Our Licensed Veterinary Technicians - Under New York State law, veterinary technicians must meet professional education requirements and complete a licensing examination to be licensed to practice in this field. Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVT’s) are always supervised by a Veterinarian, as they assist veterinarians in surgery, dentistry, and treatments, prepare and administer medications, take radiographs, induce anesthesia, collect specimens, and perform laboratory procedures and other nursing duties.
Paul Staar, LVT - Paul is the supervising Licensed Veterinary Technician at Central Animal Hospital. He joined our health care team in 1994, earning a a degree in Veterinary Technology from Mercy College and a Masters degree from Queens College. His organizational skills well qualify him to coordinate the scheduling of our 7 Licensed Veterinary Technicians and 14 animal handlers. Paul has a special interest in assisting with surgeries, ultrasound, and performing dental prophylaxis. Paul and his wife, also an LVT, care for their son and their 2 cats, Belle and Benny.
Leana Amman, LVT - Leana earned her Veterinary Technician degree from Medaille College. After working upstate at a feline veterinary clinic, Leana joined our health care team in 2004. She enjoys working with all pets, but has a special fondness for cats and exotics. It is no surprise, as Leana has 4 cats of her own, Ernie, Gavin, Kayla, and Pete.
Igor Onufriw, LVT - Originally from Ukraine, Igor joined Central Animal Hospital in 1995. Igor earned his Veterinary Medical degree at Lviv Academy of Veterinary Medicine in the Ukraine, and then completed the licensing requirements to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician in New York. He enjoys all aspects of the veterinary medical field. He resides with his wife, a son, a daughter, and goldfish in New York City.
Diana Sheppard, LVT - In 2004, Diana joined our health care team from her hometown in Minnesota. She earned her Technician degree from Argosy University. Diana enjoys assisting the veterinarians in surgery and anesthesia. She has a 14-year old Yorkshire terrier, Jasmine, and a 3-year old Australian Cattle mix, Emmy. Diana often assists clients in their home whose pets need home medical care. Diana is one of our 2 technicians that live in the apartment above Central Animal Hospital to check and treat our overnight hospitalized patients.
Crystal Spisak, LVT - Crystal, a native of upstate New York, attended Herkimer County Community College and the Environmental Science and Forestry School at Syracuse University before graduating with her Veterinary Technician degree from SUNY Canton. Crystal joined Central Animal Hospital in 2007 and has a special interest in Animal Behavior. She has 4 cats, Petrie, Theo, Mattie, and Boogie, and a Beta fish, B.B.
Melissa Staar, LVT - Melissa joined Central Animal Hospital as an animal handler when she was 14 years old. Following her love for animals, she earned her Bachelors degree from Quinnipiac, majoring in Veterinary Technology, and a Masters degree in Education from Queens College. Melissa teaches Science in the White Plains School District, and continues to work as a Veterinary Technician at Central Animal Hospital on weekends and holidays. Melissa, her husband, Paul, our head Technician, and their son care for 2 cats.
Romana Zic, LVT - Romana, born in Croatia, earned her Technician degree from Mercy College, with a Bachelors degree in Science. She has been at Central Animal Hospital since 2007, previously working in Manhattan and the Bronx. Romana’s special interests include radiology and ultrasound, and she enjoys assisting the doctors in surgery. Romana lives in the apartment above Central Animal Hospital and performs nightly checks on our hospitalized patients. Romana has 2 dogs, a Lab, Sunny, and a Puggle, Lola, and 1 cat, Nemo.
