Our Stories

Blue, a 7 year old golden retriever, was referred to the Veterinary Specialty Center of the Hudson Valley in early April and has been responding well to treatment -- well enough to enjoy a little swimming, retrieving, and fishing.

Watch our patient, Blue Finkle, receive intravenous chemotherapy here. Notice how great he looks and bounces right up ready to go after the chemo is given!

Ellie

Tears filled my eyes as I realized that finally she can be a normal dog again!

I wanted you guys to see these photos of Ellie as she played in the snow this past weekend. We were in Vermont for Thanksgiving and as you can see we got a little bit of snow. This was the first snow that Ellie has ever seen and she had a blast running and playing in it. As I watched her run around tears filled my eyes as I realized that finally she can be a normal dog again and play like a puppy should be able to do and enjoy life to the fullest. This is all because of that camp cookout when Dr. Impellizeri told Greg that he thought Ellie should see our Surgery Department because of her lameness. We are eternally grateful for that recommendation and for all the care that everyone took of Ellie while she was at your hospital. The amount of time spent with me explaining the surgery and Ellie's rehab really did go above and beyond, yet I never felt pressured to cut my visit short and stop asking so many questions.

Thanks to all of you Ellie has been given another chance at being a puppy and doing all those fun puppy things.

Words escape me but please know that we will never forget the gift that you gave us in helping Ellie recover.

Boy is she now one energetic dog!!!!!!!

Smuchie

You offered support, knowledge and a shoulder to cry on. I was treated like the only client at your facility and Smuchie was treated like your own pet.

On 12/3/2010 I was given the worst news from my vet, Smuchie, my 7 year old Pekingese has IMHA and I needed to get to the Animal ER. Dr. Clark saw Smuchie and she told me that he needs a blood transfusion. I am now in hysterics and cannot absorb what she is saying to me. I thought we were coming in to confirm that Smuchie has the flu now my life has just spun out of control. Two days prior we were at the park for over an hour, how could this be? Dr. Clark explained this disease to me in length and gave me support and a hug. She said she would call anytime, and she did.

During this horrible week, I would call at 10pm, or even lam just to check on Smuchie and always spoke with the Doctor. Your staff is amazing. Briana saw me crying and offered so much comfort. She listened to silly stories about Smuchie and basically let me ramble on and on. Bernadette is just so caring, and can make you crack a smile in speaking to her. Danielle sat with me for a half hour the other night giving me her knowledge about IMHA. I have not personally met Dr. Shelley Skopit, but I called her a bunch of times and she never ended our conversation, I did. She let me ask her anything, even the same question 5 times. I am sure I am missing names of people that had part in saving Smuchie, and I apologize for that I came to you as a scared pet owner, tears in eyes hoping you can do something and you did.

You offered support, knowledge and a shoulder to cry on. I was treated like the only client at your facility and Smuchie was treated like your own pet. My entire family and I thank you all of you!! Have a wonderful Holiday!

Can you tell which one just completed 27 weeks of chemotherapy?

Tessa was diagnosed with lymphoma in August of 2010 and was referred to our Oncology Department for treatment. Dr. Impellizeri immediately began chemotherapy, and for the next 8 months Tessa was a weekly visitor at VSCHV and one of our favorite patients. She completed treatment in March of this year, and we are very proud to say that Tessa is doing incredibly well -- as you can see. Tessa is the one chasing the tennis balls in the video.