Animal hospital · Berkeley, CA · reviewed since 2016
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%57+31.1Reliability 24%54+13.1Value 14%66+9.3Replies to reviews 7%36+2.5Craft & service penalty89−1.1Momentum penalty22−7.8Experts Score= 47Grade C: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.47SCORE
CGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#67 of 74 veterinariansiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 10%
4.6★★★★★265 Google reviews · 23 photos
85%five-star reviews
4.10★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
8.3%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate The Grand Lake Veterinary Hospital 4.6 out of 5 based on 265 reviews, with the owner responding to 17 percent. Clients frequently praise the clinic for compassionate care, punctuality, and clear communication regarding treatments for routine and urgent issues. However, lower-rated feedback highlights concerns about pricing transparency, high costs for specific procedures, and instances of rushed phone interactions or missed calls.
Google rating: 4.6 out of 5 from 265 reviews (85% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 265 Google reviews (160 with written comments, 8 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 17% of reviews.
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: craft & service and value; weakest: momentum.
This companyVeterinarians median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.The Grand Lake Veterinary Hospital: 57/100 on this factor. Category median: 81.C
57
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.The Grand Lake Veterinary Hospital: 54/100 on this factor. Category median: 74.C
54
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.The Grand Lake Veterinary Hospital: 89/100 on this factor. Category median: 93.A
89
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.The Grand Lake Veterinary Hospital: 66/100 on this factor. Category median: 84.B
66
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.The Grand Lake Veterinary Hospital: 22/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.D
22
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.The Grand Lake Veterinary Hospital: 36/100 on this factor. Category median: 46.D
36
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
265 Google reviews we collected
4.6of 5
5 stars22585%
4 stars166%
3 stars93%
2 stars10%
1 star145%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 160 written reviews
92%praise
Praise18892%
Complaints178%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
86%fair
Great price114%
Reasonable571%
Overpriced114%
Not sure00%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude8742%
Quality & results2412%
Communication2211%
Would recommend2110%
Honesty & trust199%
Speed & response168%
Price & value168%
What customers talk about
We read 160 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Super kind people and I am grateful that we get to come back to grand lake vet now, they really solved an urgent problem quickly and were so chill!”
“Berkley is so kind, thorough, and pragmatic with our senior dog Benito's routine care.”
“I kept going to them until they messed up my dog's health travel certificate for an extended international stay.”
“The doctors explain everything clearly and never make us feel rushed—they really listen, and it shows.”
“If you live in the area and need a competent vet I would highly recommend.”
“If you have a sensitive pet, I recommend you go elsewhere as I will be for future visits.”
“My dog is even excited to go to the vet; she gets so excited that it’s honestly comical.”
“I especially love the text feature and how fast you can get a response from the clinic!”
“Prices are fair, though booking ahead is a good idea since they can get busy.”
“It's clear how much love everyone has here for animals and I never feel as though Im being ripped off or being misinformed.”
People customers mention
Dunn11 reviews
Oakland5 reviews
Mac4 reviews
Vets4 reviews
Jones3 reviews
Bay3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Recent reviews
MMarianneLocal Guide · 73 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · Edited a week ago★★★★★
Great hospital! I just took my 2 year old pup, Olive for her annual check up. The staff and doctor's are great! Everyone is so nice and helpful. I Love Grand Lake. I would highly recommend them
Great priceService not listed
FF9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 weeks ago★★★★★
Thank you so much to Naomi and Dr Jones and the whole crew! Above and beyond -in an urgent moment they were able to squeeze my cat into the schedule and figure out what was wrong. My cat is feeling better! Super kind people and I am grateful that we get to come back to grand lake vet now, they really solved an urgent problem quickly and were so chill!
JJayLocal Guide · 577 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★
Unable to present the actual cost of services and stick to it.
Lack of transparency and thus dishonest.
AAlberta3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 months ago★★★★★
I cannot recommend this vet office enough.
I have a 5-year-old cat and a 1-year-old French Bulldog, and the doctors and vet techs have always treated my babies with the utmost care. You can tell that each and every one of them truly loves animals. I haven’t had a single interaction with anyone there that I wouldn’t…
KKellyLocal Guide · 18 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 5 months ago★★★★★
We are so happy to have found such a wonderful vet within walking distance of our house. Dr. Berkley is so kind, thorough, and pragmatic with our senior dog Benito's routine care. We really feel like she takes the best possible care of him. And all of the staff are so kind and helpful as well. I especially love the…
Reasonable price
SScottLocal Guide · 26 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 5 months ago★★★★★
This is the best veterinary hospital/ clinic we have experienced. They are independent (not private equity owned), they truly care about the animals and their humans. If you live in the area and need a competent vet I would highly recommend.
