Texas Vet Board Watch

(Greg and Cindy Munson) (Julie Catalano) (Charles Savoie) (Betty Garrity) (Jack Wolfson)
website coming soon

To file a complaint against a Texas Veterinarian:

JUNE 19, 2008

BRAND NEW!
Do you need to check the DISCIPLINARY RECORDS
of a Texas veterinarian?

If you only want PART of the story, with incomplete information, including many disciplined vets who are not even included in the list...

If you want MUCH MUCH MORE of the story, with disciplinary information that is actually USEFUL to Texas citizens...

"Corruption is authority plus monopoly minus transparency."

Is this the definition of the
Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners?

It might as well be...

"Great spirits have always encountered opposition from mediocre minds. The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly."-

ALBERT EINSTEIN - QUOTED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES - MARCH 13, 1940

Check Vet Records from Other States:

Records courtesy of Stefani Olsen of The Toonces Project in Maryland - another vet victim. Here is Stefani & Toonces:

"Corn cannot expect justice from a court composed of chickens."

OLD AFRICAN PROVERB

Pet Owners Call for Reform:

March 2007- Dallas / Fort Worth television station KTVT-CBS11 did a two part story on Bad Vets and how the Board handles complaints. Pet Owners are calling for reform in how the Board does business. Watch both parts of the video here:

"Injustice ANYWHERE is a THREAT to justice EVERYWHERE."

Martin Luther King Jr.

Rule Changes & Proposals:

June 2007 - Rules to be adopted:

Chapter 573.77, Cease and Desist Procedures. These amendments authorize the Board to issue a cease and desist order to a person who is found to be engaging in the practice of veterinary medicine without a license. The amendments also allow the Board to consider complaints about the unauthorized practice of veterinary medicine that are not submitted on a standard complaint form as required by Board Rule 575.27. While some form of written documentation is required, this documentation may be no more than a notation of a telephone conversation with the potential violator, or a business card indicating the illegal practice. The Board can then investigate the complaint further to determine if it has merit. The rule also provides for the process the Board may utilize in the review of the complaint. Dr. Alldredge moved, Dr. Johnsen, seconded and the motion passed to adopt the proposed amendments.

June 2007 - Rules to be proposed:

Chapter 575.27, Complaints – Receipt, Investigation and Disposition. The amendments spell out Board procedures in investigating complaints that are currently being followed. For example, one amendment specifies that a licensee must respond to a complaint within 21 days of receipt of the complaint from the Board. Another amendment states that in addition to contacting the complainant during an investigation, the investigator may contact other persons that may be involved in the case, such as second opinion veterinarians. Other changes are for clarification of current procedures. The name of a committee that hears complaints at an informal conference is changed from a “conference committee” to an “enforcement committee,” to reflect the Board’s common designation of that committee. Mr. Martinez moved, Dr. Carpenter seconded, and the motion passed to publish the proposed preamble and amendments in the Texas Register in accordance with law.

February 2008 - - Rules to be proposed:

MAJOR RULE CHANGES PROPOSED!

"He who decides a case without hearing the other side, cannot be considered just."

OLD ROMAN PROVERB

Board Members:

Bud E. Alldredge, Jr., DVM
President - Sweetwater, TX

Patrick M. Allen, DVM
Vice President - Lubbock, TX

Janie Allen Carpenter, DVM
Secretary - Garland, TX

Paul Martinez
Member - Sonora, TX

David Wayne Heflin, DVM
Member - Mission, TX

Cynthia Diaz
Member - San Antonio, TX

John David Clader, DVM
Member - Pleasanton, TX

David Rosberg Jr., DVM
Member - Mason, TX

David Kercheval
Member - Grandview, TX

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Board Employees:

