by Jennifer Marino
Ahern says that without Dr. Patricia Squillace Cleary the puppies wouldn't be alive. Dr. Pat, as she is known to her clients, is a veterinarian who does house calls. So she was available on a Sunday afternoon to drop her plans and help with the emergency delivery of the puppies. Also helping with the deliveries was an assistant and dog groomer named Alexandra.
It was not an easy delivery. One puppy was delivered breach and another wasn't breathing, but they all survived.
Ahern has four dogs that Dr. Pat takes care of including Lady, the mother of the puppies, Heidi, a Yorkshire Terrier, Oliver, a Shih Tzu and Alexandra Patricia, known as Alex.
Dr. Pat, 52, has been doing house calls for 19 years and she's had her share of stories. She once arrived at a clients house to find the woman's husband having a heart attack. She helped take care of their dogs and assisted them in getting to the hospital.
Another time, it took her 45 minutes just to find her patient. Dr. Pat and the owner searched the house including the basement and the attic rafters until they finally found the cat.
Growing up in Rockville Centre, Cleary always had an interest in medicine, both of her parents were doctors. Her career started in upstate New York "cow practice." Since cows can't hop in the back of the family car for a trip to the vet, it was a house call practice. Cleary says she liked sitting down and having coffee with her clients. It was friendly and relaxed.
When she moved back to Rockville Centre it made sense for her to do house calls since starting a practice in an office is expensive.
She says in-house treatment benefits the animals and the owners. The animals are usually more relaxed. "I try to make it a positive experience," said Cleary, adding that she'll sometimes take the dog for a walk first.
When it is time for an animal to be euthanized, it makes a difference for it to happen at home, said Clearly. Most of her house calls are for well-care or regular check-ups.
Client Pat Beck says that her two Scottish Terriers are actually happy to see Cleary, who has taken care of them for over 10 years. Beck had the experience of having one of her dogs die in her home. Dr. Pat got out of bed to come over to the house and remove the dog. Beck said that the vet also sent a sympathy card on the loss of their beloved pet.
"She's the best," said Beck.
Owners, especially busy moms, appreciate the convenience of a house call vet. Plus, many clients have several pets so they don't have to put three and four dogs in the car. Cleary herself has three dogs and her daughter has a tiny Chihuahua.
An interest in animals seems to run in the family. Cleary's husband, Neal, is the chief examining veterinarian for the New York Racing Association. The two vets have 25 year-old twins, Erica and Michael. Erica is currently on her way to becoming a vet too.
Cleary likens her house calls to a small-town practice. She is affiliated with Island Park Animal Hospital and also works at Antelyes Animal Hospital in Middle Village, Queens.
She says her house calls have been "the most rewarding years of my life because my house call clients are like my family."
Her clients return the compliment. "I wish she was a people doctor," said Beck.
