The Royal Treatment Veterinary Center - Chicago, Illinois

E.M. García

I write this with a very heavy heart. Dr. Stimac and Dr. Royal have been absolutely great with our pets for almost fifteen years. The staff, from tech to front desk, have always been professional and courteous, and not just our favorite vets but favorite places to visit and support. I'd say more but we have sadly stopped visiting them.

We just couldn't support the new "concierge" system--even shifting the family budget to stretch to afford it, it is actually tiered, so that all clients have to pay at least $300/year just to be able to call and make an appointment, but clients needing to pay almost $200/month to get "priority scheduling."

If there is any preferential treatment in scheduling, shouldn't it be based on the health needs of one of their pet clients at any given time, not the financial means of their owners? As the "concierge" name suggests, this entire approach is more aligned with that of a valet parking system at a "luxury" shopping mall than holistic care for animals or their caretakers. Since its inception decades ago, holistic medicine has meant practices more aligned with nature and common sense than corporate greed. It really feels misaligned with the practice we have known for over a decade. Further, we have tried to give them this feedback to no avail.

Despite the absolute appreciation for the good hard work of the doctors and staff, and recognizing the need for prices to go up a certain bit given the economy, we just couldn't continue to support this practice, not with our budget and more importantly not with our ethics, particularly given the timing of the new concierge system right when so many of us are struggling more to make ends meet.

Daniel Castorena Jr.

The Doc is awesome, as well as her staff. Dubs always feel loved and happy here. Thanks for making us feel good when we bring him in there.

Li Sa

I left the previous vet due to the following that I’m now experiencing with this clinic. Posting here may be the only way to get the clinic’s attention including the vet’s attention since I’m sure I can’t speak with the vet directly….

The paperwork stated if you’re 10-15 minutes late, the visit would be canceled yet the vet was about 25 minutes late. I didn’t know if this was to be expected but did not say anything since it was the first visit and hopefully not a frequent occurrence.

I called in advance about parking but never told about needing to pay for parking until I arrived. I am not familiar with the area and got lost and called…five or six times. Voicemails. I was afraid that maybe be the clinic had an emergency and closed. My voicemails were not returned as I was letting them know I arrived to, but I needed help in terms of parking (again did not know of the paid parking but then free parking a few blocks away) and exactly where to go. When, I finally reached someone, I was told it’s because it’s a small clinic and limited staff and that I should’ve sent an email. I did send an email as well and the person had no reply to that. Instead, asked how I would pay for the $$ appointment at the end and I provided my credit card. I have been trying to email them for the past two weeks and they replied one time and have not since to follow up emails. Still have not received the summary of the visit. When I followed up two days later by email to ask for this, I was told to give the technician 24 to 48 hours and it’s almost 2 weeks later.

I am wondering if I just got duped. I am still new to having a pet. I’ve been trying my best to get the best care possible (holistic) including spending more than I can afford and also traveling a distance for it and I’m really not seeing the benefits. Interaction with the vet went ok so not sure if this is really more so a staffing issue. I wish I could bypass the staff and speak briefly to the vet herself about this. Sounds like I already prepaid for the second visit so not sure when I will have the notes from the first to start on the recommendations or if they will schedule another visit. Just very strange.

AC Garcia

I’m grateful for the staff at The Royal Treatment Veterinary Center. Dr Royal, her partners, techs and rest of staff are knowledgeable, kind, friendly and always ready to help whenever my baby (standard poodle) has an issue.

Sergio Roti

To be fair, most of our visits here were great. We initially came here when our 5-year old Golden Retriever tore his ACL. Dr. Royal suggested water treadmill treatment and a raw diet, which after 10 sessions worked wonderfully! So we kept Dr. Royal as our primary until we moved out of state.

Fast forward to last week, when our now 11-year old Golden had a seizure that was caused by Hemangiosarcoma. His temperment completely changed over night and the ER Vet told us that we didn’t have much time because he was bleeding out internally.

Distraught and desperate, I called Dr. Royal’s office to see if there was a way to schedule an online or over the phone consultation because unfortunately, we live 1800 miles away.

They said that wouldn’t be possible because it had been over a couple years since he was last seen. We moved!

When I tried to explain that he couldn’t travel in his current state and that the doctors down here were giving him limited time, Dr. Royal’s office still refused to see him or help in any way.

When I said “Please can you help us? He’s dying!” They said, “No. That’s against our policy.”

I thought that was pretty messed up.

Ameneh Valadan

She is very responsible and careful about the animals Although for treat my dog I couldn’t go to her office, she called me and adviced me to the right decision about my dog for free. Thanks to Dr Royal and her team.

Mike Zafiriou

Really like this vet. Helped a lot with our cancer dog Lucille and now working with stephies enlarged heart. Combination of Rx and holistic methods including acupuncture, chiropractic care, and high quality supplements/herbs. Lucille always walked and felt better after her sessions

Jennifer Aguirrie

My dog had so many health issues with our conventional vet giving him antibiotic treatment after antibiotic treatment for his skin allergies which completely screwed his gut up. The staff was incredible and then vet even got on the ground with my dog during the appt and made him feel so safe during the exam. My dog always shakes during appts except when going this vet. It’s pricey but our fur children are worth it especially when I see results.