About Helping PAW

Removing barriers to veterinary care since 2009.

Helping Promote Animal Welfare, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit veterinary organization serving owned pets, community cats and rescue organizations on Long Island and beyond.

Our original mission

Helping Promote Animal Welfare, Inc. (Helping PAW) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity whose mission is to end pet overpopulation through education of the public on the importance of sterilization, basic pet care, humane treatment of animals and its benefits to animals and society, and by providing high-volume, high-quality, targeted, affordable sterilization services for unowned and companion animals.

Pet owners receiving government assistance receive an additional 20% discount on Helping PAW's already affordable fees.

Our mission is expanding

As the needs of the animals and families we serve have grown, Helping PAW's mission is expanding to include affordable wellness and illness examinations, a broader range of lifesaving surgical procedures, and, in the near future, dentistry.

This expansion will allow us to provide more comprehensive veterinary care while keeping high-volume, high-quality, affordable spay/neuter at the heart of what we do.

Our story

Growing our reach since 2009.

Helping PAW was founded to expand access to high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter services. As community needs grew, we added surgical capacity and affordable medical appointments for pets who might otherwise go without care.

2009

Helping PAW begins

A 40-foot mobile veterinary clinic brings affordable spay and neuter services directly to the community.

2017

Capacity grows

A larger mobile clinic allows the team to care for more animals and operate through every season.

2020

A stationary clinic

Helping PAW moves into its current East Meadow space, creating a reliable base while planning for a larger permanent facility.

Today

Care beyond surgery

Spay and neuter remains central to our mission, alongside wellness and sick-pet visits, diagnostics and selected lifesaving procedures. We look forward to expanding into a larger permanent location soon—and your support can help make it possible.

Support our next chapter →

3,180surgeries in 2025

4,502patient visits in 2025

A note from our founder

“We save lives by making excellent veterinary care affordable.”

Helping PAW was built on the belief that cost should not be the reason an animal goes without essential care. Every stage of our growth has been guided by the same commitment: provide excellent medicine, keep prices within reach and help more animals stay healthy and at home.

Dr. Diane LevitanFounder, President & Managing Director

Our team

Meet the people who make our care possible.

Our veterinarians and staff bring skill, compassion and dedication to every patient who comes through our doors.

Dr. Diane Levitan, VMD, Dip. ACVIM

Founder of Helping PAW
Staff Veterinarian

Dr. Geri Roth

Staff Veterinarian

Claire D'Antoni

Veterinary Technician & Practice Manager

Victoria Opinante

Veterinary Assistant

Dr. Katherine Diller

Staff Veterinarian

Dr. Gillian Angliss

Staff Veterinarian

Lina Boudari

Sandra Chaparro

Veterinary Assistant

Theresa Zwerling

Remote Receptionist

Volunteer with Helping PAW

Help our team make affordable care possible. Tell us about yourself and share your resume through our volunteer application.

Apply to volunteer

Our next chapter

More room to care for more animals.

Helping PAW is planning a larger permanent facility so we can perform more spay and neuter and other lifesaving surgeries, offer more wellness and sick-pet appointments, and care for more animals overall. The additional space will also allow surgery and medical visits to take place on the same day, with room to add dentistry in the future.

Support Our Expansion