Veterinarians

Jennifer Biasillo, DVM

Owner and Medical Director
Dr. Biasillo's Bio
Owner and medical director Jennifer Biasillo came to Veterinary Care of Ithaca as an associate veterinarian in 2012. She purchased the practice in 2015.
Dr. Biasillo grew up outside of Buffalo, NY and attended Medaille College, initially earning an associate degree in veterinary technology. “I was a licensed veterinary technician for 10 years before attending veterinary school,” says Dr. Biasillo. “I was also a certified canine rehabilitation practitioner and practiced physical rehabilitation on pets for a variety of disorders. This unique experience is what ultimately led me to decide to attend veterinary school.” She earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.

Dr. Biasillo is a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the American Veterinary Medical Association, New York State Veterinary Medical Association and the Veterinary Information Network, is Fear Free Certified and certified as a Cat Friendly Veterinarian. Her professional interests include internal medicine and promoting fear-free veterinary visits. “As a pet owner, I understand that we all want to provide the best care and quality of life possible for our pets,” says Dr. Biasillo. “I really enjoy being a part of that through education, preventative care, and medical treatment. It’s very rewarding to play a role in the amazing bond people share with their pets.”

Dr. Biasillo and her family share their home with their poodle Maeve, two cats named Harrison and Shuri Purri, and a flock of chickens.

Ellen Tremante, DVM, MS

Veterinarian
Dr. Tremante's Bio
Dr. Ellen Tremante joined the doctors at Veterinary Care of Ithaca in August 2018. Dr. Tremante is a native of Long Island, New York, where she developed an interest and passion for caring for animals. One of her earliest motivations to become a veterinarian was having helped raise her childhood cat and friend, Mitzie. The two were inseparable, which helped introduce Dr. Tremante to the joys of working with animals.

Dr. Tremante obtained her undergraduate education at the State University of New York at Geneseo in 1996, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in history. She then returned to school at the State University of New York at Stony Brook to obtain her prerequisites for veterinary school. In 2002, Dr. Tremante began attending the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical College. Shortly after graduating with her DVM degree in 2006, Dr. Tremante completed a one-year rotating internship at Long Island Veterinary Specialists. She then worked in small animal private practice, both general practice and emergency practice, for 11 years before joining Veterinary Care of Ithaca.

Some of Dr. Tremante’s professional interests include feline internal medicine, emergency medicine, geriatric medicine, and dentistry. Dr. Tremante also recently completed a Master of Science in Anthrozoology, the study of human-animal interaction. She is also a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and recently became a certified Cat-Friendly Veterinarian. This certification program is sponsored by the American Association of Feline Practitioners and teaches veterinarians the best ways to care for our feline friends in the clinic setting, both for their emotional and medical needs.

When asked about working for Veterinary Care of Ithaca, Dr. Tremante says, “It is very satisfying working together with pet parents and their companion animals. I strive to provide the best and most updated medical information and emotional guidance to our clients in order to help them care for their furry family members in the best way possible. My goal is to help ensure that pets have a high quality of life throughout all stages of their lives.”

At home, Dr. Tremante loves to spend her free time hiking, practicing yoga, and spending time with good friends and loved ones. She is a volunteer for the Schuyler County Humane Society and Hospicare. Dr. Tremante lives in a farmhouse in Trumansburg with her two cats, Franklyn and Freddie.

Elizabeth Yousey, DVM

Veterinarian
Dr. Yousey's Bio

Dr. Elizabeth Yousey is originally from Welland, Ontario, Canada. While she was in high school, she had a student placement at a small animal clinic that solidified her passion for veterinary medicine, which she considers the perfect combination of her love of animals and her interest in biology and problem-solving. She attended the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 2002. After college, Dr. Yousey went on to Ontario Veterinary College, where she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2006.

After practicing veterinary medicine for 10 years, Dr. Yousey joined the veterinary team at Veterinary Care of Ithaca in November 2016. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Yousey’s professional interests include internal medicine, dermatology, preventive medicine, and pain management.

There are two aspects of practicing veterinary medicine that Dr. Yousey finds especially rewarding. “The first part is working as part of a team in this fast-paced, ever-changing, and evolving profession,” she says. “The second part is at the end of the day, there’s immense satisfaction knowing that you’ve helped maintain the bond between an owner and their companion.”

