Meet the Team at Animal Hospital of Hinesburg

Led by renowned experts who love your pet like you do, our devoted team at Animal Hospital of Hinesburg in Hinesburg, VT is driven, compassionate, and accomplished, excelling at the top of our game. Because when the stakes are this high, we settle for no less.

GET TO KNOW US
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Your Trusted Veterinary Team in Hinesburg, VT

Veterinarians

Dr. Patrick Leavey

Veterinarian
About Dr. Leavey
Dr. Leavey returned to Vermont in 2009 after veterinary school at Tufts University. Pat has enjoyed working at the Animal Hospital of Hinesburg since 2014 and he is now the medical director for our team. Pat’s areas of focus are surgery and dentistry. He and his wife, Anna, live with their wonderful son and daughter. They also live with their two Labrador Retrievers, Freddy and Frankie, and their cats, Thor and Theodosia. When not at the hospital, he is usually having fun with his family and friends or playing his many musical instruments.

Dr. Ellen Foster

Veterinarian
About Dr. Foster
Ellen Foster, DACVIM, has been our internal medicine specialist since 2004. She splits her time between seeing general practice patients and seeing dogs and cats referred from other veterinarians for endoscopy, ultrasound, or advice on a difficult case. She graduated from veterinary school at the Ohio State University in 1982. She then spent 3 years at the Animal Medical Center in New York City completing her specialty training in internal medicine and neurology, after which she (thankfully) moved to Vermont. When not at work, she is an avid gardener and Extension Master Gardener. She lives with her 2 dogs, an adult brittany, Finnigan, because he has red hair, and Matilda, a small terrier apparently crossed with a giraffe. She is named for the Ronald Dahl character because she is little, very smart, and a bit of a jerk. Ellen also has 2 rats. Harriet Ratter has a white lightning strike-like mark on her forehead. Her sister goes by Ginny Weaselish.Ellen has recently started making too many live edge wood tables, so there is no more room for additional pets.

Dr. Karen DeMoy

Veterinarian
About Dr. DeMoy

We welcomed Dr. DeMoy into our practice in 2016. She graduated from the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. Dr. DeMoy practiced mixed animal medicine, focusing on small animals, for three years in central New York before moving back to Vermont in 2002. Karen lives in Orwell with her husband, Dave, a large animal veterinarian, and their three daughters. When not shuttling her children to their various activities, she also enjoys gardening, needlework, crochet, felting, and is an avid reader of all topics. At home, Karen’s extended family includes a border collie mix named Moxie, a Havanese named Dottie, a leopard gecko named Rajah, and many chickens.

Dr. Kara Palac

Veterinarian
About Dr. Palac

Dr. Kara Palac grew up in New England and considers Vermont to be her favorite place in the world. She was thrilled to join The Animal Hospital of Hinesburg team and come home in 2020. She graduated from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in 2014. After graduation, she worked at a mixed-animal practice in central New York state for two years. She then spent over three years in New Jersey, focusing on practicing high-quality small animal medicine and performing routine surgeries. Her clients appreciate her candid approach towards taking care of their pets, as well as her dry sense of humor.

For fun, Dr. Palac enjoys running half marathons (she has a goal to run one in all 50 states), baking cookies, watching Netflix, and relaxing with her husky, Ginger, and her horse, Koko.

Dr. Jennifer Elliott

Veterinarian
About Dr. Elliott
Dr. Jennifer Elliott joined the Animal Hospital of Hinesburg in 2004. In 2016, she wanted to shake things up and started her own small animal mobile practice, driving the roads of Chittenden County and beyond for 6 years. In early 2020, Dr. Elliott closed her mobile practice to spend more time with her ailing mother and there was no other place she wanted to continue to work than back at AHH. We welcomed her back with open arms!

Dr. Garrett Levin

Veterinarian
About Dr. Levin
Originally from California, Dr. Levin earned his Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of California at Davis in 1994 and received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University, School of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. Dr. Levin completed a one-year small animal medicine and surgery internship in 2000 at The Animal Medical Center in New York. Following his internship, he completed a three-year comprehensive residency in small animal orthopedics, soft tissue, and neurosurgery in 2003.

Since his residency, Dr. Levin has served as Staff Surgeon at small animal referral and emergency hospitals in California and New Jersey, as well as Chief of Surgery in Massachusetts and Vermont. Dr. Levin has received board certification and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. His areas of special interest include orthopedic surgery and soft tissue surgery. Dr. Levin is trained in the Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgical procedure for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture and has performed thousands of these procedures in his career.

