Heart of Harlem Veterinary Clinic

C

2024-04

I decided to patronize this vet based on a recommendation. It was an easy sell because they are walking distance. My first visit was to get my pups shots and a general exam. The scheduling was super easy and they were great. Very friendly and knowledgable. However, they forgot to give her one of the shots i paid for. I got a call later that evening and had to go back to get the shot another day. My second official visit was for a second round of shots. It was a bit strange, the vet-tech was making all of these suggestions and attempting to get me to add additional services. And it was a moment before i realized she wasn't the actual vet. It was during this visit they notified me of their grooming services. They told me she would be good to go a few weeks after her last shots. Fast forward a few months later. I have given up on my attempts to cut her hair myself and decided to seek professional help. I called to schedule an appointment. The young lady that answered the phone tells me that while most places don't require it, they require a flu shot and a booster to provide grooming services. So while that is ridiculous, I was less concerned about the actual policy and more concerned with the fact that they were either 1) attempting to get more money for services 2) changed their policy in the few months since my last appointment. The receptionist informed me that was not a new policy and when i inquired about why that was listed as a requirement previously, she said she had no idea who i spoke to but that was what it was. A fully vaxed dog cant get groomed at the groomer? And you are forcing unnecessary flu shots on my dog. That is beyond ridiculous not to mention we could have had this done ages ago if i was properly informed the first time i inquired. Now, i will continue to patronize them for her annual since they are so close and the actual vets are great. However, I would not recommend them to a loved one and won't be doing anything extra with them.

Michael Davise

2024-03

They took good care of my cat. We’re going through the process of moving her to Japan with us. since Japan is a rabies free country there is lots of shots and paperwork that must be done perfectly for Japan to accept her.I recommend these vets to take care of your pet if you’re moving internationally. The price was reasonable for the services offered.

Robert Copeland

2023-10

Every staff member, veterinary assistant and vet I interacted with was highly professional, friendly, gentle, knowledgeable and helpful in explaining my sweet boy's (rat terrier) condition and recommended course of treatment. I've found the best available veterinary care for my fur child and I can't put a price tag on that. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Tyshema Green

2024-04

I can't thank Dr. Sola and his staff, especially Kaitlin and Taesha enough. After my Senior pup started showing some serious signs of illness. I rushed her to an emergency animal Hospital in lower Manhattan around 3am in the morning. My Winter was diagnosed with a closed pyrometra (a uterus full of pus). If it ruptured it would have killed her..She needed immediate surgery. The cost was extremely high at the Emergency Hospital. I had a 3 hour wait until our vet open. Once 9am arrived before I could call, Kaitlin called me. We discussed the price. I arrived, Taesha answered all of my questions and Dr. Sola worked his magic. They saved my Winter 's life. I will be forever grateful. There is no words to express how impressed I was with their service. I Always loved taking my dog's here for routine check ups, their service is very good but had no idea they dealt with emergencies. Great work Guys I thank you from the bottom of my ❤️

CNiambi Steele

2023-05

My pet suffered an injury to her ear, and two days later, it was still bleeding & needed surgery that day! I was seen within two hours; her ear was sewn up, and she had pain medication and oral antibiotics for 14 days ... her follow-up to remove the stitches went seamlessly ... they are very accommodating professionals and nice.

Imnet Yebio

2024-02

They’re amazing. You can really tell the people here actually care about animals and it’s not just about money. I first went to Heart of Harlem when my senior dog, who had kidney disease, needed to be hospitalized because he was end-stage. It was a very difficult and emotional time for me, and everyone was so kind and understanding. When I adopted a new dog, I took him to Heart of Harlem and Dr. Sola remembered my older dog and we hugged. I want to give a shout out to Kelani, Venessa and Karina, who were all extremely helpful when I wanted to take my new dog with me on a trip . I tend to be a little neurotic and ask a lot of questions but they were completely patient when answering me. I will continue to come to themfor many years to come, and I wholeheartedly recommend them. They really do try to work with you.P.S. Always remember to be kind to frontline staff who work at vet offices. I know we sometimes come to them when we are scared and in a dire situation, but remember that they really are trying to help us and do their job.

Reed Turner

2023-12

Heart of Harlem is the best vet I’ve taken my dogs to. Everyone who works there is so kind, helpful, and cares about what they are doing. Dr. Sola and the vet techs are so patient with my anxious dog. The front desk staff is alway welcoming. I’ve brought my dogs here for a few years now, and every visit has been a great experience.

