BEWARE! PLEASE READ. Had my cat spayed here years ago using a PAWS low cost spay certificate. Was told to bring the cat in for an early am drop off and Dr. Scriff would do an exam and surgery t... Read More
BEWARE! PLEASE READ. Had my cat spayed here years ago using a PAWS low cost spay certificate. Was told to bring the cat in for an early am drop off and Dr. Scriff would do an exam and surgery thereafter. When I arrived that am, I was told by individual that Dr. Scriff was "busy in the back" and that I could just leave the cat. When I requested to wait as I wanted to see and meet Dr. Scriff, I was told that he wouldn't be available for a while and "this is how we do it". (Being young and naive, I adhered to their instruction verses taking my cat and walking out). By the time I drove 2 miles (and mere minutes) to a friend's house in Verona, Dr. Scriff already had telephoned me there (no cell at that time). When I called him back, the phone connection went through a series of (odd) clicking noises and he finally answered and informed me that he did an exam and that the cat was healthy and that I could pick up the cat in the afternoon. (Remember, I had just been told that he was sooo busy in the back but yet the minute I was out the door, supposedly he did the exam!) When I then picked up my cat that afternoon, I was charged an additional $40 because I was told that the cat was "in heat" ! Read on, this gets even better. Over the next week, my cat looked absolutely horrible....the cat was lithargic, her incision was jagged, and inflamed - this concerned me greatly since I was told (at the time I made the appt) that the surgery was done with top of the line new laser equipment that left a small, neat and straight incision. I called Dr. Scriff and he attempted to poo poo my concerns and proceeded then to tell me that it was Dr. Elizabeth Crump (the only other Dr. in the office) who performed the surgery. ( I was a bit taken aback since the appt was with HIM). When I called the office again to make the follow up appt, I made it with Dr. Crump believing she then did the surgery. Continue reading....you will be shocked. When Dr. Crump came into the examining room and we had discussion about the cat's condition and the surgery (that she supposedly performed), Dr. Crump fully denied (in no uncertain terms) doing the surgery informing me that she wasn't even in the office on the day of the surgery. When I advised her that Dr. Scriff SAID that SHE did the surgery and I immediately questioned her as to "THEN, who did the surgery?", Dr. Crump's face froze, she became unnerved, she wouldn't make eye contact with me, and did everything but run out of the examining room. (Looking back, I should have went to the front desk in full view of other clients demanding truthful answers and not leave until I got them, but I was sooo upset and distraught and just wanted to get to my friend's house). I placed repeated phone calls to Dr. Scriff and Dr. Crump over the next several weeks .....all of my calls went unanswered. I then wrote several letters to both Dr. Scriff and Dr. Crump (certified/return receipt letters to boot).....all letters were received but unanswered. (I found out that Dr. Scriff's sister was the Office Manager at VAH at that time and handled the calls and mail). I ultimately made complaint to the State Vet Board and only then did VAH respond to the Board....and the response was from Dr. Elizabeth Crump who then MIRACULOUSLY recollected that she did the surgery to my cat (despite her absolute denial to me during the follow up visit). The Vet Board (comprised of other Vet colleagues, humm) refused to further investigate and question VAH Drs. in a formal setting under oath; and closed the matter. While I'm sure many clients of VAH have had great experiences, mine was absolutely horrific. My belief and opinion is that Dr. Scriff arranged, orchestrated, allowed and approved for a individual (other than a Dr.) to perform surgery to my cat (who was a stray and I was using a lower cost spay certificate) and when I started questioning the lies being told to me, both Drs. attempted to hide. When VAH was forced and put into a corner of having to give a response to the Vet Board, it is my opinion that Dr. Crump (an employee at VAH at that time) wrote a false and untruthful letter to get them off the hook (so to speak) - any rational person knows that an employee doesn't (on their own) write to a Board investigating a matter without the knowledge, approval and authorization of the proprietor, who was Dr. Scriffignano. In closing, I wouldn't let Dr. Scriff or VAH treat my pet rock. Read Less