Pet,” said Douglas. “The staff and doctors are really nice people. They treat Rocko well and they take good care of him. We’re really comfortable going there, and I can’t say that about all of the animal hospitals we’ve been to.”
Rocko has been coming to 1st Pet for years for minor concerns – like swallowing a bottle cap – to more severe issues like prostatitis. Regardless of the issue, Rocko has received the same great care from each 1st Pet provider he’s interacted with.
Rocko is due to be neutered soon, and though there were other lower cost options, Douglas decided to trust 1st Pet with the procedure because he knew Rocko would be well cared for.
“I feel really comfortable with their bedside manner and expertise,” said Douglas. “Rocko is everything to me. He’s the only family I have. When I take him to 1st Pet, I know they’ll take good care of him, and I won’t have to worry.”
In addition to the great care Rocko receives at 1st Pet, Douglas loves that the staff takes the time to follow up to see how Rocko is doing after his visit.
“They always call or text to check in on how he’s doing,” Douglas said. “I appreciate that it’s a real human checking in on Rocko, rather than an automated chatbot. It’s the little things that count.”
What stands out the most to Douglas about 1st Pet is the friendliness of the staff – they always make both pets and pet parents feel at ease. Though Rocko doesn’t have to visit the vet often, Douglas knows that 1st Pet will be a trusted partner for any veterinary concern, from vaccinations and allergies to emergency situations.
“The times we’ve gone in there, the gals at the front desk are truly excited to see my dog,” said Douglas.
Rocko can be intimidating as a big boy, and he gets very excited, so he wears a muzzle and takes pre-visit meds when he goes to his appointments.
“He’s a big sweetie, but he’s basically a bull in a china shop. The 1st Pet staff always treats him like he’s a baby and he loves it. It’s nice that they’re all very kind to him.”
