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  3. A 100-year legacy of promoting animal health

A 100-year legacy of promoting animal health

Published on July 18, 2010
information-circle This article is more than 3 years old

Started in New York City in 1910, the Animal Medical Center is today reportedly the world's largest companion animal hospital and just as committed to providing compassionate care and preserving the human-animal bond as it was a century ago.

Read the accompanying JAVMA article "100 years later, hospital leads the way in veterinary medicine"

New York Women's League for Animals in 1910
Bruce Levingston and Spencer
Spencer undergoing surgery
Levingston holds Spencer after sugery
Dr. Joel Weltman and canine patient
Tina Santi Flaherty Rehabilitation and Fitness Service
Diagnostic imaging
Dr. Leyenda Harley and feline patient
Dr. Chick Weisse
Intubated cat
Underwater treadmill
Woman with canine patient
Dog with a nasal tumor
Dr. Ann E. Hohenhaus
Man with canine patient
Kathryn Coyne
Client and patient from Saint Lucia
Woman with guide dog patient
Susan Phillips Cohen
Interventional radiology
Vet and canine patient in a hallway
High-field mobile MRI
Reptile patient gets an injection
Animal Medical Center in 2010

New York Women's League for Animals in 1910

In 1910, the Women’s Auxiliary to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals opened a temporary clinic in New York City for pet owners unable to pay for veterinary care.

Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Animal Medical Center

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Bruce Levingston and Spencer

A century later, the clinic—now the Animal Medical Center—may be the world’s largest companion animal hospital. Among the recent patients was Spencer, owned by Bruce Levingston.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Spencer undergoing surgery

In late April, AMC veterinary surgeons removed a malignant bladder tumor from Spencer.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Levingston holds Spencer after sugery

Levingston holds his dog after surgery. Spencer was cancer-free as of July.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Dr. Joel Weltman and canine patient

Dr. Joel Weltman shuttles a patient back to its owner after checking the dog’s vital signs.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Tina Santi Flaherty Rehabilitation and Fitness Service

The AMC’s Tina Santi Flaherty Rehabilitation and Fitness Service puts pets on the road to recovery, thanks to a range of treatment options, including acupuncture and deep-tissue ultrasound.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Diagnostic imaging

AMC veterinarians have advanced imaging tools such as ultrasonography, fluoroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography to aid in speedy and accurate diagnoses.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Dr. Leyenda Harley and feline patient

This shy feline is chauffeured by Dr. Leyenda Harley to its next test.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Dr. Chick Weisse

Dr. Chick Weisse, an American College of Veterinary Surgeons diplomate, discusses a case with colleagues.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Intubated cat

This cat’s mystery illness had veterinary staff scratching their heads until they determined one of the animal’s lungs had failed.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Underwater treadmill

Peanut butter is a tasty distraction for this patient during a session on the underwater treadmill.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Woman with canine patient

Since the AMC opened its round-the-clock emergency clinic in 1970, the center’s doors have always been open.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Dog with a nasal tumor

Oncology is a major focus at the AMC, home of a fully dedicated animal cancer center. This dog’s owners were happy to keep their pet despite a nasal tumor that disfigured the animal’s face.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Dr. Ann E. Hohenhaus

Dr. Ann E. Hohenhaus, spokeswoman for the AMC, is an oncology and small animal internal medicine specialist at the hospital.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Man with canine patient

The human-animal bond is a powerful yet fragile connection championed by the veterinary profession.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Kathryn Coyne

Kathryn Coyne is chief executive officer of the AMC, which, in addition to being a veterinary hospital, is a nonprofit that offers community outreach programs for pet owners in the area.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Client and patient from Saint Lucia

The AMC is so widely known that some pet owners will travel long distances to receive veterinary care there. This client flew from Saint Lucia because his dog was having health problems.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Woman with guide dog patient

Guide dogs are treated at no cost at the center.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Susan Phillips Cohen

Susan Phillips Cohen, director of counseling at the center, offers grief therapy and supports clients as they navigate the emotional challenges of a dying pet.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Interventional radiology

Interventional radiology brings “human-level” care to veterinary medicine by allowing chemotherapy to be delivered in the fastest, most precise manner possible.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Vet and canine patient in a hallway

Like all New York City real estate, space at the AMC is at a premium. Hallways quickly become crowded with staff and patients.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

High-field mobile MRI

This high-field mobile MRI is the only one of its kind in NYC available for veterinary use.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Reptile patient gets an injection

AMC veterinarians treat a broad and interesting range of companion animal species—not all of them furry and warmblooded.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Animal Medical Center in 2010

Located on New York City’s Upper East Side, AMC employs 80 veterinarians who treat approximately 40,000 patients and handle some 18,000 emergency cases annually.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

New York Women's League for Animals in 1910

In 1910, the Women’s Auxiliary to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals opened a temporary clinic in New York City for pet owners unable to pay for veterinary care.

Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Animal Medical Center

Slide 1 of 24

Bruce Levingston and Spencer

A century later, the clinic—now the Animal Medical Center—may be the world’s largest companion animal hospital. Among the recent patients was Spencer, owned by Bruce Levingston.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 2 of 24

Spencer undergoing surgery

In late April, AMC veterinary surgeons removed a malignant bladder tumor from Spencer.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 3 of 24

Levingston holds Spencer after sugery

Levingston holds his dog after surgery. Spencer was cancer-free as of July.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 4 of 24

Dr. Joel Weltman and canine patient

Dr. Joel Weltman shuttles a patient back to its owner after checking the dog’s vital signs.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 5 of 24

Tina Santi Flaherty Rehabilitation and Fitness Service

The AMC’s Tina Santi Flaherty Rehabilitation and Fitness Service puts pets on the road to recovery, thanks to a range of treatment options, including acupuncture and deep-tissue ultrasound.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 6 of 24

Diagnostic imaging

AMC veterinarians have advanced imaging tools such as ultrasonography, fluoroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography to aid in speedy and accurate diagnoses.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 7 of 24

Dr. Leyenda Harley and feline patient

This shy feline is chauffeured by Dr. Leyenda Harley to its next test.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 8 of 24

Dr. Chick Weisse

Dr. Chick Weisse, an American College of Veterinary Surgeons diplomate, discusses a case with colleagues.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 9 of 24

Intubated cat

This cat’s mystery illness had veterinary staff scratching their heads until they determined one of the animal’s lungs had failed.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 10 of 24

Underwater treadmill

Peanut butter is a tasty distraction for this patient during a session on the underwater treadmill.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 11 of 24

Woman with canine patient

Since the AMC opened its round-the-clock emergency clinic in 1970, the center’s doors have always been open.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 12 of 24

Dog with a nasal tumor

Oncology is a major focus at the AMC, home of a fully dedicated animal cancer center. This dog’s owners were happy to keep their pet despite a nasal tumor that disfigured the animal’s face.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 13 of 24

Dr. Ann E. Hohenhaus

Dr. Ann E. Hohenhaus, spokeswoman for the AMC, is an oncology and small animal internal medicine specialist at the hospital.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 14 of 24

Man with canine patient

The human-animal bond is a powerful yet fragile connection championed by the veterinary profession.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 15 of 24

Kathryn Coyne

Kathryn Coyne is chief executive officer of the AMC, which, in addition to being a veterinary hospital, is a nonprofit that offers community outreach programs for pet owners in the area.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 16 of 24

Client and patient from Saint Lucia

The AMC is so widely known that some pet owners will travel long distances to receive veterinary care there. This client flew from Saint Lucia because his dog was having health problems.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 17 of 24

Woman with guide dog patient

Guide dogs are treated at no cost at the center.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 18 of 24

Susan Phillips Cohen

Susan Phillips Cohen, director of counseling at the center, offers grief therapy and supports clients as they navigate the emotional challenges of a dying pet.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 19 of 24

Interventional radiology

Interventional radiology brings “human-level” care to veterinary medicine by allowing chemotherapy to be delivered in the fastest, most precise manner possible.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 20 of 24

Vet and canine patient in a hallway

Like all New York City real estate, space at the AMC is at a premium. Hallways quickly become crowded with staff and patients.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 21 of 24

High-field mobile MRI

This high-field mobile MRI is the only one of its kind in NYC available for veterinary use.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 22 of 24

Reptile patient gets an injection

AMC veterinarians treat a broad and interesting range of companion animal species—not all of them furry and warmblooded.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 23 of 24

Animal Medical Center in 2010

Located on New York City’s Upper East Side, AMC employs 80 veterinarians who treat approximately 40,000 patients and handle some 18,000 emergency cases annually.

Photo credit: Photo by R. Scott Nolen

Slide 24 of 24

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