Exotic Pet Vet Laurie Hess Debuts on Animal Planet

Dec. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- Bedford Hills, NY -- To celebrate her debut on television’s Animal Planet, Bedford Hills bird and exotics veterinarian Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice), hosted a red carpet event, “Critters, Cable and Cocktails,” on December 11, 2010 at her Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics in Bedford Hills, New York. A group of 60 owners of birds and exotic pets gathered to celebrate and watch Dr. Hess on two hour-long episodes of Pets 101, Peculiar Pets and Little Pets.  Both programs will air through December.

Dr. Hess, one of only about 130 bird specialists in the world and founder of the only American Animal Hospital Association-accredited bird and exotics specialty referral hospital in New York State, introduced party guests and television viewers to a menagerie of unusual and small pets, including a pet pig, pygmy goat, capybara, skunk, gecko, and ferret. She was joined on the show by several special animal and exotic pet owners.  

The 2,000-sq. ft. Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics opened its doors to birds, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, chinchillas, smaller rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and less commonly seen exotic species in February 2010. Designed with the special needs of exotic pets in mind, the Veterinary Center strives to educate exotic pet owners about the preventive, medical, and surgical care for birds and exotic pets. Care offered by the Veterinary Center includes preventative health care and wellness check-ups, new pet examinations, grooming, diagnostic services, surgery, geriatric care, dental care, hospitalization, and emergency services. Behavior counseling for and nutrition of exotics and birds are among Dr. Hess’ specialties. The Center’s 3000 plus patients travel from the tri-state region and Pennsylvania for its specialized care.

Dr. Laurie Hess has over 16 years of experience in caring for exotic pets. She is board-certified by the American Board of Avian Practitioners in avian medicine and served as President of the Association of Avian Veterinarians from 2009-2010. A summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Yale University, Dr. Hess received her veterinary medical degree from Tufts University. She completed an internship and residency in avian and exotic pet medicine and surgery at the world-renowned Animal Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Hess has lectured both nationally and internationally about exotic pet care and has published numerous articles and book chapters on birds and other exotic species. She is a senior editor of the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery and a guest editor of the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine, Veterinary Clinics of North America (Exotic Animal Series), and Exotic DVM Magazine. Hess has been featured on 48 Hours (CBS), Fox Business News and in The New York Times.  In addition, she was recognized as one of New York Magazine’s “Best Vets.”

The Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics is located at 709 Bedford Road, Bedford Hills, NY 10507, telephone (914) 864-1414, www.avianexoticsvet.com. The Veterinary Center and Dr. Hess can be followed on Twitter - birdexoticvet and Facebook - Veterinary Center for Birds and Exotics.

Press Contact:
Kimberly Sawicki
Co-Communications
914-666-0066
kim@cocommunications.com

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About the Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics
Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics, under the direction of Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice), has been caring for birds, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, chinchillas, smaller rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and less commonly seen exotic species since February 2010. Designed with the special needs of exotic pets in mind, the Veterinary Center strives to educate pet owners about the preventive, medical, and surgical care for birds and exotic pets and to care for birds and exotic pets in a state-of-the-art setting of the highest quality. The Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics strives to care for, protect, and ensure the humane and ethical treatment of all birds and exotic animal species.