At home, Dr. Yousey has a Leonberger dog named Madison, as well as 14 koi fish she inherited with her new home. In her free time, she enjoys boating on Cayuga Lake, camping, gardening, reading, and watching Buffalo Bills games.

Marla Lucy-Lender, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Lucy Lender's Bio

Dr. Marla Lucy-Lender is a second generation veterinarian; her love of veterinary medicine began as a child, when she took every opportunity to tag along with her father at his veterinary hospital. After pursuing various academic interests as an undergraduate at Case Western Reserve University, and earning a Master of Arts in Philosophy from the Pennsylvania State University, she attended Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, and graduated in 2004. Since that time, she has been practicing veterinary medicine in the Central New York region, and she joined the staff of Veterinary Care of Ithaca in September 2022.

Dr. Lucy-Lender’s veterinary interests include small companion animal preventative care, medicine, dentistry, and surgery. She enjoys the process of developing a relationship with her clients and patients, and having the opportunity to collaborate with her clients in providing excellent care for their companions. She completed Fear Free Certification in 2017 and Low Stress Handling Silver Certification in 2023. In alignment with the Veterinary Care of Ithaca mission, she strives to make her patients’ visits as pleasant as possible. When not at the veterinary hospital, Dr. Lucy-Lender enjoys spending time with her family, practicing aikido, hiking, paddleboarding, and other outdoor adventures.

Susan Yanoff, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Yanoff's Bio

Dr. Susan Yanoff graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1980. After three years in private practice, she joined the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps. While on active duty, she completed a 3-year residency in small animal surgery and became board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Dr. Yanoff retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2004. After a year spent working on a horse farm in Idaho, she returned to Ithaca to work as a staff surgeon at Colonial Veterinary Hospital. She retired from Colonial in December 2009. In January 2010, Dr. Yanoff started working for Shelter Outreach Services, a high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter organization that provides low-cost surgeries for people in need. Dr. Yanoff now brings her expertise to VCI, providing routine surgical care to our patients. Dr. Yanoff has a cat, and two beagles: Ivy (CH MACH Wilkeep Ivy League, CDX, RN, TD), and young Quinn, who has not yet started her show career. Sue trains and shows her dogs in breed, obedience, agility, and tracking.

Emily Duca, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Duca's Bio
Dr. Emily Duca joined the Veterinary Care of Ithaca team in January of 2021. She started her career in veterinary medicine as a licensed veterinary technician graduating from Alfred State College. She later went on to receive her veterinary degree from St. George’s University, having then completed a rotating internship in internal medicine and surgery at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Duca is particularly interested in veterinary dentistry and oral surgery. When not at VCI, Dr. Duca enjoys spending time with her family, including her rescued Caribbean street dog named Spice.
Anya Solodow, DVM

Anya Solodow, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Solodow's Bio

Dr. Anya Solodow grew up in Westchester County, New York. She studied sociology at New York University while exploring veterinary medicine on the side: she worked as a receptionist in a small animal practice in the West Village of Manhattan, a hospital volunteer at the Bronx Zoo, a clinic aid at the iconic Animal Medical Center, and a veterinary assistant at a horse practice in Brewster, NY. She always knew she loved animals, but these early experiences in such diverse settings helped her realize the fulfillment found in helping people maintain healthy and long-lived relationships with their animals.

She attended Cornell Vet School from 2006-2010, followed by a rotating internship at the Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus, New Jersey. After finishing her internship, she worked for several years as an overnight emergency doctor at a large veterinary practice outside of Boston, the Bulger Veterinary Hospital. She then spent 5 years in Seattle, as an ER clinician at Seattle Veterinary Specialists and a general practitioner at Urban Animal, prior to moving back to Ithaca in 2018.

Dr. Solodow is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and her special interests within the field include internal medicine, geriatric medicine, dermatology, and emergency medicine. She feels it’s a privilege to get to go to work every day and help solve problems big and small, collaborate with other veterinarians and staff members, and get to know her patients and clients.

Dr Solodow lives in Ithaca with her husband, children, and dog, and is most likely to be found lingering at a local coffee shop, creek, or playground.

Jennifer Brown

Director of Administration

Jennifer's Bio
Jennifer Brown has worked at Veterinary Care of Ithaca since February 2008. As hospital manager, she is responsible for team management, daily office operations, and ensuring overall client service satisfaction. She has a bachelor’s degree from Wells College and is a native of Ithaca.

