Staff Highlight:  Thank you and Good Luck! This summer we have been most fortunate to have two veterinary technician students working with us during their summer hiatus. As veterinary assistants much of what is learned is on the spot training- These young women have been asked to help in many emergency situations, and they have brought enthusiasm and willingness to learn to each  task. Bridgette Teed is a young woman  entering her second year of technical school in  the licensing program at Johnson Technical Institute in Scranton, PA. Bridgette's family has many pets, including two brand new labrador puppies. Jake and Maddie will surely come to love Aunt Bridgette, watch out! Bridgette has quickly stepped into the role of veterinary assistant at the Wyalusing Pet Clinic, and her training has been easy-she is  bright! We hope to make her an addition to our staff when she graduates in May of 2008. She has been simply a joy to have around with her sunny disposition and quick learning. Nikki Ayres is our summer intern at the Towanda Creek Animal Hospital. She also has just finished her first year at the Johnson Technical Insititute. Nikki's family lives in Canton and are owners of Maggie Mae, a German Shepherd, kitty Smokey and the turtle Squirt. Bill and Bob the zebra fish along with two bullfish round out the animal family.  We will be seeing more of Nikki Ayres, too. We are very fortunate! ****GOOD JOB NIKKI and BRIDGETTE**** GOOD LUCK

Our Veterinarians:

Dr. Joan Hudyncia

Dr. Joan Hudyncia began the Towanda Creek Animal Hospital in 1991. She is a 1984 graduate of Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. For 6 years she practiced general medicine, large and small animals, in Indiana, PA. She met and married her husband Michael in 1986. In 1987 her first daughter, Aurora was born. Michael is a chemist, then working in the coal industry in Indiana County. When the opportunity arose to move north, closer to family in New York State, Mike and Joan made the move to Towanda. Dr. Francis Sullivan was the only small animal veterinarian back then…he gave Joan a nod and go-ahead to start her own practice (Dr. Sullivan was 75 years old then, and did not really need any 'help'!).It looked like the ideal place to set up a new life. Dr. Hudyncia worked at the Troy Veterinary Clinic for about 9 months while building and setting up the practice in Towanda. The staff at Troy Vet Clinic will always hold a special place in her heart for being so supportive. She continued in small animal general practice and large animal emergency work for the next 14 years sharing emergencies with Dr. Jim Wilcox at the Laurel Hill Veterinary Service. Dr. Hudyncia’s main interests lie in surgery, particularly orthopedics. Her daughter Anya, is a freshman at Towanda High School and helps out at the Wyalusing Pet Clinic and sister Aurie is a Freshman at Ithaca College in Physical Therapy. Mike teaches chemistry and physics at Towanda Area High School. Their four- legged kids include Bindie, an Australian Shepherd, 3 cats: Latte, PG and Scout, a Shetland sheep named Thor and Isis the goat and 8 chickens who Shall Be Named! 

Dr.Michelle Kaleta

Dr.Michelle Kaleta is a 1992 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation she practiced as a large and small animal veterinarian in Rome, PA and then Newville, PA until joining the Animal Hospital in Towanda in 1998. Dr. Michelle has a special interest in veterinary dentistry, having received special training in Maryland in 2004, continuing in 2005and this spring of 2007. This April, 2007 she continued her education in advanced periodontal and endodontal dental surgery. She and husband, Norm Gardner, and daughter,  Jessica live in Rome. Their four legged children include 2 yearling sheep and 2 cats: Smudge, and Tabitha.

Dr. Lori Smith

Dr. Lori Smith graduated from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. She worked as a small animal practitioner in Poquoson, Virginia where she met her husband Christopher, a native of  Bradford County. In June of 2003 Lori and Christopher moved back to our area, where Lori joined our practice and Christopher began a commercial painting business. She and Christopher are proud of their large family: a Chow Chow named SinSay, Daisy, a sweet 'geriatric' Golden Retriever and 4 cats: Katie, Kayla, Tommy and Lucy. Dr. Lori loves pets and their people as you will know as soon as you encounter her contagious enthusiasm for the art and science of veterinary medicine. She has taught the animal ethics class at the Lackawanna College and enjoys puppy behavior challenges . We are lucky to have Dr. Smith and her family as part of our community.

Dr. Sarah Gottschalk

Dr. Sarah Gottschalk and her husband Dr. Brian Arnold are both graduates of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Sarah worked at the Berkshire Veterinary Hospital, Inc in Pittsfield, Massachusetts until joining the Towanda Creek Animal Hospital in February of 2005. Her husband Brian is a large animal practitioner at the Rome Veterinary Center in Rome, PA. Drs. Sarah and Brian live in Towanda with their combined family of Penelope, a 5 year old rescued Sheltie/Chihuahua mix and 4 cats: Doc Marten, brother Milo, Lola Granola and Popeye the one-eyed cat. You may see Popeye 'hanging out' in his favorite tree in their front yard, surveying his domain. Dr. Sarah loves her cats, and her experieince comes in handy at the Animal Hospital where she especially enjoys feline health and wellness programs.