Dr. Asya Zolotusky

Veterinarian

About Dr. Zolotusky
Dr. Asya Zolotusky graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. She started her career in emergency veterinary medicine and has since worked in both emergency and day practice veterinary hospitals around New England. Dr. Zolotusky loves getting to know her patients, being able to help them when they’re sick, and then keeping them feeling well.

When not at work, Dr. Zolotusky enjoys spending time with her family, backpacking, and rock climbing. She shares her home with a delightful Mastiff mix named Tuna and a cat named Makkuro.

Leadership

Jessica Maletta

Practice Manager

About Jessica

Jessica comes to us from Long Island, NY. She moved to Vermont looking for a different change of pace. Her interest in working with animals started at a young age, with 15 years experience under her belt, she has spent time behind the front desk, assisting in the OR, and helped to start a specialty and referral hospital. When Jessica isn’t snuggling her 3 dogs, Diesel, Orville and Mia or her 2 cats, Liam and Kobe, she enjoys explore beautiful Vermont with her husband. They enjoy hiking, camping, horseback riding, and tasting new delicious foods!

Rachel Manikian

Technician Supervisor & Hospital Coordinator
About Rachel
Rachel graduated from Vermont Technical College in 2005 with a degree in Veterinary Technology and joined the team at the Animal Hospital of Hinesburg as a technician shortly thereafter. Along with her regular technical duties, Rachel became the hospital’s Technician Supervisor/Assistant Manager in 2013. Rachel has a special interest and skills in emergency and critical patient care. When not on the clock, she can be found heading up a mountain with her lab-mix “Dexter”, taking a Zumba class, or just hanging out with her husband, daughter, cat, and flock of chickens.

Technicians

Brittney Osborne

Certified Veterinary Technician
About Brittney
Brittney has been with us since 2013 after graduating from the Vermont Technical College Veterinary Technician program. She chose this field after spending three semesters in the UVM pre-veterinary program where she decided she wanted something more “hands-on”. Brittney has previously spent most of her free time running, hiking, and enjoying the outdoors (mainly with borrowed dogs from friends). She loves running so much that she has gone on to complete several ultramarathons and several multi-day races (as a Vermont native, Brittney’s favorite post-race food is Ben & Jerry’s ice cream). However, nowadays you can find her “getting cozy” on the couch with her new baby Jolene (JOJO)! She is very excited to finally have a dog of her own. Though not to the same scale, Brittney still manages to get some “running” in chasing JOJO around as she is quite mischievous!

Kevin Williams

Certified Veterinary Technician
About Kevin
Kevin is originally from New York state. In 2015 he earned his bachelor’s degree in environmental science and then spent the next 3 years conducting a wildlife research project on Adirondack loons. He moved to Vermont in 2018 to attend Vermont Technical College for a degree in veterinary technology. He completed his externship for VTC with us in 2019 and then joined the team as a full-time technician in 2020. He lives in Winooski with his girlfriend Samantha, and their southern rescue dog, Ivy. When not working, he plays guitar and enjoys outdoor activities.

Meghan Forsyth

Veterinary Technician
About Meghan
Meg is a Vermont native who was eager to join our team! She started here at HVA in January of 2015 as a technician. She graduated from Johnson State College in 2010 with a B.S. in Biology. While earning her degree she took on an internship at Lamoille Valley Veterinary Service to explore her passion for working with animals. Meg lives in Shelburne and enjoys cuddling and playing with her golden retriever Henry as well as her two cats Snickelfritz and Mr. T. In addition to her love for animals, you will also find her kayaking in Lake Champlain, hiking with her dogs, dancing, playing tennis, and spending time with friends and family.

