Dr. Jessica Lowe (Lead Veterinarian)
Dr. Jessica Lowe graduated from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago School of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to that, Dr. Lowe attended the University of Maryland, College Park where she earned her first degree. She has a diverse background, working in small animal medicine, emergency veterinary medicine, exotic medicine, lab animal medicine and public health veterinary medicine, for over 10 years. Dr. Lowe has a special interest in feline medicine and internal medicine. She has 2 cats at home and enjoys outdoor biking and traveling. Dr. Lowe joined FirsVet in 2021.
Dr. Patricia Banks
Dr. Patricia Banks graduated from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 1995. After graduation she worked in emergency and critical care before opening her own practice in 2001. She currently owns a small animal practice in Houston, TX where she focuses on internal medicine, geriatric health care, soft tissue surgery, and preventative care for dogs and cats. Dr. Banks loves cooking, quilting, gardening and spending an afternoon at the park with her pups. She lives in Houston with 2 dogs and 4 cats. Dr. Banks joined FirstVet in 2021.
Dr. Monique Lewison
Dr. Monique Lewison obtained her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Husbandry with high honors and then went on to realize her childhood dream, graduating from the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1987. Since then, Dr. Lewison has had a mobile mixed animal practice in Northern Israel, worked in mixed and small animal practices in New York State, Chicagoland (where she also spent several years as an at home euthanasia veterinarian), Seattle, and East Tennessee. In 2013 she became an IVAS certified veterinary acupuncturist, and in 2015 she completed her veterinary chiropractic certification at the Healing Oasis in Wisconsin. Dr. Lewison is especially interested in animal communication and is dedicated to client education and holistic preventative care. She loves helping people better understand their pet’s issues and how to best care for them. She is currently following her husband’s dream (and now hers) of sailing around the world. While they organize to refit their 41 foot sailboat (in Kent, UK), care for her elderly mother in Israel, and care for their homestead in the foothills of the Smokies in Tennessee, Maximus, her rescued cat waits patiently for her to return from her travels each time. Dr. Lewison joined FirstVet in 2021.
Dr. Leah Talesnick
Dr. Leah Talesnick is a 2015 graduate of Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a post-graduate internship and worked as an emergency veterinarian at one of the largest emergency/specialty hospitals in the country. Dr. Talesnick now works as a general practitioner at a non-profit private practice that is dedicated to community outreach for an underserved community. She also works with a rescue that takes animals from natural disasters worldwide and high-kill shelters. Dr. Talesnick has been a contributor to NPR’s podcast Talking Animals. She has a special interest in pain management, quality of life, alternative and physical therapy and is certified as a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. She currently lives in Maryland with her husband and Boston Terrier. Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr Talesnick enjoys cooking and playing tennis. Dr. Talesnick joined FirstVet in 2021.
Dr. Allison Schwartz
Dr. Allison Schwartz graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. She completed a Small Animal Medicine and Surgery rotating Internship at Garden State Veterinary Specialists in NJ. Since completing her internship, Dr. Schwartz has enjoyed being a small animal general practitioner, with a special interest in dentistry, pediatrics, and surgery. In her free time, Dr. Schwartz enjoys baking, cooking, reading, and of course spending time with her husband and young son. Dr. Schwartz joined FirstVet in 2021.
Dr. Cindy McCauley
Dr. Cindy McCauley graduated from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. She knew from a very young age that she had a strong connection to animals and wanted to help them. So, it was no surprise that at eight years old her life would be changed by helping to pour blue antiseptic on an injured rooster. At the time, she had no idea what that “blue stuff” was, but can still remember where she was standing and what she was wearing. During her high school years, Dr. McCauley’s passion to help animals and advocate for their needs grew even stronger. Now, after more than 25 years in practice, she is still grateful to spend her life doing something she loves with people who all feel the same way! Dr. McCauley’s favorite part of being a veterinarian is that it allows her to make a difference. Whether it is preventative health care to keep animals healthy, helping a new life enter the world, performing a life- saving surgery, or assisting an old friend to pass with peace and dignity, she gets to make a difference every single day. Dr. McCauley feels blessed to have a supportive husband, daughter, son, and four-legged fur baby that understand her commitment to this career. Dr. McCauley joined FirstVet in 2021.
Dr. Zack Beresin
Dr. Zack Beresin received his veterinary degree from The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. Following graduation, he completed a rotating internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the Veterinary Specialty Center of Delaware. Since completing his internship, Dr. Beresin has worked as a small animal general practitioner in Ohio and New Jersey. His veterinary interests include preventative care and client education, radiology, dermatology, and surgery. Dr. Beresin’s undergraduate degree is in Environmental Studies, and he is still passionate about environmental conservation and sustainability. Outside of work, Dr. Beresin enjoys exploring the outdoors, including hiking, biking, camping and travel, cooking, listening to music, and most of all, spending time with his family. Dr. Beresin joined Firstvet in 2021.
Dr. Danielle Woolf
Dr. Danielle Woolf received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2016. Since graduating, she has practiced small animal, emergency and exotics medicine in New York City. Her veterinary interests include internal medicine, dermatology, surgery and dentistry. Dr. Woolf is currently living in South Africa to spend time with family and to do volunteer work. Dr. Woolf joined FirstVet in 2021 and is excited to help with your pet’s care!
Dr. Julie Napier
Dr. Julie Napier graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. She started work in a small animal, exotics, and emergency practice, with the intent of becoming a zoo and wildlife veterinarian. She spent almost 20 years in a variety of zoological institutions and did field work around the world including South Africa, Botswana, Madagascar, and Belize. Dr. Napier has a passion for animal welfare and conservation. Although she is no longer practicing in the wildlife field, she continues to be involved, writing book chapters and journal articles. She takes in senior dogs (over the years she has rescued 19 to date), has remained active in small animal medicine, and continues to consult in exotic pet and wildlife medicine. Dr. Napier joined FirstVet in September 2020.
Dr. Eve Cohen
Dr. Eve Cohen received her veterinary degree from St. Matthew's University in Grand Cayman in 2014 and spent her clinical year at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She then completed a Small Animal Medicine and Surgery rotating internship at BluePearl Veterinary Partners in New York City. Dr. Cohen has been a small animal general practitioner in NYC, Long Island, and Bluffton, SC. Her special interests include anesthesia and pain management, geriatric care, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. Dr. Cohen is a classically trained violinist and violist and also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Creative Writing from Skidmore College. She lives in Bluffton, SC with her fiance, 3 rescued cats and a toy poodle - all named after musical references. Dr. Cohen joined FirstVet in 2020.
Dr. Diane Givler
Dr. Diane Givler received her veterinary degree from Ross University in 2008 and spent her clinical year at LSU (Geaux Tigers!). She is originally from Pennsylvania, and has practiced small animal medicine in Rochester, NY, Columbia, SC, and Southport, NC. Dr. Givler has worked in small private-owned hospitals, large corporate hospitals, and on a non-profit surgically-equipped spay/neuter RV. Most recently she has been self-employed as a relief veterinarian and is currently living on a 58 foot sailboat with her husband, two dogs, and one cat. Dr. Givler joined FirstVet in 2020.