Great hospital! I just took my 2 year old pup, Olive for her annual check up. The staff and doctor's are great! Everyone is so nice and helpful. I Love Grand Lake. I would highly recommend them
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Service not listed
Response from the owner · 7 years ago
Thanks, Marianne! You're a great client!
F
F Baums9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews F has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Thank you so much to Naomi and Dr Jones and the whole crew! Above and beyond -in an urgent moment they were able to squeeze my cat into the schedule and figure out what was wrong. My cat is feeling better! Super kind people and I am grateful that we get to come back to grand lake vet now, they really solved an urgent problem quickly and were so chill!
J
Jay GoldbergLocal Guide · 577 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Jay has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I cannot recommend this vet office enough.
I have a 5-year-old cat and a 1-year-old French Bulldog, and the doctors and vet techs have always treated my babies with the utmost care. You can tell that each and every one of them truly loves animals. I haven’t had a single interaction with anyone there that I wouldn’t happily recommend.
My dog is even excited to go to the vet; she gets so excited that it’s honestly comical.
Unfortunately, I’ll be moving out of state next month, and I think I’ll be hard-pressed to find a clinic that compares in my new home. Thank you to everyone at the office for taking such wonderful care of my pets.
S
ShumpeiLocal Guide · 21 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Shumpei has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I've had multiple not so stellar interactions with this vet.
1. For one out of two of my dog's vaccinations, the vet tech didn't give her the full dose. Some of it squirted out of the needle, she said that my dog got most of it, but it still left me wondering if that was true and now I'm not sure if my dog is properly vaccinated. I don't even know which of the two she didn't get a full dose of.
2. They require written prescriptions to be sent to Chewy for medication. I lost my paper copy that I got at the vet so I called them for another copy. They repeatedly weirdly insisted I come pick up the paper copy when it is ready but I insisted they email it to me so I can print it myself. Then it took over two days for them to actually send it. I didn't actually receive it until I called them again and they told me it is actually ready, but again insisted I pick it up in person. I don't know why it takes so long, I was running out of seizure medication so this was an incredibly stressful process for me.
3. During my last visit I saw a vet disciplining a person working at the desk. It was weird and tells me they're not very organized.
Maybe my interactions are out of place but I'd look elsewhere for any pet owner who needs regular medication.
K
Kelly PLocal Guide · 18 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Kelly has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We are so happy to have found such a wonderful vet within walking distance of our house. Dr. Berkley is so kind, thorough, and pragmatic with our senior dog Benito's routine care. We really feel like she takes the best possible care of him. And all of the staff are so kind and helpful as well. I especially love the text feature and how fast you can get a response from the clinic!
We also recently had Benito undergo a dental cleaning with some extractions, performed by Dr. Dunn. I was very nervous as Benito had never gone under anesthesia, but the staff eased all of my worries and I was confident he was in good hands. Thank you so much for taking such amazing care of our sweet boy!
Price assessment: Reasonable price
S
Scott SekhonLocal Guide · 26 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Scott has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
This is the best veterinary hospital/ clinic we have experienced. They are independent (not private equity owned), they truly care about the animals and their humans. If you live in the area and need a competent vet I would highly recommend.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Service not listed
B
Brock Calloway1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Brock has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Took my dog here for grooming and a quick check-up, and the staff were really gentle and patient with him. The place looked clean and well-maintained, which made me feel more at ease. Prices are fair, though booking ahead is a good idea since they can get busy.
M
Morgan WhitneyLocal Guide · 15 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Morgan has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Grand lake vet provided great care for my pet. However the pricing is quite high, some items are redundant (I'm not sure why you need deworming medication, and a fecal test- maybe only test and do medication as necessary). To neuter my pet was upwards of $800- 4x the cost of fully paying the humane society. Otherwise great option
M
Megan NLocal Guide · 23 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Megan has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
My dog is almost 17 and in excellent health. I credit Grand Lake vet… great vets, observant, intelligent, kind and clearly care deeply about their patients. The staff is kind and thoughtful and very accommodating to my furbaby (well, furteen) who’s behavioral issues and fear of the vet can sometimes be challenging. Thanks GLV for taking such good care of my dog!
