Hope Vet was founded by Dr. Kristine Young, a veterinarian, and Juliet Sternberg, a social worker. Hope began operating on a mobile basis in the fall of 2001 using the combined skills of a veterinarian and social worker to serve homebound people with pets. They gradually branched out to serve the general population and Hope Veterinary Services P.C. was incorporated in January 2002. The name was chosen to represent our belief that relationships between people and people, and people and animals are fundamental sources of hope in the world. In 2003 we converted an old antique store in the historic Antique Row of Atlantic Avenue into a state-of-the-art veterinary clinic.
Hope Animal Hospital provides comprehensive, client centered treatment to enhance the health and well-being of animals and to promote the human-animal bond. These tenets represent Hope’s fundamental ethics and are central to our work with the pets in our care and the humans on whom our patients depend.
Client Communication and Education:
In order to help clients better care for their pets, we strive to educate, support and guide clients in making the best possible choices, big or small for each individual pet throughout their lifetime. All diagnostics and treatment will be discussed with clients and appropriate treatment plans will be created for each individual situation.
Animal Handling:
Pets will always be treated with gentleness and respect for their physical and emotional well-being. We prefer to go slowly and use a fear free approach. This may include restraint and medication when appropriate.
Feeding Recommendations:
Good nutrition is an essential element of health. Many problems can be prevented, controlled or eliminated by good nutrition. We will discuss the most appropriate diet for each life stage your pet enters and to combat any ill health they may encounter.
Vaccines:
Following New York State law, we recommend that all dogs and cats stay up to date on the core vaccines throughout their lives. We follow the AAHA vaccine protocols and will have a comprehensive discussion with you about all appropriate vaccine boosters.
Flea, Tick, Heartworm and Parasite Prevention:
Did you know that indoor cats can become infected with heartworm disease from mosquitoes entering your home? At Hope we recommend that all dogs, cats and exotic mammals are given monthly preventatives for all internal and external parasites year round.
No Cosmetic or Cruel Procedures:
Hope considers declawing, ear cropping, tail docking and devocalizing to be cruel and harmful to the health and well-being of animals. Under no circumstances will we perform such procedures. We strive to educate clients about alternatives such as soft paws instead of declawing.
No Euthanasia on Demand:
Hope Animal Hospital will not euthanize physically healthy animals. The only exception being animals with severe aggression issues that cannot be corrected with behavioral intervention and psychotropic medication. We will provide resources, medical intervention, support and guidance to address these problems. Any requests to euthanize because of moving or simply not wanting the pet any more will be denied.
Hospice Care for Terminal Diagnoses:
If a terminal diagnosis is made, palliative care will be encouraged until quality of life is diminished enough to warrant euthanasia. Clients are supported during this difficult time and helped to make a decision as to when to put their pet to sleep. We endeavor to ease the passage for the pet while supporting the family in a compassionate atmosphere.
