Shapiro Melissa DVM

For pet owners across Connecticut, especially during the most tender and challenging moments of their beloved animal companions' lives, finding a veterinarian who offers not just medical expertise but profound compassion is invaluable. In Westport, residents and those in surrounding Fairfield County are privileged to have access to Dr. Melissa Shapiro DVM. Unlike many traditional clinics, Dr. Shapiro, through her Visiting Vet Service, specializes in providing custom, in-home veterinary care, with a deeply felt emphasis on palliative and end-of-life services. This unique approach allows pets to receive dignified and comfortable care in the familiar and comforting environment of their own homes, a truly compassionate offering for families navigating difficult decisions.

Dr. Melissa Shapiro brings over 35 years of experience to her practice, having graduated from Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine and completed a rotating internship at the Animal Medical Center in NYC, followed by a residency in small-animal internal medicine at the Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania. Her extensive background provides a solid foundation for her work. Over 30 years ago, she established the Visiting Vet Service with the core purpose of delivering custom, compassionate medical care to pets and their people in the comfort of their homes. While her practice has evolved, this foundational philosophy remains unchanged: treating every patient as if they were her own.

The testimonials from pet owners paint a vivid picture of Dr. Shapiro’s extraordinary compassion. Clients consistently describe her as "amazing," "kind," "empathetic," and "wonderful," particularly praising her support during the heartbreaking process of end-of-life care. She provides objective and compassionate guidance, reassuring owners that they are making the right decisions and helping pets transition peacefully. Her thoughtfulness extends beyond the appointment, with follow-up calls to check in on grieving families, demonstrating a truly beautiful soul dedicated to both the animals and their human companions. This level of personalized, empathetic care is a testament to her deep understanding of the human-animal bond and her commitment to supporting families through all stages of their pet's life.

Dr. Melissa Shapiro DVM, through her Visiting Vet Service, operates out of 27 Park Ln, Westport, CT 06880, USA. This address serves as her base, but the essence of her service lies in its in-home delivery. This unique model of veterinary care means that for pet owners in Westport and throughout lower Fairfield County, quality veterinary attention comes directly to their doorstep, eliminating the stress and discomfort often associated with transporting unwell or elderly pets to a traditional clinic.

The in-home nature of Dr. Shapiro's practice significantly enhances accessibility for many Connecticut pet owners. For pets who are anxious in a clinical setting, elderly, or suffering from chronic conditions that make travel difficult, house calls provide an invaluable alternative. This service is particularly beneficial for those seeking end-of-life care, allowing pets to pass peacefully in their familiar surroundings, surrounded by their loved ones. While the physical address is in Westport, her service area extends to cover a significant portion of Fairfield County, making her a crucial resource for many communities beyond just Westport, including areas like Norwalk, Fairfield, and Darien. This mobile and personalized approach to veterinary care ensures that geographical barriers are minimized, bringing compassionate and expert care directly to where it is needed most.

Dr. Shapiro’s commitment to flexible scheduling, including short-notice availability for euthanasia, further highlights her dedication to meeting the immediate and sensitive needs of pet families. This level of personalized attention and accessibility truly sets her service apart, making the often-difficult journey of pet care more manageable and humane for Connecticut families.

Dr. Melissa Shapiro DVM, through her Visiting Vet Service, specializes in providing custom, compassionate medical care directly in the comfort of your home, with a particular focus on senior, special needs, and terminally ill pets. Her services are tailored to ensure dignity, comfort, and support during the most emotional phases of a pet's life. While a general house call practice, her primary focus areas include:

