Dr. Mike Jones is THE best. My immediate family as well as my miles and miles of extended family have taken our dogs to Happy Valley for years and we would never go anywhere else. HOWEVER, recently, my dog started yelping while eating. It was the worst thing I'd ever heard in my life. She wouldn't eat after the first couple bites, wouldn't let you touch her and had weird bruises underneath her front leg. We thought she might've gotten hit by a car or kicked or might have eaten something that was stuck inside somewhere. At the time we decided we couldn't wait any longer, Mike's place was already closed for the day so I was forced to take her to Rome Vet Hospital (by the jail off of 365). The people there were very nice and said that someone must have kicked her. They took x-rays and said her spine and ribs weren't hurt but that she'll have hip dysplasia sooner or later because her back hip joints are pretty bad for her age (4 yrs old). So they gave her some pain meds and sent us on our way. - We went home thinking one of our neighbors kicked our dog and I can't tell you how many people offered to "take care of that" for us. (Scary. Wow.) - Anyways. After about a week, the pain meds were gone and she started having the same problem again. This time I took her to Mike. - Thank god! - Mike never said one bad thing about the place in Rome BUT it was implied. He found out that my dog had some blood borne parasite or infection or something that was basically eating her red blood cells and making her bruise and inflame easily at any slight provocation. The bruising and yelping were caused inadvertently by her playing with my parent's dog but she never would have bruised like that except for the infection. - Basically, the conclusion was that the people at Rome were stupid to take an expensive x-ray when all they had to do was take a blood test. He said the signs were obvious. - ALSO he said it's a really stupid stupid idea to give a young energetic dog pain meds when she should be taking it easy and recovering. He said that the dog will live through the pain but it makes it worse to give them pain meds so that they FEEL okay when really they're not okay. Makes sense, right?! Just because you have a broken leg but the morphine takes away the pain doesn't mean you should be walking around without the cast and taking it easy! - Anyways. - Also Rome said that her spine was straight in the x-ray so it was fine. However, Mike said that just because a spine is straight, that doesn't mean its fine. (Also makes sense.) She had something wrong with her back that won't affect her for a while. I don't remember exactly what he said since it was my fiance that talked to him about it. - I won't go anywhere but to Happy Valley and I live about 30 minutes away as opposed to 5 minutes from the Rome vet.. I don't trust anyone but Mike. He's down-to earth, and truly a no-bull-crap kind of guy. - I haven't met the new guy he has working for him but I've heard good things about him. - I would give Mike 100 stars if I could.

I love that Happy Valley Road has their own veterinary services. I live on Happy Valley & so it is quite convenient for me. Dr Jones used to work with Village Veterinary in Wampsville & decided to go out on his own and start his own practice. Thank Goodness! Other places are so expensive. Dr Jones will give you the Total Truth & NOT try and sell you things you don't need. I have been going there for years & have NEVER been unhappy. Now Dr Jones is expanding (brand new extension is being built) and a new Vet will be starting - Dr Lawton. I work locally and almost everyone I work with takes their animals to Happy Valley Vet. The only complaint I have ever heard is that Dr Jones wasn't taking any more patients... but that should be changing soon with the addition of Dr Lawton. Plus, Dr Jones daughter is going to school to be a Vet and may be joining his practice soon! Once you go to Happy Valley Vet (366-0006), you will wonder why you ever went anywhere else.

Doc Jones knows his stuff. I would never trust any one else with my furry babies! Been my vet for over 12 years and I am grateful for his care and expertise.