Staff

BJ Mumm, LVT

Lead Veterinary Technician
BJ's Bio

Having joined VCI in November 2018, BJ brings a wealth of animal care knowledge and experience to our team. BJ has been a New York State licensed technician for 30 years and has worked in a variety of small animal hospitals, as well as an emergency facility. Her professional interests include veterinary dentistry and all aspects of preventive health care. BJ enjoys the welcoming, friendly environment at VCI and is proud of the quality, compassionate care we provide. When not at work, BJ enjoys spending time with her wife and their young Rottweiler, Baysil, as well as biking, cooking, and gardening.

Carrie Diamond, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician
Carrie's Bio

Carrie Diamond is a licensed veterinary technician at Veterinary Care of Ithaca. She joined the team in October 2008. Carrie enjoys working with patients and learning from the veterinarians at Veterinary Care of Ithaca.

Carrie has an associate degree in applied science in veterinary technology from Alfred State College and is a licensed veterinary technician in the state of New York.

“The staff here is truly my second family,” says Carrie. “Our clients are always coming in with a smile, and it’s great to see the same patients grow over the years. Also, I believe that we give our patients the best care possible.”

At home, Carrie has two cats, General and Karat. She has a passion for comics and works with groups that make the comic, fantasy, and science fiction fields more accessible to women. She is also an avid reader and regularly travels to Buffalo to see her family.

Cassidy Clark

Veterinary Nurse

Cassidy's Bio
Cassidy joined the VCI team in August of 2020. Cassidy moved to the area after recently completing her BS, with a dual major in Marine Biology and Animal Science from the University of Rhode Island. Her previous work in the animal care field includes working as a receptionist at a small animal hospital and assisting in the rescue and rehab of wild seals at the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, CT.

A multi-talented team player, Cassidy divides her time between working with our client care team in reception and assisting our doctors and technicians during patient exams and treatments. When asked what she enjoys most about working at Veterinary Care of Ithaca Cassidy states, “I love working here because it is so clear how much everyone cares for the clients and the patients. So much time and attention go into making sure we are providing the best care for our patients. The staff is simply amazing. It’s not just a job to us, it is our pride and joy.”

When not at work, Cassidy enjoys the company of her two Great Pyrenees puppies, 5-month-old Winnona (“Winnie”) and 11-month-old Marvin. She also enjoys discovering new and unique places including antique shops, local gardens, farms, and museums.

Rachel

Kevin Juarez-Leon

Veterinary Nurse

Kevin's Bio
Kevin is currently enrolled in school to become a licensed veterinary technician. Kevin has a wide range of veterinary experience from small animal practice to large animal research. When not at work, Kevin enjoys exploring new places and restaurants with his partner and having the occasional yelling match with his husky, Iris. He also loves visiting wineries all over the finger lakes or being in the theater catching the latest musical or artist in town.
Monique Hein

Monique Hein

Veterinary Nurse

Monique's Bio

Monique recently moved to the area from the West Coast. Along with a diverse veterinary background, Monique is a super mom to both dogs and humans! She loves having family outings, concerts, and taking adventures that allow her to explore new places and connect with nature through meditation and self-reflection. (With a husky and baby at home, we all know meditation is key). Monique likes cultivating joy through house plants, crystals, and learning about cultures through their food.

Soshi

Soshi Cook

Veterinary Nurse

Soshi's Bio

Having joined our team here at Veterinary Care of Ithaca in June 2018, Soshi has proven herself to be a great asset to our workforce and clientele. Some of her daily responsibilities include assisting our veterinarians during exams, educating clients about preventive care options, and assisting in the laboratory. Soshi has been working in the animal field since 1999 and has prior experience working as an adoption counselor at Tompkins County SPCA, as a veterinary receptionist, and as a veterinary assistant. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Clark University and is currently enrolled in Penn Foster’s online school for an associate degree in veterinary technology.

“I love the camaraderie and teamwork at VCI. Everyone has the same goal to give our patients and clients the best experience possible while providing top-notch care,” Soshi says. “I also feel that the management and leadership at VCI support the staff and that we are all in it together.”

Away from the hospital, Soshi enjoys hiking with her dog, Olivia, a Jack Russell Terrier, and their friends. She also loves to spend her free time gardening, exploring waterfalls in and around Ithaca, having dinner parties with her friends, and watching documentaries.

Lauren Guarneri

Veterinary Nurse

Lauren's Bio

Bio coming soon!

