Staff

Meet the friendly staff at Groton City Animal Hospital!

  • Dr.
    Kathy Baxendell
    Veterinarian/Owner

    Dr. Baxendell is the owner and one of the full-time veterinarians at the Groton City Animal Hospital. She is a 1991 graduate of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Baxendell opened her own large animal veterinary practice in 1998. As this practice expanded and grew, she enlarged the practice to include small animals and opened the Groton City Animal Hospital in January of 2001.
    Currently Dr. Baxendell sees both large and small animal patients. She thoroughly enjoys her role as one of the small animal soft tissue surgeons along with being the principle small animal dentist for the practice; as well as providing wellness and dental care of her equine patients.
    Outside of work, Dr. Baxendell enjoys a wide range of hobbies including camping, kayaking, ice hockey and traveling the world.

  • Dr.
    Katherine Dart
    Veterinarian

    You may see Dr. Dart on the road as a large animal veterinarian or in the hospital working with the smaller animals. She is a graduate of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine as well as Swarthmore College. Katherine joined Groton City Animal Hospital in 2005 and has enjoyed being part of the practice ever since then.

  • Dr.
    Bethany Austin
    Veterinarian

    Dr. Bethany Austin is a 2018 graduate of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.  She grew up in a small town located in eastern New York and went to SUNY Delhi and Cornell University for her undergraduate degree.
    Her special interests are in equine medicine, reproduction and lameness, canine and feline wellness, general surgery and preventative medicine, and small ruminant medicine along with overall herd health.
    When she is not working, she enjoys such activities as hiking with dogs and friends, volleyball, camping and all the activities of camping - canoeing, swimming, riding horses, seeing a good movie, going to flea markets and festivals, museums etc. 
    She shares her home with her boyfriend, 2 cats, and her black lab, Remington.  

  • Michelle Cheff
    Practice Manager / Veterinary Technician

    Michelle joined the staff of Groton City Animal Hospital in 2002. She has been in the veterinary field as a technician/practice manager since 1985. Michelle has worked at practices in Florida, Pennsylvania, and New York, prior to joining us here at GCAH.
    Michelle spends her free time with her husband Garrick, her son Josh, and daughter Sydney, as well as her herd of animals including – dogs, cats, horses, chicken, ducks, rabbits and goats. 

  • Kelley McConnell, LVT
    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Kelley graduated from SUNY Delhi in 1993 with an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Science. She worked for 9 years at the Tully Animal Clinic, then decided to try out the mixed animal side of the career and worked for 18 years at Groton City Animal Hospital. 
    For a change of pace, she moved out to Portland, Oregon for 2 years with her partner Nicole and explored the beautiful Pacific Northwest while being employed at Healing Arts Animal Care learning rehabilitation and physical therapy for dogs and cats.
    Time came for them to come back to Central NY and was thankful that she was able to return to her old job at GCAH working part-time as a large and small animal technician.
    In her free time, she enjoys exploring nature - camping, kayaking and hiking with Nicole and their “Mini Pooberger” Owen. They also share their home with their “baby kitten” Brooklyn. 

  • Kaitlin Houck, LVT
    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Kaitlin graduated from Alfred State College in 2010 with an Associates degree in Veterinary Technology. She joined GCAH shortly after graduating.

  • Alison Murphy
    Veterinary Assistant

    Alison joined the GCAH team in 2015 after settling in the area and finishing her certification in the Veterinary field. She has worked around animals her whole life from growing up on a dairy farm, to 12+ years’ experience in animal care; which also includes grooming, boarding and shelter care.
    At home Alison and husband, Darren are kept busy by their 3 boys - Owen, Colin and Devin; with their endless sporting events; 4 dogs - Meri, Izzy, Sully, and Joslen; 2 cats -Toby and Talley. 
    Alison likes to spend her downtime at their family camp in the Adirondacks; hiking, kayaking, exploring new places and enjoying the pace of nature. 

  • Danielle Henry
    Veterinary Assistant

    Dani grew up in Homer, NY and has always dreamed of working with animals on a day to day basis. She joined Groton City Animal Hospital in January of 2022. Large animal calls are her favorite. She is currently enrolled in a veterinary assistant program.

    She shares her home with her boyfriend Jonathan along with their German Shepard named Faith and their black Lab named Tucker.

    Interests outside of work include attending concerts, boating, hiking and family game nights.

  • Sam Rivera
    Customer Service Representative

    Sam joined Groton City Animal Hospital in December 2020. After working as a receptionist in human medicine for almost 5 years, she was happy to transition into the veterinary field. She has always wanted to work with animals and grew up on a small hobby farm.
    Sam provides the cheerful voice that greets you when you call GCAH. She directs your calls, takes your information, makes appointments for hospital/surgery visits, takes payments, sends out reminders and statements, and keeps your records up-to-date.
    Sam lives with her husband, daughter, dog (Finnick) and cat (Kuzco). She enjoys traveling, reading, bowling, crafting, fishing and gardening. 

  • Kohler Phister Faucet aka Kohl
    Mascot #1

    Kohl came to us as a kitten from Country Acres Pet Services after our beloved Moen crossed the Rainbow Bridge. 

    Kohl is a spitfire who loves to race around the clinic and has been know to sneak attack the humans in his life. He has proven his worth as a hunter in slaughtering several voles in the basement that he promptly brings to his favorite human, Michelle to show off his prizes. 

    Kohl is also addicted to playing with a laser pointer and lives to chase treats. 

  • Birdie AKA Tater Tot
    Mascot #2

    Birdie also came to us from Country Acres Pet Services. Her claim to fame before we got her was being a very efficient bird catcher, hence her name. Birdie lives for food as evidenced by her rubenesque pear shaped so she's constantly on a diet. 

    Her current lifestyle involves sleeping on anything warm (laptops, computers, routers, printers), mugging for attention and rough housing with her stuffed fish and catnip mouse. 

Location

Find us on the map

Our Hours

*Alternating Saturdays*

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-2:00 pm

Thursday:

7:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-12:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed