About NUZZLE
We built the veterinary practice we wished existed — one where the appointment doesn't feel rushed, the invoice doesn't feel opaque, and your pet actually walks in without shaking.
How it started
NUZZLE was founded in 2019 by Dr. Maya Chen, who spent a decade at a large corporate veterinary practice growing increasingly frustrated by the model: 10-minute appointments, assembly-line workflows, and clients who left with more questions than answers.
"I watched owners apologize for asking 'too many questions,'" Dr. Chen says. "That's backwards. A pet is a family member. The questions are the point." She left her position, signed a lease on a ground-floor space in the West Village, and opened NUZZLE with six exam rooms, two DVMs, and a founding principle: that every appointment would take as long as it needed to take.
Five years later, NUZZLE has expanded to three locations across New York and New Jersey, a team of six, and a membership program that has made preventive care accessible for over 800 enrolled pets. The 10-minute appointment model is still not something we do.
Our mission
"To make excellent, evidence-based veterinary care feel as warm and unhurried as a conversation with a trusted friend who also happens to have a medical degree."
The NUZZLE difference
Fear-Free approach
Every NUZZLE team member is Fear Free trained or certified. We use low-stress handling, pheromone diffusers, non-slip surfaces, species-appropriate waiting areas, and plenty of high-value treats. Vet visits don't have to be traumatic — and at NUZZLE, they usually aren't.
Transparent pricing
We publish our pricing ranges online and provide written estimates before any procedure. There are no surprise line items on your invoice. If something changes mid-appointment, we call and explain before proceeding. You're always in control.
Whole-pet health
Teeth, weight, behavior, mental health, diet — we consider the whole animal, not just the presenting complaint. Our team includes a behavior and nutrition specialist alongside our DVMs because we know that a pet's physical and emotional wellbeing are inseparable.
Ready to experience NUZZLE?
Book a visit and see why our clients drive across boroughs to get here.