Saint Francis Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Introduce
Introduction / Overview
When your beloved pet needs specialized medical attention, finding a veterinary practice you can trust is a top priority. In the heart of Decatur, Georgia, pet owners have a dedicated partner in animal health: Saint Francis Veterinary Specialists and Emergency. This facility stands out as a leading provider of comprehensive and compassionate veterinary care, serving not only the immediate Decatur community but also the wider Atlanta metropolitan area. As both an emergency veterinarian service and a full-scale animal hospital, Saint Francis is equipped to handle a wide range of medical needs, from critical, life-threatening emergencies to complex, long-term health conditions. The dedicated team of veterinarians, specialists, and support staff is committed to providing the highest standard of care, ensuring every animal receives the attention and treatment they deserve. Their mission is to be a beacon of hope and healing for pets and their families during what can be a very stressful time, offering both advanced medical treatments and a supportive, caring environment.
The facility’s reputation is built on a foundation of professional expertise and genuine empathy. Pet owners who have experienced the services at Saint Francis often speak of the doctors’ dedication and the staff’s kindness. As one client, whose cat’s life was saved, shared, "The doctors and techs and front staff were all so kind to us during a very scary time. You could tell they really cared for our cat well during her SIX day stay, giving her as much attention as they could." This personal touch, combined with their medical proficiency, makes Saint Francis a trusted choice for pet care in the region. Whether it’s a sudden injury, a chronic illness, or a routine check-up, the team at Saint Francis is prepared to meet the challenge with skill and compassion. Their approach is holistic, focusing not only on treating the illness but also on supporting the pet owner through the process, providing clear communication and a partnership in their pet's health journey. This commitment to both the animal and the family is what truly sets them apart as a cornerstone of the Georgia veterinary community.
Location and Accessibility
Located at 625 Dekalb Industrial Way, Decatur, GA 30033, USA, Saint Francis Veterinary Specialists and Emergency is conveniently situated for residents of Decatur and the surrounding areas. Its proximity to major roadways makes it easily accessible for pet owners traveling from different parts of the Atlanta metro area. The facility understands the urgency of many pet health situations and has made accessibility a priority for all visitors. This includes comprehensive accommodations for individuals with mobility challenges. The practice features a wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring a smooth and safe entry for everyone. Furthermore, there is a dedicated wheelchair accessible parking lot, which provides a convenient and stress-free parking experience right at the door. The comfort and ease of access extend to the indoor facilities as well, with a wheelchair accessible restroom available for clients. This thoughtful approach to accessibility reflects their commitment to serving the entire community, ensuring that all pet owners can bring their animals for care without added stress. For those driving, on-site parking is a great convenience, with a free parking lot available, eliminating the hassle of searching for a spot in a busy area. This focus on making the facility easy to navigate and welcoming to all is a key part of the positive experience at Saint Francis.
Services Offered
- Emergency Veterinary Services: Providing critical care for pets experiencing sudden illnesses, injuries, or other life-threatening conditions. The team is available 24/7 to handle a wide range of emergencies, offering immediate medical attention when time is of the essence.
- Specialty Veterinary Care: Featuring a team of board-certified veterinary specialists in various fields, including internal medicine, surgery, and more. This allows for advanced diagnostics and treatment plans for complex health issues that go beyond the scope of general practice.
- Internal Medicine: Offering expert diagnosis and management of diseases affecting the internal organs, such as liver disease, kidney disease, and endocrine disorders. As a client noted about their dog with liver disease, "Coco's internist, Dr. Gibson, is so caring and patient. He really listens to our concerns and considers everything before coming up with reasonable treatment plans."
- Advanced Diagnostics: Utilizing state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, including imaging (ultrasound, radiography) and laboratory testing, to accurately pinpoint the cause of a pet’s health problem and develop an effective treatment strategy.
- Surgical Procedures: Performing a variety of surgical interventions, from routine procedures to complex surgeries, with a focus on patient safety and post-operative recovery.
- In-Patient Hospitalization: Providing continuous monitoring and care for critically ill or injured pets who require an extended stay. The staff ensures pets are comfortable and well-cared for during their time at the hospital, with a focus on providing as much attention as possible.
- Follow-up and Communication: Emphasizing clear and detailed communication with pet owners. They provide comprehensive discharge summaries and are proactive in reaching out to provide updates and answer questions, as one customer mentioned, "The doctors themselves would give us a calls to update us and answer any questions as opposed to us having to always reach out."
