Meet Our Veterinarians

  • Woman with long brown hair smiling and holding a tortoiseshell cat in front of a large sign that says "Welcome to Perry Pet" on a gray wall.

    Alison Alessi, DVM

    Associate
    Education:     Ontario Veterinary College
    Special Interests: Soft Tissue Surgery, Preventative Medicine, The Companion Animal Bond
    Locations: Yorkshire

    Dr. Alison Alessi grew up in Hamburg, New York, just outside of Buffalo, where a golden retriever with complex medical needs sparked a lifelong passion for veterinary medicine. She earned her degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University at Buffalo before going on to receive her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2020. Her professional interests center on soft tissue surgery, preventative medicine, and the companion animal bond, and she is a member of both the AVMA and NYSVMS. What sets Dr. Alessi apart is a genuine commitment to animals beyond the clinic walls. During her undergraduate studies she traveled to Costa Rica to assist with endangered sea turtle research, and in veterinary school she volunteered in wildlife conservation at South Africa's Kruger National Park, worked with rehabilitated elephants in Cambodia, and provided veterinary care for injured and neglected wild animals in Thailand. At home, she enjoys traveling, baking, photography, and fitness, and spends her time with her husband Steve, their son Liam, and cats Maxwell and Maya.

  • Perry Vet logo featuring a caduceus with colorful wings, the tagline "Knowledge is health," and silhouettes of a dog, horse, cat, goat, deer, and cow.

    Allison (Allie) Biedrzycki, DVM

    Associate
    Education: Cornell University
    Special Interests: Dentistry, Soft Tissue Surgery and Geriatric Care
    Locations: Livonia

  • A woman in farm attire kneeling on a barn floor next to a cow with a yellow ear tag, with more cows inside a barn in the background.

    Molly Border, BVMS

    Associate
    Education: University of Glasgow
    Special Interests: Large animal and equine medicine
    Locations: Large Animal Road Service

  • Kate Capel, DVM

    Associate
    Education: Cornell University
    Special Interests: Companion Animal
    Locations: Livonia

    Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Kate Capel fell in love with the Finger Lakes region during summer family vacations to Canandaigua Lake.  She returned to the area to attend Cornell University, where she majored in biology and intended to pursue a career in research.  As senior year drew near, Kate found herself bored with research projects but thoroughly enjoying her part-time work as an animal caretaker for a menagerie of Central and South American mammals (pacas, agoutis, a two-toed sloth named Roscoe and a colony of vampire bats).  Dr. Capel took a year off after this realization to get her feet wet in a few veterinary settings before committing to the profession.  Her first job was actually cleaning kennels at a boarding facility.  Dr. Capel returned to Cornell as a member of the graduating Class of 2000 at the College of Veterinary Medicine.  On her first day of classes, she met her anatomy partner and future husband, Michael.  Upon graduation, the Capels relocated and joined our practice (2000).  Dr. Capel enjoys general surgery and the challenge of internal medicine, but one of her favorite roles is mentoring young students and speaking to school groups.  Dr. Capel also keeps busy raising four children (Matthew, Adeline, Caroline, and Natalie) and tending to the Capel family pets (dogs: Eve, Paige, and Cody; cats: Levi, Jacque, and Nigel; hermit crabs: Ludwig and Suzette).  In her spare time, Dr. Capel enjoys traveling, boating, kayaking, and skiing with her family.

  • A smiling middle-aged man with short gray hair and blue eyes, wearing a plaid shirt, standing inside a barn with blurred farm equipment in the background.

    Michael Capel, DVM

    Partner
    Education: Cornell University
    Special Interests: Large Animal-Milk quality farm economics
    Locations: Large Animal Road Service

    Dr. Michael Capel grew up in the Hudson Valley region of New York and went on to earn both his undergraduate degree in Animal and Dairy Science and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University, graduating in 2000. A board-certified specialist through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Dairy Practice and a Certified NYS Milking Equipment Technician, Dr. Capel brings deep technical expertise to every farm call. He is an active member of the AVMA, where he serves on the Council on Education, and is a past president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), as well as a member of the NYSVMS Government Relations Committee. Dr. Capel is drawn to large animal ambulatory practice for the blend of mental and physical work it demands and finds fulfillment in building lasting relationships with farm clients and contributing to their long-term success. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, kayaking, waterskiing, and music theater. He lives in Geneseo with his wife Kate, their four children, and a full house that includes Missy, a 14-year-old lab mix, and Jacque and Nigel, 14-year-old brother cats.

  • Perry Vet logo featuring a veterinary caduceus symbol with a dog and cat silhouette below, and the tagline "Knowledge is Health."

