PAWSitive Veterinary of New York — Local services in New York

I am usually not the type to jeopardize anyone’s job or leave a negative review, but I had to for this company. This was my first and LAST visit. I was recommended by a friend, but I will not be coming back—and I will warn other pet parents as well. I’d rather take an hour train ride to a trustworthy vet than walk 15 minutes from my home to this one.

Now let me get into it. For a veterinary office that is supposed to care for animals, it felt clear they were more interested in money than my dog’s well-being.

My dog has been experiencing skin irritation, so I decided to give Pawsitive Veterinary a try. Worst decision ever. The front desk staff was polite, but the vet, Dr. Peterson, was shockingly unprofessional. His attitude and appearance were lazy, careless, and nonchalant. When I asked for suggestions, he actually laughed. Instead of offering real answers, he said, “It could be this, it could be that, maybe this, maybe that.” I specifically mentioned doing a blood test, and he brushed it off with no urgency, saying it wasn’t necessary. He seemed unsure of everything and gave me no confidence whatsoever.

He then suggested an injection and shampoo, saying it “might help for a month” and that I’d likely need to come back for more expensive tests later. Essentially, he was asking me to spend $299 that day, only to spend even more later. He barely examined my dog—just brushed his hand over her scars without checking anything properly. When I asked questions, he had no answers. Finally, he said the treatment would work “immediately, within 48 hours” and left the room…never to return. I was left confused, frustrated, and with no trust in his care.

I told his assistant how unprofessional and unclear he was. Unlike him, she showed genuine concern and empathy. Sadly, it made me realize this was probably normal behavior for him.

I left with the treatment, against my better judgment, because I just wanted relief for my pup. But days later, nothing improved. She was still scratching, her skin unchanged, and the shampoo made no difference. $299 for nothing. On top of that, there was no check-up call, no follow-up, no concern.

I emailed them with photos of my dog’s worsening condition. The secretary told me the doctor wouldn’t be available until Thursday. Thursday came—still no response. When I followed up again, they only offered me another appointment with their “lead doctor” Dr. Perry…for an additional cost. At that point it was obvious: they care more about money than pets.

I canceled and went to another vet in Ridgewood, an hour away from Brooklyn. That vet took immediate action, treated my pup correctly, and she is now feeling 1000x better.

⚠️ Please, do not take your pet to Pawsitive Veterinary. They lack professionalism, empathy, and urgency. Do not let them touch your furry family members. Save your time, your money, and most importantly, your pet’s...

I have been a client of this veterinary practice since last year and disappointment is the least I can say I have felt about the practice. I do not know if Dr. Perry knows how things are being handled by her staff and other doctors in the practice but I certainly hope she does not.

Today I called because my dog, a patient of Pawsitive Veterinary, was bleeding from her ears. The staff person who answered the phone told me they could not do anything because everybody was on lunch break until 5:00 PM and that they were booked for the day. It was 4:17 PM when I called. I told her that she was bleeding a lot and that I needed to go there immediately. She asked me to wait on hold until she spoke with the veterinarian (I do not which of the vets was there). She came back to the phone saying that the vet has said that I should go to an emergency facility. I then told her that it would be better if the vet saw her first to make sure this merit emergency room attention since emergency room care is so expensive. She said she could not do anything because they were not an emergency facility and that there was not staff available until 5:00. THEY WERE TAKING THEIR LUNCH BREAK. I told her that I did not understand this response since my dog is a patient of the practice and as I understand if something happens to my dog during office hours I need to take her to her vet first before going to the emergency room. She repeated she could not do anything. I then said that I would like to come at 5 pm to get my dog seen by the vet and she told me I could go but she did not know if I could be seen because they were booked for the day. Now, I would like to ask Dr. Perry, Dr. Mattson and Dr.Wardell, how is this possible? How can your staff be so insensitive to a patient's needs when they need them the most? How can you deny care to a dog that is your patient and needs you? This attitude is absolutely incomprehensible and unacceptable. How can I take my dog to a practice that does not show the least amount of compassion for her when she needs it the most? I encourage everyone looking for a vet for their dog to think about this when choosing the right vet for your dog. When I decided to come to this practice I thought I was going to find a practice that was compassionate and kind. Obviously, I was wrong. The place who was supposed to have the back of my dog when she needed it the most left her alone and let me scrambling to find someone to help me as fast as possible, Fortunately, through making some calls and talking to some experienced friends I was able to stop the bleeding and now she is better. Thank you for your lack of compassion and unkindness...

I chose this place based on positive reviews from the neighbors in the Ditmas Park, Midwood Park area when first looking for vets. I went with my older dog to see Dr. Perry, and liked the experience.

Fast forward, about a month later around March 2014, Perry was away at the time, and I saw the vet Chilla. In the room, the vet technician weighed my dog, which at the time was five months old, and about two pounds. I had with me, all the papers from the breeder so the vet can see what shots she's previously had. Chilla enters, (first time we meet) she's praising my dogs cuteness and high energy. All of a sudden I see a needle being removed from her body. It happened so fast. There was no discussion of "Hi, your dog is missing XYZ, etc." I asked what it was after and she tells me she needed one more shot. What that shot was she did not say. So in short she just gave my dog a vaccine without asking! Now what if I had no money for the vaccine, or had questions or concerns, nothing! I left the vet feeling uneasy about 1) not being given the choice as pet owner to decide if I want my dog to be given ANYTHING whether it be a shot, a treat, 2) To my understanding from the breeder and papers provided she was up to date.

Fast forward I got an evaluation done from a clinic which has a specialist, a neurologist that Pawsitive recommended. Emailed Chilla after the findings and not only did it go from I'm sorry I gave your dog a shot, but then it changed to "You probably didn't hear I was going to give her a shot." I am not a nonchalant owner. I ask questions especially when it comes to my fur baby and my actual child. In short I hate liars and people who do not like to take responsibility for their mistakes. My dog is still affected after a year later. Have not gotten an official apology from the main vet from this establishment or a follow up as to how my pet is doing. Like all places you might see a plethora of positive reviews but now I have learned to REALLY pay attention to the negative ones. Run...