CLINICS

Veterinarians

William Johnson, DVM

Email: billj@leatherstockingvet.com

Dr. Johnson grew up in the Hudson Valley region of New York. He graduated from Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in 1983 and from the college of Veterinary Medicine in 1986. He married a classmate, Lisa, in 1985.

Bill returned to the Hudson Valley and worked in a mixed animal practice in Pine Plains, NY until 1989 when he and his wife purchased Pittsfield Veterinary Clinic in Edmeston, NY. They operated as a mixed animal practice until 1999 when they found it impossible to attract mixed animal veterinarians to a rural area. Bill joined a large animal practice in New Berlin with two other partners until October 2004 when he opened Leatherstocking Equine Center (LEC). LEC is on the site of the old Borden Farm which tragically burned in 1997. The creamery building, where milk was once bottled, still stands and serves as the farm shop.

Dr. Johnson has been involved in breeding Standardbred horses since 1990. The facilities at LEC have allowed him to pursue this interest in equine reproduction to a higher level. Bill and his wife, Lisa, along with their three children, David, Rebecca, and Daniel, live on the farm. The family has a small flock of Dorset sheep which are shown at local fairs. They also own numerous horses. In his free time, Bill likes to travel, work on the farm and build furniture.

Dr. Johnson is a member of the AVMA, NYS Veterinary Medical Society, American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Association of Bovine Practioners, USTA, Harness Horse Breeders, Society for Theriogenology, and the Academy of Rural Veterinarians

Lisa Johnson, DVM

Lisa Johnson D.V.M. graduated from the New York state College of Veterinary Medicine in 1986. She has been a partner with her husband, Bill, at Pittsfield Veterinary Clinic since 1989. She enjoys small animal medicine especially metabolic and endocrine cases. Lisa and Bill have three children, David, Rebecca and Daniel. When she is not taxiing children around the country, Lisa enjoys working with her menagerie of animals.

Rachel Fraser, DVM

Email: rachelf@leatherstockingvet.com

Dr. Fraser joined Leatherstocking Equine Center as an associate veterinarian in June 2005 after graduating from St. George's University. She is a proud Canadian, originally from Nova Scotia. Rachel enjoys downhill skiing, sailing, playing the piano, and spending time with her dog Penny. Rachel completed her first three years of veterinary school at St. George's in Grenada, West Indies and her clinical year of studies at Purdue University in Indiana.

Dr. Sara Martens

Dr. Sara is originally from Michigan. She attended Ross University and did her clinical studies at Prurdue University. Her interests mainly involve small animal medicine and wildlife rescue. Currently she lives in Otego, NY and has 3 wonderful cats Night Crawler, Pancakes and Pooky. In her spare time she liked to run, downhill ski and just enjoy the beautiful upstate NY wilderness.

Caitlin McIntosh, DVM

Email: caitlinm@leatherstockingvet.com

Cait completed her undergraduate studies at Connecticut College graduating in 2005 with degrees in english and chemistry. She then decided to pursue a career as a veterinarian attending Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed one of her externship requirements for vet school at Leatherstocking. Cait began working at the clinic in 2009 after her graduation from Ohio State. Cait's special area of interest is ophthalmology. Cait routinely sees most of the ophthalmic cases at the clinic. Her other areas of interest include lameness, surgery, and small ruminant medicine. Cait also sees patients and performs small animal surgery at the Pittsfield Vet Clinic two days per week. When not working Cait enjoys outdoor sports, reading, ice hockey and riding her Icelandic horse "Valur". She lives with her husband Mike, their two dogs & two cats.

Nan Mueller, DVM

Dr. Nan Mueller is a two-time Kansas State University graduate (Bachelor of Science in Biology 1994 and veterinary medicine 2010); and she has had an interest and a love for animals since the age of 8. Having lived in multiple locations throughout her life, including Africa, animals have served as companions in many of them, from pocket pets or fish to a dog or goat. During her lifetime of experiences, her love of animals has grown to include almost every species. Nan has particular interest in the areas of animal behavior and exotic animals, along with small ruminant medicine and pathology. When not on the job enjoying the various aspects and challenges of veterinary medicine, Nan spends time reading, hiking, and trying to keep up with her email.

 

Erin Morgan, DVM

Erin completed her undergraduate degree at Cornell University in 2006, majoring in Animal Science. She then continued on at Cornell to complete her veterinary degree in 2010. Following veterinary school, Erin completed a Large Animal Medicine and Surgery Internship at the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph, Ontario. Erin has a particular interest in equine lameness and surgery. She is originally from eastern Connecticut and in her spare time enjoys photography, hiking with her fiancé, Mat, and their two dogs, and reading.

SUPPORT STAFF

Nancy Herrick, Breeding Manager

Email: nancyh@leatherstockingvet.com

As a founding member of the team, Nancy is responsible for managing the daily activities of the breeding facility. Growing up on a Morgan horse farm, she was always involved with breeding and foaling duties. She graduated from Colorado State University in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in Equine Science. With a position established at Oriskany Creek Farm in Clinton, New York, she took on the management responsibilities of their Standardbred and Morgan breeding operation.

After several years at Oriskany Creek, the farm was downsized due to the owner's health and Nancy worked in the medical field for several years while maintaining her own small breeding operation, Rose Hill Farm. During these years she enlisted the veterinary services of Dr. Johnson and from there became enthusiastically involved in the planning of Leatherstocking Equine Center.