• In-Home End-of-Life Care: Providing compassionate, respectful euthanasia services for dogs and cats in their familiar home environment. This includes objective guidance and support for pet parents, helping them make difficult decisions and ensuring a peaceful transition.
• In-Home Quality of Life Evaluations: Conducting relaxed, conversation-based assessments of a pet's overall well-being in their home environment, which offers a holistic view. These evaluations help pet parents understand their pet's current state and prepare for future end-of-life decisions.
• Palliative Care: Developing and implementing palliative care plans to keep senior and chronically ill pets comfortable and connected for as long as possible. This may involve adjustments in medications, pain management strategies, and other supportive care.
• Virtual Services & Consulting: Offering virtual follow-up consultations for senior and chronically ill pets to monitor quality of life, comfort, and dignity as diseases progress. She also offers virtual consults for pets not local to her service, providing guidance via email, phone, or Zoom.
• General Pet Care (for existing patients, often by referral/relationship): While her current focus is heavily on end-of-life and palliative care, her background as a small animal veterinarian means she can provide broader medical services, often working in collaboration with Norwalk Veterinary Hospital as a base for procedures that require a clinic setting (e.g., diagnostics beyond what's done in-home, surgeries).
• Pet Parent & Caregiver Support: Providing emotional support and resources for families during the grieving process, including follow-up communication to check in after a pet has passed.

Dr. Melissa Shapiro DVM, through her Visiting Vet Service, offers several standout features and highlights that make her a truly unique and invaluable resource for Connecticut pet owners:

• In-Home Veterinary Care: The primary highlight is the convenience and comfort of having veterinary services brought directly to your home. This is especially beneficial for anxious pets, elderly animals, or those with mobility issues, reducing stress for both the pet and owner.
• Exceptional Compassion for End-of-Life Care: Dr. Shapiro is consistently praised for her profound empathy, kindness, and support during the difficult process of pet euthanasia. She guides families with reassurance and helps pets pass peacefully and with dignity in their familiar surroundings.
• Extensive Experience: With over 35 years in practice and a strong academic background (Purdue, Animal Medical Center, UPenn), Dr. Shapiro possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in small animal medicine.
• Personalized & Holistic Approach: She prioritizes understanding each individual pet's unique needs and quality of life, offering objective guidance and tailored care plans, particularly for senior and special needs animals.
• Client Support Beyond Medical Care: Reviews highlight her thoughtfulness, including checking in with families after a pet's passing and offering ongoing emotional support, showcasing her dedication to the human side of pet care.
• Advocacy for Disabled Pets: Beyond her direct veterinary practice, Dr. Shapiro is a prominent advocate for disabled pets, known for her work with Piglet, the deaf-blind pink puppy, and the creation of The Disabled Pets Project, offering resources for caring for special needs animals. This demonstrates a deep, personal commitment to animals with unique challenges.
• Flexible Scheduling for Sensitive Needs: Her willingness to offer flexible and short-notice scheduling for end-of-life services is a critical advantage for families navigating unpredictable circumstances.

For inquiries, to discuss in-home veterinary care options, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Melissa Shapiro DVM and her Visiting Vet Service, please use the following contact information. Given the nature of her practice, it is highly recommended to call to discuss your specific needs and availability.

Phone: (203) 227-5557

Mobile Phone: +1 203-227-5557

Address: 27 Park Ln, Westport, CT 06880, USA

For more detailed information about her services, particularly for in-home end-of-life care and quality of life consultations, you may also visit her website or look for "Visiting Vet Service" online.

For Connecticut locals, especially those in Westport and the surrounding Fairfield County, Dr. Melissa Shapiro DVM and her Visiting Vet Service offer an unparalleled resource for compassionate and personalized veterinary care. Her unique focus on in-home services, particularly for senior and end-of-life care, addresses a critical need for many families, allowing beloved pets to receive medical attention and comfort in their familiar surroundings. The overwhelming testimonials praising her empathy, experience, and supportive approach during difficult times speak volumes about her dedication. Choosing Dr. Shapiro means selecting a veterinarian who not only possesses extensive medical knowledge but also a profound understanding of the emotional bond between humans and animals. This deeply personal and accessible form of veterinary care makes her an invaluable asset to the Connecticut pet community, providing peace of mind and comfort when it is needed most.

Shapiro Melissa DVM

27 Park Ln, Westport, CT 06880, USA