Meet Our Team!
Meet the veterinarians & team of Powder Ridge Veterinary Hospital! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!
Get to Know Our Team!
We are solely dedicated to your pet’s care! We look forward to getting to know you and hope you’ll take the time to scroll down and get to know us.
OUR DOCTORS
DR. BLAIRE L. MICHAEL
From a young age, Dr. Michael always aspired to become a veterinarian. She attended Colgate University, where she graduated with a degree in biology. As an undergraduate, Dr. Michael completed an externship at the National Institutes of Health’s non-human primate facility, where she provided veterinary care and obtained research data on various species of monkeys. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine in 2000, Dr. Michael moved to Connecticut, where she worked in both general day practice and 24-hour emergency referral hospitals. After eight years as an associate veterinarian at Powder Ridge, Dr. Michael purchased the practice in December 2018.
Dr. Michael looks forward to continuing the mission Dr. Brooks started by providing excellent patient care to the families and pets of the Powder Ridge Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Michael shares her life with her husband, their four children, and numerous four-legged friends.
DR. MARK ALBIN
Dr. Mark Albin graduated from Cornell University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Sciences and received his DVM from Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. Following school, Dr. Albin completed a rotating internship in Rochester, NY, at Veterinary Specialists of Rochester. Dr. Albin has practiced in Middlesex County since 1995. He thoroughly enjoys the relationships that he has formed with families through his work over the years. Since 2017, Dr. Albin has been an adjunct professor at Middlesex Community College, teaching classes in the Veterinary Technician program. The ability to educate clients about caring for their pets and teaching students through hands-on experience are the highlights of Dr. Albin’s work.
Dr. Albin is a member of the AVMA, CVMA, New Haven VMA, and Hartford County VMA. In the past, he has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Humane Society’s Fox Memorial Clinic as well as a member of the curriculum committee for the Middlesex Community College Veterinary Assistant program.
DR. ASHLEY BEDARF
Originally from the great state of Massachusetts, Dr. Bedarf attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, for her undergraduate studies before moving to Ohio. It was at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine that she obtained her Veterinary Degree. Following graduation, she practiced mixed animal medicine in Ohio for four years and then returned to New England to be back with her family.
Even though she loved practicing large animal medicine, she missed home and now spends her days treating dogs and cats and the occasional pocket pet if the need arises. She sees her job as two-fold; treating the animals while simultaneously strengthening the bond between owners and their beloved pets.
When she isn’t caring for other’s fur babies, she is spending time with her two cats named Bruiser and Luther. Bruiser’s primary interest is food; his life’s work has been finding food, regardless of the cost. Luther, however, prefers to spend his time snuggling on the couch.
When she is not saving lives, Dr. Bedarf spends her time rock climbing, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, and Zumba.
DR. LAUREN DALY
Dr. Lauren Daly grew up in Burlington, CT, and was drawn to the veterinary field and the human-animal bond since she was a child. She graduated with a Bachelor in Animal Science from the University of Connecticut in 2011 and completed her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University in 2016. Dr. Daly joined Power Ridge Veterinary Hospital in 2021.
She enjoys reading, the outdoors, traveling, and is a bit of a crime junkie. Dr. Daly shares her home with her husband, two dogs, Bodhi and Godric, and a leopard gecko, Rango.
DR. ERIN CAREY
After graduating from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts in 2015, Dr. Carey worked at a general practice in downtown Boston for eight years. Her professional interests include preventative medicine, dentistry, and acupuncture! She is happy to be returning home to Connecticut, where she shares her life with her husband, two children, and a pair of quirky sibling cats.
MANAGEMENT
MARIE GLOTZER
Practice Manager
Marie joined the Powder Ridge Team in 2020. She started in the veterinary field as a ward attendant in 1993 and went on to graduate from Becker College with her Veterinary Technician degree. She worked several years in veterinary emergency care and has supervised a surgical department of a referral facility. She was also a supervisor and lead technician at a practice in Farmington. She is studying Business Management at Albertus Magnus College and resides in West Hartford with her husband Joe, son Paul, daughter Elena, Shih Tzu named Mali, and a tortie cat named Mr. Heckles.
