Robinson Cristina DVM

Most Recent Comments

• November 2023 by Robert A.
  We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful vet in Grand Junction. In the first year we lived here we unfortunately had two very sick animals - a kitten and a puppy. Amigo (specifically Dr. Garrett Carrica and Dr. Jackie Rivero, along with their wonderful staff) saved both of them. Our kitten could not maintain his body temperature or his blood glucose. Another vet said we were wasting money trying to save him but now he is a healthy happy cat. Our puppy got parvo from the breeder. It was devastating. But again Amigo saved her. We are eternally grateful to Amigo for saving our pets. Amigo communicated well and everyone was so kind and professional.
• July 2023 by Tyler K.
  Worst customer service. They will kill your pet don't go here if you value you pets. They'll tell you you NEED to do certain procedures just to take your money and aren't for the welfare of the animal. They should be shut down. The owner doesn't have your best interest at heart. All he wants is your money and for you to leave!
• July 2023 by Ashley E.
  Amigo Animal Clinic has always been our dog Mia's vet for over 10 years. Last Thursday, 07/06/23. We went in to get her checked in because we noticed her stomach was distended and she couldn't breathe properly. After coming in as an Emergency the vet that was assigned to us Dr. Dominic Caricca told us to do an X-Ray. Upon seeing her X-rays we saw that her liver and spleen were enlarged. At this we (my mom and I) realized It'd be best to put her down. I had entered the room to tell the vet our decision and he was very rude and showed absolutely NO EMPATHY towards us. Granted, they were busy but in that moment when a family is knowing they are going to put down their beloved CHILDHOOD pet I believe we would be met with sympathy and sensitivity. Instead he dismissed us and went "I have other patients to see, you guys decide what you want." At this I went to the receptionist and asked for a different vet at this point my sisters and I were all visibly upset. Instead of being professional and just walking away Dr. Dominic Caricca came back and basically told us that he was the reason our dog was being seen. When I tried to inform him on our decision as to not wanting him he basically spoke over me to try to get the last word. He lacks social skills clearly, It's bizarre how an OWNER would act this way. In the last 10 years I have never been met with such disrespect at this establishment. Honestly, if you could, do not choose him as your pet's vet especially if it's for euthanasia. People deserve better. We deserved better than the way he treated us. I'm posting this as a warning for pet owners even though I know he wont get in trouble as he is an owner. Our community should know what kind of person he truly is.
• June 2023 by Elaina O.
  As I waited for forty minutes in the exam room, I was hopeful that they'd at the least tend to the small kitten with a head injury in my lap. I left this vet with absolutely zero care and 16 loan applications on my credit file. I'm 70 dollars out of pocket for an 'initial assessment', despite them telling me they couldn't do an initial assessment without running any tests. Guess I paid for the atmosphere, huh? Not to mention Dr. Rivero acting completely shady when she left medications (we would be refused) out unattended, then rushed them back as if I would have taken them. Amigos de verdad.. Go someplace else.
• June 2023 by Mari S.
  I took two kittens in for their first routine checks and vaccinations, and loved the vet, vet tech and friendly office staff. While I was informed of cost of lab work prior to getting it done, and got it done as I considered it necessary, I was shocked at its cost. My bill was over 400.00 for the two kittens. I will be returning as the care was excellent. I gave it 4 stars due to the high cost. The cost seemed over the top.
• April 2023 by Janette L.
  Extremely expensive. 15 minute visit and lab work came to 450.00. I was quoted 180.00 for lab work, if you have to dig in your savings to pay vet, it time to seek care elsewhere
• March 2023 by Leon N.
  I have not been to Amigo before but i took a mother cat that still had a dead kitten still in her, said they had to do blood work and X/Rays.They spent more time telling me how much it will cost than attending to my cat. The cat passed away before they could do surgery. 1130.00 dollars.I would not recommend. Money is all they care about.
• June 2021 by Toni A.
  I'm here, waiting to speak to owner, I heard singing, laughing, and voices... But this is my 3rd attempt to get answers about my pets Being put to sleep. I'm willing to listen, but I'm being avoided. I've been put on hold 2x and was told something that was not as true. I would like to know what happened to my pet, and no one is talking..... Something's not right here..... You've attempted 7 times on a phone at 715-722PM. THIS is an inappropriate time to call. It is dinner and after hours. I went in on Saturday and told I could speak to owner..... Only to be told she left. A kind doctor did speak to me outside in the rain. I waited in the rain to speak to anyone. I'll call you tomorrow during normal business hours. Thank you.
• April 2021 by Mark M.