Features / Highlights
- Dedicated and Compassionate Staff: The entire team, from the front desk staff to the veterinarians and technicians, is known for their kindness, professionalism, and genuine care for animals. The front desk staff are particularly friendly and attentive, often greeting pets by name, which makes for a welcoming and comfortable experience.
- Advanced Medical Technology: The facility is equipped with modern tools and equipment to provide the most accurate diagnoses and effective treatments available in veterinary medicine today.
- Convenient Payment Options: Clients can easily pay for services using various methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and modern NFC mobile payments, making transactions smooth and hassle-free.
- Inclusive and Welcoming Environment: The clinic is designed to be a safe and friendly space for all members of the community, including an LGBTQ+ friendly crowd and gender-neutral restrooms.
- Proactive Communication: The doctors and staff are committed to keeping pet owners informed and involved in their pet’s care. They provide regular updates, detailed discharge summaries, and are highly responsive to client inquiries.
- Appointments Recommended: While they operate as an emergency service, it is recommended to call ahead or make appointments for specialty and non-emergency cases to ensure the best possible service and reduce wait times.
- Ample and Free Parking: The availability of an on-site, free parking lot is a significant convenience for clients, especially during stressful emergency situations.
Contact Information
Address: 625 Dekalb Industrial Way, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
Phone: (404) 924-2000
What is worth choosing
Choosing Saint Francis Veterinary Specialists and Emergency for your pet's health needs is a decision rooted in trust, expertise, and a profound commitment to compassionate care. The glowing testimonials from pet owners in the community speak volumes about the quality of service provided. One review highlights the life-saving care that went above and beyond, with the staff showing genuine affection for the patient during a challenging, multi-day stay. The ability to visit the hospitalized pet at almost any time shows a level of transparency and trust that is rare to find. This kind of dedication provides invaluable peace of mind to worried pet parents, knowing their animal is not only receiving top medical care but also consistent emotional support. The proactive communication from the medical team, with doctors making calls to provide updates and answer questions, demonstrates a deep sense of responsibility and partnership in the pet's recovery journey. This level of personalized attention ensures that pet owners never feel left in the dark during a stressful time.
Furthermore, the experience of a client with a dog with a chronic condition illustrates the clinic's ability to manage long-term, complex health issues with patience and expertise. The internist's willingness to listen and create reasonable treatment plans, coupled with their responsive follow-up, builds a strong, trusting relationship between the client, the pet, and the doctor. The detailed discharge summaries are an especially useful feature, serving as a valuable reference for what was discussed and the next steps in treatment. The kindness and knowledge of the nurses and vet techs are also consistently praised, reinforcing the idea that everyone at the clinic is a key part of the care team. This collaborative and compassionate environment, from the friendly front desk staff who recognize pets by name to the knowledgeable specialists, creates a truly exceptional experience. It is this combination of advanced medical capability, transparent communication, and a heartfelt commitment to the well-being of every animal that makes Saint Francis Veterinary Specialists and Emergency a premier choice for pet owners in Decatur and throughout Georgia.
Saint Francis Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Details
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
Planning
- Appointments recommended
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Free parking lot
- On-site parking
Saint Francis Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Photos










Saint Francis Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Location
Saint Francis Veterinary Specialists and Emergency
625 Dekalb Industrial Way, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
Saint Francis Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Reviews
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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1They saved my cat Stevie's life! The doctors and techs and front staff were all so kind to us during a very scary time. You could tell they really cared for our cat well during her SIX day stay, giving her as much attention as they could. The doctors themselves would give us a calls to update us and answer any questions as opposed to us having to always reach out and we were allowed to visit at almost any time. I know that Stevie wouldn't be here without their life-saving care, and we are so very thankful to them.
August 22 · Samuel LaubscherWe have had a great experience at St. Francis so far. Our dog, Coco, has liver disease, and everyone at the clinic has been so kind and compassionate in her care. Coco's internist, Dr. Gibson, is so caring and patient. He really listens to our concerns and considers everything before coming up with reasonable treatment plans. He is very responsive and follows up with us to make sure all is progressing well. We love receiving his detailed discharge summary as it's hard to remember everything that is discussed during an appointment. We have also had a great experience with the nurses/vet techs. They are all very knowledgeable, professional, and kind. Last, but not least, the ladies at the front desk are all so friendly and nice. Love that they know Coco and say hi to her every time we go in for an appointment!