SARAH MILLER
Bookkeeper
Sarah majored in Business Management at The University of Connecticut. However, she spent a lot of her time on the other side of campus working at The Kellogg Dairy Center and participating in the UConn Dairy Club. She joined the veterinary field after graduation in 2005. While animals are her greatest passion, she does also enjoy a number of other activities. When she’s not at work or spending time with her animals, she enjoys gardening, scrapbooking, painting, and traveling.
WHILBY
The Real Office Manager
Whilby stole our hearts and joined the team in 2019. He keeps constant watch over the staff and demands our best performance. He’s added important daily enrichment to our routine, such as making us feed the birds and squirrels for him to watch, hand exercises-utilizing the handle of the faucet to turn the tap water on and off for him, frequent breaks to pet, scratch, and play chase the spring or laser with him. When he’s not keeping the staff in line, he’s our hospital greeter for both clients and patients. He also waits patiently outside of exam rooms, listening in on the doctor’s conversations, and when the time comes, he helps his friends cross the rainbow bridge. He always seems to know when his friends need a bit of reassurance and support. We are very lucky to have him!
CLIENT CARE TEAM
JENNIFER BROWN
Patient Care Coordinator
Jennifer has worked for PRVH since 2007. In her free time, she likes to hike with her dogs, paint, and vacuum.
JULIE DESSIN
Receptionist
Julie decided at the young age of seven that she was meant to work with animals. She attended Mount Ida College and achieved a degree in Veterinary Technology in 1995. After working in the world of wildlife and aquatics, she left the field in order to raise her daughter, followed a few years later by her son. Animals have always been her passion, currently being a mom caregiver of four cats (Cinia, Caspian, Clipsie & Autumn), a rabbit (Mr. Nibs), and several Betta fish. In her free time, she enjoys reading, beach days, nature walks, gathering around the firepit, grooming horses, and occasionally fostering kittens. She has worked as an Assistant Manager of a retail pet supply store for the last several years and has finally returned home to veterinary care.
TED FALBOWSKI
Receptionist/Technician Assistant
Ted was a cook, Psych Major, and Licensed Massage Therapist before becoming a Veterinary Receptionist 5 years ago. He currently does not have any pets, but he makes a point of living vicariously through his friends and family members who do. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, cooking, gardening, and spending time with his niece.
CORY LOWREY
Receptionist
Cory joined Powder Ridge Veterinary Hospital as a Receptionist in 2021. She has worked in the Veterinary field for years, including both general practice and emergency. Cory has had experience in social media, public relations, and advertising for several companies. Cory has spent her life raising, breeding, and pet-sitting all kinds of animals and was very active in 4-H and Pet Therapy. She also participates in local Relay for Life, Alzheimer’s, and MS events. She has one cat named Caramel and a Brindle “Bug” (Boston Terrier/Pug Mix) named Guinness. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her pets, family, and friends. Also, she loves music, hockey, racing, baseball, photography, camping, biking, kayaking, and just being outside in nature.
ROBYN HONYOTSKI
Receptionist
Robyn joined Powder Ridge in the Spring of 2021 after completing an internship with us. She is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire. She enjoys playing tennis and hanging out with friends and family. She has a kitty named Midnight, who she loves to play with and cuddle.
SAM KNOLL
Receptionist
Sam joined Powder Ridge in 2021 after completing her Veterinary Assistant internship at a clinic in Hamden. She has always had a strong connection to animals and hopes to go back to school to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. She currently has two cats named Oliver and Jackson. In her spare time, she enjoys taking pictures, spending time with family, and taking Oliver for walks.
HALEY BARROS
Receptionist
Haley joined Powder Ridge in November of 2022. Haley began her career in veterinary medicine back in 2013 as a Veterinary Assistant, where she then completed the Veterinary Technician program. Haley has three cats (Norman, Penelope, and Nala) and a Rottweiler named Millie. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and working out.
PATIENT CARE TEAM
CORINNE VICENZO
Veterinary Technician
Corinne has been in the veterinary field for quite a few years. She has an extreme passion for loving and helping all animals. As a little girl, she was always bringing home strays, and of course, her mom was sometimes not very happy. But she knew how much love she had to save all animals. She feels very blessed to be a Veterinary Technician. She and her husband, Roger, have two dogs (Kayla & Emma) and three cats (Bruce, Rosie, and Tiggie). They truly enjoy spending their free time with all their fur babies!
