Please note that you must call the clinic to notify us of your arrival. Please expect delays/longer wait times. Masks must be worn inside of the clinic at all times and pets must arrive in a carrier. Learn more here >
The Long Island Bird and Exotics Vet Clinic Team
Dr. Shachar Malka
Diplomate ABVP & Diplomate ACEPM
Dr. Shachar Malka is LIBEVC’s medical director. He has more than 20 years of experience working with avian, reptiles, exotic pets and wildlife. He completed an internship at the University of Guelph, Canada and a three year residency program at the University of California, Davis in exotic pet medicine and surgery.
Dr. Malka's professional interests include: surgery and minimally invasive surgery, endoscopy, and advanced imaging.
Dr. Malka co-founded the American College of Exotic Pet Medicine, an organization dedicated to training and certifying veterinarians in exotic pet medicine and improving the field of veterinary medicine as a whole. He is boarded in exotic pet medicine by the American College of Exotic Pet Medicine and in avian medicine by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.
He continues to publish scientific articles on a variety of topics in avian and exotic animal medicine and lectures at national and international veterinary conferences. See Dr. Malka's Publications.
Dr. Malka is the founder of Rift Valley Wildlife Clinics, a non-profit that cares for wildlife locally as well as in East Africa, where he volunteers much of his time providing veterinary care to animals in need.
Dr. Gina Vecere
Diplomate ACEPM
Dr. Vecere graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed an internship and a residency in Exotic Pet Medicine here at LIBEVC. Her professional interests include reptile medicine and diagnostic imaging. Dr. Vecere grew up in the Hudson Valley, and enjoys cooking, hiking, and playing with her dog, two cats, bearded dragon, and boa constrictor.
Dr. Carol Raa
Dr. Carol Raa graduated from Ross University school of Veterinary Medicine and completed her clinical year at Oklahoma State University. Prior to vet school she worked and interned at Turtle back Zoo and Philadelphia Zoo. She loves volunteering at Wild Baby Rescue, a wildlife rehabilitation center on her off time. Her professional interests are wildlife, surgery and clinical pathology. Dr. Raa grew up in New Jersey; she enjoys playing basketball, collecting crystals and spending time with her two dogs, three cats, conure, red foot tortoise and her 4 turtles!
Dr. Nicole Sands
Dr. Nicole Sands is a graduate of Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine where she worked in the exotics department as a student technician and volunteered at the Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Health Center. She completed a Rotating Small Animal Medicine and Surgical Internship at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey where she gained lots of experience in emergency medicine as well as working with exotic pets. Prior to veterinary school, she worked as a Licensed Veterinary Technician at the Humane Society of New York. Dr. Sands grew up in Brooklyn, New York and is happy to be back in the city. Her professional interests include Avian surgery and medicine as well as endoscopy and diagnostic imaging. Outside of vet med, Dr. Sands enjoys playing video games, making crochet dolls, cooking, and spending time with her family. She shares her home with a spicy green cheek conure, 4 budgies, a rabbit, lots of fish, shrimp and 2 cats.
Dr. Margaret Lee
Dr. Margaret Lee graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to vet school, she worked as a veterinary technician in small animal general practices and worked as a hospital/lab assistant at the New York Aquarium. While in vet school, she worked part-time as a technician at the Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Hospital and had the opportunity to volunteer with the Belize Zoo. Dr. Lee’s professional interests include wildlife/zoo medicine, neurology, critical care and emergency medicine. She grew up in Brooklyn, NY. Her hobbies include baking, painting, and of course, spoiling her dog, two rabbits and hammy.
Gia Kozar
Office Administrator
Gia has loved animals since before she could walk. Growing up on a farm, she learned very quickly how to work with and care for many different kinds of animals. She has been involved with animal rescue for many years, volunteering and fostering for a number of shelters and private rescues. In her time off she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, going on hikes with their two dogs as well as reading and cuddling with their two cats.
Stephanie Wieczorek
Veterinary Technician (LVT)
Stephanie is an LVT who graduated Mercy College in 2020. With a passion for animals of all shapes and sizes at a young age, she knew she would work with them as a profession. She grew up with an abundance of species from dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, fish and small mammals. On her free time she loves to go hiking with her Labrador, play video games, and spend time with her husband, cats, Leopard Gecko and rats.
