Our Story

About East Longmeadow Animal Hospital

Learn more about the East Longmeadow Animal Hospital story below.

About East Longmeadow Animal Hospital

East Longmeadow Animal Hospital (ELAH) has been serving the town of East Longmeadow and our surrounding communities with high-quality and compassionate veterinary care since 1973. Here at ELAH our clients and pets are like family. We understand that no two pets are alike, and we strive to provide customized veterinary care based on your pet’s lifestyle. We believe the most important tool to help your pet live the long happy life they deserve is by providing the best wellness care and preventative medicine. In addition to a comprehensive physical examination, we have diagnostic imaging and laboratory equipment to aid in prevention and diagnostics when your pet is not feeling well. From young to old our hospital is here to provide all stages of care.

Your Trusted Veterinary Team in East Longmeadow, MA

At East Longmeadow Animal Hospital in East Longmeadow, MA, every member of our team is driven by a shared commitment to provide thoughtful and considerate attention to the needs of our patients. Thank you for entrusting us with the care of your beloved family member. We look forward to connecting with you!

east longmeadow animal hospital team photo

Veterinarians

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Dr. Sarah Rothbart

Veterinarian

Dr. Rothbart became a member of our team in June 2017 and has quickly become a vital part of ELAH. Before coming here she worked at South Windsor Veterinary Clinic in Ct. for 3 ½ years. She received her undergraduate degree in animal science from UConn in 2007, and her veterinary degree from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. She then did a rotating small animal internship at Veterinary Specialists of Connecticut in West Hartford, CT. Her special interests are in preventative care and geriatric pain management. Dr. Rothbart was raised in Nantucket and now resides in Windsor Locks, Ct with her husband Dan, son Trevor, and her furry kids Harvey the Bulldog and kitties Mortie and Earl. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and watching movies.

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Dr. Jenny Maas

Veterinarian

Jennifer Maas became a member of our ELAH family in 2018. She received her doctorate in veterinary medicine from Cornell University in 1980. Since then, she has practiced community-based medicine and surgery with both farm animals (dairy and beef cattle, horses, small ruminants, and swine) and companion animals (dogs, cats, and pocket pets). Her pro bono veterinary work has taken her to the Navajo Nation, Nicaragua, and Mexico and she has worked with the International Fund for Animal Welfare to develop standards for anesthesia and surgery. Dr. Maas has been involved in crafting farm animal legislation and has worked with humane societies and local authorities in numerous abuse, neglect, and hoarding cases.

In addition to running a private practice, Dr. Maas has worked extensively with shelter animals and on shelter animal standards and policy as well as advising numerous nonprofit humane rescue organizations. An active member of the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics, she is particularly interested in the field of ethics as it applies to veterinary practice and training and in the evolving science of animal welfare. She is currently a Master’s candidate in the Animals and Public Policy program at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Grafton, Massachusetts where she is studying wildlife policy issues. With her knowledge and kind nature, our team is thankful to have her aboard.

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Dr. Megan Wilson

Veterinarian

Dr. Wilson is the newest member of the East Longmeadow Animal Hospital team. Before pursuing a career in veterinary medicine Dr. Wilson studied marine biology and conservation in southern Florida. She received her BA from the University of Miami in 2005 and her MS in marine environmental science from Nova Southeastern University in 2008. During this time Dr. Wilson was active in marine turtle conservation. Her time working with injured and stranded marine animals inspired her to become a veterinarian. Dr. Wilson returned home to New England where she received her post-baccalaureate certificate in pre-health studies from Mount Holyoke College and worked with Dakin Humane Society’s spay and neuter clinic. Once again her studies took her aboard when she enrolled in the University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery in Edinburgh Scotland. After Graduating in 2018 Dr. Wilson decide she has collected enough degrees and returned home to Massachusetts to start practicing. Her interests include feline wellness, ophthalmology, and of course, reptile medicine. She currently lives in Belchertown with her cat Bowie.

