Veterinarian Anthony Melillo was born and raised in St. Petersburg. Opening up a clinic in the city has always been a long-term ambition.
Melillo chose to partner with Heart + Paw for the venture. This is the Pennsylvania-based organization’s first location in Florida. The company oversees more than 25 animal hospitals around the country.
Central Avenue was the right choice for the initiative, Melillo explained. The veterinarian and his team decided to repurpose a historic structure once known as the Strum House, which was built in the 1920s.
Melillo opened the repurposed facility, at 6366 Central Avenue, last week. The clinic provides veterinarian care and grooming for dogs and cats, including pain management, soft tissue surgery, dentistry, vaccinations and end-of-life services.
Dr. Anthony Melillo
The project has been in the works for more than two years. Renovations were quite extensive.
Melillo and his team reframed the entire building. However, he said, keeping its historical integrity was essential. To exemplify, Melillo explained that additions to the property were designed to complement the site’s aesthetics.
Creating a state-of-the-art facility that is “stress free” for both the animals and pet owners was the central goal. Every decision was intentional. Cats even have their own waiting and exam rooms.
“When you walk in, nobody is on top of each other,” he said. “None of the seating is directly next to each other. It’s all spaced out.”
This can limit interactions between animals, Melillo continued. Some pets can be “reactive to one another.”
Additionally, there is a private waiting room for euthanasia services. Owners can leave the hospital quietly from the area without entering the lobby.
“We have to be the animals’ advocates,” he explained. “The last thing we want to do is to put any extra stress on the pet parents and the remainder of the family that’s there. We want to try to keep them as peaceful as possible.”
The over 4,000-square-foot building was previously the residence of Alban “Al” Strum, who served as a commodore of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. The property eventually was utilized by David C. Gross Funeral Home.
“To me, renovating the facility gives the whole hospital a hometown vibe,” Melillo said. “This was a home initially. I don’t want this hospital to feel like it’s this sterile, scary place. I want this to feel warm and inviting.”
The operating room in the Heart + Paw veterinarian clinic.
Before opening the St. Petersburg Heart + Paw location, Melillo worked at the Animal Hospital of Seminole for six years. Early in life, he developed a passion for veterinarian care.
After Melillo earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of South Florida, he received a doctorate degree from the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in Saint Kitts and Nevis (in the Caribbean). The healthcare professional would complete his clinical training at Louisiana State University.
Mellio explained that, as a general practitioner, his “job is different every single day.” From surgeries to dermatology appointments, it’s all about connecting with pets and their owners.
Heart + Paw St. Petersburg location website