Dr. Timothy Mann, VMD CVA
Stem Cell Certified
USDA Certified
Acupuncture Certified
Dr. Mann is a native New Yorker who's lived all over the globe exploring his passions. He has worked on a large number of animals -- big and small. These escapades include birthing 100 sheep a day in the ranges of Idaho, doing lameness exams on horses in Ireland, spaying and neutering dogs on native American reservations in Utah, examining cows in Cuba, cleaning out ear mites in Honduras, providing environmental enrichment to sloths at the zoo and keeping your best friends healthy in Brooklyn.
Dr. Mann's wide range of activities and commonalities in medicine sparked an interest in holistic treatments. This spark continued with the certification in veterinary acupuncture awarded by the Chi Institute as well as an understanding of various herbal and glandular therapies which can be used in addition to conventional western medicine to make sure you and your best friend will be happy and healthy for a long time. Dr. Mann received his undergraduate degree in environmental and political science at Hampshire College, and continued his education at the University of Pennsylvania, College of Veterinary Medicine where he was awarded his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Mann is also accredited by the USDA to provide international health certificates.
When not at work, Dr. Mann loves spending time with his cats, Barthalomew Diaz and Felix, as well as his dog, Micky.
Dr. Amanda Donovan
Dr. Amanda Donovan is a left-handed, vegetarian only child who grew up in New Hampshire. After graduating from Brown University, she planned on getting a PhD in Classics (Latin and Greek languages), but later decided she needed to do something a little more modern with her life. She moved to New York City, where she worked office jobs for several years, finally coming to the conclusion that any job that didn’t involve working with animals would be just too much for her to bear. She left the City to attend the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with a focus on small animal practice. Dr. Donovan then worked as a small animal clinician outside of Portland, Maine, until she began to fill the tug of New York City yet again. She has recently returned to Brooklyn, and is thrilled to join the Brooklyn Cares Veterinary Clinic family.
While Dr. Donovan loves all animal species unconditionally, she feels an especial fondness for, and kinship with, the felines among us. She is deeply concerned with animal welfare, and is a strong advocate of avoiding products that contain animal ingredients or are tested on animals. Dr. Donovan is a passionate environmentalist and advocate of the use of all-natural, chemical-free foods and other products, both for humans and for our non-human companions. She also believes unequivocally in the superiority of a holistic approach to wellness in all species, and in the vital importance of the human-animal bond. Dr. Donovan is ecstatic to be working at Brooklyn Cares, where her values are so well in line with the practice’s unique philosophy and focus on actively keeping our beloved animals well.
When not taking care of your favorite wee creature, Dr. Donovan is busy chasing after her own lazy feline roommates, trying to convince them to get jobs, or at least to clean up after themselves. She has thus far been unsuccessful, largely because the three lazy felines do not choose to acknowledge her as an authority figure of any kind. Nevertheless, she accepts the amusement and affection that Myrna, Begbie and The Schmutz provide for her as sufficient room and board to let them stay on.
When not wrangling her own or anyone else’s beasts, Dr. Donovan loves to cook spicy vegetarian food. She is also an avid reader of the classics and a huge foreign and classic film buff. She doesn’t feel the least bit pretentious when admitting that she is a great admirer of the French New Wave.
Dr. Donovan looks forward to meeting all of you and making sure your furry family stays happy and healthy.
Celia Kutcher, CHHC, AADP
Celia was born into a family with a love for animals. She grew up riding horses, competing in the hunter/jumper divisions and learning from brilliant horsemen who knew how to use simple, food-based remedies to heal sick and wounded show horses and dogs. This was the beginning of her fascination with alternative medicine for herself and her pets.
Twenty years later, Celia has treated countless animals including: dogs, cats, horses, ducks, gerbils, guinea pigs, a very cool mule, a scary giant pig, and a greedy pony that would escape to meet up with the Good Humor man for an ice cream sandwich.
Celia graduated with honors from The School of Visual Arts in New York City, and worked as a 3-dimensional designer and a problem-solver. This training in conceptual thinking has helped her with diagnosing patients. She has also completed courses on Iridology and Herbology at the NY Center for Iridology. Celia is a graduate of The Institute of Integrative Nutrition and is accredited by Columbia University and the American Association of Drugless Practitioners as a Certified Holistic Health Counselor.
Celia is married and lives with her husband and cat in Brooklyn. In her spare time, she treats humans and travels extensively. She is often seen befriending strays while on vacation.
Maggie Jones
Maggie recently graduated from The Boston Conservatory with a BFA in Ballet and Modern dance. While attending the conservatory, she spent her weekends at the MSPCA working to find homes for abandoned animals. Since re-locating to Brooklyn, Maggie has been collaborating with various rescues to rehabilitate mis-treated pit bulls and to find them homes. Her knowledge of massage therapy and the Alexander Technique has proved to be successful in the rehabilitation and healing of the abused animals she has been fostering. In addition to caring for animals, Maggie is part of the dance band "Borts Minorts" and is working on various movement art projects around New York and the New England area.
Erin Kalagassy, B.S., L.V.T., L.M.T.
Massage Specialist
Erin is a Brooklyn native, licensed Massage Therapist, and licensed Veterinary Technician, who’s been serving the health of New York animals since 1993. Her respect and compassion extend to all species; she’s been nurse to over 130 of them! She’s worked for (and published research at) Cornell Veterinary College, S.U.N.Y. Delhi, the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Prospect Park Zoo, and the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. Erin’s also published animal health articles, been shown working on Animal Precinct, and on PBS, and is a graduate of S.U.N.Y. Delhi, of Cornell University, and of the Swedish Institute.
Erin’s passion for hands-on healing work led her to a newer degree in massage therapy, and she specializes here in both Eastern (acupressure) and Western (medical Swedish and deep tissue) bodywork for animals of all species. When not at BCVC, she operates her own massage practice, for people, in the Park Slope area. It is her profound delight to bring this complementary, focused healing therapy to both the animals and people of Brooklyn.
For more information about massage, visit Erin’s website:
http://www.shiremassage.com
Amy Lubinski
Front Office Manager
Amy is a native Texan who has always had a love and curiosity about animals of all sizes. She grew up on the Hunter/Jumper circuit showing throughout the South and South East before concentrating on college. After graduating from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, she moved to NYC to work in advertising. Several years in a "cube" made her realize advertising wasn't her passion and made a career change in order to work with animals. Amy also works with Empire of the Dog as an assistant trainer in the Brooklyn area and has a special interest in raw feeding and the difference it can make in an animals quality of life. She takes special joy in "converting" pet owners into raw feeders!
Amy shares her life with her fiance, JP, a wonderful rescued great dane and a cranky kitty in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. When not at work she can be found at the dog park, cooking something new, working on her urban garden or on the hunt for authentic Mexican food.