Meet Our Terrific Team

Jay Rowan, VMD

Medical Director, Veterinarian, and Practice Owner

Dr. Jay Rowan treats all pets as if they are his own. Stop in to check out Dr. R’s collection of veterinary antiques and vintage advertising featuring dogs and cats. Clients appreciate his exceptional “petside” manner. For example, he is happy to get down on the floor to examine the big dogs, so they remain as comfortable as possible.

Dr. Rowan attended Pennsylvania State University, graduating with a BS in Biology, with distinction, in 1985. He graduated from the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1990 as a member of The Society of Phi Zeta, the honor society of veterinary medicine.

Dr. Rowan became the owner of Paoli Vetcare (previously Tredyffrin Animal Hospital) in 1996. He is the parent of two young men and lives on a historic farm (circa 1764) in Chester County, PA with a myriad of pets, literally too many to name, and his wife and co-practice owner, Dr. Erin Downes.

Nicknamed “Doc” by his staff—he enjoys reading and spending time outdoors, especially working around his farm, backpacking, and canoeing. Be sure to click the button to read Dr. Rowan’s interview to learn more about him.

Read our client reviews and request an appointment today to meet 5-star veterinarian Dr. Jay Rowan.

“We’re here to cure!”

Featured in:

Erin Downes, VMD

Practice Owner and Hospital Administrator

Dr. Erin Downes is a compassionate pet enthusiast, enthusiatic educator, and her problem-solving skills are one of Paoli Vetcare’s greatest strengths. Creating a highly-skillled professional, healthy, and joyful workplace for Paoli Vetcare’s staff is her number one priority.

A lifelong lover of all types of animals, Dr. Downes has spent three decades putting both people and pets first. She is a Fear Free® Certified Veterinary Professional because decreasing fear, anxiety, and stress — especially during the veterinary exams — is important to the wellbeing of all animals. She is also a USDA Accredited Veterinarian which allows her to issue international health cetificates endorsed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

In addition to dogs and cats, Dr. Downes has owned, cared for, and treated a huge variety of animal species, including snakes, iguanas, Komodo dragons, turtles, rats, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, chinchillas, rabbits, chickens, ducks, parrots, finches, crows, emus, ostriches, lemurs, bobcats, sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, horses, cattle, miniature horses and zebus, llamas, alpacas, buffalo, and others!

Dr. Downes graduated with a BS in Physics from Pennsylvania State University, summa cum laude in 1986 and as valedictorian of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine class of 1992, summa cum laude. After veterinary school, Dr. Downes obtained additional specialized training in equine and agricultural animal medicine and surgery by obtaining a highly-competitive internship position at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Paoli Vetcare has become a cornerstone of the community and a highly-regarded primary care veterinary hospital on the Philadelphia Main Line. That is due to the excellent medical care provided by the veterinarians, the extraordinary customer and patient care provided by the staff, as well as the diligent management and positive work culture championed by Dr. Erin Downes.

She has made it her mission to uplift and educate and her love for all animals is infectious. When she’s not engaging in her passion for animals and practice management, she enjoys vacations exploring the outdoors with her two twentysomething sons and her husband, Dr. Jay Rowan.

Featured in:

Carolyn Santore, VMD

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Carol Santore graduated from the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2010 and earned a B.S. in Biology from Temple University in 2005. She is a Fear Free® Veterinary Professional and a USDA-accredited Veterinarian which allows Dr. Santore to issue international health certificates endorsed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Dr. Santore believes that it’s crucial to carefully listen to all of a pet parent’s concerns, skillfully communicate her recommendations, and thoroughly answer client’s questions. By nurturing both the veterinarian-client relationship and the human-animal bond, she delivers the best possible care for your pets.

Dr. Santore fell in love with animals as a child growing up in Philadelphia. She fed and cared for the city’s stray cats and dogs, but yearned to find a better way to help them and devoted herself to pursuing a career in veterinary medicine.

