Today was my first visit there, and I got to take my dogs to Dr. Johnson- she is a wonderful vet, the vet technicians were as well (can't remember their names so sorry!). I felt no stress, or negativity, and that was so important for me because taking my dogs to the vet can be a difficult experience. Dr. Johnson was able to narrow down my dogs' mysterious symptoms and we're beginning treatment, very optimistic! It's a lovely place and I recommend it to others in the area.

My wife and I are new to Bellingham and know more or less no one. We asked around a bit and were led by word of mouth, plus an online search or two, to Fairhaven Veterinary Hospital and Dr. Kummer. The facility is scrupulously clean and an overall pleasant environment. The reception area is big, allowing owners and their pets to get some distance from each other if needed (though neither has ever caused injury, both our dogs routinely display aggression toward other dogs). There's a nice array of products, though we felt zero "pressure" to purchase anything. The examination room was plenty large enough for two owners, two dogs, and two veterinary staff. Billing at the end of our visit was handled in the examination room, a welcome convenience. Dr. Kummer came out to the reception area right on time to introduce himself to us while his previous client exited. When our dogs growled at the exiting client's dog, I remarked something like "This is their sole difficult behavior." Dr. Kummer replied "Yes, I read that in their file ... thank you for being proactive about it (we had the dogs adequately cradled/restrained)." Note to self: a kind response, and he took the time to read the file before we met. Our visit consisted of two routine annual physicals, and a troublesome question about a scheduled vaccination for one of the dogs (the dog had an allergic response to the vaccination when last it was given). Again, Dr. Kummer had read the dog's file and was prepared to address the subject. "Address the subject," however, does not do justice. His explanation of the risks and benefits of the vaccination was outstanding. Dr. Kummer is a thoughtful, carefully analytical, and off-the-charts articulate communicator and listener. My wife and I had agreed, before the visit, that we couldn't decide the issue without the guidance of a qualified veterinarian. Dr. Kummer rewarded our wait, and presented a clearly convincing case (which resulted -- surprising to me -- in the opposite conclusion than the one I'd sort of expected). Especially noteworthy was Dr. Kummer's concern for the dog: he wanted to do what was right for our dog in particular, not "dogs in general." In the course of the routine exams, Dr. Kummer noted our dogs' teeth could be cleaner (we've always been bad about that). He then in about ninety seconds flat stated a by the book desensitization protocol for dogs unaccustomed to having their teeth brushed. I am a semi-retired, semi-smart trainer (SF/SPCA ... treats and praise ... no "dog whisperer" nonsense) who never pretends to be a veterinarian, painfully aware that veterinarians who dispense otherwise excellent medical care do not necessarily likewise dispense sound advice on behavior and training. Not that Dr. Kummer requires my blessing on this point ... but I was very favorably impressed. Next to last, we had some discussion about adjusting the dogs' flea/etc medication. Dr. Kummer was leaning one way on the topic when my wife asked a slightly esoteric question about the med's risks/benefits with our dogs' breed (border collies, more or less). Dr. Kummer stopped, thought about it, said he did not know the answer and that he'd research it and get back to us. He called the same night around 6pm to give us his thoughts on having looked into it. And finally, for any warm and fuzzy type who might still be reading this review (I'm not particularly warm or fuzzy) ... Dr. Kummer is excellent with humans and dogs alike. He handled our dogs perfectly appropriately. His love of animals is evident. Long story, don't you think? Short version: we look forward to the years to come with our dogs (and by extension, of course, ourselves) in Dr. Kummer's thoughtful, thorough and warm care. I cannot comment firsthand on other veterinarians at Fairhaven, but hereby make a guess they're likely excellent too. We found all the staff, from the receptionist to veterinary assistants, delightful. And, yes, we've started brushing the dogs' teeth.

These guys have been great and I fire veterinarians as often as I fire doctors and lawyers, which is frequently. Courteous, competent and responsive. May end up driving the 30 miles to continue with them if we can't find anyone as good in Burlington, WA. Thank you for doing a great job.

I brought my dog here for roughly 10 years and would recommend this facility to everyone. The relationship that was built between myself/dog and Dr. Johnson was strong enough that I would only allow her to be the one to put my dog down when the time unfortunately came. It was one of the hardest things I have personally had to do, but was made easier as a result of the friendly and passionate care that we continued to receive up through the final moments. Thank you FVH and Dr. Johnson.

Everyone loves our pets/family members but the communication with staff is getting more difficult resulting in changing vets.