Full Circle Veterinary Alternative

My dog had a torn ligament in her knee. Full Circle confirmed the diagnosis and went over all the options with me with a fine toothed comb, which was great because I really didn’t know if I wanted my dog to endure yet another surgery. I really felt like Dr. Fisher gave me all the information I could possibly get on the injury and my dog’s options. Even when I researched the options she gave on the internet I was unable to find better info then what she gave me.
The reason I’m giving 4 stars and not 5 is because I did feel a bit like a slew of supportive therapies was being dumped on me because I have pet insurance for my dog. This may or may not be the case, it’s just how I felt. From physiotherapy, to pet massage, to acupuncture, supplements, and laser treatments, I felt a little bit like a sales person started speaking to me a points instead of a vet. This however did not diminish the amazingly good information I was given about my dog’s condition in the first place. At no point did I feel like my the Dr. was unqualified, in fact she seemed exceptionally well rounded and like she really knew what she was talking about.
The other reason I give 4 stars and not 5 is because I’ve never heard from Full Circle since that apt. I took my dog there and they recommended her for surgery with Dr. Draper (who is AWESOME) at Fairview vet (he is 1 of only 2 docs that do this surgery in Halifax I guess). Anyway, I would have been nice to receive a follow-​up call to see how my dog was doing and if the surgery went well. It’s not a deal breaker by any means, but a call like that would make me feel like less of a number and more like my dog had a friend in her corner.
Overall everyone is super nice and Dr. Fisher seemed very well qualified. I would take my dog there again without hesitation.

We started taking our 3 year old Lab/​Bernese to Full Circle because she has chronic Masticatory Muscle Myositis and we want to try to get her off the Prednisone she is on for the rest of her life. Dr. Bishop is amazing. She takes her time and wants to explore every avenue possible. With laser treatments we hope to at the very least lessen her dosage over time. The other staff are very caring and attentive. It is a wonderful place!

I have been going to Full Circle for a few years now.
It is very easy to get a quick appointment if need be. Staff are always genuinely concerned for the care of your pet. For example, I always get a follow-​up call or e-​mail after an appointment. They always provide notes from your appointments, and each pet has their own file with a picture enclosed – its a super cute personal touch I haven’t seen anywhere else!
They never try to sell you unnecessary supplies or treatments, and I enjoy their holistic standpoint. Last time I went in for a check-​up they taught me how to do core strengthening exercises with my miniature dachshund for the future health of her back.
The only thing I don’t enjoy is my vet bill – but its pretty standard. I find there is always hidden charges and fees I wish they were more transparent about, but being a pet-​owner I feel obligated to have money set aside for such things.
The clinic is always VERY clean and you can always smell the yummy orange-​cleaner they use after each visit.
I highly recommend this vet clinic if you live in HRM. I’ve been to quite a few in my years of having pets – the one on Quinpool, Woodbury, and one in Sackville to name a few. This is hands down the cleanest and most courteous one.

Full Circle isn’t my usual vet but they were the very first vet I ended up visiting after adopting Calvin, my first pooch.
At the time, we were in the dead of a Halifax winter and I lived in an apartment just around the corner. Of course I never gave any thought to the fact that a then five-​pound wiener dog might have a hard time with minus 20-​degree weather so when he looked like a ‘before’ shot from a Head and Shoulders ad within the first 24 hours, I wasn’t sure exactly what to do. So, I tucked him in the sleeve of my winter coat, walked down a block or two to Full Circle and got to chatting about what I could do to keep my poor pup from looking all flaky at the point that every person I had ever met in my life was insisting on coming over to fawn over him.
The staff were really helpful and knowledgeable about some options ranging from supplements to an oatmeal-​based shampoo/​conditioner which is what I ended up going with. They weren’t exactly as enthusiastic as I would have thought they would be when presented with a brand new puppy to care for, which is why I eventually went elsewhere, but they were able to answer questions about their product which is (sadly) more than I can say about a lot of pet spots in the city!