  Sadly, I must provide the strongest possible negative feedback for this clinic after having previously written a warranted five-star review based upon my OUTSTANDING experience with Dr. Jackie Rivero, who remains one of the best vets I've ever had. I wish she was eligible for her own review as she stands alone in excellence and outstanding service, start to finish. If you must go to Amigo, insist on Dr. Rivero: she is kind, professional, up-front, and she feels truly invested in your and your pet's experience. She deserves seven stars. That is definitely not the case with Dr. Garrett Carrica (son of the owner of the practice: Dr. Dominic Carrica). Dr. Carrica attended to an acute wound on my dog's leg on April 12, 2021. I was pleased with the attentiveness of Amigo in getting my dog in on an emergency basis. Dr. Carrica was thorough in his discussion with me regarding treatment options, and he sent my dog home with several sutures and a large bandage on his leg. It was an expensive visit, but I made no comment, as I was grateful to Amigo for attentiveness and care. I was scheduled for a post-op visit three days later, at which time the doctor would determine the progress of healing. At that visit, it was determined that further healing was necessary, and my dog was dismissed still in sutures and a bandage. I was told that several more post-op visits would be needed to monitor his progress. I did not mind the extended number of visits. However, at that same appointment I was unexpectedly presented with a bill for $78.44. I was surprised and upset at the lack of prior disclosure regarding this large post-op charge. I had just paid $450 three days prior, and I was never told there would be any charge for post-op. I asked if this would be charged at each of my dog's subsequent post-op visits, as there were several anticipated. I was told "yes, that is the amount you will pay at each visit." I was outraged that this multi-hundred dollar "add on" cost that was not previously disclosed to me when I made the choice as to course of treatment. I expressed my outrage to the tech, who said he would pass along my words (which were not kind). Wanting to ensure that my sense of injustice would actually make it to management, I sent Amigo an email expressing my frustration. I am a practicing dentist, and I informed the office that my practice would never hide (i.e. not disclose) any post-op charges, as it leads to the very frustration I was feeling. I hoped to engage either Dr. Carrica or his father (the practice owner) through my email for proper discussion, rather than being billed after-the-fact by a front desk tech. I received no response. A week after the original incident, I attempted to schedule my dog for suture removal, as they were un-resorbable sutures, and they cannot be left in place for too long. I was put on hold and Dr. Carrica came on the line. He told me that the email that was sent to the office offended him and he would therefore not take out the sutures on my dog. He told me to do it myself. I was not permitted to schedule this critical appointment. I do not know how many sutures my dog has, nor where they are. This doctor is fully willing to maim my animal because he took personal offence at my email critiquing his lack of financial disclosure. The massive ego, and completely unprofessional attitude of this doctor is possibly born of the fact his dad owns the practice, for what he is doing is both illegal and immoral. I immediately filed a complaint with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies ("DORA"), which maintains the licensure of all Colorado professionals. They are currently investigating Dr. Carrica for this issue. I am hopeful they will strip him of his license. As I write this review, my dog is STILL in sutures, as other vets are reluctant to remove them because the number and location of those sutures is not known, and understandably they maintain that the proper (only) person who should take those sutures out is the doctor who put them in. Dr. Gar
• December 2020 by Doug S.
  Last month, we found out our dog, Luna, had a very serious progressive stage of cancer. This was a shock to us, as Luna was a happy dog and didn't show signs of pain until she stopped eating. The staff at Amigo found the cancer and gave us the news, which ultimately forced us to take steps to end her life out of concern for her happiness and well being. To do anything otherwise would have been selfish on our part. I cannot say enough about the caring and compassion displayed by everyone at Amigo. Throughout it all, they have kept in contact and genuinely cared for us as we grieve the loss of our family member. Luna was an amazing dog, and we miss her. We are forever grateful for Amigo and how they handled everything. Thank you.
• October 2020 by Carol W.
  We love Amigo. Dr. Carrica is super. Caring and takes the time necessary to explain any issues our fur babies might have. We have just returned to the area from NM were pleased we were to be able to have our four little pups be seen at Amigo. So glad to be back.
• October 2020 by Chelsea H.