    Matt Chuff, DVM

    Partner
    Education: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
    Special Interests: Records analysis and Youngstock management
    Locations: Perry, Large Animal Road Service

  • Perry Vet logo with a medical symbol and four animals: a dog, a horse, a goat, and a cow, under the slogan "Knowledge is Health."

    Leslie E. DeGroff, DVM

    Partner Emeritus
    Education: Cornell University
    Special Interests: Large Animal-Dairy
    Locations: Large Animal Road Service

  • Logo for Perry Vet with the tagline "Knowledge is Health" and silhouettes of a dog, horse, goat, deer, and cow below the text.

    L. Scott DeGroff, DVM

    Partner
    Education: Cornell University
    Special Interests: Large Animal
    Locations: Large Animal Road Service

  • Perry Vet logo featuring a veterinary caduceus with blue and green wings, and silhouettes of a dog, cat, horse, goat, and cow below, with the slogan "Knowledge is Health."

    Dr. Dylan

    Associate
    Education: Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
    Special Interests: Large Animal
    Locations: Yorkshire, Large Animal Road Service

  • Perry Vet logo with a veterinary symbol of a caduceus with wings in green and blue, and silhouettes of five animals including a dog, a horse, a goat, a pig, and a cow.

    Daniel Fischer, DVM

    Associate
    Education: Cornell University
    Special Interests: Companion Animal
    Locations: Livonia

  • Perry Vet logo with a stylized caduceus symbol and silhouettes of various animals including a dog, horse, goat, deer, and cow, with the slogan "Knowledge is Health."

    Gisselle Garcia, DVM

    Associate
    Education: Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine
    Special Interests: She enjoys all species
    Locations: Yorkshire, Large Animal Road Service

  • Perky Vet logo featuring a green and blue caduceus with a paw print, silhouettes of a dog, cat, horse, goat, deer, and cow, and the slogan 'Knowledge is Health.'

    Carley Gringer, DVM

    Associate
    Education: University of Melbourne
    Locations: Livonia

  • Older man in blue medical scrubs standing in front of a 'Welcome to Perry Pet' sign, indoors, beige wall background.

    David Hale, DVM

    Partner Emeritus
    Education: Cornell University
    Special Interests: Large and Companion Animal
    Locations: Perry, Batavia, Yorkshire, Large Animal Road Service

  • A man with white hair and a beard wearing blue medical scrubs, a stethoscope around his neck, standing outside a veterinary clinic. The clinic sign reads 'PERRY Vet' with a heart shape and animal silhouettes, and the slogan 'Knowledge is Health.'

    Peter Hecht, DVM

    Partner
    Education: North Carolina State University
    Special Interests: Large Animal-South American Camelids, Companion Animal
    Locations: Perry, Batavia

  • A woman in teal veterinary scrubs and a stethoscope standing in a barn with brown calves.

    Jenna Hill, DVM

    Partner
    Education: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
    Special Interests: Small and Large Animals
    Locations: Perry, Large Animal Road Service

  • A woman with curly hair, glasses, and a stethoscope around her neck standing in front of a sign that reads "Welcome to Perry Pet" on a beige wall.

    Meagan Hilsdorf-Towner, DVM

    Associate
    Education: Ross University
    Special Interests: Dentistry, Ultrasound and Physical Therapy
    Locations: Yorkshire

    Dr. Meagan Hilsdorf was born and raised in Wheeler, New York, a small rural farming community outside of Bath, where a deep love of animals and close ties to the land shaped her path from an early age. She earned her degree in Biochemistry with a minor in Biology from Keuka College, then went on to receive her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with high honors from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, completing her clinical year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2017. Her professional interests center on ultrasound and dentistry, areas she has pursued through advanced coursework beyond her veterinary training. Before veterinary school, Dr. Hilsdorf worked as a veterinary assistant at her local clinic, volunteered in the Rainforest Department at the Buffalo Zoo, and participated in a Spanish study abroad program in Costa Rica. She even spent time at the Corning Museum of Glass working with children and families in the glassmaking department. Outside of work, she enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, and spending time with her family. Dr. Hilsdorf lives in Chaffee, New York with her husband Kevin, their daughters Kaylee and Maisie, and three dogs named Riley, Izzy, and Minnie.

  • A woman with brown hair smiling, wearing a gray long sleeve shirt and green overalls with a stethoscope around her neck, standing inside a barn with cows in the background.

    Breanna Kjoll, DVM

    Associate
    Education: Washington State
    Special Interests: Advanced Dairy Production Medicine program with additional hoof trimming and lameness training
    Locations: Livonia, Large Animal Road Service

  • Perry Vet logo featuring a caduceus symbol with blue and green wings and silhouettes of various animals including a dog, cat, horse, goat, and cow, with the slogan "Knowledge is Health."

