Angel's Gate Hospice - Animal Hospice - Animal Rehabilitation Center

Angel's Gate is a residential non profit home for special needs animals whom are terminally or critically ill or physically challenged and come to live out their days in peace, dignity, and love.

"The animals are as much teachers as patients, setting forth life lessons that resonate long after they are gone."

Susan Marino

Welcome to Angel's Gate, a residential, non-profit, 501 (C) 3 home, our home, for special needs animals. Here, animals many of whom are terminally and / or critically ill or physically challenged, come to live out their days in peace, dignity and love. Our focus is on wellness and quality of life. We provide for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of each animal. We take a holistic approach in animal care, giving all needed supportive services including hospice care.

If you come to visit our home you're likely to be impressed with the vitality of our family members even though they are "special needs" animals. Many require physical therapy, medical attention and nursing care. They may have cancer, liver or kidney disease, paralyses, blindness, deafness, diabetes, neurological or seizure disorders, orthopedic or geriatric problems. Still the overall impression is one of vibrant life and peaceful living. Most dogs and cats are active and relate in socially positive ways.

Currently, at our home we care for some 200 individuals of many species. These include dogs, cats, parrots, ponies, ducks, swan, pigeons, geese, chickens and rabbits. Dogs and cats receive a raw food natural diet (B.A.R.F. diet) specially prepared by a local butcher.

Our animals are a part of the Angel's Gate household. Most are free to roam their home and/or the spacious back yard. Dogs and cats are not crated. Only the parrots are caged. The water fowl, chickens and pigeons are penned at night for their protection.

There is never a fee when we adopt an animal with special needs. We depend solely on supporter contributions which come to us from all over the United States. We even have supporters from as far away as Canada, France, Germany ,The Netherlands, Africa and many from Japan.

Angel's Gate is located on the beautiful North Shore of Long Island, in the township of Smithtown, in Western Suffolk County.

Look through our pages and visit with our family members. Review our WISH LIST. Maybe you will want to help and be a part of our Angel's Gate Family. The banners below represent some of our strongest supporters. Other useful sites can be found on our resources page.

Susan Marino is the Founder and Executive Director of Angel’s Gate, a unique, first-of-its-kind Hospice and Rehabilitation Center for animals. Marino’s vision was to create a home where animals, who had no place to go because of their special needs, would be cared for and wanted. Angel's Gate has grown into a multifaceted, well known and respected organization which has provided guidance and inspiration to animal guardians and professionals in the field of hospice and care of animals with special needs.

At its inception, Angel’s Gate cared for animals relinquished by their human companions because they could no longer care for them. Today, critically and terminally ill animals come to Angel’s Gate from local, state, national and international rescue organizations as well as veterinarians and individuals. There is no adoption policy. Acceptance into the Angel’s Gate family is a commitment for the lifetime of the animal. Since its inception Angel’s Gate has expanded its mission to include the rehabilitation of physically challenged animals and wild life.

Susan is a registered nurse with more than thirty five years experience, specializing in emergency and critical care, mental health, and the care of critically and terminally ill children and their families. Susan is a specialists in many forms of holistic medicine including, homeopathy, animal communication, TTouch, essential oils and flower essences. Susan completed studies at Suffolk County Community college in 2005 and is now a Licensed Veterinary Technician. She studied at the University of Tennessee completing her certification in canine rehabilitation, and is a New York State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator.

Susan is a popular speaker and educator. She received The Woman of Distinction Award for the State of New York. She has appeared on The Martha Stewart Show in 2005. She was honored to receive the ASPCA Founders Award, 2001, for her work with animals. Susan has been recognized by CBS NEWS as a “Local Hero”, by NEWS 12 as “People Making A Difference”, by NEWSDAY as an “Everyday Hero” by Temple Beth David in Commack as “A Hero of Conscience” and by Father Duffy, of Deer Park Episcopal Church for her “Ministry to Animals”.

Angel’s Gate model Rehabilitation and Hydrotherapy Program has been written about in BARK, The Whole Dog Journal, NEWSDAY, and many local papers. Angel’s Gate has a featured photo spread in the Spring 2008 issue of Modern Dog Magazine. Susan’s work at Angel’s Gate has been featured in PEOPLE magazine, Animal Wellness Magazine, in Cat Fancy Magazine “Unsung Hero” column, Massage Magazine, and Animal Fair Magazine. Susan has also appeared on Channel 12 “The Family Pet”, and had a featured segment on “Animal Magnetism”, a Canadian show that focuses on people who dedicate their lives to animal wellness and Japan’s Amazing Animals. Susan is a frequent guest on national radio.

Susan writes for national publications. She authored “Holistic Health Care for Animals” for the International Animal Encyclopedia, www.animalwolddirectory.com. Susan with Denise Flaim is the author of “Getting Lucky” published by Stewart Tabouri & Chang, is available at Amazon.com.

Susan lives in Delhi New York. Susan and her partner Victor LaBruna have 8 children. Their home, aptly call The Island of Enchantment, is home to over 200 animals.

Victor LaBruna is Susan's partner in Angel's Gate as well as in life. After a career working with people with mental retardation, he joined his Susan and turned to working with needy animals. Although working mostly behind the scenes, with an occasional foray into the media, his is a vital role at Angel's Gate. His functions vary widely from the direct care of the animals, to habitat construction, to web master...etc.

Community Service: We are committed to community service and education. We have a program to teach elementary school children about animals and reverence for all life and a work/study program with local high schools. Students volunteering at Angel’s Gate can earn high school credits for their time and effort. The Long Island Head Injury Association has had volunteers at Angel’s Gate for over two years. We find it healing for us, the animals and for these very special volunteers. Recently we were asked by the Suffolk County Court System to participate in the juvenile delinquency program and ASPCA offenders. We've began working with emotionally challenged children in the a local school program who earn the right to do community service. The Stepping Stones program at a local BOCES has sent arranged to place recent grads from their Vet Assistant program for further training.

	Susan, Braveheart and Madison: Susan Marino is the Founder and Executive Director of Angel’s Gate, a unique, first-of-its-kind Hospice and Rehabilitation Center for animals.
		read her full story

	Sara and Victor: Victor LaBruna is Susan's partner in Angel's Gate as well as in life.

		read his full story