  DO NOT GO HERE!! We've taken our dog here since he was a puppy for the last 3 years. We had a wellness plan and felt well taken care of until this past week (although you never see the same vet). We had called to make an appointment for my dog who had a growth of some sort on his paw and it was causing him to limp. The receptionist informed us that they had an appointment the following day but it would be drop-off only and they would get to our dog whenever their vets had a minute to see him and it would cost an extra $73.00. We opted to go for the next day which was a Saturday at 3:30pm. My husband took our dog to the vet and waited in the car while they performed "curbside service." They then proceeded to call me while I was at home with our baby instead of asking for a phone number of where the vet could reach him. The vet reported to me that she found the white spot with black spots on the bottom of his paw and would like to sedate him and lance it. We were perfectly fine with that plan. After the procedure performed there was no communication with either me or my husband regarding what they found or even what they did to our dog. They called me again at home to ask for payment of $230.00 before taking our dog to the car to send him home. It was nearing 5:00pm and that is when they were closing. So they sent my dog home pretty much still sedated. He whined the whole night and moaned as if he was in pain the whole night. After they sent him home I received an email 2 hours later with "Discharge Instructions" stating I had to make a follow-up appointment 2-3 days after his procedure. We called Monday morning to make an appointment. We returned for a follow-up appointment to take his bandage off and was charged another $10.00 for this visit. Again, no communication of how the paw looked after they took the bandage off. My husband brought him home. I looked at his paw and the growth was still on his paw. No CUTS or any LANCING took place on his paw where the growth was located. This is ABSOLUTE MALPRACTICE. We called the clinic and spoke with a vet and then received a call from Dominic, the owner. He is the most unprofessional business owner that I have come into contact with. He will not refund our money unless we cancel our wellness plan, which will cost us $500 even though they were in the wrong! Just admit the mistake, make it right, and this all could have been behind you.
• September 2020 by Trinity W.
  After Dr. Maguire's scathing and insensitive email, I think it is important for future clients of Amigo Animal clinic to know what they are about to get into unless they make proper protocols in how to deal with clients with very major spine surgery. 1. Don't make people sign a document stating that your pet will receive: nail trimming, anal gland exam, and laser healing if you are "TOO BUSY" to do it during surgery. It makes the Dr.'s / Clinic look unprofessional, careless, and a total lack of follow-through. It makes you question what else wasn't taken care of! 2. Please know that to say, "I'm sorry, but I'm not always available. I've have had 3 surgical patients and 12 new patients this week. This is not vaccinations and dirty ear's" was completely uncalled for and condescending. I am WELL AWARE that this is not Vaccinations and Dirty Ears! Just ask my bank account!!! This makes your clients feel like you are a turn and burn operation!!! The lack of professionalism, carelessness, attention to detail, lack of empathy, responsiveness, doing what you say you are going to do, lack of specific details to your pets upcoming recovery, lack of details concerning side effects and what to look out for, lack of information as to what each medication is for, excessive holds without follow-through, and condescending attitude of one your Doctors that you just trusted with the life of your precious pet. 3. Don't give canned instructions for patient care with a list of medications without information as to what each medication is for, what to look for as far as side-effects, when to call the Dr. and when not to. This should be something the actual Dr. comes out and explains when you pick up your pet. If not something they have time for, this should be printed and handed to you with someone that knows each medication and can help explain and personalize a schedule for the next coming weeks of CRITICAL RECOVERY!!! 4. Make sure you explain that when your beloved pet is coming off of anesthesia, that it is normal for them to cry all night long, not out of pain, but out of being disoriented. 5. Availability of Staff. I have never been put on hold more for any other vet clinic. The holds were so long that they often went to a voicemail that was not returned until the next day. Even when emailing, I had to wait several hours to hear back from a very condescending Dr. who didn't even look at my personalized schedule of medications and rudely asked me to refer back to his canned email that was lacking pertinent information. 6. Maybe look into proper staffing so the Dr. does not quote, "IN THE WOODS". 7. Make sure to learn how to properly pronounce the name of your pet! 8. Figure out how to best serve your client so you don't feel like just a number and that no one cares.
• September 2020 by Maria G.
  I took my 17 year old cat to see these guys I understand the covert does not allow the mommies and daddy's of animals to go into the clinic so they call me with a diagnosis Hey supposing They gave him a shot most vets will call back and see how your pet is doing these guys have never call me to see how my cat is doing. I don't think I'll ever take any of my animals there
• September 2020 by Julia D.
  GREAT STAFF- My kitten Luna is a patient here, and I am never disappointed with the quality of their care, the timeliness of their service, or the compassion of their staff. When she was about 4 months old, I took my kitten into Amigo for some vaccinations. The veterinarian unfortunately found that she has a heart murmur. As the doctor was breaking the news to me, he paused after giving me each piece of information to ensure that I understood what was happening. He was incredibly kind and my first thought was "this doctor has DEFINITELY had to tell people that their pet is dying" because he went about it in such a gentle way. A month later I took her back in for some tummy troubles and the vet on hand found that her heart murmur is halfway gone, indicating that it's most likely an innocent heart murmur that will go as way in time! I plan to continue taking Luna here for my remaining time in Grand Junction and am very thankful to the staff for the way they run their business. They truly understand that a pet is a family member and that every possible measure to save or improve an animal's life should always be taken!