Our Doctors

Dr. Phillip Raclyn

I remember starting the first practice, Riverside Animal Hospital, in 1986, and thinking about what I wanted to accomplish. I wanted somewhere where the residents of the Upper West Side could feel confident that they've chosen the best place to bring their pets for both well care, and when their pets are sick. I wanted to inspire confidence that no stone would be left unturned in our quest to provide the absolute best care that one could hope for our four legged family members. I remember thinking back then that "nobody knows everything", and I was smart enough to know that I certainly didn't. But in those days, before there were so many specialists in veterinary medicine, it was important to develop a network of people with special interests in various fields. The trouble was, the only referral hospital at that time was the Animal Medical Center. And although they had some really great and knowledgeable doctors, our clients hated going there. However, one thing we lacked in New York City was anyone trained in Alternative and Complementary Medicine. You could get brain surgery or chemotherapy at the AMC, but nobody around knew acupuncture or herbal medicine. And I considered this an integral part of not only medicine, but of wellness.

I was the first veterinarian in NYC (and one of the first in the country) to belong to the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights. I may still be one of the only vets in the city who belongs to PeTA. As wacky as they can be sometimes, they have changed America's attitude towards the treatment of animals.  I was probably the first veterinarian in NYC to renounce Science Diet and Iams and their marketing juggernaut. Iams threatened to sue me for telling my clients that I stopped recommending Iams and Eukanuba because they used animal by-products and chemical preservatives. I told them to please go ahead, as the newspapers in NYC would love a story like that.  Back then, this was heresy.  There were no readily available alternatives, but I established links to manufacturer of all natural pet foods and made these available to our clients.

Today, things are different, fortunately. Attitudes have changed, and I'd like to think that I helped pave the road for the new ideas about nutrition and wellness for pets. The markets are filled with all natural pet foods. Our city is filled with veterinarians board certified in everything from surgery to oncology to behavior medicine. There are resources for almost everything you could need for your dog or cat. There are even plenty of veterinarians who have followed the path we beat to other modalities in medicine.  I feel content and satisfied that most of the shortcomings I had seen over twenty years ago when I started practicing in New York City, are no longer evident.

 I still like pushing the envelope in terms of medicine and care. If my pet were sick with something that didn't have a simple cure, I would search high and low for anything that might help. That's why I practice Integrative Medicine. That's why I started doing Stem Cell Transplants.

But as you can imagine from my history, I strongly believe that our pets are important not only for what they bring to us humans, but they are important because they are living, sentient, feeling beings, and deserve more than being treated like commodities as is too often the case in our country. The thought of a dog or cat being euthanized every three seconds across our country just horrifies me. Dogs and cats just as loving and feeling as our own pets, but with nobody to care for them are dying at epidemic rates in shelters across our country. I've worked with numerous organizations over the years that help place animals in loving homes, but I still feel that this is a drop in the bucket. Bigger steps need to be taken, and I hope to devote a good part of the next chapter of my career addressing this.

In the meantime, my pet charity is JASA (the Jewish Agency for Services for the Aged) because they have a separate section that is devoted to helping senior citizens care for their pets. What could be better in a world where senior citizens too often lead lonely isolated lives, and pets need someone to love? Please take a look at the good work they do (JASA), and help by volunteering or donating.

Dr Raclyn's CV:

Trained as an allopathic veterinarian and practiced as such for twenty years. He is founder and chief of staff of VETSnyc, two veterinary practices on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and one in Yorktown Heights (Westchester). He has earned his Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and has had extensive post graduate training in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine. Member of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, AVMA, NYCVMA, American Association of Feline Practitioners, PeTA, Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights, the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture. He has been a Teaching Assistant for the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society certification course.

Every year, Dr. Raclyn attends numerous continuing education conferences including The North American Veterinary Conference, The IVAS Congress, The American Holistic Veterinary Association Conference, and the American Animal Hospital Association Conference, along with other continuing education meetings organized by the NYC Veterinary Medical Association and the Westchester-Rockland Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Raclyn has appeared on TV many times, including Everyday with Joan Lunden, MTV, New York Views with Roz Abrams, New York Channel 4 Live at Five, Fox News at Noon, Inside Edition (as an authority on Alternative Veterinary Medicine), the TV Food Network (as a holistic nutritional consultant), American Journal, Fox Pet News, Japan's National Television (Fuji Television) (as an expert on veterinary acupuncture, and most recently (Feb 2007) on Fox News (National) for his expertise in behavior issues, and out favorite, on People's Court. You can see most of these by clicking on this link.... TV appearances

He has been quoted and featured extensively in many newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times, Daily News, Crains Magazine, TRENDS (The American Animal Hospital Association Magazine), NY Dogs, Cat Fancy, Self Magazine, Glamour Magazine, and has been a contributing writer to the Pat Lazarus books, "Keep Your Dog Healthy the Natural Way" and "Keep Your Cat Healthy the Natural Way". He is currently writing a regular column for am-NY newspaper. He was recently quoted in the New York Daily News story on "Bo" Obama, the president's new dog.

