Ponderosa Veterinary Hospital - Kalispell, Montana

Tamara L.

Very kind doctors and staff at Ponderosa. With so many dogs I find myself going here often. I really appreciate their guidance and medical care for my beloved fur-babies. They are always quick to accommodate my appointment requests and also excellent at emailing me back for reimbursing my pet insurance too. Very grateful for Ponderosa Veterinary Hospital.

James D.

I brought my dog Franklin to Ponderosa after Animal Clinic told me I should put him down just because I couldn’t afford ACL surgery. Thankfully, Dr. Gates was able to treat his pain and then gave me a rehab plan with instructions and videos on exercises and care I could do at home. It took a lot of time and effort, but it worked and now he is now walking normally without a limp. I’m beyond grateful to both Dr. Gates and the whole team at Ponderosa. They truly care and never made me feel like money was more important than my dog.

Paula A.

I have brought 5 dogs (owned & fosters) through Ponderosa, and I am so impressed at the professionalism and experiences here every single time. The Front Desk (shout out to Nikhole and Marianne- you are absolute angels!), The Vet Techs (Amanda is amazing!) and the Vets (Dr Jim/Dr KC- awesome Drs!) have all been absolutely incredible people to interact with. I changed from another local vet office to Ponderosa last year and I am so grateful for it. The offices are clean, orderly and I know my dogs are always well taken care of by the entire team. The love and care for animals here is very clear. You can tell there is a lot of care and positive intention in the management of all animals that come in. I cannot speak highly enough about Ponderosa- this is one of the best vet clinics in the valley.

Stephie S.

This is the best Vet I have been to in the valley. The vets care so much and get down on the dogs level and offer a lot of positive interactions and reinforcement. They helped us with our dog when she was sick, came to our home to help with euthanasia and gave us a card in the mail afterwards. Would recommend 💯

Jae M.

I called this clinic to update my dog’s vaccinations and was able to get an appointment the next day, which I appreciated. I have an older poodle mix who tends to develop ear infections every few years, so I requested that his ears be checked during the visit, as he had been scratching them recently.

The visit cost $75 just to be seen. I had the 4:30 p.m. appointment, and the veterinarian spent approximately three minutes with my dog. The vet tech informed me that if an ear infection was present, it would need to be treated before administering any vaccines—which I understand and agree with. However, when I arrived, they were already vacuuming and closing up, which made me feel rushed as the last appointment of the day.

It was confirmed that my dog had a yeast and bacterial infection in his ears. They prescribed an ear wash, antibiotics, and ear drops, and explained how to use them. I asked if they could perform the initial ear cleaning, since they are trained professionals and have access to tools I do not. Unfortunately, they kind of shrugged off the idea, explaining that I would eventually have to do it, and I was left to clean his ears myself after a full workday. This was difficult and time-consuming, taking about an hour with the help of my 71-year-old mother. While I am experienced in cleaning my dog’s ears, someone without that experience would have had a very hard time.

For the $287 I paid, I expected a more thorough level of care, including the initial cleaning, especially since proper technique and tools can make a big difference. In previous experiences with other vets, the initial cleaning has always been included. While both the veterinarian and vet tech were kind, the front desk staff was neutral—not particularly friendly, but not rude either. As someone who works with people every day, I didn’t feel like my dog or I were a priority during the visit. I understand everyone wants to go home after work—so did I—but having to do the job I came to the vet for made the visit feel frustrating and disappointing. Additionally, the medications and supplies could have been purchased for less on Chewy. Also I think had I visited earlier in the day our experience may have been better.

S S.

INCREDIBLY kind and accommodating staff!! I have 2 geriatric aged dogs (Dane & Doxie). The staff goes above and beyond EVERY visit to ensure our dogs’ needs are being met. Dr Jim and his team have been absolutely AMAZING in helping us navigate these late golden years. Highly recommend!!

Annie E.

We had such a fantastic experience with this entire team. They were able to help us with a cancerous growth on our dog's toe, discovered while in the midst of some long-term travel. They were able to get us in for a consultation and surgery same-day, and were diligent and supportive during the recovery after. Dr. Casey always gave us plenty of time, and we could trust that she and the entire team had our boy's best interests at the forefront of their recommendations and follow up. They worked with our schedule and constraints and couldn't have been nicer throughout. We highly recommend this to anyone who is local or passing through--you will be in excellent hands!

Lana B.

I recently visited Ponderosa Veterinary Hospital for the first time, and I was incredibly impressed with the experience. From the moment I walked in, the staff was welcoming and attentive. They made my pet feel comfortable, and the environment was clean and calming. Dr. Brandon Gates took the time to thoroughly examine my pet, explain everything in detail, and answer all of my questions. I felt reassured knowing my pet was in good hands. I’m so glad I chose Ponderosa Veterinary Hospital and will definitely be returning for future visits!