Our Team

At Southern Tier Veterinary Associates, our goal is to provide the best possible care and services. Our web site is available for you twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. You can browse through our reference encyclopedia of animal healthcare topics, ranging from behavior and preventive care to common and not-so-common diseases. If you are here to shop our online store, please click the "Vet Store" button.

Online Pharmacy: If you are here to pick up a prescription, view your medicine cabinet, or to register your pets, please click "Prescriptions" from the top left menu. If you are interested in home delivery of prescription medication and therapeutic diets, please contact us today at 607-754-7164 to get you started.

We welcome your comments and suggestions, so let us know what you think of our web site during your next visit to our clinic, or Email us at stvavestal@stny.rr.com.
~The Doctors and Staff at Southern Tier Veterinary Associates..

205 Front Street
Vestal, NY 13850
Phone: (607-754-7164)
Email Us
Get Directions

Monday & Friday: 8am-6pm
Tue & Wed: 8am-9pm
Thursday: 8am-8pm
Saturday: 8am-12pm
Sunday: Closed
After hours emergency care: (607-754-7164)

Dr. Caroline Bowlin, D.V.M

Dr. Bowlin joined the practice in December 2008. After graduating from the University of Arkansas with a BS in Microbiology and an MS in Cell & Molecular Biology, she attended the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in May 2007. Her interest include internal medicine, pain management and exotic animal medicine (small mammals and reptiles especially). She is an active member of the AVMA and is a new member if the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM). Dr. Bowlin lives in Binghamton with her husband, Barrett, their children, Sierra and Cormac, and two dogs, Aramis, and Tani. She enjoys baking, hiking, and swimming when not at work.

Years in Practice:

Nov 30, 2008

Education:

University of Arkansas, Kansas State Universirty

Specialties:

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. John Crowell, D.V.M.

Dr. Crowell started working at our practice in 1960 as a young student. At that time, his job was to clean kennels and walk dogs. Though he worked in human hospitals and worked summers on a Standardbred breeding farm, he always returned to veterinary medicine. In 1972, he moved to Iowa and worked in the Iowa State Veterinary Hospital as an x-ray technician while attending Vet school. Dr. Crowell joined the practice as a veterinarian in 1979. He was born in Endicott and raised in Vestal, graduating from Vestal High School in 1968.

He attended the University of Rochester and Eisenhower College and received his D.V.M. from Iowa State University in 1979, a member of the Centennial graduating class. He is an active member of the New York State Veterinary Medical Society (NYSVMS), the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Veterinary Dental Society (AMDS), a hospital director of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), and a charter member of the Eastern States Veterinary Association. He lives with his wife Mary Jo, and their dog, Jude. Dr. Crowell loves to sail his Catalina 30 during the summer; and in the winter is an enthusiastic skier, having skied a glacier in Austria and in the Swiss Alps. He and his wife built a cabin in the Endless Mountains and have taken up snowshoeing.

Years in Practice:: Apr 07, 1979
Education:: University of Rochester, Eisenhower College and Iowa State University
Specialties:: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Sarah Pontillo, V.M.D

Dr. Pontillo is the newest addition to our team joining us in June 2010. Originally from a small town located about an hour south of Pittsburg, PA. Growing up on a farm, and surrounded by a multitude of pets, Dr. Pontillo knew from a young age that she wanted to become a veternarian. She attended Penn State University where she pursued a degree in Animal Bioscience and focused her studies on equine mangement and medicine. After graduation, Dr. Pontillo completed her studies at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelpia, PA. Dr. Pontillo's professional interests include soft tissue surgery, internal medicine and emergency medicine and surgery. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). In her free time Dr. Pontillo enjoys spending time with her husband, Jason, and their cat, Clyde, their dog, Ellie, as well as visiting her family and friends. She also enjoys spending time outdoors, eating good food and watching the Steelers and Penguins play.

Years in Practice:

Jun 28, 2010

Education:

Penn State, University of Pennsylvania

Specialties:

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lisa Weaver Kirby, D.V.M

Dr. Kirby is the newest Doctor joining our STVA team in December 2011. After graduating from SUNY Potsdam in 1999 with B.S. in Biology she went on to attend Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2003. Her interests include soft tissue surgery and internal medicine. Dr. Kirby is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). She currently lives in Johnson City with her husband, Shaun, their 3 children, Michael, Paige and Payton, their 4 dogs, Ralfie, Reggie, Justice and Lilie, and their 3 cats, Corky, Jasmine and Mr. Moo. In her spare time, Dr. Kirby enjoys traveling with her family and baking with her daughters.

