Andrew J. Kaplan, DVM, Dip. ACVIM (Internal Medicine) Staff Veterinarian Andrew Kaplan completed his B.S. degree at Albany State University graduating Suma Cum Laude, in 1986. He attended Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating 6th in his class in 1990. He then took his DVM degree to the Animal Medical Center where he completed a one-year internship in Medicine and Surgery followed by a two-year residency in Internal Medicine. Dr. Kaplan then took an associate professor position at the University of Wisconsin's School of Veterinary Medicine where he taught clinical medicine to 4th-year veterinary students until 1995, after which he practiced in both specialty and general private practices in northern California and New York City until he opened City Veterinary Care in November of 2003. He passed his certifying examination for the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1995 denoting him a Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist. He has been featured in New York Magazine's "Best Vets" issue in 2002 and again in 2006 when City Veterinary Care was named the "Best Private Veterinary Practice" in New York City. He is the founder of The Toby Project, a non-profit dedicated to eradicating pet overpopulation in NYC.   Amy Rodriguez Abramson, DVM Veterinary Acupuncturist Dr. Rodgriguez is a 1990 graduate of the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. Amy completed her internship in medicine and surgery at the University of Missouri. Amy is certified in veterinary acupuncture and also has advanced training in traditional chinese medicine for animals. Amy has practiced in the Tri-State Area for over a decade and has focused her practice exclusively in the area of alternative veterinary medicine for the past five years. Amy is a member of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture. She now lives in Northern Westchester with her husband, two daughters and a farm full of animals. Maria Camps, DVM, Dip. ACVIM Maria Camps joined the staff at CVC in January, 2007. She graduated from the University Autonomous of Barcelona in 1991 and underwent accreditation of her degree by the American Veterinary Medical Association at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Camps completed a one-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Oradell Animal Hospital in NJ, and after working in private practice in rural Tennessee and northern California, she underwent a two-year residency in small animal internal medicine at Louisiana State University. Dr. Camps moved to NYC and worked as a staff doctor in internal medicine at The Animal Medical Center from 1999 to 2006. During her time at The AMC, she completed her second two-year residency in the specialty of small animal oncology. Maria has been board certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine since 2000, and she became certified in the specialty of Oncology in 2007. Dr. Camps has served as an associate professor at the University Autonomous of Barcelona, and is involved in many national and international continuing education projects for veterinarians and vet students.   Geraldine Dalibard, DVM Behavior Dr. Geraldine Heillaut Dalibard joined City Veterinary Care in 2005. She graduated from the Veterinary School of Maison-Alfort (France) in 1997. She completed an internship at the Veterinary School of Maison-Alfort where she obtained a certification in internal medicine and in veterinary behavior. Very involved in animal facilitated therapy, she participated in the implementation of an assisting dogs training program. She worked for different practices in Paris then sought for new challenges by moving from the city of lights to that which never sleeps. She left her ferret Robert to her family in France but receives regular news. In her leisure time she enjoys taking care of her little boy Arthur, running and scuba diving.   Colleen McGrath Hospital Manager Colleen McGrath has a Masters degree in Opera Performance from The Boston Conservatory of Music and a Bachelors of Performing Arts in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University. Having sung professionally for years, Colleen is thrilled to be exploring the wide world of reception while using her degrees extensively here at City Veterinary Care crooning to and with patients. She says Beagles make the best duettists. Colleen is also proud to be working on our non-profit enterprise, The Toby Project working toward eliminating euthanasia in the shelter system by offering free spay/neuter to the five Burroughs. In her time off from the office, when not pet sitting or socializing, Colleen writes humorous essays, which while brilliant (her own words not ours) have yet to be published. Her colleagues have learned to play it close to the vest when she is in the office lest they find themselves in print. Clients are all familiar with her constant companion, Taxi, the only dog with lips sexier than Angelina Jolie. Colleen’s lesser-known pet is Freyja, a domestic shorthair, although she objects strongly to the term “domestic”, whose attitude goes along with her status as a deity.   