Montgomery Veterinary Hospital

Experience the difference that compassionate and expert care can make when it comes to the wellness and lifestyle of your pet. Montgomery Vet Hospital is a safe and loving place for all creatures great and small.

Tucked away on a quiet side road in the quaint, family-friendly town of Montgomery, N.Y., Montgomery Veterinary Hospital has developed a well-deserved reputation as one of the best practices in the entire Hudson Valley to care for your big or little fur baby. And the reason for Montgomery Veterinary Hospital's well-earned reputation is no secret. It is all due to the hard work of the practice's owner and head veterinarian, Doctor MELISSA GRECH-ATTARD and her incredible team.

 The good vibes and comfy ambiance start when you together your cat or dog walk through the door. The waiting room is charming and cozy with a rustic feel to it. There's genuine wood all over the place, including an antique bench that has to be seen to be believed.  The large picture window presents a serene and captivating view of the nearby Wallkill River and the trees that surround it. After entering the premises, you will be greeted by a member of Dr.Grech's friendly and talented staff. More than likely, it will be Lauren LaRocca, Veronika Mocarska, or Susan Skoulidakis who will sign you and your pet in and then direct the two of you to one of the clean, modern, hi-tech examination rooms. It will be obvious from the start that this is no impersonal, one-size-fits-all veterinary facility, but a place where kindness reigns supreme.

The overall tone and practice values are set, of course, by Doctor Melissa Grech-Attard. Her disposition is, at once, cheerful, professional and calming. No matter what the situation may be involving your loving pet, Doctor Melissa will set you and your little one completely at ease. You absolutely know that your cat or dog is in good hands. Born and raised in Orange County, N.Y., Dr. Melissa has had a lifelong love of animals. It was only natural that Melissa would turn this passion for our four-legged friends into a committed mission to bring them the very best care. In 2006, Melissa graduated from the prestigious Cornell University with a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science. After that, Melissa went on to the beautiful Island of St. Kitts, where she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University in 2010. By the way, you might be interested to know that Ross University is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education and has turned out thousands of dedicated veterinarians who practice in the USA, Canada and abroad. Doctor Melissa took over the practice in 2017 and, in addition to blazing her innovative path as a veterinarian, has honored and continued the legacy of Dr. James Fischer, who founded Montgomery Veterinarian Hospital in 1989.

Among Dr. Grech-Attard's special interests in veterinary medicine are internal medicine, soft tissue surgery and diagnostic imaging. If you have a young puppy or even an older dog who is behaving rather badly at times, you will be excited to know that Doctor Melissa is also a certified dog trainer specializing in obedience and anxiety-caused behavior. No matter how unusual your household pet may be, including reptiles and rabbits, the odds are that Dr. Melissa is already familiar with that particular species. During her veterinary journey, the good doctor has even treated a chinchilla and a bear!

One of the reasons why your pet receives care that goes above and beyond at Montgomery Veterinarian Hospital is the fact that just about every team member is a proud and loving pet mom or dad!  They are in your shoes, so to speak, and know first-hand what it's like to bring home an adopted pet, learn the ins and outs of introducing that cat or dog to your household, or care for a fur baby who is not feeling well. 

 In addition to owning horses (Melissa has been riding since the age of four), Dr.Grech-Attard is the proud pet mom to two adorable and feisty German shorthaired pointers, Russell and Bruno. Client care specialist, Lauren Larocca and her son take care of three felines, Tessie, Zara and Ricky; veterinary assistant Veronika is mom to two cute dogs, Stella and Odie; Veterinary tech assistant  Sarah cares for Kimber and Susan Skoulidakis' dogs are named  Jack and Leo. The head veterinary technician at the practice is Ethan Franks. He is one interesting guy, having been an intern on a team helping to save endangered species in the Amazon rainforest a few years ago, as well as working at the iconic Central Park Zoo for six months. His cats have the very artistic and interesting names of Basura and Basurita.  When practice manager Mike McCabe finishes up yet another busy day at the office, he goes home to his dog Harvey. The passion for animals never stops for a moment.

