37 Replies to "Reader recommendation requests: 3, count 'em, 3"

• Agen August 28, 2007 (7:04 pm)

  RE: family practice doctor for a baby…

  My wife and I have been seeing Juan Guerra for several years, and now that he’s moved over to the West Seattle Swedish campus, he’s now our baby’s doc as well. He’s got a very friendly rapport, and is very knowledgeable about sports medicine and asthma-related conditions. One thing that both my wife and I have remarked about (and appreciate) is that he often gives you choices when making treatment recommendations. He also has excellent taste in music.

• Kay August 28, 2007 (7:09 pm)

  I have had very good experience for both myself and my child with the Family Practice Docs at the Swedish West Seattle Clinic that is up on the North end of California.

• ms_f August 28, 2007 (8:05 pm)

  I like the docs at the West Seattle physicians clinic, too. Both my husband and I see different family practice drs there. Mine just had twins, herself! In fact she won’t be back from maternity leave until later this month: Dobrina Okorn, MD

• ms_f August 28, 2007 (8:05 pm)

  I left out the word SWEDISH, above.

• Ann K August 28, 2007 (8:09 pm)

  The Swedish Children’s Clinic on California, several different docs to choose from as your main doc and all docs there have been very kind and gentle to our nearly 1 y.o. daughter. Nurse help line also good response, and they always get a sick child in — and they never treat you like you are crazy when you call with a mystery symptom or something you just can’t figure out.

• The House August 28, 2007 (8:10 pm)

  Dr. Benci Franklin at Swedish Physicians on Cali is AWESOME as a pediatrician. Highly reccomended by me and many of our friends!

  Congrats on having a litle one!

• Lou August 28, 2007 (8:17 pm)

  dog owner: We like the Tail Wag (now called Stella Ruffingtons). We’ve had our basset there a few times. We also use David the Dog Walker for walking our dog.

  Doctor: We use Dr Sholten at Swedish in West Seattle. After being there a while you tend to get to know many of the doctors…and they all have been good. We also use the adult doctors at that clinic – they are very good also.

• Dan August 28, 2007 (9:02 pm)

  Not day care, but I use a dog walker named gloria, her business is called dogtrots, # is 280-dogs, she does off-leash adventures at the dog park. I highly recommend her business.

• K August 28, 2007 (9:35 pm)

  We see Dr. Altemeier (sp?) at Swedish Children’s Clinic in West Seattle and LOVE her. There are a lot of great pediatricians there, but I would definitely meet with a couple if you can to find the one you like. We have seen Dr. Kumasaka a few times and I’m not a big fan. He’s not bad, I just don’t like his style. Congrats and good luck!

• Oliver August 28, 2007 (9:40 pm)

  Congratulations! I would second the vote for Dr. Benci Franklin at Swedish Physicians. My baby had many problems during his first year ranging from dairy/soy sensitivities to asthma caused by viral infections. Dr. Franklin has always spent a lot of time examining the problem and coming up with solutions. He also spends a lot of time explaining the routine stuff that comes up in well-baby exams and never seems irritated by questions from new anxious parents. He didn’t even seem to mind that we called the emergency line when my son vomitted for the first time. In retrospect, it was clearly no emergency- but that’s what you get with new parents :)

• Bubba August 29, 2007 (7:23 am)

  Lady Di in Admiral does doggy Day care as well. Worked well for us the few times it was needed. Intermittent dog day care is tough to find, most are set for everyday clients.

• SomeGuy August 29, 2007 (7:26 am)

  Another strong recommendation for Dr. Benci Franklin at Swedish. He was fantastic with both my 4-year-old and my 2-year-old – the kids really warm to him easily. Highly recommended!

• ML August 29, 2007 (7:37 am)

  We have gone to Swedish Family Docs for a long time and have really liked Dr Altemeier (Franklin and Kumasaka, less so but still good)but she is very hard to get in to see. We recently saw Dr Hott there and are now want to look for a new place since she was very rough, rude, and rushed! So I appreciate these tips for other places.
  If the person asking still wants to go to Swedish, I would wait until they are all better versed on their new computer record system–from our experience the computer got more attention than the patient!

