Meet the Team
We are proud to introduce you to the talented and highly-trained Veterinarians and team members at Companion Pet Hospital. We encourage you read the bios below and discover what makes us unique!
Meet Our Veterinarians
Hope Jankunas, DVM
Medical Director
Dr. Jankunas is a compassionate and dedicated veterinarian. Her passion for animals started early in her childhood when she bonded with a family of stray cats that made a home in her backyard. Caring for them gave her a sense of purpose and sparked her desire to become a veterinarian. After earning her bachelor’s degree at Boston College, she went on to receive her DVM at the University of Florida. Following graduation, Dr. Jankunas completed a one-year internship at the Animal Medical Center in NYC, where she gained valuable experience in treating a wide range of cases. Dr. Jankunas is committed to providing low stress visits and working closely with clients to come up with the best treatment plan for their beloved pets. She understands that every patient and family is unique and works hard to tailor her approach to the specific needs and concerns of each individual.
Dr. Jankunas serves on the board of the Hudson Valley Veterinary Medical Society and volunteers with the Putnam 4H Junior Vet Program. She enjoys exploring local wineries and craft breweries with her husband, Dr. Jeremy Frederick (also a veterinarian). Their family includes their son, Jaxson, and furry friends, Stella, Mittens, and Bubbles.
Alisha Selzner, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Selzner is a talented veterinarian with a passion for providing exceptional care to pets and their families. A native of the Hudson Valley, she received her undergraduate degree from Gettysburg College, where she double majored in biology and music. She went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island, Canada. After graduation, she completed a one-year internship in medicine and surgery at the Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island.
As a veterinarian, Dr. Selzner takes pride in being able to improve her patients’ quality of life while providing support and guidance to their parents. Her passion for animals extends beyond the exam room, as she chooses to spend her time outside of work surrounded by animals as well. She enjoys beekeeping, riding her horse CC, and doing agility training with Tillie the Labrador Retriever, who is also a registered therapy dog. Other family members include Gibert the orange tabby cat, and her husband, Chris.
Maureen Lecaro, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Maureen Lecaro is a highly skilled and compassionate veterinarian who is dedicated to providing the best possible care for her patients. Born and raised in Queens, Dr. Lecaro was drawn to the field of veterinary medicine by her love of animals, science, and puzzles. After earning her bachelor’s degree from Yale University, she went on to attend veterinary school at Tufts University. Following her graduation, Dr. Lecaro completed a one-year internship at VERG in Brooklyn, NY. As a veterinarian, she enjoys building relationships with patients and clients and believes that creating trust and working as a team is essential to providing the best care for their furry loved ones.
Outside of work, Dr. Lecaro shares a home with her partner and their dogs, Coco, Penny, and Bailey. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga, reading, and being in the sunshine. She is also an active member of her community and volunteers with the Cold Spring Fire Department.
Nicole Knapp, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Nicole Knapp is a caring veterinarian who goes above and beyond to ensure the well-being of both pets and their families. With a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Rhode Island and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Western University, Dr. Knapp brings a wealth of knowledge and a compassionate touch to her work.
From a young age, Dr. Knapp felt a strong need to help animals. Her journey began with volunteering at an animal hospital during high school, solidifying her commitment to a lifelong career in veterinary care. The heart of Dr. Knapp’s practice lies in enhancing the quality of life for her patients and, in turn, positively impacting their devoted pet parents.
Dr. Knapp’s family includes her husband, two sons, two dogs and a cat. Beyond the clinic, Dr. Knapp finds solace in the great outdoors, indulging in activities like hiking and camping. She’s also a proud lacrosse mom, cheering on her boys as they take the field.
Valerie Ammirato, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Valerie Ammirato is a compassionate veterinarian who understands that pets are not just patients – they’re cherished members of the family. She is a Hudson Valley native and earned her BS in Biology from Iona College. She then traveled to Grenada to attend veterinary school at St. George’s University and further honed her skills during her clinical year at the University of Georgia.
Dr. Ammirato’s childhood home was filled with a menagerie of pets ranging from fish and snails to dogs and everything in between, and laid the foundation for her profound love for animals. Driven by a passion for science and medicine, she embarked on a veterinary career to blend her love of animals and science. Dr. Ammirato places the utmost importance on creating a positive client and patient experience. Taking the time for detailed conversations with pet parents, she ensures that their concerns are thoroughly addressed. Moreover, she is committed to providing a secure and stress-free environment for the pets under her care.
