Andrew and Michelle Gallagher have been loyal 1st Pet Vet fans since the very beginning. Today, they’re the loving owners of Izzy, a 14-year old chihuahua dachshund mix, and Mara, a 4-year old dachshund, but they’ve been clients of Dr. Spencer since his practice opened in 1987.
“Back then we had a dachshund basset mix and a mini dachshund,” said Michelle. We started going to Dr. Spencer when he worked at a small veterinary clinic that would become 1st Pet Veterinary Center.”
Dr. Spencer purchased American Pet Center in August of 1989, and he, along with his staff, transformed the practice into what would eventually become the first of three 1st Pet Veterinary Center locations.
What impressed Andy and Michelle most when they first started visiting Dr. Spencer was his compassion and honesty.
“One of our dogs was having heart problems, and Dr. Spencer was very kind and honest with us about the prognosis,” Andy said. “He really helped us figure out what we could do to make her life better, and we really appreciated that.”
In the years since then, they’ve grown to know and love the entire 1st Pet staff and consider them friends.
“They’ve always been so wonderful to us and our pets,” Michelle said. “Our dogs love going to the vet – everyone knows them by name and shows them so much love, and the staff is so patient with us and our questions.”
Andy and Michelle also love that the staff follows up after each appointment to check on the pups and make sure they’re doing well.
The Gallaghers have sadly lost a few pets in the four decades they’ve been 1st Pet clients, and they’ve cherished the compassion they received from the entire veterinary team during those difficult moments.
“When we’ve had to say goodbye to our doggies over the years, they are so compassionate and caring,” said Andy. “They treat us like family. We’ve even gotten condolence cards in the mail signed by the staff and the techs. The whole staff loves our dogs.”
Even though there have been sad moments over the years, Andy and Michelle feel empowered by the care their dogs receive at 1st Pet. When they’ve had procedures and needed veterinary intensive care, Andy and Michelle appreciated that they could visit their pups day or night and call anytime for advice or information.
“They give us lots of choices for care,” said Michelle. “I always trust their referrals and the veterinarians’ advice and help navigate what can be a difficult process.”
For the Gallaghers, 1st Pet Veterinary Centers has become more than a place to take their pets for care – it has been a constant source of comfort, trusted information, and friendship through every chapter of their lives with their dogs.
Andy and Michelle recommend 1st Pet Veterinary Centers to anyone who asks them for a great primary and emergency vet in the Phoenix area.
From joyful puppy visits to the most difficult goodbyes, Andy and Michelle have felt supported, heard, and cared for by a veterinary team they’ve considered family for nearly forty years.
