Why We Started Small Door

Finding great veterinary care today is really difficult. I learned this the hard way five years ago when my boxer, Morris, got sick. We saw our local vet, but she couldn’t find anything wrong. Over the next year, we visited eight veterinary clinics, racking up thousands of dollars in bills as Morris withstood one test — and cheerless waiting room — after another. Same-day appointments were rarely available and medical records were closely guarded.

Thankfully, Morris’ story had a happy ending. He was eventually diagnosed with a condition common to his breed, and with treatment, returned to his happy life playing tug-of-war and bodysurfing ocean waves.

Small Door was born out of the hope that Morris’ experience could become the exception and no longer the norm. I teamed up with my friend Florent and our Head of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Jamie Richardson, and we created Small Door with a simple goal: to provide a better veterinary experience for both pets and pet parents. We started with one practice in the West Village and perfected our reimagined veterinary experience for over a year before we felt ready to bring it to the world.

We designed Small Door to deliver better care for pets and a better experience for pet parents. Here’s how we do it.

Gold-standard medical care

Our vets are best in class, and we’re proud to be among just 15% of veterinary hospitals in the U.S. to be accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association. Our onsite lab, diagnostics and radiology, and dental and surgical suites mean we can offer a full range of pet health services in one place.

Convenient, priority appointments

To make sure you can always get care when you need it, we limit our daily appointment numbers. (Oh, and those appointments? They actually start on time.) You can book and manage appointments, submit prescription requests, and download vaccine certificates online or in our app — no waiting on hold required.

Dedicated time with exceptional doctors

We don’t double book, and our appointments are longer than you might be used to. You’ll never feel rushed — and you’ll always have your vet’s undivided attention. They’ll take the time to understand what’s really going on with your pet, then lay out all the treatment options so you can decide on the best course of action together.

Practices that make pets feel at home

Who says the vet has to make pets anxious? Our teams are trained in fear-free techniques, and our spaces are designed to be stress-free. Each of our state-of-the-art practices features private spaces, easy-grip surfaces, soft furnishings, natural lighting, and anxiety-reducing scents.

Membership for frequent vet visitors

You don’t have to be a member to bring your pet to Small Door, but it’s a great option for younger (or older) pets who need to see the vet often. For just $169/year, you get 24/7 telehealth for peace of mind, one free annual exam to help keep your pet healthy, 20% off additional exam fees, and same or next-day appointments.

We are proud to be one of the highest rated veterinary practices on Google and Yelp, with over 1,000+ five-star reviews.

I absolutely love Small Door! I have messaged with vets several times now about things I thought were a big deal, like Frankie having a cough or experiencing mild stomach issues, that ended up having easy at-home treatment and saved me a vet visit.

Nikki B.

Small Door is an amazing service! The doctors are caring and take their time to assess all issues with your pet. I left my first appointment with them more educated on my dog’s issues than any other vet apt!

Faith L.

Being a first time dog mom, I’m extremely nervous when it comes to health concerns about my pup. Their 24/7 chat eases my anxiety 101%! Even if I send a message over at 4AM someone is always available to help out.

Johnelle P.