I took my rat in for the first time today. She's old for a rat (3 years) and my boyfriend and I suspected she was dying. The receptionists were very friendly and upbeat. They got me into a room right away. The wait for the veterinarian wasn't long either. Dr. Carlson and her assistant were very attentive and gentle with my rat. Unlike other practitioners, they handled my rat the same way I or my boyfriend would. No pinning down, gripping, or flipping her over. If my rat needed to stay still they would pet her, or let her snuggle up where she felt safe. If they needed her to move they set her down and simply let her walk where she was curious. Dr. Carlson was also very kind and up front about the results. (Our rat likely had cancer or advanced pneumonia) While talking with me about the results, both she and her assistant continued to pet my rat. I was much more used to veterinarians manhandling pet rats or behaving as though they are "throwaway" pets. Their attention and care my pet and I received at Alpine was above and beyond what I expected. The staff and doctors genuinely love the animals they treat and understand their importance to the owner. This is a wonderful animal hospital.