Meet The Team

Owner, Veterinarian

Melissa Grech-Attard, DVM

Dr. Grech was raised in Orange County, New York.  Growing up, she was involved in the local horseback riding club, G&M, from the age of four until she went off to college at seventeen.  Dr. Grech graduated from Cornell University in 2006 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science. She went on to St. Kitts, where she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University in January of 2010.  Dr. Grech has special interests in internal medicine, soft tissue surgery, and diagnostic imaging. She is also a certified dog trainer specializing in obedience and anxiety-caused behaviors. Above all, she strives to offer down-to-earth, honest, and passionate care to her patients and clients. In her spare time, she loves to find adventure with her beloved German Shorthaired Pointers, spend time with her daughter, husband and horses, and also lend a hand at the local humane societies and rescue groups.

Head Licensed Veterinary Technician

Ethan Franks, LVT

Ethan first began his career in veterinary medicine working for a private veterinary hospital specializing in domestic animals. While getting his Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Technology, Ethan was able to work in a variety of settings ranging from the Amazon Rainforest to the Central Park Zoo. In his spare time, Ethan loves going on hikes with his family dog Lucy. 

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Nicole Rapoli, LVT

Nicole started out as an illustration major, with animals being her favorite subject to draw. Eventually she decided to make animals her full-time focus and returned to school to earn her degree in veterinary technology, graduating from SUNY Ulster in 2019. Over the years she’s worked with a variety of patients ranging from cats and dogs to birds, reptiles and small mammals, even spending some time working with endangered species and other wildlife at the Trevor Zoo in Millbrook. Of all the animals she’s worked with, her favorite is the humble guinea pig, of which she currently has two, along with her two labrador retrievers. In her free time, she still enjoys creating artwork and loves capturing the different personalities of animals in her drawings and paintings. She also enjoys writing, gardening and spending as much time as possible with her nieces and nephews.

Senior Client Care Specialist

Lauren LaRocca

Lauren has a Performing Arts degree but always found herself volunteering with animals. She began working in the animal care field back in 2012. She has worked in different shelters and rescues throughout the Hudson Valley taking care of both cats and dogs. Most recently, she was working for a large sanctuary with a focus in feral cat socialization and rehabilitation. Lauren has a passion for animals and is excited to be back at Montgomery Veterinary Hospital. 

Veterinary Technician Assistant

Ekaterina Ponkratova

Ekaterina (Kat) started her veterinary career in Russia after graduating from Moscow Veterinary Academy with a Degree in Veterinary Medicine. In 2013 she moved to New Jersey and has been working in the veterinary practice since. Her fields of interest include Ultrasound and Dermatology. Kat continued her education to become a licensed veterinary technician. She enjoys archery, photography, art, being a mother, and spending her time with family and friends.

Office Manager

Veronika Mocarska

Veronika graduated from Cornell University, with a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science. She is pursuing a career as a veterinarian. Her love and fascination with all animals since she was a little girl made veterinary medicine a perfect fit.  She lives in a full house with 3 cats and 2 dogs. In her free time she enjoys reading, camping, going to the beach, and being her cats’ servant!

Veterinary Technician Assistant/Client Care Specialist/Social Media Manager

Sarah Lounsbury

Sarah graduated in 2021 from SUNY Cobleskill with a degree in Animal Industry with a concentration in Canine Training.  She has been involved with animals her whole life, from raising dairy goats to dog training. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her dog Kimber.

Client Care Specialist

Susan Skoulidakis

Susan was born and raised in New York. She has always loved animals and always wanted to work in the animal field. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and her dogs.

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Mary Passaro, DVM

Dr. Passaro has joined us for 2 days a week and 2 Saturdays a month while we are going through our transition. You may have seen her around, but she is going to be a regular! 

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Dr. Passaro grew up in northern NJ and moved to various places up and down the east coast and recently permanently moved to Montgomery since January 2025.

Dr. Passaro has been practicing for over 15 yrs, mostly in ER and Urgent Care with a combination of General Practice. She enjoys surgery and emergencies and she is looking forward to being able to build relationships with clients and patients.

Outside of the clinic, she is an avid reader of novels and has been getting back into yoga and running recently. She has been with her husband for over 10 years and they have one dog, Emi, a 3yo Belgian Malinois mix.

Relief Veterinarian

Dr. Shereen Toufils, DVM

Dr. Toufils has joined us for 1 day a week while we are going through our transition. You may have seen her around, but she is a regular!

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Dr. Toufils is a compassionate and dedicated veterinarian with a strong commitment to providing the highest standard of medical care for your beloved pets. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Cairo University in 2002. In 2017, she began practicing small animal medicine in New York, where she developed a special interest in small animal internal medicine.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Toufils enjoys spending quality time with her husband and two children, often exploring New York’s scenic hiking trails together.