| Complaint: | Complaint 21-105 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Wendy Patterson |
| Premises: | Horizon Animal Hospital |
The complainant tells us that Patterson performed an anal gland surgery on her dog. The dog came home with Metacam for pain but it apparently wasn't enough; the dog was in a significant amount of pain. She says that she left a message for Patterson as she was out of the office. Patterson is alleged to have subsequently refused additional pain medication for the dog; Patterson apparently said she had been overwhelmed by work. We are then told that the lack of pain medication may have been pressure on Patterson's part to get the complainant to surrender her dog; the complainant believes that at some point after the refill request Patterson decided that she could no longer care for the dog. She concludes that she could have managed the dog's pain if she'd just been given the medication she requested. We're also told that she followed up with one of Patterson's colleagues. The colleague allegedly told her that she couldn't care for the dog because of her financial and physical hardships so Patterson felt it would be best if the dog were adopted out to someone else; she also says that Patterson lied and claimed she was planning on euthanizing her dog. She cites copies of the medical records stating that some of the conversations were added days after the events in question. The complainant says that she was basically railroaded into adopting out the dog under pressure from Patterson and now worries the dog will believe she abandoned her. (It appears that the complainant even hired a lawyer to try and take care of the problem; she was directed to take it up with the Zurich American insurance company, which apparently administers the AVMA PLIT liability insurance.)
Patterson confirms the dog was seen for an anal gland clipping but no surgery. She also points to a handwritten note from the complainant listing a wide variety of problems with the dog, including skin issues, dental issues, possible kidney and liver damage, and had "been truly miserable" for at least six months; we're also told that the complainant said the dog had a bad breeder. We're also told that the complainant was in tears most of the time on the fateful phone call; the complainant allegedly said that she couldn't handle it any more and wouldn't have anyone to take care of the dog when she dies. Patterson says that she offered to take the dog in and adopt the dog out rather than have the complainant choose euthanasia; according to her, the complainant couldn't come in fast enough to hand over the dog and wanted to do it right away that day. She even included a handwritten three-page list about the dog. A new owner came through in just 48 hours! She says that she never needed to prescribe extra pain medication because the complainant handed the dog over before she asked for any, and on exam the dog had no pain suggesting more medication was needed.
The Investigative Committee said that they understood the complainant was sad but that Patterson and friends told the complainant to think it over. (We're supposed to believe that the complainant was both an overwhelmed basketcase and able to give informed consent to hand over the dog the same afternoon?)
| Source: | August 8, 2021 PM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Wendy Patterson | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Adam Almaraz | Aye |
| Amrit Rai | Aye |
| Brian Sidaway | Recused |
| Cameron Dow | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | September 9, 2021 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Nikki Frost |
| Seconded By: | Jane Soloman |
| Roll Call: | |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Absent |
| Jane Soloman | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Aye |
| Robyn Jaynes | Aye |
| 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.