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Dr. Ellen Valley

Veterinarian

Dr. Valley grew up in Massachusetts with a menagerie of animals, including cats, dogs, rabbits, chickens, and a variety of rodents. She also has an affection for dairy cows, having spent summers bottle-feeding and halter training dairy calves on her grandma’s farm in Vermont. Dr. Valley obtained her undergraduate degree in Animal Science from the University of Connecticut, where she was a member of the marching band and participated in research on bovine mastitis and maternal nutrition in sheep. She graduated from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2019, where she enjoyed volunteering at community cat spay/neuter clinics as well as the local community outreach clinic. Dr. Valley is Fear Free Certified, and her goal is to make every visit stress-free for patients and clients. Her special interests include nutrition and behavioral medicine.

Dr. Valley shares her home with her dog Elsa, a flock of chickens, and a goose named Marie. When she is not in the clinic, she enjoys running and hiking with her dog, gardening, horseback riding, and knitting.

Leadership

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Valerie Robustelli

Practice Manager/Veterinary Technician

Valerie joined our East Longmeadow Family in 2018 as Practice Manager and Veterinary Technician. She has worked in the veterinary field for 20 years and continues to love what she does. She lives with her husband and English labrador Maddie in Southwick. She has a grown daughter who has also taken on a love for animals and has a grand dog, Carlisle. Valerie enjoys boating, cooking, watching birds, decorating, and spending time with her family and Maddie. Valerie treats every pet as her own and gives our clients the utmost care and attention which makes her an asset to our hospital.

Technicians

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Jessica Paige

Certified Veterinary Technician

Jessica has been a Veterinary Technician for 5 years. She graduated with an associate’s degree in Animal Sciences and is a registered CVT.

Prior to obtaining her CVT License she also received a BS in Equine Studies from Virginia Intermont College. Jessica has always had a passion for animals and her dedication to the field certainly shows. In her free time, she enjoys horseback riding, scuba diving, and traveling to new places whenever time allows. She also enjoys spending time at home with her husband and daughter and 3 dogs.

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Carol Lucic

Veterinary Technician

Legend has it that Carol has been around our hospital since she was 12 years old. She would stop in with the hope of working here when she grew up. Well, this wish came true! Some thirty-odd years later Carol is an integral part of the ELAH family. Her genuine love for animals is just one of the reasons we love her. Carol graduated from Holliston Junior College with a veterinary technician degree. She resides in Ellington with her husband Milan as well as her four dogs, a cat, multiple rabbits, and chickens. Carol has two grown children, Milan and Taylor, and a new granddaughter Adaline. In her spare time, her favorite thing to do is hike with her dogs!

Lisa Brown-Zajac

Lisa Brown-Zajac

Veterinary Technician/Client Service Representative

Lisa Ann has been working in the veterinary field since 1997. She joined the ELAH team in August 2019 after working for the same veterinarian for 22 years who has since retired. Lisa Ann has an Associate degree in Equine Business Management and an Associates in Veterinary Science.

She enjoys working both as a technician and a customer service representative where her customer service skills shine. When not at ELAH she enjoys spending time with her husband and teenage daughter. At home, she has a rescue dog from Tennessee named Charlotte and a beautiful orange tabby kitty named Wilbur Jo. Lisa Ann also enjoys reading and helping her husband with his many beehives.

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Jessica Pittsinger

Veterinary Technician

Jessica is a Veterinary Technician and has been in the field for 10 years. Her love and dedication to animals have been her lifelong passion.

Jessica graduated with an associate’s degree in Animal Sciences from HCC Veterinary Technician Program. She has been fostering kittens for local rescues for years and rehabs them so they can be adopted.

Jessica also has her own pet sitting business that she began 7 years ago and has quite the following. Jessica enjoys spending time with her 5 cats, Louie, Stubbs, Muffin, FB, and Willadean and her partner Kyle. In her spare time, she enjoys fishing, hiking, watching movies, and spending quality time with her family.

