| Complaint: | Complaint 22-03 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Michael Lent |
| Premises: | Pantano Animal Clinic |
| Related: | 22-02 |
This complaint follows from 22-02 and relates to the complainant's interactions with Michael Lent, Pantano's medical director. The complaint begins by discussing Lent's conduct when the complainant showed up to serve them with papers for one of his small claims court filings. He states that he was told Flocken was not there to receive the paperwork and Lent came out instead to speak with him; he then learned that Flocken no longer worked there, which he states was legally problematic as she had not updated her address for the small claims court process. His description of Lent's behavior is less than complimentary, stating that Lent screamed at him, told him he was tired of dealing with all this, and was not interested in hearing his side of the story at any point during the lawsuit or the conversation. He believes that Lent is only concerned about protecting the veterinarians at his hospital and that Lent's "attitude and conduct is dishonorable and unprofessional."
Lent's response begins by noting that the complainant is so bad that he's had to file a police report about him. The complainant is said to hide out in the bushes, lurking and allegedly "looking for a lost pen", "peering in our windows," "upsetting the female staff" and making them concerned for their safety, and "especially our young veterinarian, Dr. Flocken." (In the complainant's prior complaint, he notes that he did peer into the tinted windows of the veterinary clinic to attempt to read the brand name of a pet food off of the bags.) He states that Flocken's attempts to get a restraining order for the complaniant's horrible behavior failed because the complainant hadn't actually done anything illegal yet, also reiterating Flocken's claim that the complainant was abusing the small claims court system. He also states that in the end it's the complainant's fault for turning down the recommended diagnostics at his clinic, only to spend a lot of money somewhere else trying to save the cat (again, the appearance that the complainant was getting fleeced doesn't appear to click). He again describes Flocken based on her age as a "young veterinarian" who doesn't deserve all these problems. He also states that twelve years ago his family and his staff were threatened by an individual who later murdered his own wife (the individual's wife, not Lent's), so he takes all this very personally. He concludes by stating that he's going to have to look into his own legal options if the complainant continues to "falsely impugn my character."
The Investigative Committee doesn't appear to have a discussion on this one, only stating that no violations of the Veterinary Practice Act were found.
Michael Lent is a former AzVMA President, former SAVMA President, and former veterinary board member, and the AzVMA made him a delegate to the national AVMA in 2023. If you're looking for the je ne sais quoi that makes today's veterinarian, it's likely that Lent has it in spades, so reading this one's well worth it whatever your overall interpretation of the complaint itself. As of 2023 he's working alongside respondent Daina Iman, who allegedly used financial and emotional means to pressure a complainant into a not-so-elective euthanasia in 20-116.
| Source: | December 12, 2021 PM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Michael Lent | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Adam Almaraz | Aye |
| Amrit Rai | Aye |
| Gregg Maura | Aye |
| Justin McCormick | Aye |
| Steven Dow | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | January 1, 2022 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| Proposed By: | Nikki Frost |
| Seconded By: | Jane Soloman |
| Roll Call: | |
| Craig Nausley | Aye |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jane Soloman | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Melissa Thompson | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Aye |
| Robyn Jaynes | Aye |
| 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.