Millerton vet practice welcomes new member to the family

MILLERTON — The Millerton Veterinary Practice is a small veterinary facility, but it’s been growing over the years, and recently Katie Vagliano joined the ranks of those in the community ready to take care of your furry friend’s needs.

Vagliano has worked for the Sand Road Animal Hospital in North Canaan, Conn., since spring of 2003; last fall she began filling in across state lines. By the beginning of 2009 she was a staple in the Millerton practice’s lineup, working with Dr. Carolyn Cannon and the rest of the staff.

“I jumped at the chance,†Vagliano said. “The setting here suits me. It’s a smaller practice and it’s more community-based, which gives me a little more time with each patient. That relationship is an important element to build.â€

As most in her profession would probably attest to, Vagliano’s love of animals has been “lifelong,†even if she didn’t always know she wanted to be a vet. After a few years of premed, studying to be a human doctor (“I truly love the study of medicineâ€), she realized that “practicing with animals really combines everything that I love.â€

Of course there’s a host of creatures both big and small residing at the Vagliano household in Norfolk, Conn.: two dogs, a cat, “a fish tank full of fish†and three donkeys out back.

“They’re big hairy pets, and I ask nothing of them but to keep the grass down,†she joked.

Vagliano splits her time between Sand Road, Millerton and the Little Guild of St. Francis Animal Shelter in West Cornwall, Conn. She’s available in the state of New York on Mondays and Saturdays. Ready to “treat any small fury thing in distress,†she added that any other inquires are always worth the phone call (she probably won’t be able to help your sick elephant).

“I’m excited to be here as part of the community,†she said, “and I’m looking forward to getting to know more families and animals. I’m getting to be a familiar face at both practices, and it’s good for families to have those options available to them.â€

The Millerton Veterinary Practice is located at 199 Route 44 East, across from the Thompson Plaza, and is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Millerton practice works hand-in-hand with Sand Road, which has hours on Sunday and emergency vet services as well. The Millerton practice can be reached at 518-789-3440. Sand Road can be reached at 860-824-5223; sandroadanimals.com has links and more information on both practices.

“My goal is to keep pets healthy and happy,†Vagliano explained, “and to make animals that are good family members. It’s really about long-term care.â€