• Chet August 29, 2007 (7:48 am)

  Just wanted to add my recommendation for the pediatricians at Swedish Childrens Clinic. We have been seeing docs there for 5 years or so. I have two kids, 5 and 2, and we have always gone there. Even back when they were further south on CA Ave. Always had good care from Altermier, Kumasaka, Franklin, AND I think Dr Roger Scholten does a great job too!

• donald August 29, 2007 (7:49 am)

  I’m so happy this has its own category now. I’ve been to Highline for both adult and pediatric care, on 41st behind Jefferson Square. I hate going to doctors personally and I tend not to unless I really need to, so I am not quite sure how to judge, but everyone seems nice and competent there, and last time I went there was a really cute girl working at the front desk, which is a bonus.

• Todd August 29, 2007 (8:20 am)

  ML – yeah we had a bad experience with Dr Hott too.

  Be on the look out for Mary Kay Letourneau. I saw her there one day with one of her kids.

• STB August 29, 2007 (8:20 am)

  Re the drycleaners for wedding gown:
  I’ve always had excellent work done at Wanda’s. There is a drop-off location at 2354 10th Ave E on Capitol Hill.

• m2 August 29, 2007 (9:07 am)

  Dr. Terrill Harrington at My Family Doctor (http://www.myfamilydoctorws.com/) on Alaska is simply amazing. He is incredibly receptive, responsive and caring. His manner is superb, connecting with kids and never dumbing things down for adults. We have an exceptional patient relationship with him and he always has been successful in squeezing us in to an already full day when we need to see him immediately.

  Dr. Harrington really is a harken back to the days of a true “Family Doctor.” The only thing missing are the house calls! ;)

• Baby Mama! August 29, 2007 (9:13 am)

  Thanks for the doctor rec’s everyone! (And thanks, WSB, for posting . . . this is sooo helpful!!!) Keep ’em coming.

  Oh! And for the dog-sitting, I’ve used Lady Di for my cat, believe it or not! She does a good job and I’ve heard is v. concentious about her work with dogs.

• Luckie August 29, 2007 (9:17 am)

  We’ve been going to Swedish Children’s Clinic for five years, and both my kids have seen every doctor there at one time or another. We’ve never had a bad experience with any of them. It’s very true that they have different personalities and styles of dealing with patients, but medically, I believe they are all equally qualified. If I had to recommend someone, I’d probably say Scholten, Franklin, or Altemeier, but they are my personal favorites and your mileage may vary. I have high praise for the rest of the staff too–the nurses and assistants are professional and caring, as are the front desk staff. I feel fortunate to have such a great facility in West Seattle.

• Baby Mama! August 29, 2007 (9:18 am)

  Oops. Make that: conscientious. =)

• Kelly August 29, 2007 (10:25 am)

  For a fantastic dog day care, try Darlene’s Dog House. Our dogs have always had impeccable care and we’ve been going to Darlene for the last 5 years. They are excellent with dogs, run the daycare out of her home, and do daily or twice daily runs to the area dog parks. I cannot recommend Darlene’s highly enough–she’s our dogs 2nd home. Phone is 206-243-3359.

• Will August 29, 2007 (10:35 am)

  Super Fun Happy Dog. http://www.superfunhappydog.com/ is fantastic.

• M August 29, 2007 (11:10 am)

  Agree with the Swedish Children’s Clinic and can add that they continue to work well with older children. My 13yo and 16yo still docter there. Dr. Franklin is a favorite with both and knows how to treat the adolescent with grace and patience. We’ve seen them all over the years and have always received good care.

  Congrats on the new baby. It’s a wonderful journey.

• A August 29, 2007 (1:20 pm)

  Wow, too bad about Dr. Hott. That’s who we see and we really like her. I’ve heard Dr. Franklin (I think that’s who) is a bit new-agey… not my style at all. But if you are looking for a dr. you can go in and ‘interview’ one of them for no charge. There are websites that have questions you can print out and ask. I did that before having our son.

• NATINSTL August 29, 2007 (2:07 pm)

  Just had my wedding dress cleaned at Admiral Cleaners and they did a great job.

• kg August 29, 2007 (2:07 pm)

  Dog Daycare: My golden used to do daycare 2-3 days a week at West Seattle Doghouse in Admiral- I’d highly recommend them.

