| Complaint: | Complaint 20-71 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Matthew Hillebrand |
| Premises: | Dreaming Summit Animal Hospital |
The complainant says that he took his dog to Dreaming Summit as he had other times before for shots and checkups. This time, however, there was a lump on the dog's back. Hillebrand examined the dog and said that he needed to lance the lump to allow it to drain. After about an hour the dog was given back to the complainant and a veterinary technician explained that it was a sebaceous cyst. He states that there was so much blood coming out of the site that the staff was getting paper towels and pads to soak it up. He asked them about this but says he was told it needed to drain. Apparently a mop was also involved in cleaning up the mess. He stated that they brought the dog back home but the blood looked as though a small dog had been massacred in his house. They took the dog back to Dreaming Summit and this devolved into an argument. The complainant says that he accidentally said he gave the dog aspirin when he meant antibiotics. There's also a comment about Hillebrand requiring the previous bill to be paid in full before he would see the dog. At this point the complainant states that he believes he was being profiled as a middle-aged Hispanic male with tattoos and needs to get his dog to a better veterinarian. He says that he has since learned that it appears that Hillebrand should have just poked the bump with a needle and withdrawn some fluid for testing rather than what he actually did.
Hillebrand basically says that he liked the complainant's dog but that he literally knew the complainant was trouble from the moment he walked in. We're told that he had a chip on his shoulder and that his demeanor was bad. He tells us the dog bled for longer than he would have preferred so he had some extra sutures put in to help with the bleeding. The next thing he knew he heard some screaming from the lobby. He also says the next day the complainant showed up and was very angry that his dog had been bleeding all over the place all night. He says that the complainant initially said he gave his dog aspirin and then quickly denied it. He then says that he told the complainant his dog might have tick fever or be a hemophiliac. Hillebrand says he came up with another estimate for the complainant to sign, but he refused. He says that thankfully the complainant eventually left without "further violence" and goes on about mass shootings being too commonplace. He then called the police. Hillebrand sums up by calling the complainant a liar about everything from antibiotics to vaccine records.
It appears from the findings of fact that the cops actually tracked down the complainant at the other veterinarian's (Buczek's) office. It also reads that Hillebrand's wife actually told Buczek he refused to come to the phone and talk about the dog directly to the veterinarian. It appears that Buczek treated the bleeding over the next few days using some actual medicine as well as some Chinese herbs or something, but that there were concerns for cancer or a bleeding disorder.
The Investigative Committee stated that they had concerns about the dog being sent home while bleeding and without appropriate care instructions. They found violations that the Board ignored. There wasn't even a letter of concern.
| Source: | July 7, 2020 AM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Matthew Hillebrand | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Carolyn Ratajack | Aye |
| Christina Tran | Aye |
| Jarrod Butler | Aye |
| Robert Kritsberg | Aye |
| Steve Seiler | Aye |
| Violations: | |
| ARS 32-2232(12) as it relates to AAC R3-11-501 (1) for failure to provide considerate treatment by releasing an animal to the pet owner that was actively bleeding. | |
| ARS 32-2232 (18) as it relates to AAC R3-11-502 (E) for failing to ensure the pet owner was provided instructions detailing care of the animal after discharge. | |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | August 8, 2020 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Matthew Hillebrand | Respondent |
| Proposed By: | Nikki Frost |
| Violations: | |
| ARS 32-2232 (12) Failure to provide considerate treatment | |
| Result: | Failed (no second) |
| Source: | August 8, 2020 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Matthew Hillebrand | Respondent |
| Proposed By: | Darren Wright |
| Seconded By: | Jessica Creager |
| Roll Call: | |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jane Soloman | Nay |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Nay |
| Robyn Jaynes | Absent |
| Sarah Heinrich | Absent |
| Result: | Passed |
The primary source for the above summary was obtained as a public record from the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. You are welcome to review the original records and board meeting minutes by clicking the relevant links. While we endeavor to provide an accurate summary of the complaint, response, investigative reports and board actions, we encourage you to review the primary sources and come to your own conclusions. In some cases we have also been able to reach out to individuals with knowledge of specific complaints, and where possible that information will be included here.