He is probably most proud of being the only veterinarian ever written about in the New York Magazine BEST DOCTORS issue. Here the author spoke of her search for the perfect doctor. At the end of the article she described finally finding him, but instead of a doctor for herself, he was her veterinarian, Dr. Raclyn.

Steven Kasanofsky, DVM, CVA

Also trained as an allopathic veterinarian, Dr. Kasanofsky practiced for years in Queens in various private practices and emergency centers until becoming a partner in 1992 in the Veterinary Hospitals of New York (which then consisted of Riverside Animal Hospital and Riverside Animal Clinic (since sold)). He is Chief of Medicine and Surgery for all three existing hospitals. He is a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist and has had extensive post graduate training in Chinese Herbal Medicine. Member of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, AVMA, NYCVMA, American Veterinary Dental Society, The Society of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, and the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture.

Every year, Dr. K also attends numerous continuing education conferences including The North American Veterinary Conference, The IVAS Congress, The American Holistic Veterinary Association Conference, and the American Animal Hospital Association Conference, along with other continuing education meetings organized by the NYC Veterinary Medical Association and the Westchester-Rockland Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Kasanofsky has appeared on television and radio, including Animal Planet, Westchester News,and has lectured at various dog and cat club meetings about Alternative and Complementary Veterinary Medicine. He is a delegate of the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture, and a Teaching Assistant for the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society certification course.

Click here to see a photo of Dr K at the 9/11 rescue mission

Pia Hiekkaranta, DVM

I was just eight years old when I told my parents that I decided to become a veterinarian. Since then I never planned anything else for a career. After graduating from Veterinary College of Helsinki, I worked in Finland over twenty years. My husband and I lived with our three children in a farm with 2 ponies, sheep, a goat, a goose and two dogs and cats North of Helsinki.

Relocating to the U.S. back in 1997 changed my life. This is a big country, but now I wanted to focus solely on small animals—mainly dogs and cats,and also some exotic pets. I like to keep myself well abreast of the latest in veterinary medicine, so regularly go to continuing education courses as well as numerous veterinary conferences. I simply love my job!

My family is still the same, but now we live in a single family home in Westchester. And the animal kingdom has shrunk to one dog, a male collie named 'Tuisku'. His name is Finnish, and means 'Blizzard'. He is a beautiful young dog, who likes to take me for a long walk or run every day."

MEMBERSHIPS AND AWARDS

• Westchester Rockland Veterinary Medical Association, 2001—
• New York State Veterinary Medical Society, 2001—
• American Veterinary Medical Association, 2000—
• Veterinary Medical Association, 1977—
• Representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry-appointed working group on “Recommendations concerning the use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine” 1995–1996
• Delegate of The Finnish Veterinary Medical Association, 1983–1985
• Board Member, “Finnish Veterinarian” (professional journal) 1992–1997
• Finnish Veterinary Foundation, 1989–1997: Board Member, 1989–1997; Deputy-Chair, 1994–1997
• Finnish Municipal Veterinarians Association, 1980–2000: Board Member, 1987–1991
• Certificate of Honour for work to protect animals, Finnish Society for the Protection of Animals, 1995

Philip Freedman, DVM

 Dr. Freedman has been a familiar presence as a veterinarian on the Upper West side since 1981, and might even be remembered by some older pet owners as the veterinary assistant to Dr. Irving Stern from 1973 to 1975. He owned and directed the Ansonia Veterinary Center on W. 75th St. for 20 years from 1987 to 2007, where he and many other veterinarians provided excellent and compassionate care. At that location, he helped pioneer cageless playroom style daycare for dogs first with Canine Country, and then in Skip's Place, which many of our clients and other dogs had the pleasure of playing or staying at. He also brought top quality dog and cat grooming to the Upper West side, first in A Cut Above Grooming Salon which opened on Ansonia's second floor - from which it originally got its name - and then in Peachie's Salon in the same location.

He has been with us at Riverside Veterinary Group since 2007, where his special pet side manner and skills continue to be available to many of Ansonia's former clients, as well as to all of the old and new pet owners of Riverside.

Dr Freedman graduated from The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1979. He currently lives with his wife and son just across the George Washington Bridge in Edgewater, New Jersey, along with two rescued cats Eli and April, and four cantankerous goldfish that are trying to outgrow their large tank.

Jane Kasovsky, DVM

Surgeon Extraordinaire, Dr. Kasovsky performs the major orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries for Riverside Veterinary Group and Riverside Animal Hospital. A graduate of Ohio State University Veterinary School, she completed her veterinary internship at the Animal Medical Center and then her Surgical Residency at the Animal Medical Center as well.

"All I do is surgery, and many of them every day," says Dr. Kosovsky. She performs surgery in a dozen different clinics in Manhattan. "Some call me in once a week, some when they need me. But I only work at the ones I feel best about. If I were sick, I'd want to be at one of these hospitals.".... and that, of course, includes Riverside Animal Hospital and Riverside Veterinary Group.

