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.
Associate Veterinarian
Jessica Fabiano, DVM
Dr. Fabiano proudly grew up in Queens, the most diverse borough in NY. Throughout her high school and undergraduate years, she took on many roles at a local animal shelter where her passion for helping animals only grew. She completed her undergraduate studies in English and psychology at St. Joseph’s University in Brooklyn, NY. She received her doctorate in Veterinary Medicine as part of the inaugural class of LIU College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating from veterinary school in 2024, she completed a small animal rotating internship at VCA VREC in Norwalk, Connecticut. Dr. Fabiano is very excited to be a part of the Montgomery Veterinary Hospital team. Dr. Fabiano’s special interests include internal medicine and dermatology. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her cat, Larry. She also loves hiking, watching horror movies and playing arcade games like pinball!
Practice Manager
Veronika Mocarska
Veronika graduated from Cornell University, with a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science. She has recently found her passion in business management. 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!
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.
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.
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Steve Faddis, LVT
Bio Coming Soon!
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.
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Walter Mahlmann, LVT
Walter is originally from Suffolk County, Long Island and after a few years of living with family in Maine, he's back in New York making things happen here in the Hudson Valley! While living on Long Island, he obtained an Associates in Music Performance and went back to school to obtain his Associate's in Veterinary Technology. His interests in veterinary include working with senior animals as well as exotics and wildlife. Outside of work he enjoys writing music, drawing, hiking, getting out on the water and traveling.
Customer Service Representative
Alicia Phelan
Alicia is one of our Customer Service Representatives and has had a lifelong passion for animals. Originally from Poughkeepsie, she later moved to Sullivan County as her family’s passion for fly fishing brought them closer to the Catskills. As a child, Alicia also loved horseback riding with her family in the Adirondacks, which helped shape her deep appreciation for animals and the outdoors. Alicia is the proud pet parent of four animals—two cats, Luna and Karma, and two rescue pit bulls, Remi and Loki. Although she grew up with German Shorthaired Pointers, a breed she loves very much, adopting her first pit bull, Remi, sparked a deep love for the breed. After rescuing Loki, an abused dog, Alicia dedicated much of her time to advocating for pit bulls, helping them find loving homes, and volunteering to walk and support dogs who have had a tough start in life. In her spare time, Alicia enjoys spending time with her family, fly fishing, and, of course, being surrounded by her animals.
Customer Care Representative
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.
Relief 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.
