Desert Forest Animal Hospital is an independently owned animal hospital in Cave Creek, Arizona, providing veterinary care for dogs and cats from Cave Creek, Carefree, Desert Mountain, North Scottsdale and surrounding North Valley communities. Services include wellness and preventive care, dentistry, surgery, in-house laboratory testing, digital X-rays, ultrasound when available, dermatology, internal medicine, and same-day urgent veterinary care during regular business hours when capacity allows. DFAH also stocks rattlesnake antivenom and incorporates Fear Free principles to help reduce stress during veterinary visits. Our goal is to provide thoughtful, evidence-based medicine with strong communication and continuity of care for local pets and their families.
Dr. Hayter grew up in Tustin, California, and earned a Master’s degree in Fine Arts prior to becoming a veterinarian. He published poetry in several national publications before his love of animals led him to pursue his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University where his interests included internal medicine, dentistry, and exotic species. He was fortunate enough to enjoy the opportunity to intern at the prestigious San Diego Zoo where he worked with all manner of species, including a panda bear, a cheetah, a cougar, and a polar bear. Subsequently, Dr. Hayter trained in veterinary acupuncture at the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and can perform this treatment on your pets (ask today!). Dr. Hayter and his wife, Catherine, are the proud parents of three young children, a cockapoo named Skywalker, and five silky chickens.
