M
Michelle De Sousa
via Google I would like to clearly state that I will not see Dr. Griffin. Dr. Hanson is the only veterinarian I trust to care for my pets.
Dr. Hanson has consistently been kind, patient, and compassionate. She has provided excellent care for my Ragdoll cat, Jolley, including his neuter surgery and all of his initial vaccinations. I have complete confidence in her clinical judgment and bedside manner.
I also have a rescued female Snowshoe cat named Brea, approximately two years old. She was pulled from the Baker County kill shelter by the Gainesville Humane Society and adopted by me in March. At the time of adoption, Brea was prescribed 100 mg of gabapentin daily for anxiety. I was advised by Humane Society staff to consider another cat due to her anxiety, but I was committed to adopting her despite knowing she would require patience and behavioral work.
Over time, Brea has made significant progress. She is now comfortable being petted, and her vaccinations are not due until March 2026.
On December 13, I had a veterinary appointment scheduled with Dr. Griffin. Due to Brea’s anxiety, transporting her without gabapentin would have been highly distressing and potentially unsafe. On a previous occasion, while attempting to medicate her for a flea treatment, she panicked and jumped from the top of a loft staircase. I did not want to risk re-traumatizing her, especially given the progress she has made.
My intention that day was simply to obtain a single dose of flea medication. The clinic already had Brea’s medical records, and I had communicated my concerns to the front desk several days prior to the appointment. Despite this, Dr. Griffin stated that he would not prescribe any medication for an animal he had not personally examined, citing Florida law.
When I explained the difficulty of safely transporting her, Dr. Griffin asked whether anyone could help me trap her. I explained that my husband was unavailable that day due to work, and that I had scheduled the Saturday appointment because I work during the week. I was then asked whether I could bring Brea in later that same day, which would have required dosing her with gabapentin—something I explicitly stated I wanted to avoid unless absolutely necessary.
At that point, despite her care originating with the Gainesville Humane Society, Dr. Griffin suggested that I “take her to Gainesville” or contact them to obtain a prescription. This response was deeply disappointing and demonstrated a lack of empathy for both the animal’s history and her current behavioral needs. The request was solely for flea prevention, not controlled medication or elective treatment.
Although I proceeded with Jolley’s appointment that day, I left feeling uncomfortable and dismissed. Based on this interaction, I have decided that Dr. Griffin will not be involved in the care of my pets going forward.
I want to emphasize that every other staff member at the practice has been exceptional. The veterinary technicians, front desk staff, and office team are consistently professional and kind. Ashley, in particular, has been wonderful and compassionate. My concern is limited solely to this interaction with Dr. Griffin.
F
Frances Straussvia Google I’ve been bringing my pup to Coastal Vet for well over 10 years, and the care has always been outstanding. Recently, my dog developed some eye issues, and the team was able to get us in for an appointment the very same day. Their responsiveness, professionalism, and genuine concern for my pet’s well-being truly stand out. After a decade of consistent, compassionate service, I can confidently say Coastal Vet is a place I highly recommend to anyone looking for trusted veterinary care.
D
Darlyne Lakevia Google Our precious 11 yrar old cat presented with her limping and her front paw pads were swollen. Dixie is totally indoor kitty. The care received was prompt and courteous. Dixie was diagnosed with basically auto immune and spongy paw. A shot of steroids and we are waiting on call for a continuous medication. She is resting comfortably. We recvd a follow up call the following day.
M
Margaux Flournoyvia Google After ingesting a LOT of chocolate, I rushed my dog to an ER vet. A few days after, he started to have major GI issues. Being a new resident of Jacksonville, I had no primary care vet on hand for my guy so the ER recommended Coastal. They took him in day of, did a thorough assessment and provided a solid treatment plan. I left the vet feeling extremely confident and reassured that my dog would be okay which went a long way (given the severity of his case). He is still in recovery but since ingesting chocolate a week and a half ago, he’s never been better! Dr. Reardon and her team were awesome during his care there, following up with me every couple of days to check in on his progress.
C
Charisse Matthewsvia Google We are so incredibly grateful for the compassionate and expert care we’ve received from Coastal Veterinary Hospital over the years. They have been there for us in helping care for our two FIV+ cats with patience and knowledge, supporting us with such tenderness during the heartbreaking loss of our sweet Simon, and again when we had to say goodbye to our beloved Bernese mountain dog, Gail, after her battle with cancer. Even in the most difficult moments, the team at Coastal showed us genuine care. They never made us feel like just another appointment. Now, as we raise our playful Bernese mountain dog puppy, Honey, we are reminded every visit how lucky we are to have such a dedicated and skilled team looking after her. Not only are the veterinarians and techs at Coastal detailed and guide us through every visit — the front desk staff is exemplary and part of the reason why we wouldn’t go anywhere else!
Thank you, Coastal Veterinary Hospital, for being a trusted partner in our pets’ lives.
The Nyhuis family
