PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Jenny Hernandez, Coney Island Resident, on High Veterinary Costs and Pet Care Challenges
7:44:43
·
144 sec
Jenny Hernandez, a Coney Island resident, shared her emotional testimony about the challenges of high veterinary costs and the impact on pet owners. She recounted personal experiences of losing her dog Margot due to unaffordable care and feeling humiliated at emergency vet visits when unable to pay for treatments.
- Hernandez emphasized the emotional support pets provide, especially during difficult times like the COVID-19 pandemic
- She highlighted the need for more affordable and accessible veterinary care for all New Yorkers
- Hernandez urged the city government to allocate substantial funding for high-quality and low-cost veterinary services
Jenny Hernandez
7:44:43
Hello?
7:44:43
Do you hear to me?
UNKNOWN
7:44:45
Yes.
7:44:45
We hear you.
Jenny Hernandez
7:44:46
Sorry for the background noise.
7:44:48
I've been waiting all dates.
7:44:49
To testify.
7:44:51
Okay.
7:44:51
My name is Jenny Hernandez.
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I'm a phony island resident.
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I'm grateful.
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We look for the opportunity to testify today as a concerned head parent.
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I am testifying today in honor of my daughter's Margaux and Poppy.
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I have I have always found a men's sponsor and support from my pets throughout my life.
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They have been my lifeline during tough science, especially when I was bedridden during the COVID pandemic.
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My dogs never left my son.
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Witnessing the struggles that parents like myself face due to the absorbent cost of veterinary care truly pains me.
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According to the American Health Association's studies show that dogs reduce stress, anxiety, and depression is monies, encourage exercise, and improve overall health.
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Last year, I tragically lost my dog, Margot, due to the high cost of death care.
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Really hard.
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I I vividly remember being humiliated as a vet emergency room in one occasion.
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They callously told me, you cannot afford an x-ray.
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I see your string down my face while holding Marlboro in front of my family.
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The day we had to put him to sleep, I felt like I have failed him.
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Even today I struggle to find peace.
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Perhaps I actually have worked tirelessly or maybe I actually have pulled some of my possessions or beg my friends for money to cover for the high cost.
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But that that parents shouldn't be forced to endure these hardships.
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During another emergency that visit with my other dog puppy, I was told, when do you think you could submit a payment?
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Your dog is suffering a lot, implying that a payment was needed to treat my dog.
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Meanwhile, I was struggling to find the funds.
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I found this treatment towards me, and my daughter will be completely into May.
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After going through all this, I'm afraid.
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I'm afraid to care for another dog due to the fact that I would not be able to afford the vet care, you know, due to the very high cost.
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And I know about that.
UNKNOWN
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Thank you for your testimony and time.
Lynn C. Schulman
7:46:50
Can you can you summarize?
7:46:52
Because the time is up and but we'll give you a cut we'll give you a minute to summarize.
7:46:55
Go ahead.
Jenny Hernandez
7:46:56
Okay.
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So this is why I import the city government, so allocate substantial funding for Haiyang, and Loating.
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And accessible for any New York or any.
7:47:06
Thank you so much.
Lynn C. Schulman
7:47:07
Thank you.