Dewey Helmcamp - Executive Director

Nicole Oria - General Counsel

Peter Hartline - Director of Enforcement

Loris Jones - Public Information Officer

Ina Franz - Licensing Director
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Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
333 Guadalupe Street Tower III Suite 810
Austin, Texas 78701
Phone: 512.305.7555
1.800.821.3205
Fax: 512.305.7556
email: vet.board@tbvme.state.tx.us
---------------------
American Assoc. of Veterinary State Boards
AAVSB

The "MOTHERSHIP" of all Vet Boards

Vet Board Meeting Updates:

October 2006 - Julie Catalano - Amendment Defeated - A proposed amendment would have required Texas vets to note in the patient record when services and treatments are offered to the client and declined. The amendment's defeat gives Texas vets complete protection should they violate the humane standard of care - all they have to do is blame the client for "declining" proper tests and treatments when there is no notation in the record of that ever happening. It's a foolproof way for vets to mistreat your pet in any number of ways, enjoy zero accountability for what is (and is NOT) on their patient records, and then later blame YOU for their own actions!

February 2007 - Julie Catalano - At the public meeting of the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, Board members voted to pass an amendment to Rule 575.27 -- Complaints - Receipt, Investigation and Disposition -- which will require veterinarians to turn over patient records to board investigators at the onset of an investigation instead of seeing the complaint first and then submitting records.

June 2007 - Greg Munson - This was a particularly crowded meeting, with a HUGE turnout due to the looming battle in Texas over Equine Dentistry. During the public comments portion of the meeting, there were two speakers before me who spoke about equine dentistry. I then took my turn and gave my speech. They called an end to the public comments portion of the meeting with 4 of us yet to speak – Julie Catalano, my wife Cindy Munson, Betty Garrity, and Jack Wolfson. Jack was running a little late, but did arrive before the public comments had ended. Julie stood up and said “Hey what about us?” They said they thought the rest of the comments were about rules and would be heard later. Julie told them and I told them “No these are public comments that need to be heard now!” They let the other speeches be heard. Julie first, then Cindy, followed by Betty. After Betty’s speech, Ms. Reveley – lawyer – public board member – stated there needed to be some kind of checks to make sure the complainant is interviewed by the investigator because that is what the rule says – Betty was not interviewed. We were not interviewed. The Executive Director felt the need to give that same old “We are sorry about your pets” speech. Dr. Johnsen started talking about how the complainant should be allowed to see and respond to the vet’s response. This is the same rule change I had proposed in February, but Mr. Mathews – legal counsel – said was impossible due to the confidentiality law. The Board said they would find a way around that – we’ll see. I then told them that Jack Wolfson (the other pet owner in the Ch. 11 story with us) also had a speech to give – otherwise they would have skipped him, too. Jack then gave his speech and compared the board to the O.J. Simpson jury that acquitted him. After Jack’s speech Julie, Betty, and myself, got up and went outside to the hall. We were talking when up walks the Executive Director – Dewey Helmcamp. He felt the need to leave the meeting himself and come find us to talk to us. A boiling point had been met and things were about to come to a head. He assured us there was a way around that confidentiality statute and they would get that changed. You better believe we are going to hold him to it. (Mr. Helmcamp later denied ever saying this - but all three of us...Julie, Betty, and myself heard him very clearly say the Board could find a way around this. So did Mr. Helmcamp lie right to our faces?) Whether he was genuinely concerned or worried about what we might be up to is open for debate. Needless to say, it was probably the most productive 5 minute conversation any of us have ever had with someone from the Board. (Obviously, our talk with Mr. Helmcamp meant nothing - out of sight, out of mind.) We had stirred the pot to be sure. On another break, Dr. Janie Carpenter –the board vet who appeared in the Ch.11 story – approached Cindy and I and told us that she and another unnamed vet would discuss Stempy’s complaint with us. When the meeting resumed after the break – rules were discussed - but we were not allowed to give any comments -equine dentistry was then the topic. After a little while, we (Cindy & I, Julie, & Betty) decided to go to lunch. When we returned, the board was discussing the disciplinary cases and had heard from lawyers representing accused vets trying to reduce the charges against them. The Board went into executive session to discuss the cases. For the disciplinary cases, 2 were approved and 2 were rejected. The Board then honored Lee Mathews – general counsel – who retired. We then got the Executive Director’s report. Somehow, there was a decrease in complaints from FY 06 (336) so far in FY 07 (229). He discussed the future cooperation they intended to have with the TVMA. He discussed getting the Board’s “ducks in a row” for the 81st Legislature. The Board has been approved for a $259k budget increase for FY08. Will be used for 1-FT General Counsel – 1-FT exec. Asst. for General Counsel. – 1-FT-Investigator – primarily aimed at the unlicensed practice of vet medicine (How about the BAD vets who have a license?). Investigators will now be working FROM HOME and on the road due to lack of office space. (Isn'that great? The investigators already lie about interviewing the complainant. Now they will receive NO supervision!) The Board voted a $5k/yr raise for the Executive Director effective September 1st (For what? Protecting MORE bad vets? For telling lies to a concerned public?). Once the meeting was over, Mr. Helmcamp immediately came up to Cindy and I. He told us that when Dr. Johnsen had originally reviewed our complaint, he read through it FOUR times and truly agonized over the decision. (Dr. Johnsen had to leave to catch his flight back to El Paso) Mr. Helmcamp is going to set us up an appointment to meet with Dr. Johnsen to discuss the complaint and Dr. Johnsen's thought process when he reviewed our complaint. He said it may or may not be what we want to hear. It may or may not satisfy us. (UPDATE - We finally received an analysis from Dr. Johnsen in July. Dr. Johnsen CERTAINLY never agonized over the decision - another Helmcamp lie? - and, of course, Dr. Johnsen would not speak to us. After reading his analysis, we seriously doubt he read everything we submitted EVEN ONE TIME. His analysis was the most insulting, biased, and uninformed commentary we could have ever imagined. Frankly, Dr. Johnsen owes us an apology. Just and fair? Not even close.)