Sarah Lathrop

Veterinary Technician
About Sarah
Born in Arizona, Sarah moved to Vermont at the age of three. She moved to Maine after high school, where she worked at a doggy daycare for three years. Her interest in working with animals led her to become a veterinary technician, a career which she has greatly enjoyed for the past 13 years. She became part of our team in the summer of 2015. She and her wife Sommer reside in beautiful Lincoln, Vermont, with their three cats (Donny, Mio & Bean) and their big beautiful mastiff/boxer mix Malcom. In Sarah’s free time, she enjoys camping, fishing, kayaking, and hunting. In the summertime, you’re likely to find her floating in the New Haven River.
Sierra

Sierra

Veterinary Technician

About Sierra
Sierra was born and raised in Vermont. She joined the animal hospital of Hinesburg team in 2024 as well as work at an independent senior living center. Volunteering at animal shelters throughout her high school career piqued her interest in working with animals. Sierra attended Vermont state University and is currently enrolled in Penn Foster Veterinary technician program. Sierra currently lives in Underhill with her daughter. In her free time she enjoys time with her family, at the gym, or outdoor activities like hiking.
Sierra

Julia

Veterinary Technician

About Julia
Julia grew up in upstate New York and spent every free moment at the horse barn. Following her love of animals Julia graduated from UVM in 2020 with a bachelors in animal science. After graduation Julia knew spent a year working on a dude ranch out west, training horses in New Hampshire then working at a doggy daycare in Boston before starting at the Animal Hospital of Hinesburg in 2021. In her free time Julia is out hiking with her two dogs, Kiko and Meli, curled up knitting on the couch with her cats, Bean and Raisin, or baking something delicious.
Sierra

Megan

Veterinary Technician

About Megan
Megan was raised in central Vermont and had always dreamed of working with animals. She graduated from Vermont Technical College in 2016 before becoming a CVT. She has worked as a technician in the Chittenden county area ever since; joining our team in 2024. She recently bought a house where she lives with her fiancé and two cats, Peter and Juliette. They are also expecting a new addition of the human variety later this year. She is especially passionate about behavior, fear-free restraint/handling methods as well as all things CATS!

Camden Bean

Veterinary Technician
About Camden

Camden grew up in Vermont and attended school at Castleton University. She joined the team in 2022 looking to extend her knowledge for her passion.  She has been caring for animals since she was a child, always having animals in the home and fostering many litters of kittens. She now lives in Burlington with her boyfriend Peter and their two dogs Lilly and Charlie. The four of them enjoy hiking, going to the beach and sitting on the couch together.

Client Service Representatives

Emily Haskins

Receptionist
About Emily
Emily has worked at the Animal Hospital of Hinesburg since October 2018. One of our full-time receptionists, she enjoys assisting clients and their pets each day. Emily has worked in the customer service field for over ten years and has been caring for animals since she was a child. She is a Vermont native, hailing from Huntington, where she still lives with her three dogs, three cats, and a rabbit. Emily is recognized as the office’s “crazy cat lady,” and enjoys getting to know each feline that comes in for an appointment. When not at work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, reading a book from her collection of over 1,500 volumes with a cat on her lap, or drinking tea with friends.

Moriah Pratt

Receptionist
About Moriah
Before becoming part of our team, Moriah had a career in grooming at PetSmart. She is a Vermont native that grew up all over the state from St. Johnsbury to Randolph to Bristol. She currently lives on a local Hinesburg dairy farm owned by her boyfriend’s family, with his son, their baby girl and their beagle Kiara and cat Magenta and a herd of cows! Moriah joined the Animal Hospital of Hinesburg team in early 2019. When she is not working, she can be found traipsing around farm fields with her family.

Marisha Lemoine

Receptionist

About Marisha
Marisha is a Native Vermonter who has grown up with large animal experience. Having been an equestrian in the Hunter Jumper circuit, she spent most of her younger years working as hard as a farmhand. She has always had pets, ranging from bearded dragons and snakes to your average household pets like cats and dogs. Marisha is continuing her love for animals by working as a customer service representative at the Animal Hospital of Hinesburg. She and her dog Sadie love spending their time cuddled up on the couch with a book or taking long “sniff walks” through the forest. In her free time, Marisha loves to express herself artistically by painting and writing poetry. In the summer you can find her by one of our Vermont rivers, soaking up the summer sun with friends.
Sofia

Sofia

Receptionist

About Sofia

Sofia graduated college from the University at Albany in 2022 with a degree in Communications and a minor in business and sociology. Sofia grew up in Hinesburg and remembers taking her childhood pets to the Animal Hospital of Hinesburg with her mom which then led her to apply here after graduating college. Sofia has always loved animals and has been pet-sitting since 2016, which is also what made her want to work with animals further. In her free time, you can find her golfing, working out, or playing pickleball, which is a new hobby of hers