Prior to vet school she honed her technical skills as a veterinary assistant. After graduation, Dr. Santore dabbled in a various of aspects of veterinary medicine — full time associate veterinarian, part time associate veterinarian, mobile end-of-life and hospice veterinarian, emergency veterinarian, relief veterinarian, telehealth veterinarian, and mobile full-service veterinarian — before chosing to concentrate on primary care at Paoli Vetcare.

Dr. Santore loves all animals, but has a special soft spot for her Shih Tzus — Stitch & Hendrix. Her parents are her biggest role models, because they encouraged and inspired her throughout her journey in veterinary medicine. In her free time Carol enjoys keeping up with the latest developments in veterinary medicine, traveling, running, and creating memories with her husband and two children.

Book with an appointment with her today paoli.vet/book

Chelsie Reeves

Practice Manager

Chelsie, our Fear Free® Certified practice manager, has been a catalyst for positive change at Paoli Vetcare since her promotion from ClientPatient Care Coordinator in 2021. Her mission includes providing exceptional care for both clients and patients; fostering a healthy and happy work environment; and ensuring the longterm viability of the practice. Chelsie manages the staff and the day-to-day functions of the hospital; assists the technicians and the doctors; manages and purchases inventory; and troubleshoots any issues that arise in a professional and empathetic manner.

Chelsie graduated summa cum laude from West Chester University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Her passion for helping people evolved to include a passion for helping animals. Chelsie is a huge foodie so you can usually find her cooking or trying a new restaurant. She also enjoys listening to true crime podcasts and rooting for the Phillies and the Eagles. She has a St. Bernard / Bernese Mountain Dog / Golden Retriever mixed breed dog named Casey.

Coming Soon

Director of Nursing

Nancy Malsbary-Denbow

Veterinary Assistant

Nancy started working at Paoli Vetcare many years ago as a Kennel Assistant and with on-the-job training acquired the skills to become a Veterinary Assistant. Her talents are diverse and she is an integral part of our hospital. Nancy assists technicians and doctors; draws blood and places catheters; preps patients for surgery; monitors anesthesia; performs dental prophylaxes; oversees the health and well-being of boarders; and even occasionally helps out in reception — Nancy can truly do it all!

Nancy’s love of animals began when she took horseback riding lessons when she was just 8 years old. She has passed down her love of animals to her son, Chris, who works at Paoli Vetcare as a Kennel Assistant. In her spare time, Nancy loves to workout at her gym, go running with friends, and participate in organized road & obstacle races. She shares her home with her children and her Shih Tzu, Missy.

Kelsea Strauss

Veterinary Assistant

Kelsea is currently enrolled in the Dallas College Veterinary Technology Program. She will soon become a become licensed as a Pennsylvania Certified Veterinary Technician. Her favorite part of work is being part of a team that helps sick patients become healthy as a result of their treatment. Kelsea finds that acquiring skills and working toward a specific career goal enables her to appreciate the journey and see her potential in a greater light.

She is Fear Free® Certified and ensures she is providing for the health, safety, and happiness of our patients by pursuing continuing education courses as often as possible — always keeping up with the latest advancements in techniques and procedures. Kelsea is responsible for high-quality patient and boarder care during surgeries, dentals, treatments, exams, and kennel stays.

If she could be any animal she would be a Hawksbill sea turtle since they inhabit warm, tropical coastline waters with beautiful scenery and have ample room to explore! Kelsea enjoys weight lifting, stand up paddle boarding, and hiking. Her favorite quote is, “Ultimately, it is your commitment to the process that will determine your progress,” by James Clear, author of Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones.

Liam Kiser

Veterinary Assistant

Liam graduated from Penn State University with his B.S. in Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences. During college, he spent a semester abroad in Ireland at the University College Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine as a research assistant. He also spent time in Guatemala assisting in the rescue and rehabilitation of over fifty native Guatemalan species — including Morelet’s crocodiles!

When not at work, you can find Liam rowing, cycling, cooking, or hiking. His favorite sports teams are the Eagles (Go Birds!), Penn State Nittany Lions, and the IRFU – Irish Rugby Football Union. If Liam could be any animal he would be the largest animal to ever roam the earth — the blue whale because they get to explore the most remote and undiscovered parts of the ocean.

