Dr. John Burkhartsmeyer has been practicing in the Santa Clarita Valley for close to 40 years and has a particular interest in orthopedic surgery and minimally invasive surgical techniques. He was raised on a cattle ranch in northern Montana. He attended Colorado State University, obtaining a B.S. and receiving his D.V.M. in 1976. He practiced in Helena, Montana, for 10 years before moving to Santa Clarita in the mid-1980s. Dr. B. initially had the Animal Clinic of S.C.V. in Saugus and later moved to Santa Clarita in 1990.
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Pet health begins with preventative healthcare. Semi-annual veterinary exams ensure that your pet's health is always professionally monitored. Santa Clarita Animal Hospital generally recommends pets receive two exams per year, so we have the chance to diagnose harmful diseases early. The earlier disease or illness is caught, the more successful treatment is, keeping your pet healthier and happier longer.
Clients new and old, please fill out the patient history questionnaire to indicate your concerns for your pet; you can also update us on any symptoms, supplements, or lifestyle changes. Finally, if your feline friend is not using their litter box like they are supposed to, fill out our Feline House Soiling Client Questionnaire.
At Santa Clarita Animal Hospital we are committed to supporting the human-animal bond, and have been a strong advocate since our inception. We believe the bond between people and their companion animals provides joy, enrichment, balance and health benefits to both, and the relationship deserves the highest level of respect and compassion.
Reviews (19)
Oscar Views
Jun 19, 2022
Leilany Luna
May 25, 2022
Monica Salas
May 07, 2022
Santa Clarita Animal Hospital did a great job with our cat, Nala! She scratched and opened a cyst on her neck and we brought her in to be looked at. We loved the approach of taking the less invasive action and seeing how that works as well as giving her an antibiotics injection, as a first course of action, rather than suggesting an expensive surgery first. She is healing well and she always enjoys waiting in the room with the bird to keep her entertained. Keep up the great work! Thank you!
Dana Lockhart
Feb 26, 2022
Kayla Del Rio
Dec 14, 2021
Ceaira Rogers
Nov 23, 2021
I've taken both my cat and dog here. I've also had my dad take his dog here. I've been trying to get my dog in for a few days now, left a few messages. Today I finally got a hold of someone and she hung up on me? I called back and it went to voice mail. Looks like I'll be calling elsewhere. Only reason I kept returning was the familiarity but the care was miniscule anyways. Oh well.
Lucy Herrera
Aug 29, 2021
Christine Bosch
Jul 25, 2021
Very disappointed with this vet, I would not recommend taking your animal here. My husband took my cat to SCAH yesterday after a couple days of constant sneezing. There was no temperature taken, no real exam done, just a quick assessment that he has allergies. The overwhelming goal was to give him vaccinations and do blood-work for non related issues, even though the paperwork shown them clearly stated he was good for the vaccines they pushed. Allergy pills were prescribed, which did nothing to help.
Fast forward a day later and he was not eating, drinking and very lethargic. Called numerous times to talk to the doctor about the situation and perhaps get an antibiotic. Was told they would reach out to the Vet and get right back to us. Waited about 6 hours and a few more calls and nothing still. Decided to take him to Little Paws Dog and Cat Hospital in Canyon Country.
Within minutes they got him in, immediately took his temp, it was 105, gave him fluids, an antibiotic shot, an anti inflammation med and we were on our way. Very bizarre experience, I know the Vet industry is stretched right now but wow.
Fast forward a day later and he was not eating, drinking and very lethargic. Called numerous times to talk to the doctor about the situation and perhaps get an antibiotic. Was told they would reach out to the Vet and get right back to us. Waited about 6 hours and a few more calls and nothing still. Decided to take him to Little Paws Dog and Cat Hospital in Canyon Country.
Within minutes they got him in, immediately took his temp, it was 105, gave him fluids, an antibiotic shot, an anti inflammation med and we were on our way. Very bizarre experience, I know the Vet industry is stretched right now but wow.
Suzette Portillo
Jul 18, 2021
Unprofessional. The front desk and/or managers make mistakes and do not help fix the problem they created. Also, there are other places you can take your fur babies to that will go out of their way to find out what is wrong with your dogs. This place will just give you pain meds for your pets and not try to find the root problem so your pets get worse and you end up spending double the cost when you need to take them to other animal hospitals.
On top of that, this place overcharges and if you do come here, make sure you keep your receipt because they might accuse you of not paying and insist you need to write them a check weeks later even though you did in fact already pay for their overpriced services the day of the appointment. If you need a new place to take your fur babies, there is a great animal center on Mcbean Pkwy that actually helped my dog.
On top of that, this place overcharges and if you do come here, make sure you keep your receipt because they might accuse you of not paying and insist you need to write them a check weeks later even though you did in fact already pay for their overpriced services the day of the appointment. If you need a new place to take your fur babies, there is a great animal center on Mcbean Pkwy that actually helped my dog.
Monica Carranza
Jun 22, 2021
Dr. Chang is very kind and compassionate and listens to all my concerns, I rather pay a little bit more and have the quality care for my pets that I receive here. The front desk personnel is also very kind and helpful not to mention patient with us worried pet parents and our million questions. Be kind to your vet staff, they are trying their hardest in these strange times.
Wesley G.
May 31, 2021
They are always great with my dog and have skilled staff that have kept my pup living a long life so far. I've (unfortunately) had emergency visits there, as well as routine check ups, and surgeries to remove growths. They've always done a great job and helped me feel less nervous knowing my dog is getting great care. Though my dog gets a little nervous at the vet the staff always gets her to wag!
