Shantel
Practice Manager
A proud New Yorker, Shantel attributes the city’s indefatigable spirit to shaping her resolute and courageous character.
With a decade of management experience, ranging from the fitness industry to veterinary medicine, Shantel has developed an impressive acumen for leadership. It was during her stint in veterinary emergency care that she discovered her true calling. Helping people and their beloved pets has become her unwavering mission.
Shantel is deeply committed to delivering unparalleled customer and clinical experiences. Her management style is centered on the well-being and accomplishments of our team. She aims to foster a work culture marked by unity, transparency, openness, and joy. Her vision for our clinic is one where the ambiance is not just inviting but infectious. To her, the pinnacle of success is witnessing a satisfied family share their positive experience with their community, reinforcing the bond of trust and care.
Markita
Assistant Manager
Born and raised in Forest Hills, Queens, Markita has always had a deep love for animals—starting with her first pet, an orange tabby named Hector. She knew from a young age that she wanted to work with animals in some capacity.
Her journey in the veterinary field began at a low-cost mobile veterinary program, followed by five years at a clinic on the Upper East Side. In 2019, she joined the team at Abingdon Square Veterinary Clinic, bringing with her exceptional communication skills and a natural ability to connect with clients. These strengths quickly made her an integral part of the team.
Markita began as a receptionist, quickly rose to lead receptionist, and now serves as Assistant Manager. Her warm smile and positive attitude is what has helped her gain this role.
At home, Markita shares her life with her beloved pit bull, Hatch, and seven cats. In her free time, she enjoys taking Hatch on long walks, dining out, and relaxing at home.
Meagan
Customer Service Representative
Meagan originally hails from a small town in Idaho, where she grew up surrounded by pets of all kinds—dogs, cats, horses, llamas, ferrets, and a host of other small critters. Her passion for animal care was sparked at an early age when she and her grandmother began caring for a colony of feral cats. Many years later, the colony is still under grandma’s care—and Meagan enjoys visiting with them on trips back home.
Meagan is passionate about educating clients and strives to provide the support needed to make caring for a pet a little less intimidating, especially for first time pet parents! Her own pet family includes a Corgi/Jack Russell mix named Potato, and three cats named Nicki, Fanny, and Jay. When she’s not at work, Meagan loves exploring the city and spending time at the beach or the pier when the sun’s out.
Katherine
Customer Service Representative
My name is Katherine and I am a huge lover of animals both big and small. From avians, felines, hamsters, and dogs, its hard to choose a favorite. I am currently studying through Penn Foster to earn my Veterinary Technician License with plans to eventually expand into specialty. One very special talent I am proud to have is dancing. I am currently a dance teacher at Astoria Dance Center and have trained closely with them for over 20 years.
The best part about my mornings is waking up to my best friend, Aragorn. An aussie with the best demeanor and a whole lot of sass. We have recently added a kitten to the family, named Midnight, who has mastered the power of climbing and jumping onto things he shouldn’t. The opportunity to work in two highly rewarding careers is something I will always cherish. Whether it’s helping people with their beloved companions, or teaching children how to embrace the gift of dance, I always have the chance to give back.
Cynthia
Customer Service Representative
I’ve always had a passion for animals of all kinds, having owned a variety of pets from guinea pigs and snakes to birds, and dogs. In addition to my love for household pets, I also have a special appreciation for farm animals and a slight obsession with highland cows. I grew up in the Bronx next to horse stables, where I would volunteer as a teen.
This experience has given me a well-rounded understanding of the needs of different animals and the unique bond they share with their families. As a dog mom myself to a Wheaten Terrier named Benji, I understand the important role animals play in our lives. My goal is to provide compassionate, knowledgeable service that helps make every visit to the clinic a positive experience.
Mary Kate
Customer Service Representative
My name is Mary Kate, and I live in Queens, NY with my sister and our two fur babies, Pebble, who is the sweetest chihuahua mix you’ll ever meet, and Tilapia (Tilly), a very rambunctious but lovable kitten. I graduated from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design where I earned my BFA in Illustration. My artistic work matches my passion for helping animals and I was self-employed creating pet portraits when I first moved to the city.
I am currently enrolled through Penn Foster to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician, and love learning about all facets of what Vet Med has to offer. When I’m not working I enjoy tending to my houseplant collection, playing video games, and trying restaurants around the city.
Jordan
Veterinary Technician
Jordan has been a technician since 2017. She obtained an Animal Science degree from Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Tx. Initially started off at a high volume non-profit spay/neuter clinic, then worked at a general practice clinic for 3 years where they performed wellness visits, dentals, soft tissue surgeries, and triage patients. Before moving to NY, she worked in emergency medicine. Although she enjoyed the adrenaline rush from emergency medicine, she wanted a change of scene to a fear free facility and working with healthy patients. Jordan enjoys working with her teammates and building friendships with fur babies! She cannot wait to meet you! In her free time she enjoys painting, dancing, long walks in nature, and working out.
Jessica
Veterinary Technician
Jessica grew up in Maryland and Florida wanting to be a veterinarian. After receiving training in animal handling and as a veterinary assistant, she made the move to New York. Prior to landing at Abingdon Square, she most recently worked at Manhattan AMC. She says her favorite part of working in the veterinary field is using gentle techniques to handle pets and the love that she feels from our pet patients when we help them.
