Emergency - Doctors

Kenton D. Rexford, VMD

Dr. Rexford, a native of western Pennsylvania, earned his Bachelor of Science degree in animal bioscience from the Pennsylvania State University. He completed his education at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and work as a mixed animal practitioner for 18 months. Following his work as an animal practitioner, Dr. Rexford practiced small animal medicine while working part-time at Veterinary Emergency Clinic (PVSEC-Emergency). Dr. Rexford accepted a full-time position with Veterinary Emergency Clinic  in 1998 and has been with them ever since.

In his spare time he enjoys snowboarding and whitewater kayaking. Dr. Rexford is the proud owner of Pork Chop, a tabby cat, and Rogan, a Dogue de Bordeaux.

Rebecca A. Miller, DVM

Originally from Trumansburg, New York, Dr. Miller received her undergraduate degree from Wellesley College and went on to receive her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Cornell University in 1991. Dr. Miller began her career in Rochester, NY where she split her time between an AAHA small animal practice and an equine ambulatory practice. She moved to the Pittsburgh area in 1995 and continued to practice small animal and equine medicine and surgery. In 1998, Dr. Miller began to practice small animal medicine exclusively, working part-time at the Veterinary Emergency Clinic (PVSEC-Emergency). In 2001 Dr. Miller accepted a full-time position at Veterinary Emergency Clinic.

Dr. Miller enjoys spending time with her husband, five-year-old son, Golden Retriever Augie, and three cats, Lilly, Rudy and Dave.

Jennifer Wooderson, DVM

Dr. Jennifer Wooderson was born and raised in Louisiana, and graduated from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. She began practicing veterinary medicine at a small animal primary care hospital in Pittsburgh shortly after graduation. In June 2006, Dr. Wooderson started working for the Veterinary Emergency Clinic (PVSEC-Emergency).

In her spare time, Dr. Wooderson enjoys diving, gardening and cooking.

Elissa Allen, VMD

Dr. Elissa Allen graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2000 with a degree in biological sciences. She received her VMD from the University of Pennsylvania in 2006, happily returning home to Pittsburgh to start her career with Veterinary Emergency Clinic (PVSEC-Emergency) upon graduation. Dr. Allen enjoys helping people and their pets and the excitement of emergency medicine.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, friends and her three cats, Mika, Linkin and Oki. She also enjoys home improvement projects, traveling, exercising and reading.

Jaime Griffin, VMD

Dr. Jaime Griffin is a graduate of Grove City College, in Grove City Pennsylvania where she majored in Biology and minored in communication.  She later earned her Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia.  She and her husband, Ted were delighted to return to western Pennsylvania when Dr. Griffin joined the Veterinary Emergency Clinic team in 2006.  They live in the North Hills with their two dogs, Taylor and Annie, as well as a cat, Erin and fish, Katie. Dr. Griffin enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, and values the people and pets she connects with daily. Away from work Dr. Griffin spends most of her time with friends and family.  She also enjoys making jewelry, home improvement projects, gardening and reading.

Joey Kallem, DVM

Dr. Joey Kallem graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia Veterinary School in 1993. She began her career at Veterinary Emergency Clinic (PVSEC-Emergency) in 2005 and has since enjoyed the many challenges of a busy ER. She has a special interest in exotic animal medicine.

Dr. Kallem's large family consists of two dogs, three cats, two birds, two lizards, one sugar glider, two boys, and one husband. In the rare moments she is not cleaning up after some one, she enjoys reading fiction and training in martial arts.

Stephanie Nelson, DVM

Dr. Nelson received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University in 2003 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. She completed her rotating small animal internship at Veterinary Referral Associates in Gaithersburg, Maryland and joined PVSEC in 2008.

Originally from Colorado and Maryland, Dr. Nelson enjoys hiking, horseback riding, camping, art, and spending time with her husband and three dogs.

Robin Dutra, DVM

Dr. Robin Dutra obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University in 1999. Following graduation, she spent a year in Holland practicing as an associate veterinarian. She later returned to the United States to accept a position at a small animal practice while working part-time at an animal emergency center in upstate New York. Dr. Dutra was drawn to emergency medicine and accepted a full-time position with an emergency animal hospital in Saratoga, New York. She simultaneously worked part-time performing spays and neuters for the Upstate SPCA and did per diem work with another small animal practice. Dr. Dutra moved to the Pittsburgh area in 2004, working with a small animal general practice and emergency veterinary hospital before joining PVSEC in 2008.

In her spare time, Dr. Dutra enjoys scuba diving, skiing, hiking, sailing and traveling to the Caribbean.

Catherine Havemann, DVM

Dr. Catherine Havemann earned her undergraduate degree in studio arts and sociology at Smith College and obtained her veterinary degree from the Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine.  During veterinary school, Dr. Havemann gained clinical experience in emergency medicine, avian and wildlife medicine and equine research through several internships.  By way of externships completed during school breaks, Dr. Havemann also gained experience studying wild and zoo animals in Thailand and both soft-tissue surgery and radiation oncology in university settings in the US.  In 2011, Dr. Havemann completed the PVSEC small animal rotating surgery and medicine internship.  Following her internship, Dr. Havemann joined the PVSEC Emergency Service as a full time veterinarian.

