Heart of Chelsea Animal Hospital

You leave this vet feeling like you have just been robbed. It is very apparent that all they care about is making money. They make you do unnecessary tests and to say they over-charge would be a complete understatement. Cons: Very expensive more

To start off, I first went to Heart of Chelsea based on the reviews offered here on CitySearch, which I have now realized must be completely false. 71 reviews for one vet in New York City? Common, most vets on CitySearch, even those superior to Heart of Chelsea, have an average of 3 or 4 reviews. Might I say they are also provided by more than one-time reviewers. In fact, my experience with Heart of Chelsea motivated me to comment here for the first time. Pros: A nice walk there. Cons: Exorbitant prices combined with a fake, money-hungry staff. more

I have been to many vets (and many doctors, for that matter), but none compare to Dr. Cohen at Heart of Chelsea!! I got my puppy on the evening of June 25, 2008, and had scheduled a new puppy exam for the following day. I provided her with the medical records I was given for my pup, which showed that he had been de-wormed 4 times (the last being 2 days prior) and had already had all his initial vaccinations. He was becoming sickly by then, and Dr. Cohen diagnosed him with Giardia and told me to call if he wasn't getting better, especially because he's a little guy at only 3 lbs. Unfortunately, he didn't get better so I called and left a message at the hospital. Dr. Cohen called me back within 10 minutes and told me to bring him in the next day. After another pack of subcutaneous fluids and day of force-feeding, he still wasn't getting better. I texted back and forth with Dr. Cohen all night. From my description via text alone, she was able to diagnose him with Parvo and had him come in for the lab test first thing and even opened the hospital early. The test was very positive, and she immediately had me take him to Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialists where he was put in 24-hour isolation. Because of Dr. Cohen's attention to detail, love for pets, and wonderful recommendation to FAVS, my puppy is now alive and very well! Upon investigation, I discovered the medical records supplied for my puppy at purchase were completely fabricated and that my pup had never had any vaccinations or de-worming. Most doctors and vets eliminate a disease/cause before having enough information, while Dr. Cohen explores all possibilities for illness despite having information that contradicts diagnosis (having had all vaccines +), which is exactly what you need--especially when time is working against you (as it often does when your pet is extremely ill)! Pros: EVERYTHING--Dr. Cohen, friendly & attentive office staff, services, diagnostics more

I just recently got my 8 week old puppy from a rescue center and when i got him, he was very sick and tired. I took him to heart of chelsea (following the other reviews on this site) and they cured him! The reception was extremely friendly and knowledgeable (i felt like they could have been doctors too from the phone conversation i had) and was able to get me appt that same day i called. The assistants were very friendly and the doctor herself was amazing. I took my puppy home that night and he was bouncing around healthy and happy as can be! They also went a step further, my baby pup had some behavior issues and i called them because i really didn't know where to go, and they provided me tips and even gave me 2 trainers numbers. I just had my first training session with my pup and i swear he's like a changed pup! he stopped barking and everything and he's even started to understand the concept of housetraining. Pros: extrenely attentive friendly, they go above and beyond Cons: a little pricey, but they work with you more

Hi -my name is Maxie, I am a 13 year old english bulldog who loves coming to the Heart of Chelsea Vet. The last few years I have developed a few problems, as any senior citizen might and I have been treated like royalty by the staff and doctors. Dr. Siebert does acupuncture on me weekly and it helps my arthritis a lot. I feel much better when I leave and friskier too. The entire staff makes me feel welcome and the atmosphere is always good. The reception desk folk are always friendly and helpful and one good thing that I did not find at my last vet, is that they always call and check in every few days to see if I am in tip top shape or if anything is wrong. Now, that's service! Well I have to give this place 5 stars and recommend it to all my dog and cat friends...and their moms and dads too. By the way, my dad, Pete agrees . Pros: Service, Care, Friendly staff more

Very caring and patient doctors and staff who answered all our questions and gave us solid tips on raising our first puppy. Highly recommended! Pros: Caring, knowledgeable doctors and staff more

I had heard about Heart of Chelsea right when I moved to NY but feared it was going to be too expensive. I actually originally took my cats to the Downtown Vet Clinic but I didn't like the vibe there or the fact that it was sort of a one-person shop. When one of my cats scratched the other's cornea, I called Downtown Vet Clinic and they said they were closed (it was 5:10), so I called Heart of Chelsea. They were so sweet and supportive and my cat was seen right away. Downtown Vet Clinic had told me that both my cats' teeth needed cleaning and I went ahead and made the appointment there. But the morning of the appointment (which was for 9 am - I had to be somewhere by 10), when it was POURING rain, their gate was closed and they didn't answer the phone. My cat and I waited it out in the rain for about a half hour, then went home. Later, someone called and said they'd opened late that day because traffic was bad. But as soon as I took my cat to Heart of Chelsea, I knew I wanted them to clean my cats' teeth. I told them about my concerns about the cost and they went through the estimate and explained what was absolutely necessary to potentially cut down on the expense. I'm thrilled to have found them. more

