Veterinary Technology Program

Jennifer Hess, D.V.M., M.S., A.C.V.A (Program Director)

Director of Veterinary Technology
OFFICE: C-252
PHONE: 718-482-5470

BIOGRAPHY: Dr. Hess has a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Cornell University, a Master of Science (MS) in Veterinary Clinical Science from the University of Illinois, and completed a three year residency training program after veterinary college at the University of Illinois and Texas A&M University. Dr. Hess is board-certified in all species but Humans. Her interests include the pulmonary and cardiac physiology under anesthesia, anesthetic management of the patient with multiple diseases, geriatrics, pediatrics, and preventing anesthesia complications in higher risk patients and pain management.

Susan Kopp, D.V.M. (Associate Professor)

Associate Professor of Veterinary Technology

OFFICE: C-252
PHONE: 718-482-5470

BIOGRAPHY:

Janine Cappadona L.V.T. (Senior College Laboratory Technician)

Senior College Laboratory Technician

OFFICE: C-106
PHONE: 718-482-5470

BIOGRAPHY: Janine Cappadona has been employed at LaGuardia Community college since 2005. Janine received her NYS license in Veterinary Technology in 1992 and has been employed in the animal health care field since.
Over the years, Janine has held numerous positions including kennel assistant, head veterinary technician, pet store owner and manager of veterinary hospitals in Brooklyn and Staten Island.
Janine graduated from State University of New York at Farmingdale University and received her Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology in 1992, and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from The College of Staten Island in 2002.
Janine’s professional interests include dentistry, exotic animal medicine, and emergency animal medicine. During her leisure time, Janine enjoys spending time with her husband Ronnie, her daughter Ava, and the companionship of their ten pets. Janine also enjoys fishing, snorkeling and traveling.

Ceasar Colon L.V.T. (College Laboratory Technician)

College Laboratory Technician

OFFICE: C-106
PHONE: 718-482-5761
BIOGRAPHY:

Kimberlee Pearson L.V.T. (Internship Coordinator)

Adjunct Senior College Laboratory Technician

OFFICE: C-252L
PHONE: 718-482-5760

BIOGRAPHY: Kimberlee is a Licensed Veterinary Technician who graduated from LaGuardia CC Veterinary Technology Program in 1989. She spent 10 years at the Animal Medical Center in NYC. She has also worked in small animal practices and on the ASPCA mobile clinic. In 2001 she began working part-time here at LaGuardia CC in the Veterinary Technology department which later turned into full-time as the Manager / Sr. CLT of the Veterinary Technology Department until 2005.

She is currently working as an Adjunct, coordinating the Internships for the first and second year Veterinary Technology students in Research Facilities and Small Animal Clinic’s throughout the boroughs. She also enjoys doing per diem work at a local Animal Clinic.

She enjoys spending time with her family (husband, 3 children and a cat named Paddington), reading and traveling.

Stephanie Leonardi-Beatty L.V.T. (Adjunct Professor)

Adjunct Professor

OFFICE: C-252
PHONE: 718-482-5470
BIOGRAPHY:

Joanne DeStefano (Adjunct Professor)

Adjunct Professor

OFFICE: C-252
PHONE: 718-482-5470
BIOGRAPHY:

Theresa Cunningham-Faughnan L.V.T., R.L.A.T.G. (Adjunct Professor)

Adjunct Professor

OFFICE: C-252
PHONE: 718-482-5470

BIOGRAPHY: Theresa Cunningham-Faughnan MS, LVT, RLATG is the Director of the Center for Laboratory Animal Services at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. Theresa graduated the Veterinary Technology program at LaGuardia Community College in 1987 and has worked in the laboratory animal research field since graduation. She worked as a licensed veterinary technician at Memorial Sloan Kettering in the cancer research department, laboratory animal research supervisor at the NY Blood Center, facility manager and currently facility director (since 2003) at the Hospital for Special Surgery. She has been an adjunct instructor at LaGuardia Community College since 1997 teaching the Research Animal Technology seminar, Research Animal Technology course and Introduction to Veterinary Technology.

Chantini Pyatt L.V.T. (Adjunct Professor)

Adjunct Professor

OFFICE: C-252
PHONE: 718-482-5470
BIOGRAPHY:

John Salig (Adjunct Professor)

Adjunct Professor

OFFICE: C-252
PHONE: 718-482-5470
BIOGRAPHY:

Mike Pastore (Adjunct Professor)

Adjunct Professor

OFFICE: C-252
PHONE: 718-482-5470

BIOGRAPHY: He was born and raised in Flushing. He graduated Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. He previously worked in business and public health before working full time in the
animal welfare field as a humane law enforcement agent and as an operations director in city animal shelter system. Mr. Pastore has worked for Animal Care and Control of NYC for 17 years. He is currently the full time Assistant Director of operations with the Animal Care and Control of NYC.
He is married with three children, one dog, one cat, one gerbil.

Anthony Pilny D.V.M., D.A.B.P.V (Avians) (Adjunct Professor)

Dr. Pilny headshot

Adjunct Professor
OFFICE: C-252

PHONE: 718-482-5470
BIOGRAPHY: He is a graduate of the University of Florida's College of Veterinary
Medicine. He completed an internal medicine and surgery internship at
Florida Veterinary Specialists in Tampa and a residency in Avian and Exotic
Pet Medicine and Surgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. He
is a diplomat of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners certified
in Avian Practice. Dr. Pilny has lectured nationally about exotic pet
medicine and has published numerous articles and book chapters on birds and
other exotic species. He also serves as an adjunct professor at LaGuardia
Community College where he teaches avian and exotic pet medicine to
prospective veterinary technicians. Dr Pilny is a member of the Assn of
Avian Veterinarians, Assn of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians, Assn of Reptile
and Amphibian Veterinarians, and The American Veterinary Medical Assn. Dr.
Pilny also has the prestigious honor of being the National Medical Director
of the House Rabbit Society. He shares his home with fifteen pet birds, a
cat, and a snake.

Mary Cotter L.V.T. (Adjunct Professor)

Adjunct Professor

OFFICE: C-252
PHONE: 718-482-5470
BIOGRAPHY:

Nelson Diaz D.V.M. (Adjunct Professor)

Adjunct Professor

OFFICE: C-252
PHONE: 718-482-5470
BIOGRAPHY:

Michelle Jenkins D.V.M. (Adjunct Professor)

Adjunct Professor
OFFICE: C-252

PHONE: 718-482-5470
BIOGRAPHY:

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