Quanisha B.

2024-04

My 4 month old Sphinx kitten Waldo had an infection and ear infection. They took very good care of him. The staff was amazingly nice.

Denise Guzman

2023-10

My pet Travis had an ear infection, they gave me precise instructions on what I needed to do. The prices were reasonable and affordable in my opinion. The staffs are friendly and helped me when I had questions and concerns. Dr. Sola and staff are truly amazing and had so much patiences with my dog (he hates when anyone touch his ears & doesn’t like to be touch by people he doesn’t know). They made sure everything in the room was clean before they took us inside. And the service is pretty fast we were done in an hour for both visits! Will definitely come again if anything happens!

Trang Bui

2021-05

It’s already a nervous experience to send my baby Dune in for rabies shot at the time like this. It was her very first time at the vet and she had to be by herself. But, when I came to pick her up, she had big smile on her face and that made her mama really relieved. The staffs are friendly, understanding and efficiently explained to me the procedures. They are communicative with any extra things I need to know. They reached out to me afterwards about her test result and check up on her healthy for any allergies. All in all, of course I don’t want to see them often but when I do, I know Dune is in good hand.

Konstantin Gutnichenko

2019-05

Please note that this should be treated as two separate reviews: a four star review for the doctor and vet staff, who were wonderful, and a two star review for the in-house groomer.First, let's start with the good. I made an appointment here after taking in a former roommate's dog from when I used to live in Maryland. I wanted to establish a relationship with a local vet, and HOH happened to be a short walk from my apartment. From the very start of my interactions with the desk staff, I was impressed with how polite and professional everyone was. They were able to accommodate my last minute request to reschedule the appointment, and when I did come in everyone was gentle and efficient while caring for my dog. The doctor was very diligent in his exam, even catching a very slight heart murmur that her previous vet missed. I look forward to coming here as long as I live in the city for all of my dog's care. The only thing keeping me from a glowing five star review of the vet services is the price, which is quite high. However, I'm not sure how fair it is to compare NYC and Maryland prices, as I'm sure the overhead is more expensive here, which would raise the price of care.Now, the bad. When I heard that there was grooming services available, I decided to try that too. The woman who came out to greet me seemed very nice and friendly, though it was a bit hard to understand her accent. As a first generation immigrant myself, I can understand that sometimes communication can be difficult in your second language. To make things easier, I decided to not only say what I wanted ( a "puppy cut", which for cavalier king charles spaniels translates to a shorter, more practical version of the traditional hairstyle) but also to show her a picture on my phone. Satisfied that I had made myself clear, I left the clinic. When I came to pick up my dog, I found that she had been sheared to one consistent length all over. When I mentioned that this was not what I had asked for, the groomer apologized and said something about needing to de-shed her. While I'm sure this all comes down to a misunderstanding, I can't help but feel somehow cheated when the most expensive grooming I have ever bought also turned out to be one of the worst. I am attaching the picture that I showed on my phone (from google images) along with a photo of the actual haircut I got. While the groomer seemed to be very good with my dog, and there wasn't any injury or malice in this mistake, I can't imagine myself trusting this establishment for grooming ever again.

Allyson S. Roldan

2020-05

Heart of Harlem has a wide variety of services available; an attentive, knowledgeable and professional staff; and a calm, family-like atmosphere. Our boy-pup had an excellent first visit and was comfortable throughout his appointment. That Dr. Sola and his team love their work is clearly evident in the care taken with each client. We are completely confident in the services they provide, and are pleased and proud to highly recommend Heart of Harlem Veterinary Clinic.

Hannah Bidigare-Curtis

2023-09

Going to this vet for the last year and a half has been one of the most frustrating experiences of my life, and I will not be going to them anymore. I have experience working at vet clinics and I’ve taken my pets to numerous veterinarians over the years in both Ohio and New York, and I can tell you that Heart of Harlem is the worst clinic I’ve ever experienced. Their treatment and testing recommendations don’t make sense, and their veterinarians can’t actually explain the medical reasons behind what they recommend. It’s impossible to decipher what’s actually necessary from the hundreds or thousands of dollars they are telling you to spend for what often turn out to be simple issues. The last straw was my dog felt ill, we took her in and she vomited up aluminum foil that she had eaten on the street, then she was fine. They proceeded to insist that we needed to spend over $1,800 for an overnight hospitalization, medications, and testing. The staff and I argued about this, and they were very unprofessional. I took her home and told them I would not be going to them anymore since it has consistently seemed like their one goal is to make money. Don’t bring your pet here.

