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In the past couple of years, we've taken our cats to Lake Hartwell Veterinary Clinic several times. We've had four kittens spayed, and have also brought in some cats with health issues.

Overall, we were fairly pleased with the service we received. For instance, when we took an older cat in for a visit, Dr. Terry could've recommended some expensive treatment for him, but she didn't. From what she said, it became apparent that her main goal was to help our cat, not to make a ton of money. She also seems to diagnose conditions and to spay cats pretty well.

Also, one time when we took our pet to Royston Animal Hospital, one of the vets (who had worked with her previously there) had very positive things to say about Dr. Terry.

There are a few drawbacks to this vet, though. For instance, Dr. Terry attended the Louisiana State veterinary school instead of the UGA vet school. Why? Well, my guess is that she couldn't get into the UGA vet school, which is ranked a lot higher. Dr. Terry seems to be from around this area—she went to Emmanuel College and then got a bachelor's degree at UGA. She was also wearing a UGA hat when we visited her clinic once. So, it's obvious that she's a big fan of UGA and would no doubt have loved to attend their vet school. However, at least she graduated from a U.S. vet school and has a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine), unlike the other Hartwell vet, who went to a vet school overseas and only has a bachelor's degree.

Here are a few more issues:

1. While Dr. Terry is attentive to animals, she isn't very friendly. She doesn't introduce herself and say, "Hi, how you are doing?" or anything like that. Also, one time I ran into her at the grocery store, and even though she looked at me, she then just looked away without saying hello or anything. In other words, it seems she pretended that she never even saw me. So, she's really not a "people person."

2. She talks too fast, and doesn't explain health conditions very well. This seems to fit in with her lack of people skills.

3. After you take an animal to her office, there is ZERO follow-up. In other words, don't ever expect a call from them asking, "So, how is Fluffy doing?" Their whole attitude seems to be: "Hey, we're just a business. So now that we've got your money, don't expect us to care anything about your pet."

4. Dr. Terry still seems to have "Covid paranoia." For instance, when we last took a kitten to be spayed (not that long ago, in 2022), it was a very cold fall morning (28 degrees), and I immediately brought the kitten inside the office. A short time later, they asked me to leave and go sit outside in the car until they were ready! Another woman also entered the building with her dog, and they kicked her out too! When I asked why we couldn't wait in the office, they just made up a flimsy excuse about how "it would be too crowded," which I didn't buy at all.

Anyway, even though she has some issues, Dr. Terry is a decent vet overall--and definitely the better of the two vets in Hartwell.