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Brianna Carmenatty

Veterinary Technician

Brianna has been in the veterinary field since 2017. Her work history includes working in the emergency department and in general practice. She is currently enrolled in a Veterinary Program to become certified. Brianna knew that she wanted to work with animals since she was a child, and grew up with dogs, cats, birds, and fish. She currently owns a cute sassy beagle poodle mix named Kioshi. She loves teaching him new tricks weekly, enjoys reading, and being outdoors. She has been a wonderful addition to our practice. Her skills, dedication, and professionalism show in her work every day.

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Madison Scarberry

Veterinary Technician

Madison has been in the Veterinary field since 2018. She is a certified Pharmacy Tech in the state of Ohio. She earned a degree in Biomed and did undergraduate research in acute myeloid leukemia. Madison has taught students in a microbiology laboratory and has volunteered at a local shelter assisting in surgery. She has relocated here from out of state where she previously worked in the veterinary field in emergency and general practice. In the future, she may pursue her career in veterinary medicine to become a DVM. She enjoys reading, movies, and spending time with her boyfriend, her rescue dog Phoenix and kitties Talon and Archeron. We are thrilled she chose ELAH to pursue her career in veterinary medicine.

Veterinary Assistants

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Carol Parker

Veterinary Assistant/Purchaser

The best possible benefit of Carol’s 35 years at ELAH is her husband Jim. She was the technician, he was the client and the rest is history! Carol’s job here is multi-faceted. Among her responsibilities are purchasing drugs and inventory items needed to provide high-quality care for our patients. She is also Dr. Rothbart’s assistant on most days. Carol is especially kind and compassionate and continues to be a joy to all of us! Carol lives in East Longmeadow with her family, as well as her dog, cat, chickens, turtles, mice, and any other critters that need a place to live. Carol enjoys hiking and horseback riding.

Client Service Representatives

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Janice DiPlacido

Client Service Representative

Years ago Janice was one of our full-time receptionists. Three kids and lots of busy family time later, she finally agreed to come back! This was very exciting for us as Janice was always one to get problems solved and questions answered with a smile! She has a BA in English with a minor in Business from Western New England College. Over the years, Janice has fostered litters of puppies. She has two adorable dogs and two cats to round out her family. She resides in East Longmeadow with her husband John and children.

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Lisa Biffinger

Client Service Representative

Lisa has been with us since 2007 and previously worked at Angell Animal Medical Center WNE. As one of our receptionists, her bright smile and welcoming way are a comfort to all who visit. Whether it is an animal or a human with a problem, Lisa is always there to help out! Lisa graduated from UMass Amherst with a BS in Animal Science. She lives in East Longmeadow with her husband Jarrad and daughter Caitlyn, as well as three dogs, three cats, two horses, bunnies, and a slew of chickens. When Lisa is at home, she loves to spend time with her daughter and her horses.

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Jenny Lentz

Client Service Representative

Jenny became part of the ELAH family in September 2016 as a Client service representative. She studied biochemistry at UMASS Amherst and Boston and lived in Boston with her husband for a few years. With the arrival of her daughter, Leila, Jenny, and her family moved back to her hometown of East Longmeadow in April. Her family has grown with the addition of her son Logan Jenny has a borderline obsession with Golden Retrievers, is a huge Boston sports fan, and a lover of fine wine and food. We are thrilled to have Jenny added to our family here, not just for her energetic smile, but also for her ability to reach things in high places to compensate for some of our shorter staff members.

In Loving Memory

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In Loving Memory

Gray

Staff Resident

Gray made the hospital his home about 8 years ago after deciding that being an outdoor cat was not as exciting as his friends had told him it would be. Since then, he has become quite the lady’s man and made himself incredibly useful as the resident bug catcher, paperweight, back scratcher, and file snatcher. He can usually be found napping in a quiet place, striking a pose on the desk, or tapping the staff with his mittens – just to remind them he is always up for some attention…and treats.