Please consider emergency care carefully... Friend...

Please consider emergency care carefully... Friendship was the gold standard in DC. I have recently had a bad experience. I dropped off my dog in critical condition, I was told he could have cardiac arrest at any moment, I paid $4,000+ and left feeling he was in good hands. When I called for an update over 3 hours later, the front desk transferred me to a manager Olivia. She told me my dog had essentially receive no care for the past several hours. She told me there was no update and "no news is good new" implying my dog did not go into cardiac arrest. I asked when he would receive care, and she told me that she had spoken to the medical team and my dog was not provided care because they were busy and other pets that were more critical. I mentioned the urgent and critical nature relayed by the veterinarian for my dog, she replied "I'm ending this call because we are talking in circles" Out of desperation, I offered to personally transfer my pet to another emergency room if they were too busy, she not only welcomed the idea, but encouraged me to call around and put me on hold. One can only imagine the panic which ensued. This is not a feeling I wish on anyone. After a long hold and merged calls with local area emergency rooms, I was told my dog was receiving care at Friendship and it was not recommended that I transfer him at that moment. I asked to speak with anyone medical, a tech or assistant to calm my fears, but I was again refused. I did not sleep that night. I was called the next morning by a caring, competent and empathetic Veterinarian, and since then, I have fortunately had a sense my pet is getting the best possible care. They assured me my pet was cared for within minutes, but I was not allowed back given the pandemic. COVID policies might have a part in my sense of hopelessness that evening, but I hope their support staff are re trained, or they allow critical pet parents more information within hours of admission.