In her free time, Dr. Havemann enjoys running and cooking and creative pursuits such as sewing and sculpture.

Katherine Borland, MS, DVM

A native of Murrysville, PA, Dr. Katherine Borland is a 2011 graduate of The Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine.  Prior to attending OSU, Dr. Borland obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from Smith College and a Master of Science Degree in horticulture from the University of California, Davis.  She then spent several years working in the wine and grape industry in California, Pennsylvania, Australia, and New Zealand.  During veterinary school, Dr. Borland gained clinical experience in small animal emergency medicine, anesthesia, and internal medicine through externships in both the U.S and abroad.  After completing her internship at PVSEC, Dr. Borland plans to pursue a residency in either emergency and crticical care or anesthesia.

 

In her free time, Dr. Borland enjoys running, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her dog and three cats.

Taemi Horikawa, DVM

Dr. Taemi Horikawa is a graduate of University of California, San Diego, where she majored in chemistry and minored in animal physiology and neuroscience. After completing her undergraduate studies, she spent time working at a veterinary ophthalmology clinic and volunteering at a wildlife rescue center. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of California, Davis in June 2011 and is excited to join PVSEC for her internship. After completing her internship with PVSEC, Dr. Horikawa plans to pursue a residency in ophthalmology.

In her spare time, Dr. Horikawa enjoys hiking, yoga, dancing, and spending time with her cats.

Kristen Krisulevicz, DVM

Originally from Larksville, Pennsylvania, Dr. Kristen Krisulevicz is a 2011 graduate of Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine.  Prior to attending MSU, Dr. Krisulevicz obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Allegheny College in 2007.  Throughout veterinary school, she served as viece president of the Student Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society.  She enjoys an exciting and fast-paced work environment and has a clinical interest in small animal emergency and critical care.  After completing her internship with PVSEC, Dr. Krisulevicz plans to pursue an emergency / critical care residency or work in private practice.

Dr. Krisulevicz enjoys exercising and spending time with her family, friends and her Himalayan cat, "Earl"

Lauren Sechler, VMD

Dr. Lauren Sechler grew up in North Carolina and Pittsburgh, and is a 2011 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia.  Prior to veterinary school, Dr. Sechler pursued a dual major in biology and psychology at Penn State University.  While pursuing her undergraduate degrees, she worked alongside veterinarians at the United States Navy Marine Mammal Program in San Diego, CA, training dolphins and sea lions.  She later worked with dogs and cats as an assistant technician at a small animal veterinary practice outside of Philadelphia.  During veterinary school, Dr. Sechler completed Aquavet I and Aquavet II courses, which focused on aquatic veterinary medicine.  During that time, she also began focusing her interests in internal medicine.  After her internship at PVSEC, Dr. Sechler will be eager to begin either a residency in internal medicine or work in a small animal general practice.

In her spare time, Dr. Sechler enjoys spending time with family, friends and her two cats, "Daisy" and "Eli".  Dr. Sechler also enjoys spending time outdoors, reading and has recently received her SCUBA-diving license.

Ingrid Manhart, MS, DVM

Dr. Ingrid Manhart earned her undergraduate degree in structural biology at the University of Illinois and then earned a Master's of Science in veterinary pathobiology.  After working in the research field for 6 years, she attended Ross University and completed her of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.  After graduation from veterinary school, Dr. Manhart worked at a 24-hour specialty and emergency practice in the Dallas, TX area, where she developed a love for emergency medicine.  She then moved to Chicago to be closer to family and began working at a very busy emergency practice in downtown Chicago.  Following 2 years in the emergency practice, Dr. Manhart moved to a specialty hospital in the Chicago suburbs, where she continued to practice emergency medicine.  Her clinical interests include emergency and critical care medicine, endocrinology, anesthesia/analgesia and nephrology.  After completing a year-long critical care internship at PVSEC, Dr. Manhart plans to pursue a critical care residency.

Dr. Manhart has two dogs, a cat and a horse, and in her free time, she enjoys horseback riding, downhill skiing, hiking and swimming.

Support Staff

Clinical Supervisors: Shelly Chesmer, Shana Roberts

Technicians:  Becky,  Billie Jo, Cheryl, Christine, Christine, Danielle,  Danielle,  Emily, Erica, Erin, Heather, Jamie, Jennifer, Jessie, Johnna, Josh,  Katie, Kyle, Lacie, Laura, Lauren, Lesley, Lena, Mandi, Mary Joe, Matt, Melissa, Nicki, Nicole, Renee, Sammie, Sarah, Steph, Tanya, Thrisha, Tiffany, Treva, Tricia

Kennel Assistants: Alicia, Amanda, Andie, Anna, Brian, Mallory, Morgan, Nikki, Paul, Taylor