October 2007 - update coming soon.

February 2008- see update abovr.

Board Meeting Minutes:

NEVER BLINDLY TRUST YOUR VET!

Other Citizen-Monitored State Veterinary Boards:

Alabama Vet Board Watch
New Hampshire Vet Board Watch
Maryland
North Carolina
South Carolina

from blog author and Bad Vet victim Stefani Olsen:

"If reading this blog gets one pet owner to admit the thought into their minds that maybe -- just maybe -- they shouldn't blindly trust their vet, it will have been worth it. We need to become proactive in evaluating vets and their care, not waiting for a tragedy."

This website is dedicated to the memory of Stempy, an extremely special little Shih Tzu who meant the world to his humans - Greg & Cindy Munson - of Mesquite, Texas. Stempy passed away at the age of 8 years due to the alleged negligent and substandard care he received from his veterinarian, Ann K. Thomas, DVM - Rodeo Drive Veterinary Hospital - Mesquite, Texas.. Be sure to visit Stempy's website to read his story.

-- Greg Munson

Join the Blue Ribbon Online Free Speech Campaign

Visit our new website:

Vets from HELL!

featuring BAD vet Ann Thomas DVM
Rodeo Dr. Veterinary Hospital
Mesquite, Texas

AND THE AWARD FOR
BROWN NOSER
OF THE YEAR
GOES TO...

...THE TEXAS VET BOARD! FOR HAVING THEIR HEAD PLANTED FIRMLY UP THE ASS OF THE TVMA!

Music for this page is:
BACKSTABBERS
Dedicated to the Texas Vet Board
Press play to see video & hear the music

AUGUST 5, 2008
(Happy Birthday Suki Catalano)

Comments Submitted to Texas Attorney General
CRUCIAL AG Opinion due around December

Austin - Dewey Helmcamp, Executive Director of the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, has requested an Attorney General Opinion concerning whether a complaint filed against a licensed veterinarian is subject to disclosure to the licensee, complainant, and/or the general public. Ms. Nancy Fuller, Chair of the Opinion Committee at the AG's office, contacted us and invited us to submit our comments concerning this matter. This opinion will have far-reaching implications for shaping the future policies of this Board.

