Veterinary Team
Paul Howell, DVM
Dr Howell founded Animal General in 1984 as a one-doctor practice; now the largest veterinary provider on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. In addition to excellent pet medical care, what sets Dr. Howell apart is his commitment to community service.
Sally Yang, DVM
Dr. Yang comes to us from St. Mark’s Veterinary Hospital. Her undergraduate work was completed at Cornell University and she earned her DVM at The College of Veterinary Medicine at Ohio State University.
Jennifer Berg, DVM
Dr. Berg has moved to Animal General after spending 12 years at Tribeca SoHo Animal Hospital. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin, where she is from, and then went on to attend the University of Wisconsin … Continue reading
Meredith Wilson, DVM
Dr. Wilson may have cared for your pet at Animal General before as she did per diem work for us during 2008. Prior to that she lived in Boston, but is originally from New Jersey where she did her internship … Continue reading
Julie Pomerantz, DVM
Dr. Pomerantz is a native New Yorker, even going to veterinary school at Cornell University. She is co-founder of our community project, Tenth Life, and regularly visits Madagascar to perform spays and neuters on cats and dog. In addition, Dr. … Continue reading
Jane Kosovsky, DVM
BA – Oberlin College; DVM – Ohio State University. Internship and Residency – Animal Medical Center.
Practice Administration Team
Karen Heidgerd, Practice Administrator
Karen manages the hospital and has initiated many of the innovative programs currently in place at Animal General. Starting her career in pet care as a receptionist, she became Senior Technician to a board-certified surgeon and was hired by Animal … Continue reading
Karen Markham, Operations Manager, Surgical Coordinator & Bookkeeper
BA – Vanderbilt University. Karen, or K2 as everyone in the practice calls her to avoid confusing The Karens, has been with Animal General since March 2006. In between helping Karen Heidgerd with management business, bookkeeping, and maintaining the technical … Continue reading
TLC (Tender Loving Care) Coordinator
Barbara Perez-Nevins
As Coordinator of “Tender Loving Care,” Barbara provides comfort for distressed patients, especially post-surgery. Barbara knows all your pets.
Nursing Team
Kezia Alexandria, BA, Licenced Veterinary Technician
- Faculdade be Ciencias Agrarias do Para. Kezia joined the Animal General nursing team in 2010 after spending 9 years in other veterinary hospitals in Manhattan. She is originally from Brazil where she earned her BA in Veterinary Medicine at … Continue reading
Afua Johnson, Licensed Veterinary Technician
Afua has an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology – Cedar Valley College. Afua previously worked for the North Shore Animal League and the Animal Medical Center before coming to Animal General in 1999. She was licensed by the State of … Continue reading
Dulce Kobayasi, BA, Licensed Veterinary Technician
Dulce holds a BA in Veterinary Medicine – Brazil, Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology – Cedar Valley College. Dulce worked for two years in a veterinary hospital in her native Brazil before coming to Animal General in 1999.
Jennifer McNamara, Licensed Veterinary Technician
BA – Manhattanville College, Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology – Cedar Valley College. Jennifer met our other nurses, Dulce and Afua, in Texas during their attendance at a large animal practical class for their degrees in 2006. They came back … Continue reading
Corina Quist, Nurse
BFA, Massachusetts College of Art. Corina has worked with animals since childhood, volunteering at local animal shelters. She has experience as a wild life rehabilitator, vet nurse and adoption manager with specialty training in critical care nursing, nutrition and feline … Continue reading
Mame Reese, Overnight Nurse
Doctorate Degree of Veterinary Medicine – Dakar University, Senegal; Master’s of Agriculture – Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Japan. Mame is originally from Senegal where she trained over 500 veterinary technicians, pharmacists, and breeders in 350 villages and … Continue reading
Heather (Kitty) Sorensen, Licensed Veterinary Technician, Overnight Nurse
BA Queens College, Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology – LaGuardia Community College. Kitty has dedicated the majority of her adult life to saving cats, and even the occasional dog, and making their lives better. Most recently she worked at Queens … Continue reading
Client Services Team
Joy Kunc, Office Manager
Joy has been at Animal General for 11 years. She is a vegan and animal rights activist. She performs a multitude of functions for Animal General including directing pet adoptions for clients.
Robin “Pam” Shaud, DVM Liason
BA The University of Toledo. Growing up in Michigan, Robin began taking riding lessons at age 9, basically living at the stables when she wasn’t at school and saved money for college as a teen working as a groom at … Continue reading
Mary Vazquez, Receptionist
Mary has been with Animal General for 9 years. She enjoys working with people, having them leave with a smile – and the bonus of getting to know their pets. Besides her grandchildren, the love of her life is Dizzie … Continue reading
Alice Darling, Receptionist
BS – Boston University. Prior to coming to Animal General 8 years ago, Alice worked in the advertising/broadcast industry. She says, “My job gives me opportunity to spend my days with animals and the people who love them. I’m pleased … Continue reading
Desiree Rhine, Receptionist
Desiree is an actress hailing from Napa Valley, California and really enjoys the people that she works with at Animal General and all the housecats who jump all over her. She is “mommy” to cats Orlando, Piewackett, and Angie, her … Continue reading
Mary Featherston, Receptionist
BSc-University College Dublin. Mary is from the county of Roscommon, in the heart of Connaught, in the west of Ireland where she grew up on a farm. After earning her degree in Animal Science and Landscape Horticulture at UCD she … Continue reading
Animal Attendants Team
Kenny Greene, Attendant
Kenny has been with Animal General over nine years. He enjoys grooming and training family pets, and he definitely knows our overnight visitors and patients!
Gary Ragland, Attendant
Gary has been with Animal General for ten years. Engaged through our HIRE program, he is our right-hand man in the prep room. He loves animals and music.
Eddie Vega, Attendant
Eddie was a former client who could not pay for his beloved dog’s medical bills. When asked why, he said no one would offer him a job. Karen Heidgerd offered him a job on the spot. Two years later, one … Continue reading
Robert Nevins, Porter
Robert met our TLC Coordinator, Barbara Perez, at an AHRC award luncheon in 2003. They started dating, and as soon as November of the same year, Robert came on board at Animal General as our porter. Robert and Barbara, incidentally, … Continue reading
Jeremy Lebron, Porter
Jeremy joined Animal General in 2010 as our weekend porter. He was brought to us through the AHRC HIRE program and we’re so glad to have his housekeeping expertise and love of animals. Jeremy is from the Bronx and graduated … Continue reading