I moved to New York City from Washington, DC, and was worried about finding a vet that could compare to my vet in DC (Friendship Hospital for Animals). I looked through the reviewed hospitals on Citysearch and saw how highly recommended Heart of Chelsea came, so I made an appointment for my dog. They were very friendly and, as far as prices in New York City are concerned, fairly comparable. A few months after my initial visit, my dog had a strange growth on her leg and I took her in to see a vet immediately. It turned out to be a benign tumor, and Dr. Cohen and the rest of the staff treated my Annie as if she were their own. When it turned out to be incredibly expensive, they worked with me to get the price down and to work out a payment plan. I couldn't be happier with the service I received at Heart of Chelsea, and I will miss them as I no longer live in New York! Pros: Friendly, Competent, Intelligent, Overall superior care Cons: Can't think of any more

I can't say enough good things. Very clean, reasonable wait time, professional and friendly at the reception desk and on the phone. I have strongly recommended HOC to everyone who asks me where I take my dog for healthcare. Pros: They understand how much you love your pet Cons: Wish they were open on Sundays! more

I took my two pomeranians to Heart of chelsea and the vets are very nice and kind to the animals who come there but the waiting area is very small and when I went there it was a very angry dog in the same waiting room. It made my dogs very uncomfortable to have to sit so close to other dogs (Not the place to go if your dog/cat is not use to other animals.) Pros: Nothing i can think of Cons: crowded place,very costly-overpriced products! hustling staff that will add on things to your bill without asking!! more

Never before have I experienced such a wonderful experience with a vet as I have with Heart of Chelsea. The staff is warm, kind-hearted and extremely dedicated. They are extremely sensitive to their clients, especially when it matters most (such as in extreme circumstances like putting an animal down). Pros: Open on Saturdays, efficient turnover... wait is never very long more

This vet was amazing. This is my first animal that I've actually had to take care of and I was terrified to take my ""child"" to the vet. Especially when you hear of all the horror stories of vets trying to ""take"" you. These guys were compasionate, very nice, understood the constraint of my wallet and always put my cat's first. They have even called several times to follow up and see how he was doing! They truely love animals here and aren't just out for money! HIGHLY Recommended!!!!!!! more

I recently moved to NYC from FL with my Dachshund/Chihuahua mix Gus and needed to find a new vet. I consulted friends & scoured the internet, reading review after review hoping to find the best place to bring my four-legged friend. After reading a plethora of positive and rave reviews on Citysearch, I decided to go with Heart of Chelsea Animal Hospital (HOCAH). When I called, I was pleasantly surprised to get an appointment within the next 10 days with Dr. Lara Cohen. Upon my 9am arrival at HOCAH, a cheery face from behind the front desk greeted me. The office was clean and professional. I was taken into the exam room and waited briefly for Dr. Cohen to arrive. Gus' exam was filled with routine questions from Dr. Cohen, as well as pleasant conversation about how my FL boy was enjoying NYC. Dr. Cohen was extremely professional and took a personal interest in Gus. It is evident that she is an animal lover and takes great care and pride in what she does. Every animal is unique and she gives that personal attention to each and every one of her patients. I was called the next day after my appointment to inform me that Gus' stool sample was clear and to thank me for coming into HOCAH. I highly recommend HOCAH to anyone who wants to give their pet the best veterinary care in the city. They lived up to all the rave reviews I read on this site and I feel lucky to have found such a great vet in the city. Gus and I can't wait to go back to see all our new friends at Heart of Chelsea Animal Hospital! Pros: Great Hours, Personal Attention Cons: Can't Think of One more

I recently found Heart of Chelsea online and WOW! I cannot stop sharing my truly wonderful experience with everyone. I walked in with my 7 year old anxiety ridden, barking, growling dog 10lb. dog and everyone we encountered was so warm and accommodating. They made every effort to move us swiftly to a room where we would be comfortable. I did not feel like I was being pushed through our appointment and that they were genuinely interested in my Rambo. Dr. Cohen gave me unlimited time to share concerns about my dog's behavioral/anxiety issues and offered solutions. Since then Rambo has gone back for a teeth cleaning and after both visits Dr. Cohen personally called to follow up. Pros: Genuine Love of Animals more

