We believe in treating every patient as if they were our own pet, and giving them the same loving attention and care. We are a group of highly trained, experienced animal lovers who are devoted to giving our patients the best care possible.
If you have any questions about how we can care for your pet, please don't hesitate to call us at (203) 378-5229. Thank you!
Dr. Kari Kissel
Dr. Kissel was born in Northern Ireland and graduated from the University of Glasgow Veterinary school in Scotland in 2008. After traveling and working for various charitable organizations...
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Dr. Kari Kissel
Dr. Kissel was born in Northern Ireland and graduated from the University of Glasgow Veterinary school in Scotland in 2008. After traveling and working for various charitable organizations in South America, India, South Africa, Nambia, and Australia; Dr. Kissel came to Connecticut. After passing her NAVLE, (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam), she became an associate veterinarian at Oronoque Animal Hospital in 2010. Dr. Kissel became the owner of the practice in January 2018.
Dr. Kissel lives with her husband, young daughter and son, plus a kitty named “Minxy”. She is passionate about veterinary internal medicine and endocrinology. Her hobbies include water sports, snowboarding, and travel! She also enjoys spending time with loved ones and family.
Dr. Sheldon Yessenow
Dr. Yessenow is a 1977 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, in Columbus, Ohio. After graduation, he left his native Ohio and moved to Connecticut to begin...
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Dr. Sheldon Yessenow
Dr. Yessenow is a 1977 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, in Columbus, Ohio. After graduation, he left his native Ohio and moved to Connecticut to begin practicing his profession. In 1982 he founded Oronoque Animal Hospital in Stratford, where he continues to practice today.
Dr. Yessenow developed a passion for helping homeless pets after working with a variety of animal rescue groups, and with the Bridgeport, CT and Stratford, CT animal shelters, where he previously served as shelter veterinarian. In 2006, Dr. Yessenow accepted the position of Team Leader for the Connecticut State Animal Response (CTSART) Team. In that capacity he was appointed Regional Emergency Support Function Committee Chairman for the Region 1 Emergency Planning Team.
Dr. Michele Seibold
Dr. Wallitsch
Dr. Wallitsch is originally from Mineola, NY located on Long Island. Growing up, she always wanted to be a veterinarian, but she also had a profound interest in music. Her love for music and science brought...
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Dr. Wallitsch
Dr. Wallitsch is originally from Mineola, NY located on Long Island. Growing up, she always wanted to be a veterinarian, but she also had a profound interest in music. Her love for music and science brought her to Syracuse University for her undergraduate career. Here she spent her time studying biology and was also a member of the Syracuse Marching Band. After graduating in 2014 with her Bachelor’s degree, she returned home briefly before starting veterinary school.
In 2015, she moved to Glendale, Arizona where she received her DVM with honors from Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2019. Dr. Wallitsch started her career practicing in Fountain Hills, Arizona for her first few years after graduation. Here she was able to build her skills as a diagnostician as well as gain valuable dental and surgical skills while enjoying the wonderful things the Desert Southwest had to offer. Ultimately, the East Coast called her home. Growing up on Long Island, she always loved visiting Connecticut which is what brought her to Stratford.
Dr. Wallitsch feels that the human-animal bond is very important. As such, her interests focus on preventative care, disease and behavioral management. She also has great interest in anesthesia, dentistry and soft tissue surgery. Her ultimate goal is to provide exceptional, well-rounded care to her patients and to preserve the important bond between owners and their pets.
Dr. Wallitsch currently resides in CT with her boyfriend Callum and their two dogs; an 8 year old Bernese Mountain Dog named Cody and a 2 year old terrier mix named Stanley that she rescued from Oracle, AZ in 2020. In their spare time they enjoy outdoor adventures such as hiking and camping with the dogs, visiting great local breweries and restaurants and relaxing by the beach!
Pam
- Title: Practice Manager
- Joined team: April 1992
- Pets: "Tractor", "Trailer", and...
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Pam
- Title: Practice Manager
- Joined team: April 1992
- Pets: “Tractor”, “Trailer”, and “Gator”-three rambunctious kitty cats, “Sibuna”-an awesome black lab.
- Hobbies: Cheerleading, Cooking, Arts and Crafts
Jennifer
- Title: Lead Receptionist
- Joined team:June, 2019
- What's your favorite part about working as a receptionist?Getting to...
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Jennifer
- Title: Lead Receptionist
- Joined team:June, 2019
- What’s your favorite part about working as a receptionist?Getting to know and interact with our clients and their pets!
- Hobbies:Reading mystery novels, hiking, collecting sea glass and sea shells, swimming, and sight-seeing!
Darlene
- Title: Receptionist
- Joined Team: June, 2020
- Pets: "Zoe" a cute shih tzu!
- Hobbies: Kayaking,...
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Darlene
- Title: Receptionist
- Joined Team: June, 2020
- Pets: “Zoe” a cute shih tzu!