Anja Harmon

2022-05

We've been going to Heart of Harlem Vet Clinic for over 5 years. We have a French Bulldog / Boston Terrier mix and Dr. Sola and the staff at HoH have taken great care of her! They are kind, thorough and make sure to give pricing before any procedures are done. They also take a wide range of pet insurances. The only reason I'm giving this place 4 stars is because during the Pandemic, the office was a bit disorganized. My dog got sick in October of 2020 and so I dropped her off multiple times to be seen and checked out. Often we'd have to wait 6 hours between drop off and pick up and when we got her back the doctor would have only partially looked her over (because we weren't there to reinforce the multiple things she was being seen for). So for instance, she'd be sent home with an anti-diarrheal medication but the doctor would have forgotten to look at her ears (which were inflamed/infected). I totally understand and actually applaud Dr. Sola and his team for implementing strong COVID precautions to keep everyone safe. However, I do believe a few things fell between the cracks. That being said, if you are a pet owner in Harlem, this is a wonderful Vet clinic and I'd highly recommend them.

Jennifer Corcoran

2023-07

We moved to Heart of Harlem during the pandemic when Uptown Vets (which at that point was Banfield Hospital) had no available appointments and with Dr. Obernesser gone, it wasn't the same anyway. Our dog has some issues and the staff here is very caring and understanding of him. They communicated well with a specialist vet we consulted with so that his medications were uninterrupted.They still have the drop-off policy, but I trust them with my dog and it allows me to go on with my day even if they are backed up - it's better than sitting in the waiting room.If you're looking for a vet, I recommend Heart of Harlem.

Drew

2024-01

They were very helpful getting the dog I was sitting cared for. I felt very comfortable in the office and I got seen even though I knew it was a last-minute thing.

Anne O

2020-05

The team at Heart of Harlem are professional, caring and thoughtful. They are genuine pet lovers. My dog, who can be anxious around strangers, actually speeds up when he realizes we're heading to the vet! They take really good care of him when he's there for a check up or treatment. They also offer day care, which I've signed up for, which is the best value in Harlem. I highly recommend Dr. Luis Sola and his team. If you want the best care for your pet, then this is the place for you.

Aimee Jimenez

2023-09

My experience here was okay. The front staff were okay, some were kind and helpful. My only problem with this place is that they still do COVID protocols which means you have to drop your pet off & you can’t be with your pet for emotional support. I honestly felt like some of the vets like to gatekeep information and will talk about your pet's health information in the waiting room while everyone can hear your business. Nurse Daphne was very helpful over the phone. But I feel like they overcharged me and didn’t help give me information about my dog. I asked one of the vets about renal diet home cook meals and he seemed to not know either and recommended I go to a website where to have to pay?! What vet doesn’t know any nutritional plans? I have to google kidney care diets for my dog. Overall, my experience here was 50/50.

Amanda Perry

2018-05

Dr. Sola and the team at Heart of Harlem are truly kind, compassionate, animal-loving people. My puppy gets to the door and doesn't look back at me as he runs to join the other dogs at daycare. With all of Barney's ups, downs, and emergencies, they keep me updated and well-informed. I know he's in good hands when he's here.

Robin Gibbs

2020-05

My dog Minx was very comfortable once we arrived at HHVC. She roamed around freely wagging her tail. The staff was super friendly and caring towards my Minx. This clinic smelled very fresh and was very clean. The waiting area is warm and cozy! We will visit again!

Carmello Baez

2023-10

my dog has seasonal allergies and he was suffering more than ever this year, we needed a check up asap after moving across country. the staff here were amazing with my boy (rocky), they explained everything and offered affordable options. this will be our go to from now on. thank you guys again. ( and his skin is already clearing up!)