After a traumatizing and terrible experience over at Lexington Veterinary Group with Dr Steven Silvers, I went to the vet that my pet store (Parrots and Pups) recommended from the start, Heart of Chelsea located on 18th and 8th. From the minute you walk in, you can tell you are in a top notch place and in safe hands. The place is run to a tee- never have I called and the phone rang more than once before someone's cheery voice answered. The office is always full with friendly, professional staff and though I have had appointments with all the doctors, I must say that my favorite is Dr Lara Cohen. She is so fun, kind, experienced and the dogs are always thrilled to see her. She has a calmness, easy going way about her but she is on point with every detailed examination she gives. I have been to other vets offices that are cold and sterile, but Heart of Chelsea is really filled with love. Everytime I go in there, parents of the puppies and cats are talking to eachother, not just sitting there hands folded in lap waiting to be called. People even stop by with their pets as they go on their usual walks because it is just that kind of place, a neighborhood place. All the ladies behind the reception desk are wizards at how they remember all the animals names. So again- I can not emphasis how happy I am with Heart of Chelsea. They are on my speed dial on my phone and they are willing to answer any question at anytime. They are wonderful, but don't take my word for it, just stop by and you will see the place is filled with professional, happy pet owners who want the best for their animals. Go try it out for yourself and you will see. PS- If you forget Dr Cohen's name when you call to make the appoinment- just ask for the doctor with the amazing mermaid like long curly blond hair. She is the best!!!! more

My dog is a complete lemon, and seemed to have several problems his first year. At one point we were considering leaving Heart of Chelsea, but then we met Dr. Cohen. Besides being very professional, trustworthy, she is very loyal and dedicated to the pets. She is very funny and makes going the vet somewhat entertaining. I highly recommend her to anyone who wants a more personable experience at the vet. Pros: Pretty easy location Cons: Some doctors seem to be moody. more

Two years ago I switched to Heart of Chelsea because my other vet kept trying to get me to spend a lot of money, yet got impatient when I had billing questions. ($4,000 for an MRI because my dog lightly knocked her head playing? Are you serious?) I switched to Heart of Chelsea after a breeder recommended them as the best she'd ever seen in New York. She was right. The Front Desk is ALWAYS friendly -- they are smart, they answer questions thoroughly and with a smile. They laugh with each other, showing they enjoy being there. One of the reasons they're so good is they schedule appointments well: the waiting room is never overcrowded, so the staff isn't overwhelmed. Consequently, they have time to pay attention to my pet and me. The facilities are very clean, costs are reasonable, and I can get an appointment easily with their convenient hours. When something is wrong, the vet offers lower priced options before immediately insisting on high-priced surgery. I'm never made to feel guilty about asking 'how much?' -- as if only bad, bad masters care about cost. One last thing: at Heart of Chelsea, even the helpers have class. At my old vet, the staff looked like THEY'D been rescued... from a Reform School! Pros: Staff, Hours, Good Treats more

I import my dog from Taiwan with all the vaccination record (bi-lingually) and visited them to get a vaccination for my 4 months old puppy. They told me they don't understand the language and wanted to give the first Rabies shot ($40.50) again in two days while I was asking for the third DA2PP shot. Regardless the nurse tried to write down the medicine my dog SHOULD take automatically (Because I'd rather apply Revolution on my dog's skin instead of letting a puppy to take any medicine to prevent flees or heart worm disease for allergy consideration) without asking the owner, me?hello?, if my dog needs it or not! I was almost screaming then she stopped. So the VET came in, trying to tell me that she doesn't understand the record and needs my dog to take the first Rabies shot in order to get an American sticker on the record so all the vets in the US could understand.\r \r If that's the case, how can I import my dog when the US Custom has no problem with all the records I provided? more

I followed a wonderful vet here, Dr. Lara Cohen. She saved two of my cats lives, has specialty training, and is the most caring vet I have ever had. I felt the prices at Heart of Chelsea were extremely high from the get-go, but I paid them because I had complete faith in Dr. Cohen. Cons: small waiting area, through the roof prices, run like a business more

I only have positive things to say about the care my dog received at Heart of Chelsea. Dr. Nguyen is extremely caring, thorough with his examinations, and follows up after appointments. The staff has always been very friendly and helpful. The hours are convenient, and I have never had trouble getting an appointment. I highly recommend Heart of Chelsea for veterinary care. more