Laurie Hess, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice)

Dr. Laurie Hess is one of approximately 150 bird specialists in the world board-certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. After graduating from Yale she received her veterinary degree from Tufts. She completed an internship and residency in avian and exotic animal medicine at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, where she was head of the Avian and Exotic Pet Service. In 2010 she opened the Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics, in Bedford Hills, N.Y., where she exclusively treats birds, ferrets, rabbits, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, pot-bellied pigs and other exotic pets.

From 2009 to 2010, Dr. Hess was president of the Association of Avian Veterinarians. She is an active member of this association, as well as the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians and the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians. She lectures nationally and internationally about exotic pets and has published numerous articles and chapters on these species. As an advocate for proper medical care for all exotic pets, she regularly appears on TV and radio worldwide, including on Animal Planet’s exotic pet series, Little Pets 101, the Martha Stewart Show, and Fox TV’s Inside Edition.

A native New Yorker and former competitive gymnast, Dr. Hess loves to work out and never misses a spin class at the gym. She lives in Westchester County, N.Y., with her husband, two children, two parrots, two canaries and four cats.