Read the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners position: click here.

Read Texas Vet Board Watch Founder Greg Munson's submitted comments and position: click here

BRAND NEW!

Through the Years: A Glimpse in Time at the Texas Veterinary Board
Prior Attorney General Rulings / Opinions concerning the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners .

              Open Records                 Letter             Attorney General
   Letter Rulings       Opinions     Opinions

   OR-1991-0439   OR-2003-4969 OR-2008-3813   LO-1955-0231       1983-JM-0046
   OR-1992-0284    OR-2006-10465    OR-2008-3815 LO-1965-0384       1985-JM-0339
  OR-1993-0125       OR-2007-12673      OR-2008-4740          LO-1990-0109                1986-JM-0426
   OR-1993-0369    OR-2007-0985    OR-2008-4905 LO-1995-0044     1987-JM-0656
   OR-1993-0364 OR-2007-3449    OR-2008-5273    1998-DM-0498
   OR-1995-1388 OR-2007-10543    OR-2008-8726      2001-JC-0421
      OR-1996-0754    OR-2007-12204    OR-2008-8771      2007-GA-0547
   OR-1996-1349 OR-2007-16456        OR-2008-10987
   OR-2000-2924    OR-2008-3639

BRAND NEW!

TEXAS VETERINARY RECORDS - DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY*
Check the disciplinary records of Texas veterinarians

www.texasveterinaryrecords.110mb.com

JUNE 19, 2008

VET BOARD MEETING UPDATE:

Below will most likely be the LAST complaint log we ever receive. Since the Board did not like providing this public log, they simply voted to delete it from existence. Gone forever.

CONGRATULATIONS, Texas Vet Board. You have now achieved even new levels of sleaziness. If this is the example you hope to be setting for other state Boards, let's hope they were not paying attention.

Dewey Helmcamp was asked where he thought the Texas Vet Board would be in six years. We would like to answer that question with just one word..

DISBANDED.
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Is that the best solution? No, probably not. But if this Board continues to function as is, it may be the ONLY solution. We need a Board that will protect our pets by punishing ALL bad vets and the punishment needs to be a strong enough deterrent to keep them from malpracticing our pets in the future. This Board doesn't know the meaning of a strong deterrent. Peruse the disciplinary records and see for yourself the paltry punishment doled out by this board on the VERY RARE occasions that ANYTHING is done to a BAD vet. Most likely, the BAD vet walks away unscathed; the complaint dismissed as no violation found. We could understand this being the result for many complaints. But NINETY TWO PERCENT? That SCREAMS bias to anyone paying attention. And, yes - this Board is biased.

Despite the much improved reception we received at this Board meeting, with multiple members and employees showing some type of concern for our issues, at the end of the day - the song remained the same. ALL of the outrageous proposed rules (see our comments on the rules below) passed and now become law. Despite being told that 'we agree with you' and that 'this is a different Board' - the board members turned right around and slapped the public in the face by passing all of the proposed rules.

Board members can be nice to us all they want. Or, they can treat us rudely as they did back in February. But the BOTTOM LINE here is that WE DON'T CARE how the Board treats us. It's ALL about how the Board's licensees are treating our animals and what the Board is doing about it. That answer remains UNCHANGED - as in SLIM and NONE.

Is this Board protecting you and your pets from the MANY BAD VETS? The answer to this question REMAINS a resounding NO!

We will continue in our pursuit for reform in the laws and attitudes governing this corrupt regulatory agency that leaves untold numbers of Texas animals at risk and in harm's way every single day. We ask all those concerned about animal welfare to join us in our fight for change. Your beloved pet is counting on you.

- Greg Munson
Texas Vet Board Watch founder.