Saratogians are familiar with Michele Riggi's ever growing, four-legged
entourage, but what they may not know is how her seemingly eccentric
collection of Chihuahuas has inspired a philanthropic project.
Riggi's 31 pampered pets are the main characters in her first book, "Posh Palazzo Pups," and they are also the reason why Saratoga County will soon have a 24 hour animal hospital. All of the profits made from her book sales will help fund the hospital that Riggi feels so strongly about creating.
Although Saratoga County has a fair share of animal hospitals and veterinarians, pet owners in an after-hours emergency situation find themselves in a bind. Her goal is to bring "around the clock," exceptional animal health care to Saratoga, which is exactly what her facility will provide.
The animal hospital will be set up like a regular hospital, with an emergency room entrance where injured or sick animals can be transported smoothly, on a gurney, from the car to the operating table. There will be no need for a waiting room.
"The car ride alone is stressful enough for pets and their owners, not to mention sitting in a waiting room. Our state-of-the-art emergency facility will remove that step and bring pets directly to a physician; we won't have a waiting room," Riggi said.
"The best thing about the facility is how it will accommodate both pets and their owners," Riggi said. "Every pet owner and pet will be welcome."
Riggi's plans are state-of-the-art. Every room and hallway will be strategically placed to maximize efficiency. "I am collaborating with doctors for the design; I need to make sure it works for them, that the rooms are properly placed."
"It is important that [the animals] are taken care of properly; we will have cameras and staff to monitor them at all times, to ensure healthy progress and safe accommodations."
The prospective facility will also accommodate regular vet services for cats, dogs, exotic birds and reptiles.
"We will also bring in specialists once a month. For example, there is not enough demand for a 24-7 oncologist, but we will offer monthly services for animals with cancer that need special checkups."
"Any animal in need can have access to the best possible care, and if it is not available at the facility we will direct them to where they need to go."
Riggi also plans to include a wellness clinic along with an acupuncturist, water therapist and nutritionist in her hospital's services.
"Every dog eats differently and there are so many poor quality foods out there. I want to provide educational classes about properly feeding dogs to make people more aware of how important nutrition is," Riggi said.
Nutrition classes will include seminars about cooking natural and holistic foods for pets. Riggi's pups eat over 50 pounds of organic chicken with oats and grains every week; their diet is preservative free which is very important for their health, according to Riggi.
The 24-hour animal hospital should be finished by 2012. So far, Riggi has appointed her Board of Directors, and has begun conversations with reputable veterinary physicians in the area, including Joy Lucas who currently cares for the whole Riggi pack.
"It's going to happen, we're not the kind of people to say something and not do it. We are doers, and I'm going make this dream a reality," Riggi said.
She wants to make it known that contrary to popular belief, the project is underway. Riggi is currently shopping for the perfect location; she is only considering properties close to the Northway to maximize the hospital's accessibility. Michele and husband Ron Riggi are eager to begin construction, and considering the success of "Push Palazzo Pups" book sales, they are on the right track.
At her August 16 book release, Riggi gave out 107 copies of "Posh Palazzo Pups" in exchange for a $200 donation, making $21,400 for her cause. Riggi's most recent book signing at Borders, on August 28 sold a record 55 copies at $39.95 each.
"The book is doing very well, it's a delightful book and we are happy to carry it," Steven Stock, Sales Manager at Borders on Broadway in Saratoga said.
For Riggi, the coffee table book is more like a family photo album. Her dogs "are not a collection, they are part of the family."
"My motto has always been 'more is best'; you know, people ask when it's too much, but I have lots of help, and a great staff that loves them as much as I do. They all get lots of attention; it doesn't matter how many you have, it's how you bring your dogs up," Riggi said.
"I know I have a lot of dogs, but I love them and I can afford to care for them; what's wrong with that?"
Michele Riggi's next book signing will be on Saturday, September 5 in front of Sloppy Kisses from 6 to 8 p.m.. "Posh Palazzo Pups" is also available on her website: www.poshpalazzo pups.com.
Although Saratoga County has a fair share of animal hospitals and veterinarians, pet owners in an after-hours emergency situation find themselves in a bind. Her goal is to bring "around the clock," exceptional animal health care to Saratoga, which is exactly what her facility will provide.
The animal hospital will be set up like a regular hospital, with an emergency room entrance where injured or sick animals can be transported smoothly, on a gurney, from the car to the operating table. There will be no need for a waiting room.
"The car ride alone is stressful enough for pets and their owners, not to mention sitting in a waiting room. Our state-of-the-art emergency facility will remove that step and bring pets directly to a physician; we won't have a waiting room," Riggi said.
"The best thing about the facility is how it will accommodate both pets and their owners," Riggi said. "Every pet owner and pet will be welcome."
Riggi's plans are state-of-the-art. Every room and hallway will be strategically placed to maximize efficiency. "I am collaborating with doctors for the design; I need to make sure it works for them, that the rooms are properly placed."
"It is important that [the animals] are taken care of properly; we will have cameras and staff to monitor them at all times, to ensure healthy progress and safe accommodations."
The prospective facility will also accommodate regular vet services for cats, dogs, exotic birds and reptiles.
"We will also bring in specialists once a month. For example, there is not enough demand for a 24-7 oncologist, but we will offer monthly services for animals with cancer that need special checkups."
"Any animal in need can have access to the best possible care, and if it is not available at the facility we will direct them to where they need to go."
Riggi also plans to include a wellness clinic along with an acupuncturist, water therapist and nutritionist in her hospital's services.
"Every dog eats differently and there are so many poor quality foods out there. I want to provide educational classes about properly feeding dogs to make people more aware of how important nutrition is," Riggi said.
Nutrition classes will include seminars about cooking natural and holistic foods for pets. Riggi's pups eat over 50 pounds of organic chicken with oats and grains every week; their diet is preservative free which is very important for their health, according to Riggi.
The 24-hour animal hospital should be finished by 2012. So far, Riggi has appointed her Board of Directors, and has begun conversations with reputable veterinary physicians in the area, including Joy Lucas who currently cares for the whole Riggi pack.
"It's going to happen, we're not the kind of people to say something and not do it. We are doers, and I'm going make this dream a reality," Riggi said.
She wants to make it known that contrary to popular belief, the project is underway. Riggi is currently shopping for the perfect location; she is only considering properties close to the Northway to maximize the hospital's accessibility. Michele and husband Ron Riggi are eager to begin construction, and considering the success of "Push Palazzo Pups" book sales, they are on the right track.
At her August 16 book release, Riggi gave out 107 copies of "Posh Palazzo Pups" in exchange for a $200 donation, making $21,400 for her cause. Riggi's most recent book signing at Borders, on August 28 sold a record 55 copies at $39.95 each.
"The book is doing very well, it's a delightful book and we are happy to carry it," Steven Stock, Sales Manager at Borders on Broadway in Saratoga said.
For Riggi, the coffee table book is more like a family photo album. Her dogs "are not a collection, they are part of the family."
"My motto has always been 'more is best'; you know, people ask when it's too much, but I have lots of help, and a great staff that loves them as much as I do. They all get lots of attention; it doesn't matter how many you have, it's how you bring your dogs up," Riggi said.
"I know I have a lot of dogs, but I love them and I can afford to care for them; what's wrong with that?"
Michele Riggi's next book signing will be on Saturday, September 5 in front of Sloppy Kisses from 6 to 8 p.m.. "Posh Palazzo Pups" is also available on her website: www.poshpalazzo pups.com.
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