Meet the Doctors and Staff

Doctors

Dr. Gil Stanzione, D.V.M.

Dr. Stanzione attended the University of Vermont, graduating summa cum laude with a degree in animal science. He spent three years in the mammal department at the Bronx Zoo as a menagerie zookeeper. He then attended Ross Veterinary School, graduating in 1991 with honors.

After graduation, he worked in both small animal medicine and emergency medicine on Long Island. In 1998 he opened his practice in Ardsley, New York and in 2001 he moved the practice to White Plains. In addition to his clinical work with companion animals, Dr. Stanzione is the attending veterinarian for several private zoos in Westchester. He works extensively with the NYC House Rabbit Society.

Dr. Stanzione's passion is his children: he has a son, Nick, a baseball fanatic, and a daughter, Julia, who at age five, decided she will take over her father's veterinary practice one day.

Dr. Peter J. Michalek, D.V.M

Dr. Peter Michalek has been practicing at the Dakota Veterinary Center for approximately one year. He completed his education and received his veterinary degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. He also completed a year of clinical training at The University of Minnesota prior to joining Dr. Stanzione. His primary interests include small animal internal medicine, surgery, and emergency medicine.

Prior to vet school, he worked for several years as a veterinary technician in NY and Massachusetts, gaining experience with both small and large animals. He also spent time working in wildlife centers throughout the Northeast.

Dr. "Pete" is a native of Long Island, NY and currently resides in White Plains, NY. Away from work, Dr. Pete enjoys playing ice hockey and golf, spending time outdoors, and being with friends and family as much as possible.

Staff

Rosemary Maldonado

Rosemary Maldonado joined the Dakota Veterinary Center in 2005. She loves animals, and likes taking care of them when they are in need. As a child, she had many different kinds of pets: cats, dogs, reptiles, birds, turtles, and fish. Rosemary attends college part time and her ultimate goal is to go to vet school.

Her hobbies are listening to music, writing poems, playing video games, and spending time with her cats and leopard gecko: Tiggey, Zarra, Fluffer, and Frosty. Rosemary really enjoys working at the Dakota Veterinary Center.

Vanessa Cushman

In 2006, Vanessa Cushman joined the Dakota Veterinary Center, eager to learn about veterinary medicine. She graduated from New York University with Honors and the distinction of Founders Day Honor Scholar in May, 2007. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Leadership and Management Studies with a concentration in Organizational Management and Development. Vanessa’s love of animals and the field of Veterinary Medicine have prompted her to return to school and pursue a Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program, so she may complete the courses she needs to apply to Vet School.

Enjoying a lifetime filled with animals, from exotic to traditional, Vanessa shares her home with Otis, Tesoro (AKA Chi Chi), and new Baby Kaylee (a Bloodhound and 2 Chihuahuas). Otis is an AKC Champion and was in the 2009 Westminster Kennel Club Show and Tesoro was a guest on the Martha Stewart Show in October 2006, in addition to being featured in several issues of Chihuahua Connection Magazine. Baby Kaylee is still too tiny for any accomplishments (but she’s awful cute!).

Theresa Palmieri

Growing up, Theresa had many pets, including three Dwarf Rabbits; it must have been a sign of things to come! Theresa has been working as a Receptionist at Dakota Veterinary Center since 2004, all because of a little Papillion puppy named "Pappy." Theresa had brought her new puppy into Dakota Veterinary Center for his first visit, met the staff, and never left.

Theresa lives with her husband, Paul, and Pappy's big brother and sister: Bianca, a Maltese, and Sausage, a Dachshund.