Dr. Megan Penfield MacNeill

Megan Penfield MacNeill is an Ithaca native with a passion for animals and the outdoors. Her veterinary school training took her to AVMA accredited Murdoch University in sunny Perth, Australia. At Murdoch, Megan had a focus in conservation and wildlife medicine completing programs in Perth, Thailand, India and Florida. After graduation Megan loved Australia so much she decided to stay and gained experience in GP medicine in both Perth and Melbourne. Ithaca is Gorges and now Megan is back and brought her two Australian Cattle dogs with her to see snow for the first time. Megan spends her time outside of work exploring with Blueberry and Bashie, training in martial arts, volunteering with wildlife and dancing to music. 

Dr. Linda Garrett

Dr. Garrett is that rare thing, a true Ithaca native, having grown up near the hospital with her family and lots of critters. She received her BS degree from Fordham University, followed by a MA in behavioral physiology from the same institution. After working briefly in medical research, she came back to Ithaca and earned her DVM degree from Cornell. Dr. G has maintained a strong interest in behavior and training since childhood, and is a member of the veterinary behavior society and Ithaca Dog Training Club, as well as the AVMA, Southern Tier VMA, and the Central NY Academy of Continuing Education. Her collie companion Corey enjoys any training that involves “cookies”, and has two obedience titles. The household cats are less impressed, but are willing to condescend to clicker-training, and will come, sit, and go to their spot on request (well… most of the time). When not caring for patients or having fun with her family, Dr. Garrett enjoys reading (Charles de Lint is a favorite), making pottery, photography, cooking, travel and myriad other pursuits.

Dr. Bridget Barry

Dr. Bridget Barry grew up in Watervliet, NY, graduated from Cornell in 1991, and has lived in Slaterville Springs on an old dairy farm ever since.  She currently works several days a month at a cat rescue/sanctuary in Franklin, NY, and volunteers with several local cat rescue/foster groups as well as being a veterinarian and surgeon at Meadowridge Mondays and Tuesdays.  Every year, Bridget volunteers with a spay/neuter campaign and has been to the Bahamas, Mexico and Peru to do surgery.  She is a member of VMAT and NRVT (national veterinary emergency response teams) and spent time in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.  A good chunk of Bridget’s spare time is spent taking care of her mostly rescued menagerie which includes 4 dogs and cats, an iguana and tortoise, sheep, goats, alpacas, chickens, turkeys, a goose, a llama, and a cow.

Dr. Mike Plotkin

Dr. Mike Plotkin is a 1984 grad of SUNY at Albany, and a 1993 grad of Cornell University vet school.  Although a native of New York City, he quickly discovered that the Central New York life was for him, and returned to Ithaca soon after graduation.  After starting his career in mixed animal practice, he transitioned to exclusively small animal practice (which has included over 7 years in emergency and critical care medicine).  Mike is married and has dogs, cats and chickens.  His hobbies include competitive distance running, cross-country skiing, Ultimate, gardening, and home improvement.

Dr. Carly McDonald

Dr. Carly McDonald grew up in Southern Ontario, Canada. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Animal Biology from the University of Guelph.  In 2015, she began her veterinary school education.  Dr McDonald received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, magna cum laude, from St George's University after completing a year of clinical rotations at Cornell University.  She has called the Ithaca region home ever since.

From the moment Dr. McDonald could talk as a very young child, she told everyone she met that she would one day be a veterinarian. She has worked in the veterinary field since she was 16. When she isn’t at the clinic, Dr. McDonald enjoys outdoor activities including hiking, jetskiing, snowmobiling, and motocross with her husband and their dogs Ryder and Kawi. 

Dr. Brittney Forrest

Dr. Brittney Forrest graduated veterinary school from St. George’s University, and she completed her clinical year at the University of Illinois. She is originally from northern New Jersey, but has lived in Grenada, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Kansas, and now New York. She’s wanted to become a veterinarian since she was young and has always enjoyed working with animals. She currently lives with her wife, their two dogs, and their two cats. She loves what she does and can’t wait to meet your furry friends.