Integrated Home Svc Inc

Pros

• The staff at Lincoln Square Animal Hospital are kind, responsive, and professional.
• Dr. Czekala is amazing, spending ample time with patients and offering patient, honest guidance.
• Lincoln Square Animal Hospital is outstanding, with a considerate, friendly team dedicated to excellent animal care.
• They provide helpful advice and coaching for behaviorally challenging dogs, and the vibe on the phone and in person is positive.
• Lincoln Square Animal Hospital saved my dog's life.
• The vets and techs are clearly competent and care deeply about animals.
• The practice has maintained a high level of service since its days as Jewell Animal Hospital.

Cons

• The reviewer labeled the practice a major rip-off, claiming there were no real solutions to the dog's issues and that treatments were intended to ramp up the bill.
• The reviewer said prescriptions cost two to three times what they would cost at CVS or Walgreens.
• The reviewer alleged staff disclosed inaccurate information to third-party groomers without the owner's consent, causing the dog to suffer.
• The reviewer criticized the clinic's last-minute appointment policy as elitist and unwelcoming to new clients.
• The reviewer claimed the vet did not provide solutions for the dog's problems and recommended unnecessary X-rays to drive up costs.
• The reviewer described the post-euthanasia paw print call as bizarre and upsetting.

Review

For almost three decades, Lincoln Square Animal Hospital has been a constant in this family's life. The sentiment is less about a business and more about a trusted, long-running relationship with people who care for animals as if they were their own. The veteran client recalls Jewell Animal Hospital fondly, the era when Dr. Jewell led the practice with warmth and grace. When ownership changed hands, the loyalty continued, and the current team has delivered care that keeps that original spirit alive. Across years and multiple pets, the experience has been consistently positive, with many clients praising the veterinarians by name and the way they communicate, support, and guide their four-legged patients and their human families. In particular, Dr. Grace Archer stands out to many as authentic, personable, reassuring, and steady - someone who clearly wants the best for every animal that enters the door. There is genuine appreciation for her expertise, her straightforward approach, and the sense that she will be a steady presence for many visits to come.

A recurring theme across many reviews is the sense of a well-rounded, capable team. Front desk staff, technicians, and veterinarians are described as kind, responsive, and professional, creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes even challenging visits bearable. The practice earns high marks for the overall "vibe," both on the phone and in person, with families feeling that staff genuinely care about animals and their families. The affection is not just for the doctors; it extends to the people behind the scenes who help keep everything running smoothly. The loyalty is reinforced by stories like a dog named Reggie who loves the vets and techs so much that he actually begs and cries when approaching the office - a testament to the positive relationships built over years.

But the reviews aren't without nuance. There is a clear concern about staff turnover and the fear that doctors will leave, taking their personal, compassionate touch with them. Several longtime clients express a desire for the practice to retain its great people, hoping that changes in leadership or personnel don't erode the trust that has formed over time. This anxiety about continuity sits alongside praise for the current doctors who have become trusted figures in their pets' care. The wish is to maintain the same level of care and connection for many more years, especially for clients who have spent decades building a relationship with the team.

Scheduling and access issues also surface in conversations about the practice. One reviewer described a perception that the clinic can feel exclusive or unwelcoming to new clients, noting that last-minute wellness appointments were not prioritized and that the staff seemed to speak from a place of policy rather than hospitality. The critique points to the tension between maintaining a high-end feel and offering flexible, accessible care for families who travel or need quick wellness visits. It's a reminder that even excellent care can be tempered by processes that feel rigid or impersonal to new patients.

Experiences with specific cases reveal the range of outcomes that families navigate. Several reviews highlight exceptionally positive, even life-changing moments. In particular, there is a story about a routine check that led to the discovery of an aggressive cancerous tumor, followed by a timely referral to a specialist. Four years later, the dog is thriving, and the reviewer describes the veterinarian who guided that process as a lifesaver. In another strong note, Dr. Czekala is singled out for patient, honest guidance through complex issues, with stories of long-term cats and dogs under her care, where careful communication and steady support made a meaningful difference. For families facing behavioral challenges, the clinic is praised for its coaching, practical advice, and a generally encouraging, positive demeanor that helps both pets and their owners feel supported.

