Renee Leonarczyk joined our staff in 2002. She has degrees from both Bryant & Stratton and Villa Maria College. Renee has some interesting stories to tell about her first receptionist job at a veterinary practice in Atlanta. It was a hectic facility that was open from 7 am to 12 am 365 days a year.

After 2 years she spotted an opportunity at a startup practice offering a comfortable, homey environment that allowed for a much better quality of patient care. The 1 1/2 years spent at this second practice help set the stage for Renne's practice expectations when she returned to Buffalo.

Fortunately for us, Renee stopped in to see how we managed our practice. It was clear from the beginning that we were a perfect fit. Renee manages our front desk. She also manages a family of two, Jacob and Alecia, with the help of her husband, Greg. They have two dogs, Marty and Olivia and a grey tabby named Andre.

Amanda Lowery has been a receptionist and Pet Health Counselor at our practice since 2007, and worked in the veterinary field for many years in Canada. She has a diverse background in photography, nursing and internet technology, and has enjoyed pets her whole life, from dogs and cats to horses, rats, gerbils, and hamsters.

She teaches dog agility classes and is away most weekends competing at agility trials with her Swedish Vallhund dogs. She also shows and breeds Swedish Vallhunds, and is a former vice president and director of the Swedish Vallhund Club of America. Amanda has a strong interest in dog behavior and dog training, as well as companion animal nutrition and ethical dog breeding. She has written and been interviewed for various dog publications including Dog Fancy and Dogs in Review, and she writes the quarterly Swedish Vallhund breed column for the American Kennel Club Gazette.

Amanda is an invaluable member of our team because of her extensive experience in the dog world. When she is not doing agility with her dogs, Amanda and her husband Jim enjoy movies, books, and long walks.

Amanda Lowery

Stephanie Ortel earned an Associate degree in Veterinary Technology from Medaille College. After she entered practice, she developed a thirst for advanced knowledge. She returned to Medaille to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Technology and is one of very few four year degree technicians in the country. Stephanie’s intellect, maturity and compassion allowed her to quickly become head technician. She completed the University of Tennessee’s canine rehabilitation therapy certification program earning the title of Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner. She has also completed the Chi Institute’s Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine technician acupuncture program.

Stephanie recently became a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP). She is currently one of only a few veterinary technicians in the world to be CVPP certified. Stephanie is the only veterinary technician to pass the credentialing process of the American Academy of Pain Management. We are extremely proud of her!

Stephanie is developing a national reputation for writing articles for the journal, Veterinary Technician. She has also spoken to student and faculty groups at Medaille College about balanced pain management.

Stephanie shares her life with her partner, Bill and Otto, an adopted German Short Haired Pointer, who was born with a serious bleeding disorder. Stephanie and Bill also have two cats, three snakes and a gecko and collect organic eggs form their free range, happy chickens. They enjoy hiking, camping, cooking and canoeing.

Stephanie Ortel, LVT, BVS
&
Otto

Dr. Bob Stein is a graduate of Michigan State University where he distinguished himself with a perfect 4.0 preveterinary GPA. He was awarded the Phi Zeta Award for graduating second in his class and the AAHA Senior Student Award for best overall proficiency in small animal medicine and surgery. His interest in surgery led him to the University of Minnesota where he spent an additional year studying advanced surgery under the guidance of the board certified surgical faculty.

In 1991 Dr. Stein was bitten by the anesthesia & pain management bug while attending a multiday program at Michigan State. His general practice, the Amherst Small Animal Hospital, began the widespread use of pain medications shortly thereafter. In 1997 Dr. Stein began a series of 7 anesthesia & pain management clerkships at Michigan State University. In 2006 Dr. Stein spent the entire month of February on the anesthesia & pain management service at the University of Florida.

In December of 2005 Dr. Stein successfully completed the American Academy of Pain Management credentialing process making him only the 4th veterinarian at the time to be awarded the title of Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management. 2007 saw Dr. Stein complete the Chi Institute small animal acupuncture certification program. More recently Dr. Stein has become a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist and Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner. His current focus of study is on the crucial role myofascial disease plays in the maintenance of chronic pain. He has completed all 4 of the core myofascial disease needle therapy workshops and hopes to certify this summer.

Dr. Stein has gone to extraordinary lengths to help other veterinarians bridge the gap between what's typically found in small animal veterinary practices to what we now know is currently possible given the appropriate investment in training, equipment, and staff. To this end Dr. Stein created the Veterinary Anesthesia & Analgesia Support Group website; a site that currently hosts over 21 thousand visitors monthly. Dr. Stein is also one of a select group of anesthesia & analgesia consultants on the Veterinary Information Network; an advanced information provider to over 31 thousand veterinarians and veterinary students worldwide.

Dr. Bob Stein
Dozer (we miss him so much) & Dobby