Melissa Weidemann Assistant Manager Melissa transplanted to New York from sunny California and is happy to be a member of the City Veterinary Care team. Melissa is a natural fit in an animal environment as her true passion lies in photography and guess who her favorite subjects are? You can view her work at luckyshotphotography.com and barkingphoto.com. She also took the majority of the photographs on this website so you are viewing her work as you read this! Melissa lives in Brooklyn with her husband Drew and her son, a giant bullmastiff named Brodie. Melisa Coleman, LVT, VTS (Dentistry) Head Technician Our head technician is currently the only board certified Veterinary Technician Specialist in New York City. When she is not caring for the patient's teeth on the Upper West Side, she is lecturing and offering wet labs at local veterinary clinics. Her motto is, "A happy mouth is a happy pet." If you wish for her to visit your facility please email her at petfixer14@verizon.net or coleman @cityvetcare.com. Amanda Xanthos Veterinary Technician Amanda graduated LaGuardia Community College with an associate's degree in Liberal Arts. She then went to Binghampton University where she majored in Biology. Amanda lives in Queens with her 2 cats Hollie and Wobbles and her Chihuahua Kendra. In addition to working at City Veterinary Care Amanda has a pet sitting service and in her spare time she pursues the culinary arts. She hopes one day to become a veterinarian.   Mohammed Shohag Technician Mohammed Shohag came to City Veterinary Care in March of 2007 from 5th Avenue Veterinary Specialists where he worked in the Intensive Care Unit, Internal Medicine and Oncology. He graduated from Laguardia Community College with a degree in Veterinary Technology in 2002 and has never looked back. Mo, as he is affectionately known here at CVC, takes his love of animals one step further. He has a pet sitting business called Mo's Pet Care and is reachable at mospetcare@yahoo.com. He is the proud father of two cats, Mimi and Precious, and a handsome boxer named Rex. He is renowned for his work with house-call veterinarian Dr. Jeff Levy for their care of the New York City Police Department Horses. Thanks Mo!   Ioannis Srimuangboon Technician Like all good film makers, has been moonlighting as a veterinary technician for the last 10 years and taking the advice, "don't quit your day job" very seriously. But the good news is, he loves his day job! Unable to stay out of school for any length of time, he is pursuing a second degree in childhood development, mostly to find out why he never grew up. Maybe that's why the pets love him so much. Ioannis lives with his boyfriend and kids who consist of two cats, Tigger and Clams Casino, and two Pomeranians, Stewie and Rocco. When not at work, Ioannis loves traveling, particularly to Europe and Asia. Veronica Torres Technician Veronica Torres attended LaGuardia Community College. Before arriving at CVC she worked at two other veterinary hospitals and is glad to be giving the precious pets on the upper west side the most skillful and loving care. She is currently working part-time while attending school to pursue a career in elementary education. We know Ronnie will be a fantastic teacher someday and take good care of the children in her charge.   Toby Kaplan Toby is a 4 1/2 year-old male, mixed-breed dog. He was adopted by Dr. Kaplan from New Yorks largest animal shelter, Animal Care and Control on 110th street in October of 2001. He loves to fetch, swim, eat and sleep. He can usually be found at City Veterinary Care lounging on the waiting room couches or sleeping under the front desk. His favorite toys are those that squeak. He doesn't plan to have a family of his own one day, because he is neutered. This doesn't sadden him because he knows that this City is confronted with a massive pet overpopulation problem that claims 45,000 lives in the burroughs shelter system each year. He feels lucky to have gotten out of the shelter alive and so he doesn't want to contribute to the overpopulation problem by breeding (that is, IF he was able). Griff Kaplan Sweet Griff is a 7 month-old male mixed-breed dog. He was adopted by Dr. Kaplan in February of 2006, brought to him by a client of City Veterinary Care who was able to rescue him from a neglect situation. When not being smothered by admirer's, he loves to play with any dog coming in to the office, encourage Toby to play, eat, play more, scavenge, eat again, scavenge again and at some point sleep. We expect him to be a great swimmer this summer, but first he must be neutered. Toby gave him the talking to and he seems to be in full agreement. Taxi McGrath Hi, my name is Taxi and I come to work every day with my Mom, Colleen. I am three years old and my mom adopted me two years ago from the city pound. I was very sad there and so when she picked me, I decided we should never spend time apart ever. I'm lucky because I get to ride to work on the front of her bicycle on nice days and she takes me on vacations with her too. I've even been to Germany! Lots of people ask me about my name. I wasn't found in a Taxi, but Mom says I'm little, yellow and I motor around the city so it was a good name for me. I hear lots of people calling to me when we're out taking a walk. Here at the hospital my job is to be very cute, which I do very well, and I'm also supposed to help the people waiting for their appointments feel better. I sit next to them and show them my lips and let them pet me and that usually works. I also play with their dogs sometimes.   Poppy Schallenberg-Kaplan Poppy is a 14 year-old female cat who came to live with us after the death of her father, Mr. Schallenberg. She gets medicine every day for her constipation problem and when not sleeping on a warm fleece on the back of the ultrasound machine, she likes to eat, nuzzle in human hair and groom herself.