Award-winning documentary features Valley Stream vet

A Valley Stream veterinarian was featured in a new documentary film produced by a Hofstra film student that was featured in both the Metropolitan Film Festival and the Long Island Film festivals this summer.

“I decided to make a documentary about Dr. Charos because of the work he does,” said Megumi Smiros, the film’s director. “Not only his work with exotic birds and other animals, but his volunteer efforts with rescue dogs outside of his practice.”

“New York Vet” documents the day-to-day life of Dr. John Charos, the president and chief executive officer of Central Veterinary Associates. Smiros moved to the United States from Japan in 1998 and lives in Flushing, Queens. She had intended to make a short documentary for her class requirements on animal rescue operations after seeing a television program on the subject.

Smiros interviewed Charos about his volunteer work early in her process, specifically about his work with rescue dogs immediately following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. After speaking with Charos, she decided to shift the focus of her film to him.

Charos reached out to the Suffolk County chapter of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals after the attacks, offering to help dogs and other animals that were injured in the attacks and during the recovery process.

He was asked by the City of New York to form an emergency response team that was to coordinate with the Office of Emergency Management during hurricanes and other natural disasters to ensure the safety of pets and animals in the area. He has continued his work with the ASPCA to this day, focusing now on abused animals throughout the region.

He said that when he initially agreed to be part of the film, he thought it would be a short contribution. “I thought we were just helping a student complete their degree,” he said.

He became the film’s subject instead, as Smiros’s cameras followed him through multiple days at his practice and with the ASPCA. She said she hoped to help shed light on a field that many people, including herself, lack an understanding of.