Not every experience is flawless, and some reviewers recount difficult moments that led them to seek care elsewhere. An anxious or reactive cat, once misread during an early visit, became enough of a concern that the family decided to transition to a different veterinary practice, even after many years. It's a reminder that even a capable, caring team can struggle to tailor communication and handling to every individual animal's temperament. Others express frustration with perceived overuse of certain procedures or medications, describing pricing and recommended tests as upcharges that inflate costs without clear, immediate roots in the presented problem. There are also experiences that involve after-the-fact concerns, such as receiving a paw print after euthanasia and feeling unsettled by a call about it long after the fact.

On pricing and value, the conversations reveal a spectrum of viewpoints. Some families feel that the care is fair and transparent, noting reasonable pricing and a reasonable balance between compassion and cost. Others describe pricing as high and sometimes driven by a desire to upsell or justify extensive testing, with cost comparisons to pharmacies underscoring a belief that some medications could be obtained more affordably elsewhere. A few reviews recount situations where communication around why certain tests or treatments were recommended felt opaque, leading to a sense of being sold on procedures rather than guided through a clear decision-making process. This tension between high-quality care and cost transparency is a recurring thread.

Despite these complex, sometimes conflicting experiences, the overall message is one of deep appreciation for a clinic that has stood the test of time. Clients describe Lincoln Square Animal Hospital as a place where compassionate care, expertise, and a genuine love for animals come together in a way that feels reassuring and dependable. The practice has earned accolades such as "the best vet in Chicago" from some who have observed a long arc of steady, reliable care since the Jewell era, and a recognition that the modern team has maintained a high standard that honors that legacy. For many pet families, the hospital is more than a place to diagnose and treat; it is a trusted partner in the ongoing journey of their animals' health and well-being.

In the end, the tapestry of reviews paints a clinic that is deeply valued for its warmth, competence, and enduring commitment to animals. There are stories of life-saving interventions, of lifelong bonds with doctors like Dr. Archer and Dr. Czekala, and of a front-facing and back-end team that strives to be kind, patient, and professional in every interaction. There are also reminders that even excellent care can be tempered by the realities of scheduling, pricing, and the delicate art of communicating with anxious pets. Taken together, the narratives reflect a place that has earned trust over decades, where the care of four-legged family members is treated with seriousness, empathy, and a steady hand that many owners want to rely on for years to come.

This particular area of Chicago, Illinois offers a variety of amenities that may be appealing to seniors looking for a convenient and bustling neighborhood. With several pharmacies nearby, including Walgreens and CVS, access to medication and healthcare is readily available. There are also numerous cafes, such as Starbucks, for socializing with friends or enjoying a leisurely coffee break. For outdoor recreation, there are several parks within a short distance, providing opportunities for walking or enjoying nature. Additionally, there are restaurants offering a diverse range of cuisine options to suit different tastes. In terms of healthcare facilities, Swedish Covenant Hospital Cancer Care is located nearby for any medical needs. Public transportation options are also easily accessible with multiple CTA stops in the vicinity. Overall, this area provides a mix of convenience and entertainment options that may appeal to seniors looking for an active community in which to live.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Mariano's Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.5 miles)
• Starbucks (1.1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.5 miles)
• Starbucks (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• Starbucks (2.7 miles)
• Little Beans Cafe (4.3 miles)

Parks

• Horner Park (0.7 miles)
• Hamlin Park (1.9 miles)
• Independence Park (2.2 miles)
• Wrightwood Park (2.6 miles)
• Warren Park (2.7 miles)
• Unity Playlot Park (2.7 miles)
• Logan Boulevard (2.8 miles)

Restaurants

• SoFo Tap (1.1 miles)
• Little Bad Wolf (1.6 miles)
• Murphy's Bleachers (1.9 miles)
• Cell Block (2 miles)
• Las Mananitas Mexican Restaurant (2.2 miles)
• Hydrate (2.2 miles)
• McDonald's (2.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Swedish Covenant Hospital Cancer Care (1.1 miles)
• Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center (2.5 miles)
• Saint Francis Hospital (4.3 miles)

Transportation

• Cta (1.4 miles)
• Cta (1.9 miles)
• CTA - Belmont (2.3 miles)
• CTA - Fullerton (3.1 miles)
• CTA Jarvis (3.7 miles)
• Cta (3.9 miles)
• Cta (4 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Webster Place (3.1 miles)

Physicians

• Lincoln Park Dental Specialists (4 miles)
• North Shore Physicians Group (4.7 miles)