VCA Cheshire Animal Hospital

Bios

• Lisa Keno

  DVM

  Dr. Lisa Keno is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in Small Animal Internal Medicine. She received her undergraduate and veterinary degrees at Cornell University. She completed a 1 year internship at Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus, New Jersey and an Internal Medicine residency at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. She joined VCA Cheshire in 2010. Dr. Keno enjoys all aspects of Internal Medicine but especially enjoys gastrointestinal diseases, endoscopy, and abdominal ultrasound. During her free time, Dr. Keno enjoys horseback riding, hiking, kayaking, downhill skiing and antiquing. She and her husband have 1 cat (Wilbur) and a retired saddlebred show horse (Sarah).

• Leah Stern

  DVM

  Dr. Leah Stern is a board certfied veterinary surgeon who is available at VCA Cheshire Animal hospital for consultations and surgeries Tuesday through Saturday, as well as emergency surgeries. Dr. Stern enjoys performing laparoscopic minimally invasive surgeries. She has a particular interest in surgery in critically ill patients. She has a passion for both soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries. She works closely with area oncologists and performs a number of surgeries for cancer in pets. Dr. Stern obtained her veterinary degree from Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She completed an internship in Emergency and Critical Care medicine and surgery at Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital in Portland, Oregon before returning to the east coast. She completed a surgical internship and her surgical residency at VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in Norwalk, Connecticut. Dr. Stern is a board certified veterinary surgeon. She has been at VCA Cheshire Animal Hospital since July 2010. . When she's not at work you might find her hiking at Sleeping Giant; she also enjoys yoga and kayaking.

• Tara Miska

  DVM

  Dr. Miska grew up in Bridgeport, CT. She graduated from LSU school of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She stayed an additional year at LSU to complete a rotating internship in companion animal medicine and surgery. Dr. Miska returned to Connecticut in January 2009 after practicing at an emergency and referral practice in Atlanta, GA. When she is not working, See More Dr. Miska enjoys spending time with her husband, Alex, and their 2 year old daughter, Sophia. They reside in Bethany, CT with their 4 dogs, Rio, Sombre, Benny, and Argus, and 3 cats, Lola, Lila and Meow Meow, as well as 2 parakeets, Birdie and Duckie. Special Interests: Emergency and Critical Care.

• Jess Urbonas

  DVM

  Dr. Jess Urbonas joined Cheshire Animal Hospital in July of 2009. Originally from Connecticut, she attended University of Delaware for her undergraduate work in animal science and a sports scholarship in track and field. In 2008, she graduated from Cornell University with her veterinary degree and returned to Connecticut for a rotating internship at VCA Norwalk See More and VCA Shoreline Referral Centers. Dr. Urbonas' professional interests include trauma, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and post-resuscitative care. She has been working as an emergency/overnight doctor since starting at Cheshire Animal Hospital. She is the Owner of a 6 year old high energy mutt named Frankie, and a 5 year old tuxedo cat named Halen. In her free time, she can be found with her family and friends, running with her dog, cooking, or spending time at the gym.

• Stacey Carron

  DVM

  Dr. Carron did her undergraduate studies at the university of Missouri-Columbia in biology. She also attended veterinary school at the University of Missouri-Columbia and graduated in 2008. She then moved to Connecticut for a one-year rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship at VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in Norwalk, CT and at See More VCA Shoreline Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in Shelton, CT. After a year of emergency practice outside of Philadelphia, PA, she returned to Connecticut. Dr. Carron has two dogs; George, a 6-year-old coonhound, and Josie, a 5-year-old miniature pinscher. In her free time she enjoys drawing, swimming, and half marathons. Special Interests: Small animal emergency medicine, small animal cardiology.

• Michael Suhie

  DVM

  Dr. Michael Suhie is Medical Director at VCA Cheshire Animal Hospital. He joined the Cheshire team in 2007 after finishing a one year internship in general and emergency medicine at the Norwalk Referral and Emergency Center. Dr. Suhie enjoys mountain biking, hiking, camping and target shooting. He is lucky enough to share his life with his wife Michelle and his two children, Tyler and Caitlyn. Tater, his dog, and Claudia, his cat, have accepted the two additions to the family.

  Services:

• Sasha Golovyan

  DVM

  Dr. Golovyan joined Cheshire Animal Hospital in 2009. She graduated from UCONN in 2003, where she received her degree in pathobiology. She then received her veterinary degree from University of Minnesota, where she met her husband Tom, who is also a veterinarian. Dr. Golovyan completed a one-year rotating medicine and surgery internship at VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in Norwalk, CT and at VCA Shoreline Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in Shelton, CT. Dr. Golovyan and her husband have an extended family which includes Casey, a 14 year old yellow lab; Onyx, a nine year old mixed spaniel; Beem, a 7 year old English Setter; and Finn, a 4 year old domestic shorthair cat. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking and jogging.

