My only experiences with ASC were during non-standard hours when no other facility would have been open - for two separate feline emergencies involving senior cats and where euthanasia was foreseeable unless I chose instead to do expensive testing and treatment that would only have delayed the inevitable. On both occasions, I found every single staff member - without exception! - to be friendly, caring and professional. If euthanasia is inevitable and you choose to be with your beloved pet, this is where you want to be. It's done in a comfortable, pleasant and completely private setting where you take all the time you want to say goodbye to your precious pet, and you are allowed to remain in privacy afterward until you have composed yourself.

Dr. Richard Joseph and his team at the Animal Specialty Center in Yonkers, New York are as compassionate as they are skillful veterinarians. The Animal Specialty Center offers pet parents not only 24/7 emergency care for their pets but also provides access to board certified veterinary specialists in fields ranging from neurology to oncology to behavior and more. This rare group of advanced veterinary specialists works hard with each pet's general veterinarian to provide coordinated care, creating a complete team which includes everyone from vet technicians, pet parents, administrative staff and everyone involved with the pet's care. If the Animal Specialty Center had not been there, ready with an MRI and spinal tap for my Maltese Elliott on Thanksgiving weekend when he had encephalitis, my poor little dog would have come to a horrible, painful, premature end. Dr. Joseph and everyone at the Animal Specialty Center would not quit until they found the right mixture of drugs for my little one. Elliott gained many years of high quality life, running and playing with his dog friends, thanks to the quick response, skill and determination of these dedicated vets. This is only one example of a time when the Animal Specialty Center was there for my "boy." It is the most dramatic one. I am grateful for each and every kindness that has been shown to Elliott and to me by the staff at the Animal Specialty Center, from the hard working people at the front desk who answer the phone at 3am to the cashiers who patiently explain line items on bills after a long day to the vet techs who bravely handle my scared geriatric dog when he is not "himself" and, of course, Dr. Joseph, who seems to never rest. If your pet is in need of emergency or advanced medical care and you are near the Animal Specialty Center, I highly recommend this fine team of caring veterinary professionals.

Our lab, Bailey, had been diagnosed by our local veterinarian with an unknown neurological issue which came on quite suddenly. He referred us to Dr. Joseph at the Animal Specialty Center. From the moment we arrived, the entire staff was helpful and caring. After examining Bailey and determining the seriousness of his condition, we were given a clear and thoughtful explanation of the options before us, without judgement. Ultimately we decided to proceed with the MRI and eventual surgery which was done very late that night. I am happy to report that two weeks after spinal surgery to repair his ruptured disk, Bailey is doing great and well on his way to making a full recovery. Throughout the entire process ASC proactively kept us informed of his progress and encouraged us to visit him during recovery. We never felt rushed and all our questions were answered. Each and every person we encountered at ASC genuinely cared for Bailey and treated him as if he was their own. I would highly recommend Dr. Joseph, Dr. Berg, and the entire team at ASC. As difficult and stressful as situation as this was, we feel lucky to have had Bailey in their care.

Totally disgusted with the way this practice is run. Every time they offered a treatment for my beloved pet I had to pay before. I have NEVER been to a practice where I was charged multiple times in one visit. Find another place to go to

This place is a complete rip off in our view. The vet there told us she was going to perform a very simple 5-10 minute ultrasound on our dog. She then came back and said our dog needed surgery that would cost $4,000. We said no because we thought this was extremely excessive for this procedure. When we went to leave, we were hit with a $450 charge for what we were told was a simple and quick ultrasound. We were not told beforehand that this was the cost. In speaking with the cashier then and later that day someone in accounts, they both told us the vet was required to tell us ahead of time what the cost of the ultrasound would be and they were both shocked this did not happen. We tried resolving this with the people who run this place and they lied about what their policy is, were misleading and completely unsympathetic. We filed a fraud claim with our bank and look forward to getting our money back from this place. I strongly suggest that you DO NOT bring any of your animals here.