Paul Donovan, VMD

Dr. Donovan is the founder of Alburtis Animal Hospital. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1976, and from the School of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania in 1982. His first veterinary position after graduation brought him to the Lehigh Valley, and he has been practicing small animal medicine here ever since that time. Dr. Donovan is a member of the Lehigh Valley Veterinary Medical Assoc., the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Assoc., and the Americal Veterinary Medical Assoc. He remains an avid Pittsburgh Panther fan among all the Nittany Lions fans that surround him on a daily basis. He and his wife, Teri, live in Emmaus. They have a son who is a pilot in the US Air Force, another who attends Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a third, who attends, yes, Penn State University.

Daniel M. Smith, DVM

Dr. Smith completed both his undergraduate and his veterinary training in Ithaca, NY. His veterinary degree was earned from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University in 1999. He practiced in Cheaspeake, Virginia until joining the staff at Alburtis Animal Hospital in June, 2001. He has an interest in canine hip dysplasia, and has received advanced training in performing the PennHIP radiographic technique for evaluating dogs for the presence of the disease as early as 16 weeks of age. He also has extensive experience with a range of canine and feline dental diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. Dr. Smith has developed quite a following here in Alburtis, and we are proud to call him one of our own. He is married to Michelle, and has a son and two daughters.

John F. Prange, DVM

Dr. Prange joined our staff in June, 2008. He brings with him 39 years of veterinary experience. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1969 from the University of Missouri. He has owned and managed practices in Missouri for 15 years, and has served as the President of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Prange has served as the Technical Services Manager for Hill’s Pet Products, Inc., presenting lectures to veterinarians on nutrition and nutritional-related diseases. He has served an the Director of Veterinary Marketing for the Ralston Purina Company in St Louis, and as the Vice President of Quality Assurance at ALPO Pet Foods, right here in Allentown. He has been tending to the medical and surgical needs of dogs and cats in a nearby animal hospital, and spends his days off volunteering his services for a local non-profit animal rescue association. He is a member of the American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition (past President), the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association, and the Lehigh Valley Veterinary Medical Association. His broad range of expertise and experience makes him a valuable source of knowledge both for our staff and for our clients, and we believe you will find him to be thorough, informative, and easy to understand. He has already deveolped a following among our clients.

Mary Ellen, Office Manager

Mary Ellen joined our staff in November, 2001. She has a lifetime of experience with animals, both large and small, and even has a veterinarian in her family. Our hospital is fortunate in being able to tap into the organizational and "people skills" that she brings to us from her previous work experience here in the Lehigh Valley. Mary Ellen accepted the position of office manager after just a few months with us, and has performed in exemplary fashion the jobs of maintaining the hospital's inventory, assigning and adjusting staff schedules, and happily filling in wherever she is needed.

Nancy, Reception Coordinator

Chances are, Nancy will be the first person you'll meet at as you enter our reception area. Having worked in the animal medical field locally for several years, she joined our staff in the summer of 2002. She quickly became the anchor-person of our reception area. We think you'll find that her warm, welcoming manner helps you AND your pet feel right at home here.

Jennifer, Veterinary Technician

Jennifer joined our staff in the summer of 2002, having worked for several years as a veterinary assistant in an animal hospital here in the Lehigh Valley. She has a way with pets that we think you'll notice. Your pet's stay with us is made much more comfortable, thanks to Jennifer's caring touch. Her sense of humor helps all of the staff members keep smiling, which is good for us, for you, and for your pets.

Beth, Certified Veterinary Technician

Beth became a member of our staff in 2007. She is a certified veterinary technician with twenty years of experience with the management of medical and surgical care of animals. Her pet buddies include a 6 year old Labrador Retriever and a 16 year old cat. Beth enjoys home remodelling, gardening, embroidery, crocheting, and crossword puzzles. We consider ourselves quite fortunate to have her working with us.

Shana, Certified Veterinary Technician

Shana has been a Registered Veterinary Technician in the Lehigh Valley for over ten years. Most recently, she was directing the Intensive Care Unit at an animal hospital in the Pocono area. We were happy to have her join us in the Fall of 2008.
Shana is the owner of two cats, Jerry and Fred, and a dog named Bud.
Shana's spare time finds her enjoying the beach, the scooter that she occassionally rides to work, and the length of her new commute, just a fraction of what it used to be. She also likes Pina Coladas, gettin' caught in the rain... you get the picture.

Julie, Veterinary Technician

Julie joined our staff in the summer of 2005. She has honed her skills by working as an animal technician in the Lehigh Valley for several years. We are happy to have her working with us, and you and your pet will enjoy interacting with Julie. Her skills will help your pet feel at home while under her care her at the hospital.

Ashley, Veterinary Assistant

After returning to work with us in the summer of 2008, Ashley has started her second year at the Univerity of Michigan School of Veterinary Medicine. Her experience here with us has made her veterinary training much more meaningful, and we anticipate that it will continue to do so. We are rooting for her as she enters the most difficult part of her veterinary schooling.

Kathy, Veterinary Assistant

Kathy became a part of our team in 2006. She brought with her many years of experience in the field of small animal medicine. Her team-player spirit has proven to be one of her many useful attributes. She is the proud owner of a Labrador Retriever, a Beagle, and a Persian cat. You'll enjoy getting to know her, as we have, and your pet will be comforted by her gentle nature. She is married, to Mike.

Jessy, Veterinary Assistant

Jesse and her family returned to the Lehigh Valley in the Summer of 2007. She has worked in a busy small animal practice outside Washington, DC for the past seven years. We welcome her efficient manner and her skills, both with the pets and with their owners. She has two small children and a Rottweiler Mix named Harry. Jessy enjoys her role as a stay-at-home mom. You'll see her here a few evenings each week, and on some Saturdays.

Teri, Bookkeeper

Teri wears many hats in her role at the hospital. In fact, when it first opened she wore EVERY hat, as she was the only staff member. Since those days, she has become known as the ever-available substitute for sick staff members at every position, served as the bookkeeper, inventory controller, schedule maker, check signer, hospital design assistant, interior decorator, landscape consultant... you get the idea.

Casper, Paperweight and Friend to All

Casper used to be one of Dr. Donovan's house cats. It was discovered that his strong point was his personality, rather than his ability to get along with the OTHER house cat, so he began his career as a greeter and reception desk loafer in the animal hospital, in 1995. Many of our clients have grown to love (and ask about) Casper. He is indeed one of the world's most likeable cats.

Albert, The Real Boss

Albert was born in our facility, along with his eight littermates, on Dr. Donovan's birthday. Though not as outgoing as Casper, he remains an institution at the hospital, roaming the halls at his leisure. His name was chosen to remind us of the misprint in our very first Yellow Page ad. You can guess what that might have been.

MUFA, the Lesser African Jardine

MUFA's first given name was Wyatt, but he didn't like that any better than the rest of us did, so the staff renamed him MUFA. Yes, from the dietary term. He's got a personality that reminds of us of our dearly departed Parakeet, named Zazu. You'll see and hear him carrying on behind the reception desk, testing his growing repertoire of whistles. He goes "home" every night, but enjoys socializing with us and our clients all day long.