Dr Barbara A Kalvig - NEW YORK, NY

Dr. Barbara A. Kalvig graduated in 1985 from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Pullman, WA. Born and raised in Seattle, she fulfilled her dream of moving to New York City to begin her Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at The Animal Medical Center. Upon graduating in 1986, Dr Kalvig chose to remain in Manhattan as Associate Veterinarian of New York Veterinary Hospital. Here, she developed a large and loyal client base, in addition to serving as principal soft tissue surgeon and in-patient doctor for all hospital cases, until mid 1991 when she began her own practice.
Over the next eight years Dr Kalvig owned and operated a popular veterinary house call practice, and was highly sought after by various hospitals throughout Manhattan for regular relief work. As well, from '93-'99, she maintained long-term professional affiliations with New York Veterinary Hospital, Eastside Animal Hospital, and Murray Hill Animal Hospital. In April 1999, Dr. Kalvig was invited to return full-time as Medical Director of New York Veterinary Hospital on the Upper East Side, where she successfully led the impressive growth of that practice through December 2006.

In January 2007, Dr. Kalvig established Kalvig & Shorter Veterinary Associates, with partner, Dr. James M. Shorter, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Due to shared professional philosophies of compassion, integrity, customer service, and community involvement, the doctors experienced a great outpouring of support by their many loyal clients. In April 2013, the doctors opened the doors to their newly renovated full service hospital at 39th St and Lexington Avenue, in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan. Dr. Kalvig has maintained a large client following through the years, due to her caring nature, attention to detail, and sincere belief in high quality medicine, loving patient care, and focus on customer service. Her loyal clientele spans from busy professionals, students, seniors, celebrities, and caretakers--.all patients and clients are treated with the same level of warmth, professionalism, and respect when under her care.

Dr. Kalvig has a deep interest in community service and has served as a leader within the NYC veterinary community in the area of disaster preparedness. As a first responder on 9/11, she worked closely with her team to organize and stock a viable veterinary triage station, establish practical emergency protocols, and initiate treatment of Search and Rescue Dogs at the Suffolk County S.P.C.A. Mobile Mash Unit, a few blocks north of Ground Zero. After 72 hours of work downtown, she led her Upper East Side veterinary hospital as it evolved into a logistical center for supplies, communication, and coordination of 24 hour/7 day a week veterinary care at Ground Zero. During the months ahead, Dr. Kalvig partially stepped down from her practice, to fulfill her voluntary obligation as veterinarian in charge of scheduling duties, for as long as veterinarians, technicians, and veterinary supplies were needed. She and her staff processed hundreds of calls from around the country, worked closely with colleagues everyday to keep supplies and communications running smoothly, and ensured that round the clock shifts of new volunteers were kept informed of frequently changing requirements for access, work, and security measures on site.

In early 2002, Dr. Kalvig was contacted by NYC Office of Emergency Management,, and upon the request for help, co-founded New York City Veterinary Emergency Response Team (NYC V.E.R.T), along with colleagues who she worked with at Ground Zero. Dr. Kalvig continues to help her community through her leadership within NYC V.E.R.T.--- fundraising and travelling on the NYC V.E.R.T March 2010 humanitarian mission to Haiti-- participating in city wide community events on disaster preparedness for pets-- performing and supervising veterinary field activity in Manhattan evacuation shelters during Hurricane Irene in 2012-- performing as NYC V.E.R.T's leader of veterinary care activation and coordination during the initial phases of response across five boroughs during Super Storm Sandy in 2013. In addition to NYC V.E.R.T, Dr. Kalvig has served her community through personal volunteerism and hospital sponsored events, including Feeding Pets of the Homeless, Military Mascots, City Harvest, The Foundling Home, and The Covenant House.
Dr. Kalvig has appeared in various magazines, newspapers, and television shows, including Good Morning America, The New York Times, C.B.S. Morning Show, Oxygen Channel, Fox News, A.S.P.C.A. Magazine, and Japanese Vogue. Awards include A.S.P.C.A. Presidential Award for Outstanding Veterinarian 2002, Suffolk County S.P.C.A. Award 2002, Long Island Veterinary Medical Association Award 2002, New York State Veterinary Medical Association Tribute Award 2002, and Veterinary Medical Association of NYC Merit Award 2003. In addition to her busy practice and community activities through K.S.V. Associates, she enjoys all aspects of travel, music, nature, dancing, skiing, family and friends, and holds a special passion for peace, justice, compassion for humanity, and The Southern Poverty Law Center.