SHANE A. KICHARD
Veterinary Technician
With nearly 15 years in the Veterinary Field, Shane adds a wealth of knowledge to our support team. From day practice to emergency and a number of specialties, Shane has had many experiences professionally. In his spare time, he practices a diverse set of hobbies. From fitness, rally cars, sculpting, foraging, archery, osteology, mycology, and practicing sustainability, to name a few, Shane keeps rather busy!
KAREN GEE
Veterinary Technician
Karen has been working in the veterinary field for over 30 years. Her vast sum of knowledge and experience is a welcomed addition to our Powder Ridge family. Karen is a dedicated mother, wife, and friend who enjoys Science Fiction literature and cinema. She also shares her life with two dogs and a cat.
SHELBY O'DONNELL
Veterinary Technician
Shelby has worked as a Veterinary Technician since 2003 and has experience in day practice, surgery, exotic animal, and emergency medicine. She is particularly interested in behavior and, in her spare time, trains and competes in rally obedience and nose work with her dogs.
She enjoys hiking, sailing, and various crafts and projects around the house. When not taking care of animals professionally, she does it for “fun,” cleaning up after a Border Collie mix, a Pitbull mix, an English Springer Spaniel, an opinionated Tortie Cat, and nine step-chickens.
BRITTANY BENOIT
Veterinary Technician
Brittany joined the Powder Ridge Team in the summer of 2021. She has been working in the veterinary field since 2008 with experience in surgery/anesthesia, emergency/critical care, and working with strictly feline patients. Brittany also has experience fostering and bottle-feeding a number of kittens during her time in ER. She graduated in 2011 with a degree in Photography but decided that veterinary medicine was her true passion. She shares a home with her spouse Derek, two dogs, three cats, and a couple of reptiles. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking/letterboxing, kayaking, crocheting, and taking care of her many house plants.
GERI GIVEN
Veterinary Technician
Geri has been working in the animal/veterinary field since 1991. She shares her life with her husband, Gary, their boxer, Luke, and two cats, Emma and Grayson. She volunteers with numerous rescues, especially for boxers. She’s very involved with her church and loves being with her grandkids, watching sports (especially softball), gardening, and spending time with family in Vermont.
STACY BARRIE
Veterinary Technician
Stacy has worked in the veterinary field since 2004. She is very passionate about making sure your pet has the best experience possible when they are with us. At home, Stacy has a Siberian Husky named Timber and a Golden Shepherd mix named Sage. She also has two kitties named Aslan and Moose. In her spare time, she likes to paint and be outdoors with her dogs. Stacy is studying Reiki and other energy-healing methods for animals in hopes of helping them even more.
TECHNICIAN ASSISTANTS
TAYLOR WALLACE
Technician Assistant
Taylor is a High School student currently keeping busy helping PRVH during the summer.
OLIVIA PERREIRA
Technician Assistant
Olivia has worked for PRVH for the past two summers. She is currently enrolled at Ohio State University. She has aspirations to be a Veterinarian someday.
ZACHARY ALBIN
Technician Assistant
Zachary started working at PRVH in May 2020. He is currently in college and is working towards being a Veterinarian, just like his father.
MARGO CUPPETT
Technician Assistant
Margo is a recent graduate of Animal Behavior College. She comes to us after working for 30 years in OB-GYN to follow her passion for taking care of animals. She has a son, Evan, who is in college. In her spare time, she enjoys playing Yahtzee.
ROSS MCCAIN
Technician Assistant
After graduating from the University of Hartford, Ross began work as a cook. After a few years in the restaurant business, he decided to focus on a career helping to care for animals and joined Powder Ridge Veterinary Hospital. He and his family have spent their entire lives taking in and caring for cats, helping to socialize and integrate them into their home. In his downtime, he is an avid fan of the NY Mets, Jets, and Boston Celtics and works on his craft as a guitar player.
Dr. Whiskercloud
Veterinarian
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