Hillandale Animal Hospital

Dr. Sweeney may be ok as a vet, but his vet tech doesn't know her own strength.
My friend's dog, a six pound chihuahua with a +3 heart murmur was in for evaluation of her heart and when they tried to draw blood, the chi tried to bite the vet
tech. The vet tech then jerked the dog's collar and the dog started choking. The dog stopped breathing and died on the table. Previously the dog was fine and running around greeting everyone. So if you have small dogs you might want to muzzle them first with a safe muzzle that allows them to breath during the examination and procedures. Vet Tech's should be better trained on how to deal
with fractious pets. Jerking the collar of a small dog can be deadly especially if it already has a choking problem.

Hillandale Animal Hospital is run by one veterinarian, Dr. Sweeney, who has been in the business for a long time (something like twenty years or more). I've been bringing my cats here for years, and he works with dogs, too.

Dr. Sweeney is a very practical, down-to-earth doctor who really knows his stuff, and he won't try to sell you wacky treatments or medications your animals don't need. He is also willing to spend a lot of time talking on the phone answering questions, and his prices are reasonable. Also, his staff members are really friendly and sympathetic.

His facility, which is attached to his house, looks modern and clean and has a cozy country feel to it. It's always easy to get an appointment and to get let into your appointment on time. The place is very organized, so you never get forgotten due to clerical errors or have your records lost. The only drawback is that, since it's a one-vet facility, it doesn't have some super-fancy equipment like ultrasound machines, which is not normally an issue unless your pet has a serious or unusual problem.

Also, sometimes Dr. Sweeney doesn't offer all the information he knows unless you ask specific questions, and he won't always mention a non-curative treatment for certain animal diseases unless you ask. For instance, when my cat got cancer, I didn't realize steroid pills were an option to improve lifespan and quality of life until I spoke with another vet who suggested the treatment, since Dr. Sweeney hadn't mentioned it. So if your pet has an unusual or terminal illness, you might want to ask around to inquire about treatment options.

Overall, though, the Hillandale Animal Hospital is a great place for animals to get check-ups and treatments, and you know your pets are in good hands.

PROS: Clean, cozy facility with friendly staff and one doctor, so you and your pets get to see a familiar face each time. Very organized business. Also, Dr. Sweeney is very experienced, practical, candid, and knowledgeable. Surgery is offered here. Prices are excellent. His assistants are organized and efficient--no records get mysteriously "lost," and appointments are never forgotten.

CONS: Facility doesn't have fancy equipment like ultrasound machines, and Dr. Sweeney doesn't always mention information or certain treatment or diagnostic options unless you ask. Animals staying overnight are not monitored after-hours.