My love of nature and animals began at a very young age. Growing up on the edge of Oyster Bay atop a woodsy tree covered hill, many homes including ours had small pastures and paddocks, horse barns, assorted farm animals, and lots of wildlife. I was blessed with parents who encouraged my curiosity and accepted every tadpole, salamander, turtle, baby bird, frog, and hermit crab that I brought home. Every day was a new animal adventure.
With just a short walk to the beach, I spent long days there turning over barnacle-clad rocks at low tide and dragging a small seine net through the water. I snorkeled the rock jetty and inspected every creature in the tide pools. I was PADI-certified SCUBA diver by age 11, intent on being the next Jacques Cousteau! Every summer I attended Theodore Roosevelt Nature Sanctuary Camp learning as much as I could about raptors and the local marine life. I was a budding veterinarian before I even realized it.
My first position in the veterinary field was at age 14. I rode my bike 3 miles each way and cleaned cages, swept floors, and gave an occasional flea bath. I loved learning about all the different kinds of dogs and cats and watching the doctor perform surgical procedures. I was hooked.
I studied Biology at Franklin and Marshall College and graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Although Vet students learn all species, I chose to focus on dogs and cats exclusively in practice. I have worked as a shelter Veterinarian at two large L.I. shelters, an Emergency Veterinarian, and by far the best – a General Practitioner. Dentistry and Surgery are my absolute favorite aspects of practice as both can make a tremendous difference in a pet’s quality of life in just a short time.
In my free time, I love cruising the North Shore Bays and the Long Island Sound on my Whaler trying to catch fish for dinner or playing with my rascally Dachshund, Maisel. Music, woodworking, and cooking for my family and friends are some of my favorite things.
I am a proud Long Islander – and still love turning over rocks at low tide, dragging a net through seawater, and tide pools. You never know what you will find unless you look.