Years in Practice:

Dec 27, 2011

Education:

State University of New York at Potsdam, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine

Specialties:

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Alain Giroux, DVM, MSc, DACVR

Dr. Giroux is a board-certified specialist in Radiology and Ultrasonography. Working out of Colonial Veterinary Hospital in Ithaca, NY, as home base, he takes his ultrasound equipment to the Greater Binghamton area each week to perform examinations requested by local referring veterinarians. Originally from Quebec, Canada, he received his DVM from the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Montreal in 1995. He completed his residency in Radiology and Ultrasonography at the University of Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. Since then he has been consulting on radiographic, ultrasound, and MRI studies, as well as performing studies himself. He has been actively teaching veterinarians at regional and national meetings and locally at training seminars. In his spare time, he plays ice hockey and entertains his two young children.

Years in Practice:

Apr 07, 1995

Education:

College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Montreal andUniversity of Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

Specialties:

Radiology and Ultrasonography

Janae Haley - Practice Manager

Janae joined us in October of 2000. She moved to the Southern Tier from Boulder, Co, where she worked at an 18-doctor emergency practice. Since finishing her undergraduate education, her goal has been to attend veterinary school. Her areas of interest are emergency and critical care as well as wildlife.

Janae is a member of the VHMA (Veterinary Hospital Managers Association).

She now lives in Endicott with her husband, Pat, their daughters, Emma, Elizabeth, and Caroline, cats, "Cleo", and their dog "Holly". In her free time Janae coaches cheeerleading, likes to play at the park with her girls, take long walks and read books. Emma seems to be very intrigued by animals just like her mother, so maybe it runs in the family.

Years in Practice:: Oct 04, 2000

Debbie McMichael, L.V.T.

Debbie joined the practice in 1984 after graduating form SUNY Delhi and working an internship at Cornell University Small Animal Clininc. Debbie has learned a tremendous amount in her time and experience at STVA. She loves working in surgery, doing nursing care of the patients, and all other aspects of veterinary medicine. Debbie is know as our resident "vampire", obtaining blood sample from our most dificult patients. After losing her beloved dog, Sunshine, Dixie, and Hattie, all to cancer, she has found a special interest in cancer treatments and nursing care. Debbie is a member of the North American Veterinary Technician Association (NAVTA), the New York State Association of Veterinary Technicians (NYSAVT), and has been certified by the American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians. As our longest duration employee, Debbie has taken on the role of Medical Staff supervisor and senior surgery and nursing technician. In order to provide the best possible care to our patients, she attends continuing education regularly, upgrading her skills, knowledge, and expertise in surgery, anesthesia, medicine, laboratory practices, nursing, dental care, radiology, etc. Debbie lives in Binghamtol with her husband, Al, and their children, Marissa and Eric, 2 dogs, Tiki and Jake, 2 cats, Dora and Panzi and 2 fish tanks. She also has a son, Nicholas, living in Florida. In her spare time from work she enjoys line dancing, traveling, relaxing on their boat and spending time with family and friends.

Years in Practice:

Apr 07, 1984

Education:

State University College of Technology at Delhi

Specialties:

Associate in Science Degree and Licenced Veterinary Technician (L.V.T.)
Nicolina Pearsall, L.V.T.

Nicolina joined the pracice in January 2008. She was born and raised in Vestal, NY. She always knew that she wanted to work with animals starting at the age of five. She graduated from SUNY Delhi with a degree in Veterinary Technology in 2006. She lived in Syracuse, NY from 2006-2008 (working at Fairmount Animal Hospital) before moving back to the Greater Binghamton area. She finds that working as a technician provides great satisfaction and she loves every minute of it. She currently lives in Conklin with her chocolate lab, "Montana", her husky mix "Odin", and her husband Brett, and their daughter, Kylie. In her spare time she enjoys scrap booking, camping, taking pictures of the outdoors, and spending time with her friends.

Years in Practice:

Apr 07, 2008

Education:

State University College of Technology at Delhi

Specialties:

Associate in Science Degree and Licenced Veterinary Technician (L.V.T.)
Bridgette Teed, L.V.T.