Christine Rondina

2023-10

Dr. Sola and Kevin were very caring and kind. Everything was explained clearly and costs were preemptively given. Kevin helped out with all of my questions and concerns and was such an angel. Their professional and friendly care exceeded my expectations and experiences at other vet offices in the area. My dog went in for a routine checkup and nail clip and they found a broken tooth that had apparently been there for a while. Dr. Sola explained the recommended treatment and gave me an estimate of costs. Lovely human beings who really care about animals and their wellbeing. I’m happy to be a new client and my dog, Nox, made some new friends. Highly recommend.Edit: Julissa is awesome as well! My doggo is very important and the staff here don’t make me feel the need to make that clear; They treat them as such on principle. They’re a bit pricey compared to other clinics but you get what you pay for. As i mentioned, my dog had a broken tooth that his previous vet missed for years but Dr. Sola found within minutes of his wellness exam. They also gave me a discount on my estimate for a dental extraction which included an in-depth, itemized invoice. I wish I had found this place sooner.xoxo thank you!

Richard Lurie

2024-02

Friendly staff, great service, would meow and bark again.

Viktor Kristensen

2023-07

Many clinics, animal hospitals, etc, don't give the extra care and attention and personalization that can sometimes mean the difference between a healthy pet and an ill pet as well as Heart of Harlem. They were careful to make sure I understood all of the variables, and ensured that my dog was healthy at the end of the treatment. Very kind and efficient and effective. Great clinic.

T Lo

2024-02

My cats receive excellent medical care. They are professional and friendly. I recommend Heart of Harlem Vetinary.

Elizabeth Martin

2020-05

Top notch!!!I rescued Larson (my adorable retired medical research Beagle) in November 2018. Having lived the first 11 months of his life in a laboratory, I am determined to make him forget his unfortunate start in this world and give him the best life possible. I tried several daycare and dog walking services but was sadly disappointed by most of them. I met a fellow dog mom at the St. Nicholas dog run who highly recommended HOH. I stopped in to check it out and was immediately impressed with the friendliness of the staff and the cleanliness of the facility. I had to bring Larson in for an evaluation and appreciated the due diligence they take to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all of the dogs. He is a very sweet boy, so he passed with flying colors.The entire staff at HOH is wonderful - Dr. Sola, the receptionists, licensed veterinary nurses, assistants, groomers and all of the pet care team members. Communication is key and the staff was completely transparent in letting me know if anything unusual happened during the day and I would receive daily updates via text or email with pictures and videos (one of my favorite photos was taken at HoH).Another great thing about HOH is that it is a one-stop-shop for all of your pet care needs: daycare, boarding, dental, grooming and medical services. I tried them all and was always pleased with the knowledge and skills of the staff. I wholeheartedly trusted everyone and knew that Larson was receiving the great care, along with so much love. He established several doggy friendships and would come home exhausted from playing (see photo).I recently moved out of Harlem and the hardest part was leaving HOH behind, although they have assured me that we will always be family. Thank you to everyone at HOH who took care of Larson! We miss you: (

Sarah Bosque

2023-08

It was Diego’s first checkup at Heart of Harlem and they were professional and very friendly! Please stop by and support your local veterinary clinic in Harlem.

Patrice Collins

2023-05

My cat suddenly became very ill and after calling several clinics on an emergent basis, my husband happened to be driving by this clinic and we took a shot. It was one of the best decisions we ever made. Although it was very late in the afternoon, rhe staff was extremely compassionate and welcomed my cat as a new patient. She was seen, thoroughly tested, treated, and referred to a specialist. After her treatment, she bounced back within a matter of hours. Although the testing has diagnosed a terminal illness, the care the staff has given and continues to give will always be appreciated. I highly recommend this Veterinary clinic.

Melissa Vander Plaats

2023-05

My experience was mixed. The office staff/receptionist are very friendly; they called and text me 24 & 48 hours after I had brought my dog in to check in on her.My questionable experience happened when they emailed me my dogs exam notes over 48 hours after her appointment and there was a bunch of important details that no one had told me when I was in for the appointment.I called to get clarification because some of the details were incredibly important and no one had discussed them with me. A vet called me back 27 hours later and then answered all my questions.I believe my dog received good care but the communication, especially from the medical side, was lacking. Missing those important details for over 48 hours meant my dog was doing things she shouldn't have been doing, which is frustrating since I specifically asked about activity restrictions when I picked her up from the appointment.

George Lawrence

2023-10

Terrible vet’s!!! These people are con artist. This is the worst veterinaries in Harlem. Go anywhere, they are not transparent. I was asked to pay a fee that should have been included in the original procedure payment. Once again avoid the headaches and go somewhere honest.