Meet Our Consulting Specialists
Jeremy Frederick, DVM, DACVIM, CVA
Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine
Dr. Frederick graduated from the prestigious Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada and went on to complete a residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Florida. Early in his career, Dr. Frederick developed a special interest in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, and pursued special training at the Chi Institute to become a certified veterinary acupuncturist. With his unique combination of knowledge and expertise, Dr. Frederick provides a comprehensive and holistic approach to veterinary care.
Dr. Frederick is dedicated to helping pets live their best lives by addressing not only their physical health but also their mental and emotional well-being. He believes that a complete lifestyle approach to care is essential for maintaining optimal health and preventing disease. He works closely with pet owners to create personalized treatment plans that address the unique needs of each animal.
Jean-Paul Petrie, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology)
Cardiology Consultations and Echocardiograms
Dr. Petrie is a board-certified veterinary cardiologist with a mobile cardiology service operating in Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. He completed his DVM degree at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada and went on to complete a residency in veterinary cardiology at The Animal Medical Center in New York City. He lectures both nationally and internationally, has published several articles and books chapters, and continues to be actively involved in clinical research projects.
Alexandre Rousseau, DVM, DACVIM, DACVECCS
Internal Medicine and Ultrasonography
Dr. Rousseau provides on-site diagnostic, therapeutic and consultation services for patients of Companion Pet Hospital. He earned his DVM from the Université de Montréal and completed double residency training at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. He has years of experience working in multi-specialty referral hospitals in different locations across the country. Now as a mobile specialist, Dr. Rousseau works with your pet’s veterinarian to develop a diagnostic and treatment plan to address their needs.
Chad Andrews, DVM, DACVS
Soft Tissue and Orthopedic Surgery
Dr. Andrews is a board-certified veterinary surgeon and provides mobile surgical services at our Carmel and Fishkill facilities. He earned his DVM from The Ohio State University and completed his surgical residency training at the University of Tennessee. His special interests include orthopedic surgery and arthroscopy. He enjoys participating in hands-on trainings that teach surgical techniques to fellow specialists and general practitioners.
Our partnership with Dr. Andrews enables your pet to receive the specialty surgery they need while under the care of the veterinarians you know and trust.
Meet Our Team
Kathy
Kathy is the practice manager at our Fishkill hospital, where she is dedicated to ensuring that all members of the community receive the best medical care possible for their beloved pets. With a team of professionals by her side, Kathy works tirelessly to provide top-notch care for animals. In her personal life, Kathy is a passionate animal lover with three dogs and two cats of her own. When she’s not at work, Kathy enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her husband and two daughters. In her free time, she can often be found indulging in her love of photography. In addition to her role as practice manager at Companion Pet Hospital, Kathy uses her artistic eye to capture beautiful images that showcase the hospital’s commitment to providing top-quality care for animals.
Deanna, LVT
Deanna is a highly skilled and dedicated licensed veterinary technician, who earned her BA in Biology from SUNY New Paltz and her LVT from SUNY Ulster. She has a deep passion for animals and is particularly interested in dentistry. Her early career was spent working with horses, and she is an experienced rider. In addition to her love for animals, Deanna is also an outdoors enthusiast and artist. Her artistic talents include creating portraits of pets. Her family includes her fiancé and their cattle dog mix, Poppy. Deanna’s experience and knowledge make her an excellent addition to our clinic and we are proud to have her as part of our team.
Lauren, LVT
Lauren is an experienced and kind licensed veterinary technician who earned her license from Mercy College. She has a deep love for animals and finds great fulfillment in working with them every day. Lauren first began her career at Companion Pet Hospital as a kennel assistant and has since continued on as a technician. She has a menagerie of pets at home, including two dogs, a cat, and a horse. In addition to her work at the hospital, Lauren is also a volunteer fire fighter at the North Highlands Fire Department. In her free time, she enjoys swimming and camping in the Adirondacks with her husband and animal-loving daughter. With her extensive knowledge and dedication to her profession, Lauren is a valuable member of the veterinary team at Companion Pet Hospital.
