A recently completed addition to the Mt Pleasant Hospital for Animals means the ability to expand services and offer a smoother workflow, enhancing care to the clients of the veterinary hospital, said Dr Rakesh Vali, owner of the practice on Route 6.

Founded in 1977 by the late Dr Brian Silverlieb, Dr Vali joined the practice in 2003, purchasing the business from Dr Silverlieb in 2010.

The animal hospital has been housed in a converted antique home for the past 37 years, but with the client list growing, it became clear to Dr Vali that additional veterinarian associates were needed. To accommodate more patients and more doctors on staff, more space than the two exam rooms and small surgery were required.

Renovations to the building began a year ago. Original plans called for just a 20- by 40-foot addition to add two more exam rooms and a new reception area. In conversations with the architect about what would be best for clients and staff, Dr Vali said, those plans had to be rethought.

“The town was very helpful in the permit application and process,” he added, accommodating the upgrades and changes to the original plans.

Four exam rooms, including one exclusively for cats and one designated for exotic and small pets; a new surgery; a new treatment room; and a large waiting area has nearly doubled the original size of the hospital, to 6,000 square feet.

Staff greets clients from behind a multilevel counter topped with tiger wood bamboo, a much more “user friendly” look than in the old reception room, Dr Vali said. Overhead, skylights allow natural light to fill the space. The waiting room is divided into areas for feline and canine patients to wait separately. A 200-gallon fish tank serves as a divider, without taking away from the spaciousness of the new reception area. Brochures on pet care, a retail section, and a flat screen television make any wait comfortable. Rather than chairs, beneath which patients used to hide, Dr Vali said, upholstered benches run along the outside wall of the space. Coffee and water are available at a small station in the waiting area.

Throughout the hospital, tile floors or hospital-grade vinyl flooring provides a sanitary surface.

In the surgery, a hydraulic heated table and a gas evacuation system makes surgery safer for both pets and doctors.

A boarding and play area for cats has been moved from upstairs to the main level, as has Dr Vali’s main office. Another doctor’s office is located adjacent to the new treatment room, a large window allowing the veterinarians to easily observe the animals in recovery or awaiting pickup.

Also on the main floor are two special rooms. The isolation room provides an area for animals with infectious diseases to be cared for and housed, and has a separate entrance and exit. This prevents the spread of communicable diseases to other animals visiting the hospital, Dr Vali said.

The area that was the former waiting room has been renovated into the Tranquility Room. Here, owners can rest in armchairs or a couch, in front of a brick fireplace, and say goodbye to pets needing to be euthanized in a homelike atmosphere. A separate exit allows for privacy.

With more space, Dr Vali is pleased to have two associates added to the staff. Dr Barbara Mangold is a part-time associate, specializing in the care of birds, exotics, and small pets. Dr Katilyn Bakewell has joined the staff full-time.

The design of the addition will allow Mt Pleasant Hospital for Animals to apply to the American Feline Association for certification as a cat-friendly practice, Dr Vali said. Dr Bakewell is in charge of that application process, he said.

“Now we have the capacity to work three doctors at a time, if we need to,” said Dr Vali, “and have room to do it. The addition brings the hospital up to better than industry standards. Our Newtown clients want and deserve service and modern conveniences, but we still have that familiar, country feel to the hospital.”

The atmosphere is much more relaxed in the new environment, he said. “That makes it better when we are dealing with sick animals. We have a good work flow now, and we are able to work together more easily, with the opportunity to focus on the animals’ care,” Dr Vali said.

Best of all, said Dr Vali, clients are very pleased with the changes at Mt Pleasant Hospital for Animals.

Dr Vali and staff invite the public to celebrate and tour the new facility, Saturday, November 8, from 5 to 7 pm. RSVP is requested by calling 203-426-8585 or e-mailing nseturins@gmail.com.

Mr Pleasant Hospital for Animals is located at 119 Mt Pleasant Road, Newtown.