Ardsley Veterinary Associates

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My family and pet Yogi endured the most horrific experience with this practice. Our dog Yogi had been a patient at this practice for several years and unfortunately he began to have difficulties with his hips. It had reached a time when Yogi could not get up and my husband decided to put him down. My entire family went to the office to have Dr. Zuckerman take a last look at Yogi to see if there were any other actions to take. Before we even saw the doctor the vet tech Isabel came rushing to start the process even though we had changed the appointment to a consult. She insisted on putting Yogi on the table even though I specifically requested that he remain on the floor where the doctor had evaluated him. Yogi was extremely nervous and in pain and she was insensitive to the comfort of Yogi. It appeared that she was rushing and clearly did not follow any safety protocols to check the tightness of the muzzle as he was able to bite her and my twenty year old son, who was the other helper. Within seconds the vet tech was spewing obscenities and pushing through to exit the room. And then the nightmare truly began. Dr. Zuckerman sent the vet tech to the hospital and explained that Yogi would be on a 10 day rabies watch but if we wanted to euthanize him immediately, it could still be done. Unfortunately the gruesome facts were that Yogi would be beheaded and his head would be sent to Albany for rabies testing. We could not fathom this so we took this poor suffering dog home to nurse him for a 10 day watch period. As this occurred late on a Saturday afternoon, Dr. Zuckerman reported the incident to the Westchester Health Department the following Monday. He neglected to mention that my son was also bit doing the job which his staff should have been doing and that Yogi’s vaccinations were current. The last rabies vaccine ironically was administered by this doctor in June of 2015. Unfortunately Yogi took a terrible turn for the worse and we contacted the WHD for advice. We were told that we could take him to Stamen Hospital to be put down and then afterward the doctor would make a small incision to extract brain stem tissue. This tissue biopsy would then be sent to Albany but the WHD neglected to mention that this process involved the brain being extracted. The doctor at Stamen appealed our case as Yogi was a well-cared for pet with current vaccines. Yogi had never bit anyone and this bite fell within the provoked bite category. In the appeal by the Stamen Hospital all of Yogi's health records and the explanations of a provoked bite were presented. However the vet tech that was at the source of this catastrophe was adamant that Yogi's brain be tested even though he had been put down on the 7th day of the watch and we were now at the 9th day of the watch. As of the 9th day, my son still did not exhibit any signs of rabies. Judge for yourself whether or not you want to subject your family and pet to this nightmare!

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I continue to be extremely satisfied with this hospital and the staff. More importantly, my pets are never afraid or stressed-out, during their visits. The staff members remember their names and personalities, and my pets respond positively to both the doctor(s) and the technicians.
I appreciate being offered a wide range of treatment options, with a corresponding range of cost factors, and a blending of
homeopathic and standard treatment choices. The hospital is neither the most, nor the least expensive, but it is among
those of the highest quality and definitely the most caring.

Not going back! There are two things I won't tolerate from my vet - No.1) Being overcharged for visits -and- No.2) Using scare tactics to push unnecessary tests and procedures in order to charge the client more. This place is like the "used car lots" of vets but very expensive. 
I've been taking my two dogs here for over a year now. I found out early on that Ardsley Vets like to nickel and dime you and somehow finds it appropriate to charge you expensive examination fees every time you go for a visit - even if the visit was a followup -or- you've brought your dog in a few day before. When we first go our puppy, the vet would have me bring my dog in for a shot then come back next week for the other shot and re-charge another examination fee. 
Also, every time I'm there I feel like I'm being upsold for unnecessary examinations or procedures... "Just to be safe" -or- "because it's going around". I feel they really love to exploit the love you feel for your pet. 
But the final straw was yesterday, My dog needed his tri-annual Rabies shot and Lyme Booster. So I brought him in - I was told that they need to test him for heart worm. I told them its unnecessary since he has been taking heartgard all his life. A few minutes later they stress how he really needs to be tested for heart worm because he is in the country now. FINE! Then they try to sell me teeth cleaning... $1000?! No thank you!!! Then they asked me a couple of times if I needed Heartgard... No I already have some. A few minutes they asked me again and said it's on sale. Fine! After I paid (more like being extorted for a few hundred dollars) I looked at the bill to see why it was so high? I was charged an Annual Examination - the issue is that my dog already had his annual examination a few months back and this charge was double a normal examination fee. When I asked why I was being charged this fee? They said they charge that higher fee when you take your dog in for a new issue. To which I replied they was no issue just a booster and his rabies shot. To which they responded, we don't make the rules when it comes to how much to charge  and you'll have to take that up with the doctor in charge. 
So I've had enough! This is the last overcharge they have taken out of me. In the past year, I have spent the equivalent of $2000 (at the very least) for each of my dogs. So either Ardley Vets has been up-and-over-charging or they are just plain bad luck for dogs. Either way, I'm finding a vet that's no so money hungry and actually just gives you the care that is needed - without all the "hard selling".

Updated Response to Response on Oct.04,2014:

Actually, your response is incorrect. My dog received a Distemper Booster shot, Bordetella Booster, Fecal Parasite Exam and ANNUAL EXAM on 5/30/2014. I agree that the charged visits on 3/9 & 6/16 were for other reasons. But our visit on 10/20/14 were only for a Rabies & Lyme Disease Booster (not for another Annual Exam). When I mentioned this to your front desk attendant, she responded very rudely.

Regardless, this is but one small incident of an ongoing pattern with the two dogs I've been bringing to Ardsley Vets. I've had dogs since the day I was born and know what is fair practices when it comes to Vets and I'm happy to say I have found one who is an amazing and caring Veterinarian, as he is fair.

It was excellent. The wound healed beautifully; we were referred to an ocologist at Animal Specialty Center in Ardsley. Dr Zuckerman sent my dog's records to her prior to my appointment and also discussed his case with her. He's been in on going touch with her, relaying updated blood work and status reports.

They are very nice and clean place. I know they do boarding as well. The veterinarians are very caring, friendly, and nice. If you give them your email address, they will send you an email for appointment reminders and for shots.

This hospital and these two doctors are phenomenal, because they care. They blend the art and science of treatment and offer natural, alternative treatments, as well.
Over the years, my animals have been to several veterinary hospitals. Some were and quot;okayand quot; and some were not so okay. After a very disappointing experience with one hospital, I began a search to find a really good hospital. Eventually, I found a hospital that met most of my criteria. The doctors were okay, but one doctor was outstanding. His approach was more of a service to the animals, as opposed to a business with the humans. When he left that hospital, I was devastated and began an aggressive search to locate him, so that I could follow him. I did locate him and have followed him to a new hospital: one of his own.
My experiences have been exceptionally positive. When you walk into the reception area, before anything medical or clinical occurs, there is a warmth and a peaceful calm. The room is filled with an amazing number of and quot;housewarmingand quot; gifts from other clients, suggesting that many people feel as I do.
I love that I am always presented with treatment and price options. My cats' names and personalities are addressed, even before the examinations begin. As a result, the hospital visits are minimally stressful to them. Phone calls are returned, questions are answered openly and honestly, suggestions are enthusiastically received, and my pets remain happy and healthy.