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| Our team |
David L. Ouart, D.V.M., Owner/director -- Companion Pet Hospital
Dr. Ouart grew up on a farm in the Midwest and was active in 4-H and Pony Club as a boy. He attended Iowa State University and received his degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois in 1974. He came to New York to practice equine and small animal medicine with Dr. George Wortman and Dr. John Whitefield in Beacon, New York.
In 1983 he opened his own small animal and equine practice at its present location. Though his practice is now exclusively small animals he still has his love of horses and farm animals. Dr. Ouart is active in the Hudson Valley Veterinary Medical Society and has held all major offices in that organization. In addition, he has been a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association since 1970 and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) since 1974, consistently exceeding recommended continuing education requirements. He is also a shareholder and founding member of the Animal Emergency Clinic of the Hudson Valley and is currently on its board of directors.
His hobbies include restoring (but not yet sailing) a 19-foot Rhodes O'Day sailboat, shooting sporting clays, trap and skeet; and doing any type of yard work involving chain saws and trenching tools. You also may see him in his old 1974 jeep plowing his driveway on Broad Street in Fishkill. He is a member of the Fishkill United Methodist Chruch and has served as a trustee. The biggest event in his life last year was the marriage of his daughter, Sarah. The biggest event of his life next year should be the graduation of his son, Joe, from college.
Currently, the Ouarts have two pets that share their lives with them. One is a cat that was adopted from the animal hospital named Jelly Bean. The other is Grace, a Sheltie who came into their lives after the passing of Will, one of their other beloved Shelties. (Honest, they had Will and Grace long before the TV program -- in fact, it was a client that pointed out the coincidence!) The pet census is subject to change at any time, of course, for sometimes it's awfully hard to resist the animals that appear on our doorstep needing a home.
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Anthony J. Gilchrist, D.V.M.
Dr. Gilchrist graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, which included a clinical year at Oklahoma State University. Prior to veterinary school Dr. Gilchrist served in the Marine Corps during the Panama War, The Gulf War and the Somalian conflict. Dr. Gilchrist is currently a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association and the Hudson Valley Medical Society. He enjoys reading, playing racquetball, rock climbing, fishing and traveling. Dr. Gilchrist and his wife, Kira, are the proud parents of a Labrador Retriever named Bodiddly, a Golden Retriever named Sumner, a cat named Ting and another cat named Mo.
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Joanne Seinsheimer, D.V.M.
Dr. Seinsheimer graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Biology. Before attending veterinary school she worked at San Francisco General Hospital for several years as a clinical research coordinator. She graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her clinical year of training at the University of Illnois. Dr. Seinsheimer is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the New York State Veterinary Medical Society and the Hudson Valley Veterinary Medical Society. She enjoys hiking and running with her island mutt, Iggy, who jumped in her car at a supermarket in the Caribbean.
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Kathy Reynolds, Head Veterinary Receptionist
Although Kathy started working for us as a receptionist in July, 2000, she actually began coming here as a little girl as the granddaughter of one of Dr. Ouart's first clients when he opened Companion Pet Hospital in 1983. Kathy earned an Associates Degree from Krissler Business Institute in November, 1997, and she happily takes on all tasks that she is asked to do. When she is not working, she loves spending time with her husband, Tom. They have a very spoiled dog named Honey and a cat named Stuart both of which were rescued by Kathy and Tom. Every year Kathy takes Honey to the Dog Walk at Bear Mountain Park, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Kathy enjoys working out at the gym, taking pictures with her digital camera and spending time with family and friends.
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Miranda Earle, Veterinary Technician/Receptionist
Miranda started working at Companion Pet Hospital as a receptionist in January, 2002, after moving to the mid-Hudson Valley from Vermont. Having worked in an animal hospital environment since the age of 15, she is able to multi-task by performing receptionist as well as technician duties. Miranda owns two mastiffs, Seo and Wednesday, one of which was abused by her previous owner until taken into the loving home of Miranda and her fiancé, David. She shows great care for animals at home as well as at work. During her free time she enjoys participating in charity events such as the American Cancer Society Dog Walk and the Dutchess County Humane Society "Paws in the Park," as well as going to the gym and spending time with her family.
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Tara Longhitano, Veterinary Receptionist
Tara has been our receptionist since the summer of 2000, and we consider ourselves very fortunate to have found such a friendly, good natured and gracious person to welcome and care for our clients and patients. She is usually the first person our clients encounter when they enter the hospital; her warm and friendly greetings make everyone feel welcome and at home! Married in October, 2000, Tara and her husband, Louie, currently reside in Hyde Park and hope to have a family in the near future. Until then, Tara is the proud mother of Kokee, her very pampered and totally adorable Bichon Frise. When she's not at work, Tara enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to music, dancing, reading, cooking and decorating her home.
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Sarah Plain, Head Licensed Veterinary Technician
Sarah began working at Companion Pet Hospital in 1996, immediately after she graduated from SUNY Delhi with an Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology. While at Delhi, Sarah came to work with us during her breaks and summers. She loves being around the animals and has a developed a high degree of expertise in small animal dentistry. Most importantly, Sarah loves to help make the difference in animal care. Sarah has many responsibilities here including inventory ordering and maintaining surgery and drug logs. She is an avid reader and likes to stay fit whether it's on the volleyball court or in the gym. She also loves cuddling up with her cat, Joey, that she adopted from here as a kitten.
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Jessica Brown, Licensed Veterinary Technician
Jessie Brown is a licensed veterinary technician who joined us in June, 2003. She was born and raised in Vermont where she attended Vermont Technical College and earned an Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology. Her family's pets (2 dogs and 4 cats) inspired her to work in the animal profession. She enjoys spending time with her fiancé, Chris, and their cat, Hannah. Some of her favorite pastimes include going to the gym, mountain biking, hiking, camping and reading.
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Carrie Wilson, Technician Assistant
Carrie joined our team in January, 2004, and we are so happy that she did! It took her no time at all to fit right in with her upbeat attitude and high energy. Previously, Carrie worked ten years in a business environment. Realizing that her heart was not in her work, she considered what she could do to feel more fulfilled -- her love for animals brought her to us. Married in June, 2003, Carrie lives in Fishkill with her husband, Donny, and their two cats: Ozzy and Autumn.
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Kennel Assistants
Mellisa Gilliam and Laura Trimble are seniors at Haldane High School. Friends since kindergarten, they have been working with us for about two years. Mellisa has two cats and Laura has one, all of which were adopted from Companion Pet Hospital. Both Mellisa and Laura have been accepted at SUNY Delhi to begin their formal training as Veterinary Health Technicians next fall. We're looking forward to their successful completion of this demanding program as they've already expressed the desire to return to us to begin their professional careers. When Mellisa and Laura aren't working or going to school, they like to go on hikes, go to the movies, and spend time with their friends.
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Margaret Ouart, Hospital Administrator
Margaret has been part of Companion Pet Hospital since it was the dream of her husband, David, when he was a veterinary student at the University of Illinois. She is also a graduate of Illinois having received a B.S. in Accountancy in 1972. She passed the C.P.A. exam the following year and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. She believes her work experience in the tax department of a large manufacturing firm and as an auditor for a C.P.A. firm were good preparation for her position as hospital administrator.
Margie has been active in the community as a member of the Town of Fishkill Planning Board, treasurer of the Blodgett Memorial Library Board, and currently serves as treasurer of the Board of Trustees and the Endowment Committee of the Fishkill United Methodist Church. Interested in historic preservation and living in the Fishkill Historic District, the Ouarts have happily participated in several fundraisers for local civic organizations by opening their circa 1850 home as part of historic house tours.
She and Dr. Ouart are the proud parents of two children. Sarah and her husband, Corey, are living in the metro-Atlanta area, and Joe is a student at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.
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