Julia Wicks

Client-Patient Care Coordinator

As an important member of our excellent team of Client-Patient Care Coordinators, Julia is always prepared for whatever walks through the door and greets each client with a positive attitude and caring demeanor.

We refer to Julia as our “zoo keeper”. Her grandfather inspired her love of animals and she now has over 50 reptiles! Julia’s zoo includes geckos, turtles, lizards, Dubia roaches, quails, and rats.

Julia also shares her home (or zoo!) with her boyfriend, their daughter Lennon, Luna the Boerboel, and Squirtle the domestic shorthair cat. Julia enjoys listening to country music, spending time with her family, and watching her favorite show, Grey’s Anatomy.

Nathalie Franks

Client-Patient Care Coordinator

Nathalie is part of our amazing Client-Patient Care Coordination team and also has a background in dog grooming. She is currently taking classes at YTI Career Institute Veterinary Technology Program.

Nathalie shares her home with five pets — Great Dane, Zeke; Corgi, Maisie; cats, Tigger and Winnie; Flemish Giant rabbit, Moose; and a guinea pig named Oscar! If Nathalie could be any animal, she would be a Hawaiian Honu, a sacred basking sea turtle, as they get to sunbathe and swim all day on gorgeous beaches. In her spare time, Nathalie enjoys working out at the gym or going for a nice, scenic drive. Her favorite quote is “It always seems impossible until it’s done” from a 2001 speech by Nelson Mandela.

Emi Oka

Kennel Assistant

Emi attended the University of Delaware and is currently studying Animal Science at Unity Environmental University. She is also CPR and ServSafe® food handler certified. Emi grew up watching Studio Ghibli animated films with her grandparents and loves watching them to this day. She even named her cat after Jiji — a black cat with huge white eyes in the Studio Ghibli anime movie Kiki’s Delivery Service.

Emi also enjoys crocheting, singing, and making friendship bracelets. She is inspired by music, the beauty of nature, and selfless acts of others. If Emi could be any animal she would be a cuddly ferret because they are “noodles of cuteness and friendship!

Chris Malsbary

Kennel Assistant

Chris is our Veterinary Assistant Nancy’s son and he too has worked at Paoli Vetcare for many years. He feeds, cleans, and takes the dogs out to play. One of his favorite memories is when Dr. Rowan’s dog, Greta, had her five male puppies and they all lived at the hospital until they were old enough to go home.

#happylife is how Chris would describe his job. Morgan Freeman is his hero because his selflessness, dedication to work, and will to follow his dreams are inspirational. Chris’s hobbies include building computers, drawing, and doing impressions. If he could be any animal, he would be a lizard.

Samantha Resendiz

Kennel Assistant

Sam attended Harcum College and graduated with an associates degree in Animal Center Management. She loves to see dogs joyously leap over the car seat when they spot her coming out to get them for daycare! Sam enjoys rooting for the Washington Commanders, watching Disney movies, and spending time with her nieces and nephews.

Sam’s dog is a cross between a Beagle and an English Bulldog or Beabull named Maisey, who loves looking for rabbits in the backyard. If Sam could be any animal, she would be a Rottweiler because they are kind, hard working, and lovable (just like Sam!).

Maureen Burns

Kennel Assistant

Maureen, who is Basic Life Support Certified, is one of our bubbly kennel assistants. She takes pride in caring for your pets as if they were her own. Her Corgi, Goose, comes to work every day because he enjoys playing with our clients’ pets too!

Besides spending time with Goose, Maureen enjoys sketching, reading, and listening to music. She also enjoys watching the British fantasy comedy series Good Omens. If Maureen could be any animal, she would be a mysterious, lovable shark.

Jonathan Santacruz

Kennel Assistant

Jonathan ensures quality care of our daycare friends, boarders, and patients every day. He also cares for his Corgi, Willow the Pillow Honey Bunches of Loaf — yes really — that’s her full name! Jonathan always gets a kick out of giving his pets unique and silly names.

In his spare time, Jon enjoys playing drums, working out, and writing short fiction stories. If he could be any animal he would be a dog as they are always happy and in the present moment, which he finds admirable.