Meet Our Staff!Get to know the doctors and staff at Montville Animal Hospital.DoctorsDr. Jo Michaelson discovered veterinary medicine when she was lucky enough to have a summer job at a companion animal hospital after her freshman year in college.She graduated from Mt Holyoke College with a Bachelor's in Biology and the University of Connecticut with a Master's in Pathobiology. She then received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from North Carolina State University in 1989. She chose to live in southestern Connecticut because of the beautiful countryside and closeness to Long Island Sound and the ocean. After working at Montville Animal Hospital for 2 years, she purchased the practice and has been honored to care for the pets of the surrounding towns for more than 15 years. Dr. Michaelson is especially interested in optimizing the good health of all of her patients. Maintaining dental health, educating owners about raising puppies and kittens, soft tissue surgery and geriatrics are areas of particular strenghths. She feels it is important to communicate clearly and enjoys the process of getting to know both the owners and the pets in her care. Although dogs and cats are the most frequently treated companion animals in her practice, she has a special interest in reptiles and has made this new field an important part of her continuing education. Small mammals such as ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other rodents are also patients at Montville Animal Hospital. Currently, Dr. Michaelson lives with a retired greyhound, an elderly terrier mix, 2 cats and 2 red-eared slider turtles
Dr. Dianne Beal is originally from upstate NY where she attended Catholic Central High School. Following graduation, she served four years in the US Coast Guard before choosing to return to civilian life to pursue her higher education. She attended Hudson Valley Community College (where she met her future husband) and received her Bachelors degree from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. She traveled around the country with her husband, Clayton, who spent 20+ years in the US Coast Guard before retiring earlier this year as a Lieutenant Commander. She received a Masters degree in Cell Biology from East Carolina University and worked for several years, primarily in laboratory research. Although Dr. Beal found research to be rewarding, her passion for animals drove her to continue her education in veterinary medicine. She received a Bachelor’s degree in veterinary science from Edinburgh University and then attended Iowa State University where she earned her DVM in 2010. She completed a one year small animal internship that focused heavily on emergency medicine at the Regional Veterinary Referral Center in Springfield, VA. While emergency medicine can be gratifying, Dr. Beal has chosen to pursue general practice, as she enjoys wellness exams and getting to know her client base on an individual basis. Having previously lived in the area, she is happy to return to CT and begin working at Montville Animal Hospital with Dr. Michaelson. She now resides in North Stonington with her husband, Clayton, and their beloved hound, Dobby. She enjoys hiking, dancing, fitness, reading, movies, and arts and crafts; she makes and sells jewelry in her spare time.
ManagementRenee Genereux joined Montville Animal Hospital 4 years ago as a veterinary technician and is now our Practice Manager. She has been working in the veterinary and customer service fields in New London County for 21 years. She was raised and still resides in Sprague. Renee has 2 grown sons and is now the proud mamma to 5 rescued friends: American Bulldog "Dover," Chihuahua "Peanut," "Willow" the Sphynx cat, "Grizzle" the hand raised domestic shorthair cat and "Darby" the elderly Siamese mix. Besides her passion for animals, she is also a huge Nascar enthusiast.
Veterinary Technicians/AssistantsKayla Walters was born and raised in Connecticut. She grew up around animals of all kinds, from as small as geckos to as big as horses. She was inspired to work in the veterinary field when she was a little girl. She currently lives with Pantone, Jack and Quicksilver, the 3 black cats; Draco the bearded dragon; and Charlie the Corgi/Australian Shepherd mix.Sarah Robbins has been working in the veterinary field since 2005. Sarah grew up in Waterford and has always had pets. She currently has 3 darling tortisehell cats: Shimmy, Gracie and Mia, as well as a sweet but goofy black lab, Sophie. Sarah is also fostering a stray kitten she calls Tugger. Sarah loves working in a veterinary hospital because it helps her feel that she has made a difference for that animal and their owner. Sarah is a nursing student at American International College, entering her senior year, and hopes to incorporate animal therapy into her nursing career.
Sara Gonzales was born in Connecticut and grew up in Florida. A lifelong animal lover, she has worked in the veterinary field since 2006. She is a member of the Air National Guard where she is training as an optometry technician. She enjoys the outdoors and summer sports, and is devoted to her rescued 3 legged red nose pitbull, Sally.
Heather Muir ReceptionistsLori Winslow has been in the veterinary field for just 1 year, but has worked in the medical field for over 20 years. She is married and the "mom" to Butch, a Miniature Pinscher mix, who seems to run the household. She has always had pets growing up and as an adult, and loves all of the different patients she gets to meet. Although Lori is originally from California, she loves living in New England. In her free time, she is an avid reader and cross stitcher.
Elena Aleskiewicz grew up and still lives locally. When she is not working here she teaches science at a local middle school. Elena has many pets: 5 dogs, 3 llamas, 2 cats, and 1 chinchilla.
Cindy Jackson has over 25 years of medical office experience and has always loved animals. She is a three-time rottweiler rescue mom who dotes on her princess, Mayda, and her little man, Oscar. A Connecticut native, Cindy has spent most of her life here. She enjoys Equinox bonfires, playing Scrabble and one-upping her skiing buddies on the black diamond slopes. Support StaffKelly LongoNew! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