Christina Ryan

Lead Client Care Coordinator
Christina's Bio

Lead client care coordinator Christina Ryan prides herself on providing a warm environment for pets and their owners. “I truly care and do as much as I can to help our clients,” says Christina. She has worked at Veterinary Care of Ithaca since September 2006.

“I love the people I work with,” says Christina. “They are all amazing and make our hospital fun and compassionate at the same time.”

At home, Christina has three cats: Mittens, Kicker, and Bootsie. She spends her time away from Veterinary Care of Ithaca with her family, including her two kids, Christopher and Madison. She enjoys gardening, walking through Treman Park, and cooking.

Jon Barnes

Client Care Coordinator

Jon's Bio

As a member of our terrific client care team here at Veterinary Care of Ithaca, Jon is responsible for helping our clients and patients feel welcome. He also helps by scheduling appointments, answering phones, providing client education and resources, and much more. The aspect of his job that Jon likes the most is being able to greet our clients and their pets with a warm welcome, both on the phone and especially in person. Jon is a handyman of sorts, and we are grateful to have his skillsets around the hospital. Jon possesses a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and has been working in the animal-related field for over 17 years.

When asked about working at Veterinary Care of Ithaca, Jon says, “I really enjoy and appreciate working with such a positive, enthusiastic, and compassionate team.”

In his time away from the hospital, Jon enjoys spending time with his husband, who loves to make delicious baked goods. Jon also likes to go hiking or exploring the many trails and gorges in the area with their dogs. At home, Jon and his husband own a Brindle Greyhound named Roger, a Red Poodle named Stella, and a cat named Snowball.

Mary-Beth DeFazio

Client Care Coordinator

Mary-Beth's Bio
Mary-Beth joined VCI in September of 2020. As the newest addition to our client care team, Mary-Beth brings with her over 10 years of experience in the animal care field. Mary-Beth brings a positive and optimistic viewpoint to all aspects of her job. Stating, “Sometimes just having a good attitude about the everyday situations can make them easier to get through. A positive and cheerful disposition can often set the tone for the day and I am always trying to deliver that, especially when we are not able to see our clients face to face right now.”

When asked what she likes best about working at VCI, Mary-Beth states “I have never felt a part of a team as quickly as I did when starting at VCI. I also love our clients. They have embraced me as quickly as the staff has, making me feel like I have been here for much longer than I have. I look forward to spending many more years here.”

When not at VCI, Mary-Beth spends her time caring for her two cats, Cricket & June Bug, two Abyssinian Guinea pigs named Momo & Kipper and her Beta fish Pandora. Mary-Beth enjoys drawing, painting, cross stitching and watching football and rugby. Newly relocated to the area from downstate, she has enjoyed exploring the many hiking trails, waterfalls, and lakes in our region.

Thea Clair

Client Care Coordinator

Thea's Bio
Thea Clair joined the VCI team in March of 2023 after many years as a client. As part of the Client Care team, she loves being part of a welcoming place for people and their pets. Prioritizing the client and patient experience is always important to her. She has a background in dog training and her passion is helping people learn to communicate with their pets through play and training.

Thea and her partner, Ben, have a sweet cat named Sullivan, and a beautiful whippet named Emmy. On her days off you can find Thea gardening, crafting, or or getting lost in a book or video game.

Casper Pooley

Client Care Coordinator

Casper's Bio

Casper is an Ithaca native who moved back into the area recently and joined the team in June of 2023. You’re most likely to find him welcoming pets at our front desk or in exam rooms assisting our doctors, all hands in to give the best experience possible to both pets and owners. His favorite part of his work is educating and helping owners understand what is happening every step of the way. He is currently in school to become a licensed veterinary technician and hopes to continue giving great care to VCI patients as he grows and learns.

When not at VCI, you’ll find Casper at home spoiling his cat Emmie, ice skating, playing video games, hiking, or perfecting one of his paintings.

Get In Touch

We've proudly served the pets of Ithaca, NY for over 30 years.

Your pets are as important to us as they are to you, and we strive to demonstrate that in all that we do. Your dog or cat deserves the best veterinary care.

Contact Info

Phone: 607-273-3133
Fax: 607-238-2363
Email: email@ithacavet.com

Address

712 W Court St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
Click here for directions.

Hours

Mon - Fri: 7:30 am - 6 pm
Sat: 8 am - 12 pm
Sun: Closed

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