Area’s newest vet is a place where people can “sit” and “stay” by Kristen Bonardi Rapp Last summer, Heather Pamula was heading to the Inwood library when she saw a new veterinarian’s office had opened on Broadway near W. 204th Street. Her seven-year-old pug, Greta, had been going to a vet near Pamula’s office on the Upper West Side, but Pamula realized how much more convenient this new vet’s office could be and gave it a try. 
“When I brought her in, everyone – the receptionist, the vet tech, the vet – they all fawned all over Greta and rushed to pet her,” says Pamula. “It was the warmest experience I’ve ever had at a vet’s.” She’s not the only one with high praise for Inwood’s newest vet office, the Inwood Animal Clinic on 4846 Broadway. Inwood resident Paul Friman calls it “A godsend to Inwood.” Barbara Kennedy lives just two blocks from a Washington Heights veterinarian, but takes her dog, Mickey, to the Inwood Animal Clinic. Loretta Lorance brings her two Shiba Inus there as well, and describes it as “A professional, caring facility with a terrific staff and affordable rates.” The love, it seems, goes both ways. “People in the neighborhood are great,” says veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Tsung. “I’ve worked in a lot of places,” says Tsung, “and the people here are really friendly and take good care of their animals.” Along with her husband Dr. Derek Fried, the other half of the Inwood Animal Clinic veterinarian team, the office has a staff of five, and opened last July. Tsung says the clinic chose to open in Inwood, because with so many parks and so many dogs, Inwood “just really needed a vet.” With one exam room, the office is small but doesn’t feel cramped for space. The purple-walled waiting room is bright and warm, with the sun streaming in through a large window that faces Broadway. The entire clinic has a feeling of calm about it, which is precisely what Tsung is hoping for. “I don’t want this to ever be the kind of place where everyone’s just pushed through quickly,” she says, as she walks through the office. Beyond the patient areas is a small, well-stocked office filled with medications and prescription foods, while downstairs there is a table for dentistry care, several rows of cages, and a small surgery room. In addition to its veterinary services, Inwood Animal Clinic also has a dedicated space for pet grooming, which is offered on Thursdays and Saturdays. The number of patients varies from day to day, and Tsung says the clinic sees “anywhere from seven to 20” animals in a day – and not just dogs, either. The two vets also see cats, birds, snakes and reptiles, hamsters, gerbils and other “little pocket pets,” as Tsung calls them. “Our whole aim is to be a little community practice, where people can stop by, and have a chat,” Tsung says. “You know, like a ‘Cheers’ type of clinic,” she added referring to the old TV show that took place in a Boston bar. If Inwood Animal Clinic continues its success, it may well become the place where everybody knows your (dog’s) name. Inwood Animal Clinic 4846 Broadway, between Academy and W. 204th Streets 212-304-8387 www.inwoodanimalclinic.com
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