• Chief of Surgery
• Orthopedic and Soft Tissue Surgery
• Veterinary School: Ohio State University
• Veterinary Internship: Animal Medical Center, NYC
• Surgical Residency: Animal Medical Center, NYC

Brett Drayton, DVM

I was born in England and when I was 8 my family moved to Chippewa Falls, WI (northwest WI). I was naturally drawn to working with animals from a very young age and started volunteering at the only clinic in town in the 7th grade. It was a mixed practice and the farm calls were fun (except at 3 in the morning in February), but I knew I'd eventually be a small animal vet.

I went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison for undergrad and earned a BS in Meat and Animal Sciences. During college I worked at a large animal research lab and in the barns at the vet school on campus. I thought I'd give large animal practice one more shot, but I guess it wasn't meant to be. I went straight to vet school after college, also at UW-Madison and applied for internship after graduation. I matched at my first pick at AMC, fell in love with NYC and am hopelessly attached to the city now. I have worked private practice since finishing my internship, but my main interests are emergency/critical care cases and internal medicine. I am left with one old cranky diabetic cat (which I saved from AMC- a drop-off for euthanasia; his brother I sadly had to euthanize last year), but the herd will once again re-expand after Toby's passing.

Dr. Christina East

My family tells me that I have always loved animals. My earliest memories on the subject revolve around either my being either a pet store owner or a veterinarian. Twenty years later the details managed to work themselves out.

Between spending summers running wild in Jamaica and my childhood in Florida, I have always had animals in my life (whether my family wanted me to or not!). After bringing all kinds of abandoned birds and small animals home, my family caved in and finally got me a cat. I have had cats in my life ever since. With the ultimate goal of being a veterinarian I worked in several hospitals with small animals (cats, dogs) as well as with exotics (birds, reptiles, rabbits, ferrets, etc).

My undergraduate degree was obtained at the University of Miami. I was then accepted into my first choice vet school, the University of Florida where I thrived. In vet school, I was active in many clubs and attended numerous conferences to further my education. I broadened my horizons by visiting vet schools outside the USA. After spending most of my life in Florida, the idea of seasons became attractive and I moved to NYC to perform an internship at Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialists. Since then I have found my home away from home at Riverside Animal Hospital. I count myself lucky to be able to practice high quality veterinary medicine in such a warm welcoming environment. I currently have three fabulous cats (rescues all!) and a ball python.

Dr Jen Repac

It was my experience with my childhood dog, a Collie with allergies, who inspired me to become a veterinarian. My regular visits with him to the veterinary dermatologist provided me with both a valuable learning experience and have given me a soft spot for chronically itchy dogs.  I have since downsized for city life and my pack consists of my 4 year old Chihuahua “Beezie” and 3 year old Corgi  mix “Hachiko.”

A California native, I received a Bachelors of Science from University of California Berkeley in Molecular Environmental Biology. I then continued to University of California Davis and received my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Upon graduation, I was  suddenly confronted with the amazing, yet overwhelming realization that I had chosen a career in which I could work anywhere in the world. All I knew was that I had to venture out.  That summer, I decided to visit a friend in NYC and the city stole my heart.  I have recently decided to move from Brooklyn to Manhattan and am excited to start my new life on the island. My professional interests include exotic animal medicine, holistic medicine, behavior, and surgery.

Photo by Sarah Dreitlin

 Dr Jonathan Block

My seed in veterinary medicine was initially planted when I was in fourth grade and I took the first place ribbon in the science fair by testing for color blindness on my cat Muffin. Later, while in college when I decided to make the academic commitment to pursue this wonderful career, the realization that I could spend every day of my life making a positive impact on the lives of animals and people became my underlying driving force. Today, I feel very privileged to be a part of such a unique and fulfilling profession, as I have come to learn that I not only serve my patients and clients as a health care provider, but also as a friend, teacher, and a community leader.

I was born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I received a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, with a double major in Biology and Religion, and a minor in Chemistry. After I graduated, I took a one-year hiatus from academia and resided in Boulder, Colorado. During that time I spent two summers as an outdoor trip leader for teenagers, leading backpacking trips, teaching wilderness etiquette and environmental education. That year I was introduced to integrative veterinary medicine, as I worked as a veterinary technician at a holistic and integrative veterinary practice.

Upon acceptance to veterinary school, I moved back to Florida to continue my academic journey. I attended the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, where I was accepted into a unique DVM/PhD combined degree program, doing research in comparative veterinary oncology.  While in veterinary school, I resurrected the Holistic and Integrate Veterinary Medicine student organization and served as president for two years. I had the privilege of organizing a continuing education conference for veterinarians and students, orchestrating educational lectures from experts in the field of integrative medicine and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine.

After completing my DVM in 2010, I moved to Miami and practiced there for a year and a half.  I then followed my heart and joined my lovely girlfriend, a budding artist, in New York City.  I feel very privileged to have joined Riverside Animal Hospital. The practice’s integrative philosophy resonates perfectly with my own personal approach.  My professional memberships include The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA). I am in the process of completing my Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture at The Chi Institute in Ocala, FL. My professional interests include integrative medicine, internal medicine, oncology, and rehabilitation medicine. Outside of work I enjoy the great outdoors, running, biking, hiking, sports, yoga, music and art. I currently reside in Brooklyn, NY.

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