We considered ourselves "long time clients" of this "group" as we have been bringing our pets to the Hudson Highlands veterinary medical group for at least 15 years now. We bring our pets to both the beacon and lime kiln offices. We've spent thousands & thousands of dollars over the years with our numerous pets being seen for different reasons at this facility, From our pets that have passed on, to strays that we have given medical care to but didn't keep, to our pets that currently reside with us now.
At present, we have 9 cats and 2 dogs. Prior to this we have had 3 other dogs that have passed on, along with 7 other cats. We consider ourselves to be very caring individuals when it comes to animals and their care. Through the years our pets have been seen by numerous doctors, and vet technicians, many of which are no longer employed at hudson highlands anymore.
( as I can clearly see why they have left now ) Last night we called the lime kiln office we felt that one of our cats may have been in some kind of distress. We wanted to bring our cat in and asked if we could bring him Right then. We thought he may have been blocked with crystals because we know the signs in regards to this situation, since we have had other cats with the same issue. Because we have so many pets we also have a "traveling vet" who comes to our home and only administers vaccines Ie: distemper and rabies, ( I try to keep our vet bills down as much as possible and working with a traveling vet re: vaccines is the most logical way to do it ). BUT for major medical issues we go to Hudson Highlands. However last night when we called and asked to have our cat seen we were told by Vanessa who answered the phone that, "in her opinion we are not clients there because we don't bring our pets there often enough to be seen, and that we need to go elsewhere for vet care!" She also stated that there is no one there to help us, no doctors or staff on call nor would she call anyone in, and that she's been there for fourteen years and doesn't know who we are, and if we have a traveling vet that administers vaccinations Then we need to call them and go there !" She then went on to say, "why are you even calling us? you're not clients here!!" We frantically tried telling her we are clients there but she did not want nor was she at all interested in anything we were trying to tell her. As she then stated, "do you want the number to another vet?" She was rude, nasty, sarcastic, unprofessional and
in compassionate and then literally hung up on us!!!
However if you read the Hudson Highlands business page about this group the page reads as follows: "the veterinarians and staff at Hudson Highlands veterinary medical group provide your pet with the highest quality veterinary care available" and goes on to say, "allowing us to offer the care you expect for an important member of your family, and pet owners have come to rely on us as a COMPASSIONATE, skilled and cost conscientious partner in the care of their beloved companions." While also stating, "our veterinary staff of dedicated PROFESSIONALS is available to answer any questions regarding your pets health, and that we look forward to providing your special family member with primary veterinary care, Advanced treatment or a second opinion." Their article re: their emergency care states, "there are doctors on call in the lime kiln facility 24 hours a day to meet the needs of our established clients and provide constant care to our critically ill patients"
While that sounds all well and good to draw in clients the underlying fact is simply this, in general, they don't care!! They don't care about an emergency, because when we asked vanessa several times to call a Dr or vet tech she blatantly refused to call anyone on our behalf, denying our pet the medical attention he needed.
Again, as far as their 24 hr care and service goes their own worker made it very clear to us, there's no one there to help us, which clearly makes their advertised 24 hr statement a false advertisement!! Along with, no where in their advertisement does it state you have to be a client there, even though we are and look where that got us after all these years !!
Compassionate is absolutely the wrong word to be used to describe this facility, because when they employ some one like
" Vanessa " and give her control to make inadequate decisions they have then made it quite clear how they really feel in regards to emergencies, clients and most of all clients pets! The Lyons family has been dealing with Dr Whitefield and his family for 50 years. Dr Whitefield was one of the creators of Hudson Highlands and he would be ashamed to see what his dream has become especially when employing someone as horrid as her !!
This situation is very disheartening !
I hope that who's ever reading this will Think twice and be diligent as to where and with whom you entrust your pet care needs.
Donna and James Lyons read more