You definately need a vet close by for emergencies, but go with your instincts. My vet is about 30 minutes from my home, in another county, actually, even though there are a few vets to chose from basically around the corner.

The thing is that Dr. Helmer is avian certified and I know him from my work at the bird Sanctuary. He is extremely knowledgeable about birds and has a wealth of information to draw from when there is an illness in my flock. Any of the other vets I have seen do not have the avian knowledge base and when I end up telling a vet basic information about birds like how to tell males from females or what a good weight for the bird should be, I would rather take the 30 - 40 minute trip for proper care. Last emergency that I used a local vet was a disaster and I wish I had gone to extra distance to see Helmer or Dr. Lightfoot, who is also in Tampa and avian certified. The only other time I used a vet close by was when my little Budgie Girl Betty's vent prolapsed and she had to be PTS.

Again, use your instincts. You know what is best for your babies and if you don't care for the service you receive or even the personality of the vet, do not return to them. I absolutely love Dr. Helmer and would follow him anywhere!