Wellness (And a Second Home) For Beaks, Paws and Claws

Six-year-old Sky usually cries when she’s in unfamiliar places or around people she doesn’t know.

But most recently, when Sky, a white Yorkie-Poodle mix, got her nails clipped at Bedford Stuyvesant Veterinary, an animal clinic and lodging space, located at 418 Tompkins Avenue, she had an entirely different attitude:

“She usually cries and shakes and gets really nervous and wants to attack,” said Heather Williams, Sky’s owner. “But here, she did very well; I didn’t hear her cry.”

So Williams was back at the veterinary clinic for a checkup and a second test run, to see if it might be a place she could leave Sky for daycare in the possible near future.

And so far, Sky seemed to pass the test. She was wagging and appeared to be smiling when the receptionist brought her back to the lobby into the hands of her owner.

Bedford Stuyvesant Veterinary opened eight years ago in Bed-Stuy. And in addition to dogs, it treats cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and even some exotic birds.

“For a wellness exam, definitely, we take in some exotic animals,” said Liza Torsilieri, 20, a veterinary student and the clinic’s part-time administrator. “But if there are other problems, we refer them to Avian and Exotic Pets in Manhattan.”

Torsilieri said summertime is a high season for fleas and ticks, so the clinic has gotten very busy treating animals for insect bites and also providing vaccinations.

Around this time, she said, people are bringing their pets in for a general annual check up, which is $51 for birds, cats and dogs; vaccinations are $160 for dogs and $150 for cats. Dr. Tryna Pruden, the sole veterinarian on duty is available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Suddenly, a white cat with black spots and a little black goatee jumps on the counter.

“That’s Harry,” said Torsilieri, laughing. “He lives here with us.”

There’s also a pair of siblings: Keo, a cat, and Lala, a terrier poodle mix, whose owner dropped them off for boarding four months ago.

“She comes in and visits and plays with them,” said Torsilieri of the dog and cat owner. “But we’re helping her out by allowing them to stay here long-term,” she said. “So now, they’re very special to us.”

Bedford Stuyvesant Veterinary is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; on Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and Sundays, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.