    Craig Lamb, DVM

    Partner
    Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison
    Special Interests: Large Animal-Traditional herd health programs, embryo transfer, herd health protocols, benchmarking evaluation
    Locations: Large Animal Road Service


    Dr. Craig Lamb grew up on a dairy farm in Oakfield, New York, an upbringing that set the course for his career. He earned his BS in Animal Science from Cornell University in 1992, then went on to receive his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in 1996, with additional specialized training in bovine embryo transfer. Drawn to the dairy industry from the start, Dr. Lamb has spent his career working alongside cattle farmers and dairymen, valuing the opportunity veterinary medicine gives him to support both the animals and the people who depend on them. He is a member of the AABP, AETA, NYSVMS, AVMA, and the NMC. Outside of the clinic, he tends a large garden growing pumpkins, tomatoes, sunflowers, and zinnias, and enjoys whitetail deer hunting. Dr. Lamb lives in Geneseo with his wife Janet, their daughters Anna and Emily, son Nick, a dog named Lacy, and cats Ticu and Butter.

  • A smiling woman wearing glasses and a black vest with a stethoscope around her neck, standing in a medical office with medical supplies and equipment in the background.

    Jessica Litteer, DVM

    Partner
    Education: Cornell University
    Special Interests: Companion Animal, Oncology and Behavioral Medicine
    Locations: Livonia

  • Perry Vet logo featuring a stethoscope with wings, and images of a dog, horse, goat, and cow, with the tagline 'Knowledge is Health'.

    Gabrielle Merry, DVM

    Associate
    Education: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
    Special Interests: Small and Large animal medicine
    Locations: Perry, Large Animal Road Service

  • Perry Vet logo with a caduceus symbol with blue and green wings above the text, and silhouettes of various animals including a dog, horse, cat, goat, and cow below.

    Shaanthi Nair, DVM

    Associate
    Education: Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
    Special Interests: Maternity pen./ calf management, milk quality, and veterinary education
    Locations: Perry, Livonia

    While Dr. Shaanthi Nair was born during her family’s brief stint in Lima, NY, she grew up in the Tri-State area of West Virginia. Her parents nurtured her love of science and animals from a young age. She graduated with a BA in Biology from Cedarville University in 2018 and then from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 2022. Since starting at Perry Vet later that year she has spent some time working with our large animal ambulatory service and now sees small animal patients at both our Livonia and Perry offices. She takes particular interest in the client education and medical management portions of the job. When not working, she enjoys walking and hiking with her rescue dog, Phoebe; making salads for her two guinea pigs, Toast and Truffle; and spending time with her friends enjoying the beauty and character that defines Western New York.

  • Alexander Navarro, DVM

    Partner
    Education: Cornell University
    Special Interests: Milk Quality and Dairy Nutrition
    Locations: Large Animal Road Service

  • A woman with blonde hair smiling, wearing a teal veterinary coat with a medical symbol and the letters DVM, standing inside a barn with cows in the background.

    Tracy Potter, DVM

    Partner
    Education: Cornell University
    Special Interests: Dairy
    Locations: Large Animal Road Service

  • A smiling woman veterinarian with a stethoscope around her neck sitting next to an ultrasound machine at Perry Vet, with a screen displaying animals and the slogan "Knowledge is Health".

    Kendra Sims, DVM

    Partner
    Education: Ontario Veterinary College
    Special Interests: Companion Animal Medicine
    Locations: Perry

  • Logo for Perry Vet featuring black silhouettes of various animals including a dog, a cat, a horse, a rabbit, a goat, and a cow, with a stylized veterinary caduceus symbol with blue and green wings, and the tagline "Knowledge is Health."

    Angela Sleeper, DVM

    Partner
    Education: Minnesota State
    Special Interests: Surgery
    Locations: Batavia

  • Perry Vet logo with pet silhouettes including a dog, cat, horse, goat, deer, and cow, with a veterinary symbol and the tagline 'Knowledge is health.'

    Becky Silvanic, DVM

    Associate
    Education: Iowa State
    Special Interests: Transition Cows, Barn Design & Ventilation, Milk Quality, Beef
    Locations: Large Animal Road Service

  • PerryVet logo featuring a caduceus with green and blue wings, and silhouettes of various animals including a dog, horse, goat, deer, and cow, with the slogan "Knowledge is Health."

    Katie Sondericker, DVM

    Associate
    Education: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
    Special Interests: Robotic milking and parlors; companion animal dermatology and surgery
    Locations: Batavia

  • PerrVet logo with a green and blue winged caduceus and the slogan 'Knowledge is Health.' Beneath it, silhouettes of a dog, horse, goats, cow, and cat.