When she’s not working, Jessica enjoys cooking and spending time with her three dogs and pet chinchilla.
Pamela
Veterinary Assistant
A New Jersey native, I got my start in vet med 9 years ago at the ASPCA and have never looked back. While I identify as pan- petual, I do have a special place in my heart for cats and am always looking to expand my knowledge of their health and behavior. Outside of work, I am an avid gamer (video, tabletop, and board), a plant Mom, a crafter, and a mom to 4 cats and a pit mix, all rescues.
Edgar
Veterinary Technician
Edgar Melendez is a dedicated Veterinary Technician with over a decade of experience in emergency, surgical, and general veterinary care. Known for his compassionate approach and technical precision, Edgar has built a career rooted in excellence and empathy. His clinical expertise includes venipuncture, IV catheter placement, dentistry, wound care, and medication administration, alongside strong proficiency in emergency triage, laboratory diagnostics, and medical imaging. Edgar has working proficiency in Spanish, allowing him to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking clients and enhance their understanding of veterinary care. His ability to bridge language gaps adds a valuable layer of trust and accessibility to his client interactions. Beyond clinical work, Edgar has contributed to operational support and team development in veterinary practices, helping ensure smooth workflows and positive client experiences. He combines hands-on knowledge with a proactive mindset, making him a versatile asset in any veterinary setting. Whether assisting in surgery or mentoring colleagues, Edgar brings focus, adaptability, and heart to every role he undertakes.
Sarah
Veterinary Technician
My name is Sarah, I was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. As a child I owned 6 pets who were all cats. As a child I wanted to study Egyptology and explore the ancient artifacts of Egyptian tombs. I changed my mind after getting my first pet and having one encounter having to rescue a stray cat in danger off the street. I’m a growing technician in training pursuing my certification in school to become a licensed veterinary technician. I started out with my training in an ER/Specialty hospital and expanded my growth and experiences through several general practices around the city. I enjoy participating in surgery within the veterinary field because of how busy the flow is from start to finish. I currently own 2 cats one female named Coco and one male named Leon. When I’m not working I enjoy spending time with my partner and visiting new places to travel together to and I recently found a new interest in finding books to read on my time off.
Brittany
Technician Assistant
With several years of hands on experience in animal shelter environments, I’ve dedicated my career to the compassionate care and handling of animals in need. My background includes working as an animal handler and caretaker at both the ASPCA and Animal Care Centers, where I supported the physical and emotional well being of shelter animals through daily care routines, behavioral observation, and enrichment activities.
Through this work, I developed a deep understanding of animal behavior, stress management in high volume shelter settings, and the importance of patient, consistent care. I take pride in my ability to build trust with animals of all temperaments, ensuring they feel safe, respected, and valued.
Outside of work, I’m a proud dog parent to Cinnamon, a sweet rescue who constantly reminds me why this work matters. In my downtime, you’ll often find me reading a good book or exploring new restaurants always on the lookout for the next great bite.
Evony
Technician Assistant
My name is Evony. I moved to Manhattan from Nashville, Tennessee 5 years ago. After completely changing careers from working in finance to now pursuing veterinary medicine, it has been an honor to work in this field! I love put client’s concerns at ease and am committed to the well-being of animals. I have 2 cats in New York named Platinum and Simba. I also have 3 horses in Tennessee named Stevie, Phoenix and RJ.
Symonia
Technician Assistant
My name is Symonia and I originally hail from the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago but currently call New York home. I have 10 years of experience working in the veterinary field ranging from shelter medicine, ER and general practice. My love for animals started after meeting a gorgeous
orange kitten as a small child and I knew then that I would spend my life in this field. I love reading, snowboarding and walking all over the city in my free time. I’m also the proud pet mom to a one year old rescue cat named Mercy and a sassy american akita named Tomatsu.
Eric
Veterinary Technician
Over 11 years of hands on experience, Eric is a seasoned Veterinary Technician known for delivering exceptional animal care across a wide range of clinical settings. He is highly skilled in surgical assistance, anesthesia monitoring, radiology, dental prophylaxis, laboratory diagnostics, and emergency procedures, consistently bringing both precision and compassion to his work. He is proficient in veterinary software systems and is meticulous when it comes to maintaining accurate and organized medical records. His ability to stay composed under pressure, communicate clearly, and work collaboratively with clients, colleagues, and veterinary professionals makes him a trusted and valued member of any veterinary team. Beyond clinical expertise, he is deeply committed to creating a supportive, respectful environment for both clients and their pets. Whether assisting in surgery or comforting a worried pet owner, he approaches each interaction with empathy and professionalism. In his personal time, Eric enjoys spending time with his partner and kids, exploring new recipes in the kitchen, as well as traveling to discover new places.
Avian
Veterinary Technician
I’ve been in the veterinary field for about 19 years. I love anesthesia and surgery. In my free time I play competitive pool and Pétanque. I also volunteer for a community kayak non profit in Staten Island. Other than that I’m hanging with my pup Spanky and my two cats Charlie and Scout cooking up some good eats for my girlfriend and I!