Denver Veterinarian
Menu

Gentle Touch Animal Hospital

Updated 2026-07-09 · 1,217 reviewed · 179 listed · Scored from 867 Google reviews · How we rank ›

4.7(867) 85 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Verified
General Veterinary CareVeterinary SurgeryVeterinary DentistryLow-Cost & Affordable CareEmergency & Urgent CareExotic & Avian Vet
Gentle Touch Animal Hospital
Services
General Veterinary Care, Veterinary Surgery, Veterinary Dentistry
Reviews
867

What recent reviews say

Long-term clients return year after year because the vets and staff treat each animal as an individual, spend time explaining care options, and stay calm during emergencies and end-of-life decisions. Named veterinarians (Dunham, VanKoot, Drees, Snyder) and technicians earn consistent praise for patience with nervous pets, thorough diagnostics, and regular check-in calls after visits.

Pricing ranges from reasonable exam fees to unexpected bills that shock some owners: one review cited a rabies shot visit totaling $350.87, another noted concern over $650 rising to $900 for services not fully detailed. The hospital is AAHA accredited and Fear Free certified, has operated since 2000, and serves Southeast Denver and beyond. A minority of older negative reviews describe management dismissing complaints rather than addressing them directly.

Praised for
  • compassionate and patient staff
  • thorough exams and explanations
  • genuine care for animals
  • strong follow-up and communication
  • gentle handling of nervous pets
Watch-outs
  • surprise high bills for routine visits
  • staff defensiveness on negative reviews
  • inconsistent pricing communication
compassionate-staffgentle-with-animalsknowledgeable-vetsclear-communicationclean-facilityfollow-up-carefriendly-front-deskthorough-examsfair-pricingoverpriced
Best for: Owners of nervous or rescue animals, long-term pet care, and families seeking compassionate end-of-life support.
Think twice if: Budget-conscious owners should request itemized estimates upfront; bills can climb unexpectedly beyond initial quotes.

Strengths

  • named vets (Dunham, VanKoot, Drees, Snyder) with decade-long client relationships
  • Fear Free certified; gentle with anxious animals
  • follow-up calls after procedures
  • private comfort room for end-of-life care

Worth knowing

  • Dr. Dunham, Dr. VanKoot, Dr. Drees, Dr. Snyder named as staff veterinarians
  • Natalie (vet tech) and Brandon (front desk/tech) named as long-term staff
  • Annual dental cleaning with detailed pre- and post-care instructions praised
  • Private comfort room available for end-of-life visits
  • Staff send follow-up check-in calls after procedures
  • Fear Free Certified Professionals
  • AAHA accredited

What reviews say by service

General Veterinary Care
Thorough exams and patient explanations; owners appreciate attentive follow-up.
Veterinary Surgery
Described as advanced care with compassionate support for complex cases.
Veterinary Dentistry
Annual dental cleanings with detailed pre and post-care guidance praised.
Emergency & Urgent Care
Accepts urgent cases when others refuse; staff prioritize animal welfare over upfront cost.
Low-Cost & Affordable Care
Some reviewers call exam prices reasonable; others surprised by final bills exceeding expectations.

How it compares

  • Rated 4.7 against a 4.59 average across the 118 veterinary surgery businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 88% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

Ranking Method
Star rating 80
Review volume 100
Review recency 100
Review sentiment 67
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
771
4
29
3
8
2
11
1
48

Common questions

Do they accept emergency cases without requiring a large deposit upfront?
Yes. One reviewer was refused at another clinic for lacking $2000 upfront but was immediately seen at Gentle Touch, with the hospital prioritizing the dog's health over payment guarantees.
What happens if my anxious pet is nervous at the vet?
Staff work at the pet's pace and are described as gentle and accommodating. Dr. Snyder, among others, is specifically praised for adjusting care to nervous rescue animals.
Do they call after my pet's appointment?
Yes. Multiple long-term owners note that veterinarians regularly call to check in after visits and procedures.

Similar veterinarian nearby

VCA Southeast Area Animal Hospital
82

VCA Southeast Area Animal Hospital

4.5(342)✓ Verified

Reviewers praise the staff's genuine warmth and the vets' depth, especially during difficult diagnoses and senior pet care. Long waits are common, and billing surprises (care club terms, collections notices) have left some frustrated despite strong clinical work.

General Veterinary CareVeterinary SurgeryLow-Cost & Affordable Care
Exotic Pet Vets (Denver)
86

Exotic Pet Vets (Denver)

4.8(521)✓ Verified

Owners of exotic and small animals describe staff who listen intently, explain care in plain language, and handle fragile pets with visible gentleness. Several reviewers named specific vets: Dr. Ruoff (hamster surgery), Dr. Guerrera (rabbit hernia repair), Dr. Lykins (leopard gecko appetite issues), and Dr. Fitzgerald (avian care). The clinic offers Cherry financing for difficult cases. Two one-star reviews cite medication refill denials and unclear post-exam communication as serious lapses. Most reviewers praise the team's dedication to urgent cases, even taking in animals outside their own care. Multiple mentions of technicians like Maddi providing after-hours follow-ups and patient education. X-ray, CT, ultrasound, and endoscopy are listed as available. Surgery time can run longer than expected. One reviewer traveled seven hours for care; others describe same-day urgent intervention and willingness to see animals late on Fridays.

Exotic & Avian VetGeneral Veterinary CareVeterinary Surgery
K-9 Smiles
78

K-9 Smiles

4.6(139)✓ VerifiedPublishes prices

Most owners report clean, bright teeth and calm dogs after appointments. Staff named by satisfied clients include Dr. Kaci, Dr. Tracy Oakes, Tina, Emily, and senior technician Tori. However, a minority find the approach too surface-level for true dental health and note uncomfortable staff interactions. The business operates in grooming facilities rather than traditional vet clinics. Prices are fixed at $295 per cleaning regardless of dog size. Reviewers debate whether anesthesia-free scaling prevents disease or merely improves appearance. Those with positive experiences emphasize avoiding general anesthesia; critics argue this cannot replace full veterinary dental exams with X-rays. Early-booking discounts are available.

Veterinary Dentistry

Own this business? Get featured

Own or market a business here? Ask about featured placement and advertising on this directory. Your message goes straight to the directory team.

Last updated 2026-07-09