Mindy Geske
Apr 26, 2021
I’m for NorCal but have a condo in Santa Clarita and have not had a dependable vet down here. It’s something we’ve wanted to do and just kept putting it off. Until today. On our walk at Central Park, our English bulldog got bit by red fire ants. His breathing was off as well as he was very distressed. We got him to the car and just starting driving. Having driven by this vet for years, we immediately drove in hoping they could see him.
They did and honestly it was super reasonable for an emergency visit. I’m happy we now have a vet in the area we trust and will return to.
Georgie approves! Thank you for helping him.
They did and honestly it was super reasonable for an emergency visit. I’m happy we now have a vet in the area we trust and will return to.
Georgie approves! Thank you for helping him.
Greg Currie
Nov 05, 2020
We had a 6 year old shih tzu. After nearly 2 months of being sick we finally found it he was terminal. he was miserable couldn't walk it was very sad. SCAH took us in to him down and they were so kind. it was difficult, but unexpectedly, we all felt better by the time we got home. it was harder seeing him so miserable. Thank you Santa Clarita Animal Hospital.
Carol Ann Cousineau Sealy
Apr 15, 2020
They are wonderful. When I go in they are very kind and treat My babies like their own. The front desk is wonderful, the ladies are so respectable. Dr. Tran is the best Vet. My dog loves her. My kitty is warming up to her, but my kitty is a “cat”. It is always clean and sanitized. I can’t say more than they are the best.
Elaine Otsuka
Jan 10, 2020
Aidee Ceballos
Oct 25, 2019
I would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Tran for listening to all of my pet's symptoms and making her best possible diagnosis. I understand it wasn't possible to correctly diagnose my pet without an ultrasound and her recommendations for confirmation of pyometra diagnosis were very on point. To all the staff who took such good care of Cuchara and were so nice to her.
She gets scared and anxious very easily and you made it less stressful of an experience for her and for patiently responding to every single one of my questions several times, thank you! Dr Bones thank you SO MUCH for giving Cuchara immediate attention and care. I know you were supposed to leave at 3 pm and yet you immediately found a way to properly diagnose her through the ultrasound and gave her the best and speediest care. This is Cuchara's first and hopefully last surgery and we owe you all her health. I will for sure recommend your clinic every chance I get.
She gets scared and anxious very easily and you made it less stressful of an experience for her and for patiently responding to every single one of my questions several times, thank you! Dr Bones thank you SO MUCH for giving Cuchara immediate attention and care. I know you were supposed to leave at 3 pm and yet you immediately found a way to properly diagnose her through the ultrasound and gave her the best and speediest care. This is Cuchara's first and hopefully last surgery and we owe you all her health. I will for sure recommend your clinic every chance I get.
Michelle M.
Jul 03, 2019
Always a pleasant experience at Santa Clarita Animal Hospital. Everyone is really welcoming and professional. The doctors and staff and knowledgeable. It is easy to make appointments with them (very accommodating). We have moved out of Santa Clarita but still continue to use Santa Clarita Animal Hospital for all our vet needs.
Chrissy Alvey
Jun 23, 2019
I can't tell you how grateful I am for the staff at the Santa Clarita animal hospital. After letting out our dog in morning like we normally do. She came back inside with a pretty bad cut on the top of her head. We weren't quite sure what our dog got catch on, but she definitely needed to see a vet. I drove from Riverside because I knew that I could trust Dr. Jessica Bones with our family pup.
My dog is a rescue, and since we've had her she jumps and barks at certain people, especially men, and so taking her to the Vet is anxiety for us both. The minute we arrived to the hospital both my dog and I were greeted with a very confidante assistant that took my dog in with no problem. I've never seen my dog behave so well. She even jumped up with her tail wagging when Dr. Bones entered the room and was lead for preparations by a male tech, which surprised me since my dog normally wants nothing to do with males.
This made me feel safe and that my dog was in good hands. They quickly took her back and took care of her cut. All of the staff members were very quick, caring and attentive to my dog, even when we came in with an appointment made that day. Her stitches came out beautiful and as you can see in the pictures, she healed up very well. It was worth the drive and even for the price I had to pay for the procedure. Thank you very much Santa Clarita Animal hospital and Dr. Jessica Bones, I would definitely bring my dog back for her Vet needs!
My dog is a rescue, and since we've had her she jumps and barks at certain people, especially men, and so taking her to the Vet is anxiety for us both. The minute we arrived to the hospital both my dog and I were greeted with a very confidante assistant that took my dog in with no problem. I've never seen my dog behave so well. She even jumped up with her tail wagging when Dr. Bones entered the room and was lead for preparations by a male tech, which surprised me since my dog normally wants nothing to do with males.
This made me feel safe and that my dog was in good hands. They quickly took her back and took care of her cut. All of the staff members were very quick, caring and attentive to my dog, even when we came in with an appointment made that day. Her stitches came out beautiful and as you can see in the pictures, she healed up very well. It was worth the drive and even for the price I had to pay for the procedure. Thank you very much Santa Clarita Animal hospital and Dr. Jessica Bones, I would definitely bring my dog back for her Vet needs!
Jamie Bramson
Dec 29, 2018
SCAH helped up during a scary and stressful time with our dog. He was hit by a car on Christmas:( Not only were they very helpful and friendly, but they were truly caring. Maddie and Dr B put us at ease and took care of G. I cannot thank them enough. My children are so thankful to have their doggy back. Thank you so much!!!