Bridgette Vullo, LVT joined the practice in October 2008 after graduating from Johnson College, PA in June 2008 with an associate degree in Science (Veterinary Technology). After completing a 5 week internship with STVA, she decided to join the team fulltime as a Licensed Veterinary Technician. She loves what she does and eventually hopes to become certified in small animal physical therapy, specifically aqua therapy. Although not born or raised in Vestal, a lot of her family live here so it's like her second home. She lives in Lawton, PA with her husband Chucky, and their 2 rescued domestic shorthaired kitties, Lilly and Killer.

Years in Practice:

Apr 07, 2008

Education:

Johnson College

Specialties:

Associate in Science Degree and Licenced Veterinary Technician (L.V.T.)
Brenda Baileys, L.V.T

Brenda joined the practice in June 2009. She graduated from from SUNY Delhi in 1985 with an associates degree in Veterinary Technology. She has worked as a licensed Veterinary Technician in the Binghamton area for 23 years. For 10 years prior to joining our team she has worked exclusivley with cats and is excited to be back working with dogs and exotics. Brenda lives in Endwell with her husband, Mark, 2 sons, Evan and Ryan, 2 dogs, Bob and Reese (a rescue pug), cat, Flora, and assorted fish and pocket pets. In her spare time she enjoys skiing, hiking, kayaking, and cheering on her kids at thier various sporting events.

Years in Practice:

Jun 29, 2009

Education:

State University College of Technology at Delhi

Specialties:

Associate in Science Degree and Licenced Veterinary Technician (L.V.T.)
Janice Shumway - Client Service Representative

Janice joined the practice in October 1998. She likes all aspects of her job. Janice lives with her husband, Mike, daughter Megan, their beagle, Katie, their yorkie poodle, Finnley, one cat, Alvin, and a guinea pig, Ralphie. They also maintain a small aquarium at home. When not at work Janice enjoys spending time with her daughter, making crafts and reading.

Years in Practice:

Apr 07, 1998
Carla Rockwell - Client Service Representative

arla joined us in February 2007. She loves all animals. She lives with her daughter, Barbara Jean, her boyfriend, Lance, and her mom, Bonnie. They share their home with two kitties, Sid and Sissy. They also have a black Lab, Harley. In her spare time, Carla enjoys playing with her family and furry friends.

Years in Practice:

Apr 07, 2007
Mike Manger - Client Service Representative

Mike joined the STVA team in November 2010 and working part time in the evenings. He is currently working full time at Wilson Memorial Hospital in the operating room as well as working as an EMT.

Years in Practice:

Nov 18, 2010
Jenny Salvemini - Client Service Representative

Jenny is the newest addiction to the STVA team joining us in January 2012. She is a native to the Southern Tier. Jenny is currently working toward her degree in Human Service Management hoping to graduate in October 2012. She lives in Endicott with her son Dylan and enjoys spending time with family and friends in her spare time.

Years in Practice:

Jan 02, 2012

Pat Thompson - Kennel Manager and Veterinary Assisant

Pat joined the staff in 1986 as a kennel attendant. Throughout the years, she has taken on many different roles, and now works as our kennel manager and technician assistant. Her favorite part of the job is playing with all the puppies that come to see us. Pat lives in rural Pennsylvania with her husband, John, and their dogs "Akira", "Rocco", and "Amythest".

She volunteers her time with K9 Search & Rescue, where she trains with "Rocco" 2-3 times per week.

Years in Practice:: Apr 07, 1986
Specialties:: Kennel Manager and technician assisant

Carol Piper - Veterinary Assisant

Carol rejoined the staff as a veterinary assistant in 2007 after a two-year sabbatical, in which she took care of her granddaughter. She is married with two grown children and one granddaughter. Also residing with her are four felines, Sylvester and Mya. Carol feels honored to work with people as outstanding as the staff of STVA and hopes to continue contributing to their high standards of quality and compassion in pet care. Carol’s motto in life is "Where your heart is, there will your treasure be." She says, "Caring for animals by loving them is truly my treasure."

Years in Practice:

Apr 07, 2007
Julie Stewart - Housekeeping

Years in Practice:

Apr 07, 2005
Morris

"Morris" is our resident love bug. He loves to be held like a baby and have his back scratched. He spends a lot of his time lounging, he can be found in any part of the hospital doing this throughout the day. Mo is a weight loss success story as he came to us obese at 22 pounds, and is now down to a much healthier 15 pounds. He has saved the lives of some of our patients by donating blood, so be sure to give him a squish of appreciation if you see him.
Willie