August 25 · Li LiuI took my pup Capone here for several issues including severe leg swelling and abnormal blood work. It was determined that he had an aggressive disease, possibly cancer, a mass in his abdomen and swollen lymph nodes. We had to make the difficult decision to let Capone pass on peacefully. They took excellent care of him overnight and managed his pain well. Although we chose to have his final moments at home, the compassion and grace shown by Will and Dr. Gibson as well as the other staff was an amazing gift while at the hospital. That alone is worth a 5 star review. Thank you for making this difficult process a bit easier. Thank you for your kindness and humanity in a world that isn't always eager to experience or engage in that humanity.
May 07 · Christina MFrom the moment I walked in the door with my fur baby until his discharge Saint Francis Veterinary Emergency Services was on top of their game. I brought my dog in for clustered seizures that I could not break at home. The moment I walked into the ER someone greeted me asked what our concern was and before I knew it the veterinary technician came to get my dog and bring him right back for medical attention. Everyone was knowledgeable and so professional to me and everyone they interacted with in person and on the phone. They reviewed the plan of care with me and called me to update me regarding lab and test results. Upon discharge they reviewed everything with me and set us up until we see our primary veterinarian. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are true hero’s in my eyes. If only we could do the same for human ERs!
May 01 · kathleen mccollum diattaThis is a difficult one to fully express so forgive the novel. We have used this veterinary hospital on a few occasions when recommended by our local veterinarian. As with all these types of facilities, it is VERY expensive. But, comparatively, their cost is on par with other emergency vet centers. It's no different than human hospitals, it's gonna be expensive no matter what.The reason for four stars is not about money but about the clarity of information. If you are very lucky your nurse will be Angelina (sorry, we don't have a last name), she was great. She spoke to us in simple terms without bogging us down with medical terminology that we, who are not in the medical field, could not understand. I wish that she had been our first discharge nurse, no offense to the first nurse, she seemed nice.Our cat, George, had what we thought was an ear infection. He was treated by our local vet. He improved over time but about three weeks later he seemed like he was uncomfortable, listless, and we became concerned. Our local vet was out sick and her practice partner was in surgery so they suggested we go to St. Francis. George was diagnosed with diabetes and still had a low grade infection. Stands to reason that a diabetic cat is gonna have a harder time getting rid of an infection, so it all made sense. The first discharge nurse taught us how to inject him with insulin, had me do a practice run with saline, gave us all kinds of other medications with various types of syringes. And, heads swimming with tons of new information, we went on our way. I don't fault the first nurse as I should have videotaped the instructions.When we got George home and it was time for a first injection, I second guessed what I was told, i thought I must be remembering incorrectly. First, the instructions on the prescription said to give him one "unit". What's that? We'd never heard of that term even though we are both diabetic (but not insulin dependent.) Then the label on the insulin said 100 units/ml and then had "Qty 10". So, we mistakenly thought that if the quantity in the bottle was 10 and the whole bottle was 100ml, then 100 divided by 10...a "unit" must be 10ml. Also, I remembered the discharge nurse saying "draw to the 10" but had no memory of pushing the plunger of the syringe back up although I don't doubt that she told me to. Again, moral of story, videotape discharge instructions.After we gave George 10-times the insulin he needed, twice, he of course went into extreme hypoglycemia. So less than 24 hours later we're rushing him back to the emergency room, he's howling in pain and I'm a complete emotional wreck thinking I just killed my best buddy. First night he was touch and go, and by night two he had stabilized and was doing better.Enter Angelina, who was his night nurse for both nights. She assured us that unfortunately this happens very frequently and that there is no uniform set of instructions for discharging a newly diabetic animal. She gave us a VERY handy diagram that we WISHED we had been given before. A single unit of insulin in a syringe is almost invisible. I will stress that again, a single unit of insulin in a syringe is nearly invisible. Don't think, as we did, that that tiny amount couldn't possibly be right. Had we have been given the simple syringe diagram we could have saved George from terrible pain and me from crushing guilt.There is really no fault here other than my lack of knowledge of veterinary medical procedure and terminology. I work in finance, what do I know? I should have called, I should have videotaped the instructions, I should have....now we have a $3000+ formally feral, 16-year old cat. I'm attaching the syringe diagram Angelina gave us, it should be standard for every pet parent with a newly diagnosed diabetic animal. Not St. Francis' "fault" just remember you are throwing a lot of information at pet parents who have no formal veterinary training. Visual aids are a great refresher.
June 03 · Julia & Cathy
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