- Hobbies: Kayaking, Walking group
- Favorite thing about my job: My Co-workers!
- Title: Receptionist
Theresa
- Title: Receptionist
- Joined Team: December, 2021
- Pets: 2 cats named "Vader" and "Leia"
- Hobbies:...
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Theresa
- Title: Receptionist
- Joined Team: December, 2021
- Pets: 2 cats named “Vader” and “Leia”
- Hobbies: Working on cars, jet-skiing, going to the beach, and cooking!
- Favorite thing about my job: Making a difference in pets and peoples’ lives.
Ashley
- Title:Head Technician/Marketing/New Client Manager
- Joinedteam:September,2012
- Pets: "Azavache" an 8year old silly kitty,...
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Ashley
- Title:Head Technician/Marketing/New Client Manager
- Joinedteam:September,2012
- Pets: “Azavache” an 8year old silly kitty, and “Seraphina” a crazy 1 year old
- Hobbies: Singing, Painting, Video Gaming, Anime
- Favorite thing about my job: Getting to interact with so many breeds! Including French Bulldogs!
Katy
- Title: VeterinaryTechnician/Team Leader
- Joined Team: June, 2018
- Pets: "Gracie" the goofiest...
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Katy
- Title: VeterinaryTechnician/Team Leader
- Joined Team: June, 2018
- Pets: “Gracie” the goofiest dog in the world, “Hercules” the boxer of boxers
- Hobbies: Horse Riding, Knitting, Spending time with my pets
- Favorite thing about my job: Having the opportunity to work hands-on with our patients
Eve
- Title:Veterinary Technician
- Joined team: June, 1982
- Pets: "Autumn"- a beautiful german shepherd
- Hobbies:...
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Eve
- Title:Veterinary Technician
- Joined team: June, 1982
- Pets: “Autumn”- a beautiful german shepherd
- Hobbies: Spending time with her family, Baking, Anything & Everything Halloween!
Harley
- Title: Veterinary Technician
- Joined Team: August 2019
- Pets: Raynie, an Australian Shepard Mix
- Hobbies:...
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Harley
- Title: Veterinary Technician
- Joined Team: August 2019
- Pets: Raynie, an Australian Shepard Mix
- Hobbies: Hiking, Cooking, Baking and Reading
- Favorite thing about my job: Veterinary science and all the puppies!
Shellee
- Title: Veterinary Technician
- Joined Team: October, 2022
- Pets: A distinguished little chihuahua "Stitch"
- Title: Veterinary Technician
- Joined Team: October, 2022
- Pets: A distinguished little chihuahua “Stitch”
- Hobbies: Painting!
- Favorite thing about my job: The relationship that is developed between pets and their owners.
...
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Shellee
Mike
- Title: Veterinary Technician
- Joined Team:February, 2023
- Pets: Cichlids-a really cool type of fish!
- Title: Veterinary Technician
- Joined Team:February, 2023
- Pets: Cichlids-a really cool type of fish!
- Hobbies: Game nights with family, watching all types of documentaries, working on puzzles with his wife, and going to Disney!
- Favorite thing about my job: Getting to know the clients and helping their animals while learning more about veterinary medicine.
...
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Mike
Monica
- Title: Veterinary Technician
- Joined Team: April, 2023
- Pets: "London"- A 10 month old shorkie, "Vader"- An 11...
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Monica
- Title: Veterinary Technician
- Joined Team: April, 2023
- Pets: “London”- A 10 month old shorkie, “Vader”- An 11 year old mix, and “Cody”- An 11 year old Yorkie mix!
- Hobbies: Spending time with my family and pets!
- Favorite thing about my job: Receiving all of the unconditional love!
Alyssa
- Title: Veterinary Assistant
- Joined Team: February 2019
- Pets: Tractor, an orange tabby
- Hobbies:...
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Alyssa
- Title: Veterinary Assistant
- Joined Team: February 2019
- Pets: Tractor, an orange tabby
- Hobbies: Photography
TJ
- Title: Kennel Assistant
- Joined Team: September, 2022
- Pets: A welch springer spaniel named "Dylan"
- Title: Kennel Assistant
- Joined Team: September, 2022
- Pets: A welch springer spaniel named “Dylan”
- Hobbies: Drawing, writing, playing video and tabletop games, watching movies.
- Favorite thing about my job: Being able to help animals even if i’m still learning!
...
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TJ
Nathalie
- Title:Veterinary Assistant
- Pets: 6 dogs, 3 cats, and of course 3 chickens to complete this small pet sanctuary!
- Hobbies:...
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Nathalie
- Title:Veterinary Assistant
- Pets: 6 dogs, 3 cats, and of course 3 chickens to complete this small pet sanctuary!
- Hobbies: Drawing, bowling, swimming, and traveling!
- Favorite thing about my job: To help animals that are in need and comfort clients during a stressful event.