  If you have a very active one you might also check out Super Fun Happy Dog World Domination, its somewhere in Kent, but I think they do pick up in parts of WS. (both have websites)

• EW August 29, 2007 (2:31 pm)

  I gave up on trying to find a good daycare in WS for my l ab. She needs a lot of exercise during the day. We tried Seattle Canine Club on 1st Avenue South and she didn’t come back tired. She now gets driven out to Bone-A-Fide Dog Ranch in Clearview. They used to pick up dogs in West Seattle but they don’t currently have a driver that lives out this way. Maybe if we get enough demand going they’d hire someone.

• Patty August 29, 2007 (2:37 pm)

  Tails of the City in Georgetown is wonderful! We take our yellow lab there at least 2 x a week! They even opened an hour early at 6:00 a.m. for the I5 construction!

• Sarah August 29, 2007 (7:24 pm)

  Thanks for the two cleaning recommendations… apparently dry cleaning isn’t as interesting as babies or dogs! : ) Another of my friends just recommended Admiral Cleaners as well, as that’s where she got her dress done.

• jqw August 29, 2007 (9:00 pm)

  Surprised to hear the comments about Dr. Hott. We’ve been seeing her for the past 3 years with my two kids and I’ve found her friendly, a great listener, good with the kids, patient, and very knowledgable (I think she has 4 kids herself, which can’t be bad training). The Swedish clinic staff are also friendly and helpful and always try to squeeze you in for a sick child, which you will learn is very important. Congratulations!

• Todd August 30, 2007 (7:59 am)

  Re: Dr Hott- I certainly did not mean to imply she was not worthy or anything. She has a different style. Patients and parents have different styles too so everyone finds who they like. We just like/prefer other docs. People must like her as she has been there for atleast few years. We had no issues with her qualifications. The staff is so wonderful. The nurse line is so great and they always find time to squeeze you in if your child just came down with a cold or possible ear infection, etc.

• CW August 30, 2007 (9:02 am)

  I have taken my schnoodle Rocky to West Seattle Doghouse daycare since he was a baby…over 4 years and we love it…it’s a home-based business and they’re hard to find instead of the warehouse setting! Highly recommend it!

• Elizabeth September 11, 2007 (6:10 pm)

  I am a child psychologist in West Seattle and have worked with all of the pediatricians at the Swedish Children’s Clinic. They are all good. I have the most experience with Drs. Franklin and Kumasaka and I think very highly of them. One of the posters said that they thought Dr. Franklin is New-Age-y, but I’d have to say that is definitely not my experience with him.

• BL January 8, 2008 (5:00 pm)

  I am new to Seattle and took both my kids in for checkups to Swedish Children’s Clinic in West Seattle. We saw Hott the first time and Scholten the second. I was not really impressed by either of them. I am going to try the others…

• bns April 11, 2008 (1:13 pm)

  Dr. Scholten is a total tool…I’m surprised people like him. I don’t think any of the doctors there are outstanding but we usually see Kumasaka and he’s pretty good; very nice and gentle with the babe and seems somewhat open to non-traditional medicine. Everyone there practices pretty standard western medicine and doesn’t offer up any alternatives but Kumasaka doesn’t totally poo-poo eastern thinking or techniques if I bring them up. Totally depends on your style but I have a feeling I’ll be switching to another practice at somepoint. I’ve heard really good things about Odessa Brown’s Children’s clinic – may go there.

• BJ November 14, 2008 (4:41 pm)

  I just moved here about 3 months ago for my new job. I was in need of someone to take care of my dog during the day while at work and a friend had told me about this place close to my home…She handed me a buisness card that read Darlene’s dog house. My dog is very high energy..so i was hoping that she would be able to take her. The next day we had a interview with Darlene and Matt with my dog. I was nervous at first because i didn’t know what to expect and was hoping that my dog would pass(and she did). My dog has never been so happy to go to day care and when she gets home she is so tired unlike the last place, which was like a warehouse, unlike Darlene’s which is out of her house. I am so greatful of Darlene and Matt to help me in my time of crisis of needing a sitter for my dog! I highly recommend Darlene’s dog house to anyone that needs daycare for their dog(s). And would also would like to thank the guys that take her to the park and wear her out for me…Thank you Greg and Brian, you guys are great! If you want to get ahold of them,their number is 206-243-3359 Darlene’s Dog House.

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