Mellisa, LVT
Mellisa is a highly skilled and compassionate licensed veterinary technician who earned her degree from SUNY Delhi. Her love of animals and desire to help them led her to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Mellisa’s first job in this field was as a kennel assistant at Companion Pet Hospital, and she has been with the hospital ever since. In her personal life, Mellisa is married with three children and shares her home with a cat and a dog. Mellisa enjoys spending time with her family and watching her children play sports. She is a dedicated and caring professional who is committed to providing the best possible care for her patients.
Robbyn, LVT
Robbyn is a caring and knowledgeable licensed veterinary technician who has always had a deep love for animals. She first began working at Companion Pet Hospital as a kennel assistant during high school, which sparked her interest in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. Robbyn earned her LVT at SUNY Ulster and returned to CPH, where she enjoys working with patients and educating their parents on how to keep them healthy. In her personal life, Robbyn is married with two daughters and three pets: two Italian greyhounds and a rescued three-legged greyhound. She also has a creative side and enjoys crafting as well as creating engaging content for the hospital’s social media platforms. Robbyn’s diverse talents make her an indispensable member of the team.
Cara, LVT
Cara’s patience and kindness make her a perfect fit for the veterinary field. She started her career at Companion Pet Hospital as a Client Services Representative and shifted to our Patient Care Team after graduating from the veterinary technician program at Westchester Community College. Cara truly enjoys meeting and helping the clients and their pets at the hospital. In her free time, she loves spending time with her own furry family, which includes three dogs and two cats. She is also an avid hockey player and enjoys playing the sport with her husband. With her passion for animals and commitment to providing the best care possible, Cara is a valuable asset to our team.
Gianna, LVT
Bio coming soon!
Chris
Chris is a devoted and caring member of our team, with a background in veterinary medicine as a licensed technician. In her current role as Client Service Representative, she enjoys getting to know our clients and their furry companions, and helping them access the care and support they need. When she’s not at work, Chris enjoys gardening, traveling to Maine, and spending time with her husband and friends and family. Despite not having any pets of her own, Chris is always happy to lend a helping hand and provide temporary care for her coworkers’ pets.
Andrea
Andrea is a dedicated and compassionate veterinary assistant. Her passion for animal care led her to volunteer at an animal shelter, where she discovered a desire to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Andrea finds fulfillment in building trust with her patients and clients and takes great joy in helping animals and their people. In her free time, Andrea enjoys exploring the outdoors, cross-stitching, and playing video games. She is a proud cat-mom of two and also keeps tarantulas and jumping spiders as pets. Andrea is a lover of all animals, no matter how many legs they have!
Dorothy
Dorothy is a dedicated client services representative and Hudson Valley native. Her journey in the veterinary field began when her own pet required emergency care, igniting her passion for helping animals in need. Dorothy thoroughly enjoys working with pets and their families, providing compassionate support during their veterinary visits. She shares her home with six rescued cats and dogs and tanks full of beautiful fish. Her family includes her husband, a volunteer firefighter, and their three children. Dorothy’s heart belongs to her grandkids and she cherishes every spare moment they can spend together.
Karsen
Karsen is a hard-working and devoted veterinary assistant. Her lifelong love of animals brought her to this field, and she takes great joy in seeing animals recover from their illnesses and get back to living their best lives. As a veterinary assistant, Karsen is skilled in assisting with surgeries and is committed to ensuring that patients have a recovery that is smooth and comfortable. Karsen rescued her blue heeler, Milly, from Hurricane Harvey and cared for her during her heartworm treatment. She enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and camping, and she also loves to travel. In addition to her love of animals, Karsen is an avid hockey fan (go Rangers!).
Kim
Kim is a dedicated and friendly client service representative with a true passion for animals. She is always eager to assist clients and their pets and is committed to ensuring that their experience at our hospital is as positive as possible. Kim is married and has two daughters and a son. Their family also includes a pit-bull named George Gino, a rescued gecko, and a beta fish. When she’s not at work, Kim enjoys shopping at flea markets, traveling, and spending time with her family. Kim’s love for animals and her dedication to providing excellent customer service make her an invaluable member of our team.
Nicole
Nicole is a dedicated veterinary assistant who is passionate about helping animals feel comfortable and cared for during their visits to our hospital. She is committed to using “fear free” techniques to provide loving care for each and every patient as if they were her own. Nicole is married with a son and has a beloved cat named Waffles who was supposed to be a foster pet but ended up staying with the family permanently. When she’s not working, Nicole enjoys cooking and exercising. She is a compassionate and dedicated animal lover who truly cares about the well-being of her patients.