When she is not busy at the clinic, Nancy enjoys spending time on her own farm with her Morgan horse and numerous other livestock. Her daughter, Victoria, is also an animal lover and can usually be found in the barn. Nancy sits on the New York Morgan Horse Society Board of Directors and competes her family's Morgans at a few shows each year.

Joe Gasparek – Barn Manager

Joe has worked for Dr. Johnson for the last eight years.  When Leatherstocking Veterinary Services was opened in 2004 Joe was given the position of barn manager.  Growing up Joe worked on his uncle's dairy farm in western New York State so he is no stranger to the long hours involved in managing a farm.  Joe oversees the barn staff, is responsible for coordinating the housing of horses during the busy breeding season, putting up all the farm's hay, handling stallions, and maintaining the farm buildings and equipment.  Joe is also a member of the on call foaling team and has rarely missed a birth.  Joe is always good for a laugh and his comedic relief is often appreciated.  When not working Joe enjoys hunting, fishing, riding his four wheeler and spending time with his son Joey and wife Kasey.

Kaitlin Henderson L.V.T

Kaite began working at Leatherstocking as barn staff in 2006 while in high school. Kaite knew she wanted a career with animals so after graduation from high school she attended one year at SUNY Morrisville in their equine science and management program and then decided to apply to SUNY Delhi's veterinary technician program. While at Delhi Kaite continued to work at Leatherstocking during the summers. She completed her externships for the veterinary technician program at Leatherstocking and at Surgi-Care Center for Horses in Brandon, Florida. After graduating from Delhi in May 2010 and taking her licensing exam she began working full time assuming the role of Leatherstocking's licensed veterinary technician. A technician has a wide variety of responsibilities and Kaite states the most fulfilling part of her job is taking care of the hospitalized patients. Outside of work Kaite enjoys spending time with her animals, family and friends. Kaite recently became engaged to her longtime boyfriend Mark and the wedding is planned for June 2011.

Gail Young

Email: gaily@leatherstockingvet.com

Gail Young joined Leatherstocking Vets in May 2009 as the receptionist. If you call the office during regular business hours Monday through Friday most likely you will speak with her. Gail truly enjoys her job and likes working with all the wonderful clients that use Leatherstocking's services. In addition to answering the phones Gail keeps the vets on track throughout their busy days, schedules appointments, prepares health certificates and other paperwork for clients. She also works to quickly provide clients, veterinarians and staff with answers to the multitude of questions they have throughout the day. Even on the most hectic days Gail does all this without losing her calm and friendly demeanor. Gail lives with her husband Ardean and their four dogs. In her spare time she enjoys riding her Rocky Mountain horse "Shadow", horse camping, and gardening.

Chase Lord

Email: chasel@leatherstockingvet.com

Chase graduated from Morrisville State College in 2007 with an associates degree in equine science and equine racing management. Chase also has an associates degree in casino management. Chase joined the office staff at Leatherstocking in 2008 and is responsible for billing and accounts receivable. Chase is also the resident harness racing expert. Chase has a great deal of experience with Standardbred race horses, having owned and helped train these great athletes for many years. Chase founded and for the last three years has been developing the Mossy Creek foundation. The foundation has been formed to teach disabled kids about the sport of harness racing. When Chase is not working he can usually be found in the barn or at the track with his horses and his faithful dog Flower.

Charley and Dori Koop

Charley and Dori Koop have been an integral part of Leatherstocking's staff since 2005. Together they are members of the foaling team who are on call every night during foaling season. Dori is the clinic receptionist on Saturdays and provides night time care to critically ill and orphaned foals that need round the clock monitoring. Charley does night time barn chores several days per week and maintenance projects as needed. Charley is also a licensed wildlife rehabilitator (assisted by Dori), a falconer, and works full time at Hannaford Supermarkets. Dori works at the Pittsfield Vet Clinic and New Berlin Library as well. When they are not working Charley and Dori enjoy spending time with their miniature horses and many other farm animals.

Samantha Chamberlain

Samantha has been involved with horses almost her entire life. She showed her own horses and worked at a several farms throughout high school and college. She graduated from The State College at Oneonta with a bachelor's degree in chemistry and a minor in mathematics. Samantha began working at Leatherstocking Veterinary Services in January of 2008 as barn staff. In May of 2009 she was offered the position of veterinary technician. Samantha is happy to have a job working around horses and has developed a fondness for Standardbreds while working at Leatherstocking. She also enjoys the bovine aspect of working at a large animal clinic, interacting with the dairy farmers and meeting their cows. When she is not working Samantha enjoys riding her horse, being entertained by her donkeys, and taking her dogs for long walks.

 

Christina Grippin

Christina began working at Leatherstocking in the spring of 2009 as barn staff.  Christina enjoys the opportunity to have a job working with horses.  Christina's duties include cleaning stalls, grooming horses, and helping with the breeding operation.   Christina also assists the technicians with m edical cases and routine care of the farm horses.  When Christina is not working she enjoys spending time with her four daughters and many four legged friends.

Brian Brown

Brian joined Leatherstocking’s barn staff in early 2010.  Prior to working at Leatherstocking Brian was in the Army for six years giving him the opportunity to travel the world.  Brian has also worked in the construction industry.  At Leatherstocking Brian’s work includes barn duties, helping with the breeding operation, general maintenance, and haying.  Brian is also the caretaker of the Bice Farm where he lives with his wife Heather and their four children.  When he is not working Brian enjoys many outdoor activites especially hunting and fishing.