Dr.Grech-Attard is a huge believer in preventive care. Annual check-ups for your pet are a must. If a condition or illness is caught early enough, the results can be life-saving. If you have recently adopted a cat or dog from a shelter, it is vitally important that you bring the animal in for a thorough examination. The staff at most shelters do their best, but the sad fact is that veterinary care is quite limited and a lot of things that could be wrong with your adopted pet can be missed or fall through the cracks.  You should also be aware that minimal vaccines are done at shelters, as most vaccines are based on the lifestyle of the pet. What do we mean by this? We're so glad you asked! According to Dr. Melissa, lifestyle means that not every vaccine is required for every pet. For example, if you have a cat who never goes outdoors, then you may not need to keep the leukemia vaccine up-to-date. On the other hand, if you send your dog to a groomer or daycare, where it is exposed to other doggies, then there are vaccines designed to protect them from various deadly respiratory infections, such as bordetella or influenza. To be certain, have a chat with your veterinarian.

Asking questions is a GOOD thing, especially when it comes to YOUR health and the well-being of your pet. Your vet and family physician won't mind. That's what they are there for!

At Montgomery Vet Hospital, you will find a vast array of services available for your pet, including vaccinations, wellness exams, microchipping, surgery and dental care (scaling and polishing). Always remember what your dentist has told you during past check-ups: " Your mouth is the door to your body ".  Well, the same medical philosophy applies to your cat or dog, too. Untreated bacteria from dirty teeth can cause a whole host of problems that your pet doesn't need. And, if you take care of your feline or doggie's teeth, they will be better able to eat their food and keep up with proper nutrition.

Being a pet parent can be expensive. Nobody knows this more than Doctor Melissa and her team. That's why Montgomery Vet Hospital is pleased to offer its patients some very special, wallet-friendly deals. For example, their NEW CLIENT SPECIAL gives new clients a 50% discount on the cost of their pet's first exam. The vet hospital is also featuring a FREE INITIAL EXAM for any pet who has been adopted from a local shelter. If you are an existing client of the practice, do NOT feel left out: the hospital's REFERRAL PROGRAM  offers a $25 credit for each referral that you make. So, don't be afraid to spread the good word about Montgomery Vet Hospital. You will be doing your friends and neighbours a favour, as well as their pets.

It would be exceedingly difficult to sum up someone as multifaceted and dedicated as Melissa Grech-Attard in just one or two words. However, being passionate about serving her community would be a good start. Many of Dr. Melissa's clients and their pets are neighbours. From the first time that you enter these environs, you will go from being a stranger to a friend of the team. That is how " at home " the good doctor and her colleagues make one feel.

 Dr. Melissa shares this love of community with another noted veterinarian, much beloved by millions around the world, a gentleman by the name of Dr. James Alfred Wright, better known as JAMES HERRIOT, author of the best-selling books If Only They Could Talk and All Creatures Great and Small. Dr. Wright practiced as a veterinary surgeon for fifty years, almost entirely in small rural villages and towns in Yorkshire, England. Even after he achieved fame, not only for his popular books but his talents as a vet, Dr. Wright resisted the call to go to London and stayed true to the countryside he held so dear. All Creatures Great and Small has inspired thousands of readers to become veterinarians and given untold joy and an appreciation of animals to millions more. Not to mention a classic motion picture starring Anthony Hopkins and Simon Ward, a BBC television series that ran for ninety episodes, as well as the more recent 2020 UK Channel 5 series All Creatures Great and Small, which was shown in the States on PBS' Masterpiece Theater. If you thought that an animal haven such as described in Herriot's books only existed in the past in jolly olde England, think again!  You'll find it right here on River Road amidst the lush greenery of Orange County, New York.  The shingle on the driveway reads " Melissa Grech-Attard DVM," and it is at Montgomery Veterinary Hospital where all manner of God's adorable creatures come to thrive and live their very best life.

Location and Contact Info:

718 River Road
Montgomery N.Y. 12549
( 845 ) 457-4082
www.montgomeryvethospital.com