• Tara Miska

  DVM

  Dr. Miska grew up in Bridgeport, CT. She graduated from LSU school of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She stayed an additional year at LSU to complete a rotating internship in companion animal medicine and surgery. Dr. Miska returned to Connecticut in January 2009 after practicing at an emergency and referral practice in Atlanta, GA. When she is not working, Dr. Miska enjoys spending time with her husband, Alex, and their 2 year old daughter, Sophia. They reside in Bethany, CT with their 4 dogs, Rio, Sombre, Benny, and Argus, and 3 cats, Lola, Lila and Meow Meow, as well as 2 parakeets, Birdie and Duckie.

• Lisa Keno

  DVM

  Dr. Lisa Keno is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in Small Animal Internal Medicine. She received her undergraduate and veterinary degrees at Cornell University. She completed a 1 year internship at Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus, New Jersey and an Internal Medicine residency at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. She joined VCA Cheshire in 2010. Dr. Keno enjoys all aspects of Internal Medicine but especially enjoys gastrointestinal diseases, endoscopy, and abdominal ultrasound. During her free time, Dr. Keno enjoys horseback riding, hiking, kayaking, downhill skiing and antiquing. She and her husband have 1 cat (Wilbur) and a retired saddlebred show horse (Sarah).

• Tai Casagrande

  DVM

  Tai Casagrande, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology) B.A. in Biology, Cornell 2002 DVM, Atlantic Veterinary College (Prince Edward Island, Canada) 2007 Rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery, VCA Aurora/VCA Berwyn (Chicago suburbs) 2008 One year of general practice at VCA Berwyn 2008-2009 Residency in Cardiology, University of Wisconsin (Madison) 2012 Board certified in cardiology 2012 Dr. Casagrande is interested in all aspects of Cardiology, with a special interest in acute and chronic management of congestive heart failure. Originally from Massachusetts, Dr. Casagrande is very excited to be relocating back to New England, where she will be closer to family and friends. When off-duty, she loves to go hiking, travel and is an avid baseball fan!

• Lisa R. Branner

  DVM

  Dr. Branner received her veterinary degree from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine in Alabama. After graduation, she completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She then went on to complete a residency in emergency and critical care at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Massachusetts. Prior to joining our staff at Cheshire Animal Hospital, she worked as an emergency and critical care clinician in central and eastern Connecticut. Dr. Branner is with our hospital's emergency/critical care department and also works in our general practice. In her leisure time, Dr. Branner enjoys spending time with her family -- her husband , two sons and one Pit bull. She also enjoys walking, reading, and entertaining with family and friends.

• Lisa R. Branner

  DVM

  Dr. Branner received her veterinary degree from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine in Alabama. After graduation, she completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She then went on to complete a residency in emergency and critical care at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Massachusetts. Prior to joining our staff at Cheshire Animal Hospital, she worked as an emergency and critical care clinician in central and eastern Connecticut. Dr. Branner is with our hospital's emergency/critical care department and also works in our general practice. In her leisure time, Dr. Branner enjoys spending time with her family -- her husband , two sons and one Pit bull. She also enjoys walking, reading, and entertaining with family and friends.

• Jaime L. Green

  DVM

  Dr. Green obtained her veterinary degree from Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. After graduation, she completed an internship at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center in small animal medicine, surgery, and emergency. Following her internship, she completed a 3 year small animal surgery residency at the University of Pennsylvania Matthew J. Ryan Hospital, where she was trained in both soft tissue and orthopedic procedures. Dr. Green is interested in all aspects of surgery, with a special interest in skin reconstruction, minimally invasive procedures, and surgical oncology. Enhancing her technique and knowledge, Dr. Green has attended international conferences and orthopedic courses as well as spent a significant amount of time lecturing to students and interns. Growing up in New England, Dr. Green is excited to return to the area. When not at work, she enjoys reading, traveling, and hiking with her yellow lab.

  Education:

• Lindsey Mortlock

  DVM

  Dr. Mortlock graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science in 2005. She went on to graduate from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. After graduation, she completed a Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Internship including rotations at VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in Norwalk, CT and Shoreline Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in Shelton, CT. In her spare time Dr. Mortlock enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her 4 cats.

• Lindsey Mortlock

  DVM

  Dr. Mortlock graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science in 2005. She went on to graduate from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. After graduation, she completed a Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Internship including rotations at VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in Norwalk, CT and Shoreline Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in Shelton, CT. In her spare time Dr. Mortlock enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her 4 cats.