    Steve Stoddard, DVM

    Partner Emeritus
    Education: Cornell University
    Special Interests: Large and Companion Animal-Orthopedic Surgery
    Locations: Perry

  • A young woman with long brown hair, smiling, dressed in a gray blazer over a white blouse, wearing a necklace and earrings, against a dark gray background.

    Allison Tuchrello, DVM

    Associate
    Education: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
    Special Interests:
    Locations:

  • A woman standing outside in snow holding a baby goat while a large black horse stands beside her. The woman is smiling, dressed in dark winter clothing, and the horse is wearing a bright blue halter. The background features snow-covered ground and trees.

    Ashley Vranich, DVM

    Associate
    Education: Virginia Tech
    Special Interests: Large & Companion Animals
    Locations: Batavia, Large Animal Road Service

  • A man with a beard and headset speaking in a barn with cows in the background.

    Leo Vranich, DVM

    Partner
    Education: Virginia Tech
    Special Interests: Large Animal-Dairy
    Locations: Large Animal Road Service

    Dr. Leo Vranich was born and raised in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. He continued his higher educational pursuits in the Keystone State (Penn State University). His undergraduate degree was completed in animal science and animal bioscience. Dr. Vranich’s decision to enter into the veterinary field was primarily based on how much he enjoyed working with cows. In 2008, he graduated from Virginia Tech’s vet school program. An interesting job he had along the way was training at a Veterinary Medical Office for the Food Safety Inspection Service, USDA. He is still committed to giving the public a wholesome product, especially when it comes to milk. Milk quality, transition cow management, and ultrasonography are his main professional interests. He is a member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Dairy Science Association, National Mastitis Council, and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Vranich’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, and hiking. He thoroughly enjoys playing with his children (daughter Amelia, son Stephen and son Eli) and family time in general with wife Ashley (also a veterinarian with our practice). The Vranichs share their home with Bailey the bassett hound and one cow named Super (Dr. Vranich states that there will be more cows in the future!).

  • A man wearing a virtual reality headset smiling as a calf nuzzles his face inside a barn with wooden beams and sunlight coming through the windows.

    Tom Wakefield, DVM

    Partner
    Education: The Ohio State University
    Special Interests: Large Animal-Dairy employee management, calf management, milk quality
    Locations: Large Animal Road Service

  • A smiling woman in a white medical coat with a stethoscope around her neck, standing in front of a sign that reads 'Welcome to Perry' in a medical office or clinic.

    Laura Westfall, DVM

    Associate
    Education: Cornell University
    Special Interests: Companion Animal
    Locations: Batavia

    Dr. Laura Westfall’s childhood was spent moving frequently (New York, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio) as a member of a military family, but her passion for science and the joy she found working with animals remained unchanged. She received her undergraduate degree from Barnard College (Columbia University) in 1981 and worked neurophysiology research at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse for two years before vet school. She graduated with her degree in veterinary medicine from Cornell in 1988. In 2012, Dr. Westfall joined our practice as a part of the Batavia Animal Hospital. Dr. Westfall’s most memorable job was working on a pheasant research project for the DEC.  It was there that she met her husband, Alan (present day hatchery manager at Caledonia NYS Fish Hatchery). Together they have welcomed two children into their family through adoption. They have also opened their home and hearts up two Papillions (Aspen and Emma), two cats (hand raised from an orphaned litter), a variety of freshwater fish for their large aquarium, and a paradise fish.  Dr. Westfall enjoys hiking, biking, and kayaking in her spare time.

  • Perry Vet logo with a caduceus symbol, green and blue wings, and silhouettes of various animals including a dog, horse, goat, cat, deer, and cow, along with the tagline "Knowledge is Health."

    Rob Wilson, DVM

    Associate
    Education: Cornell University
    Special Interests: Bovine, Equine, Sheep, Goats
    Locations: Large Animal Road Service

  • Perry Vet logo with a caduceus symbol, a dog, horse, pig, and cow silhouettes, and the slogan "Knowledge is health."

    Ted Winkle, DVM

    Associate
    Education: Ohio State University
    Locations: Yorkshire

  • PerryVet logo featuring a caduceus with blue and green wings and a black veterinary scalpel, with silhouettes of a dog, cat, horse, goat, and cow beneath the text "PerryVet" and the slogan "Knowledge is health."

    Liz Wolf, DVM

    Associate
    Education: The Ohio State University
    Special Interests: Companion Animal-Medicine and surgery
    Locations: Perry

  • A man wearing glasses and a blue veterinary uniform with a stethoscope around his neck, smiling and standing with arms crossed in front of a sign that reads 'Welcome to Perry Pet' on a beige wall.

    Ted Wolf, DVM

    Partner
    Education: The Ohio State University
    Special Interests: Large and Companion Animal
    Locations: Yorkshire, Large Animal Road Service