Sara Woods
Veterinary Technician/Practice Manager
Sara has had a passion for learning and caring for animals from a young age. Growing up with many different animals including dogs, cats, birds and small mammals. Her first job was working at Petsmart while she was in college and fell in love with working with the animals in the small pet department. Sara had worked as a photographer for a few years before deciding to go back to school to become a vet tech. Working at LIBEVC has helped Sara achieve her dream of working with animals. In her spare time Sara enjoys spending time with her family and dog, reading and taking pictures.
Sarah Hoogenboom
Veterinary Technician
Sarah has had a passion for animals since she was a little girl. She has always loved caring for them and rescuing ones in need. She is currently a student at Hunter College working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. She hopes to one day become a vet herself and specialize in exotics and wildlife rehabilitation. She is excited to join the team at LIBEVC. During her free time she enjoys taking care of her reptiles, reading, and writing poetry.
Katarina Rodriguez
Veterinary Technician
Katarina, the LIBVEC bun-enthusiast, is working towards becoming a licensed veterinary technician and taking classes through the San Juan College Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program (VTDLP). She is a self-proclaimed bunny guru, but she will not hesitate to cuddle a meddlesome Macaw or a chatty chameleon. She has a beautiful holland lop waiting for her to come home every day by the name of Skipps. Katarina’s love of animals truly blossomed later in life, when she witnessed at a rehabilitation center the power of small mammals and exotics to motivate people to heal and recover. When Katarina is not busy sneaking extra fruits to her patients, she enjoys soccer, kick boxing, and writing short stories. Stay tuned, Katarina is planning to start bunny-yoga sessions at LIBEVC (after she convinces Dr. Malka first!).
.jpeg)
Hallie Ovadia
Veterinary Assistant
Hallie brings a unique perspective from her experiences as a Bronx Zoo zookeeper in the ornithology department. Her care is immensely precise and delicate ensuring that every patient leaves our clinic feeling a little more understood and a lot more loved. Hallie has a particular affinity and deep appreciation for guinea pigs, crediting them for teaching her a new love language, how to "love from a distance." Hallie shares her home with two beloved guinea pigs and Milo, an exceptionally happy pup.
Karen Mezynski
CSR
Karen’s love for animals was evident from early on: as a child Karen’s pets included freshwater fish, newts, an albino clawed frog, cats and a dog. Karen graduated from Long Island University CW Post with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Biology, and is a certified Open Water SCUBA diver. Karen volunteered for the New York Aquarium’s Animal Department, and was later hired as a Wild Animal Keeper. Karen’s nine years of service with the Wildlife Conservation Society includes experience with shark transport, sea lion training, and bottle feeding a 250 lb. walrus calf. In 2012 Karen took part in the Superstorm Sandy animal rescue efforts which included saving displaced seahorses from flooded exhibit areas. In her downtime Karen enjoys yoga and physical fitness, as well as playing board games and spending time in nature with her daughter.
Emma Hooks
CSR/Veterinary Assistant
Emma has always had a passion for caring for animals. She has spent countless hours volunteering at local animal shelters, shadowing at a small animal clinic, and pet-sitting for friends back home in Texas. She recently graduated from Angelo State University with a B.S. in animal science, and plans on pursuing a DVM one day. Having spent most of her time around only cats and dogs, her interest in exotic animals blossomed when she served as an intern at the San Antonio Zoo. Emma spends most of her free time with her dog Aspen, drinking coffee, hiking or curled up in bed watching Netflix.
Isabel Fife-Cook
Veterinary Assistant/Aquatic Nursing Consultant
Isabel earned her M.A. in animal studies from NYU, where she studied ethology and animal welfare science with a concentration in koi and goldfish behavior. Her post-graduate research objectives include investigating novel opportunities to species-specific environmental enrichment in aquaculture and improving husbandry standards for ornamental fishes. Isabel has been fascinated by animals for as long as she can remember, spending her childhood reading ZooBooks, sketching birds and turning over logs to search for hidden critters. As an adult, Isabel remains passionate about zoology, animal protection and science communication and plans on pursuing further education in veterinary medicine or research science. When she’s not at the clinic or writing papers Isabel enjoys drawing and painting, listening to podcasts, making fun of terrible movies with her partner and attempting to train her birds not to poop on the keyboard.
Stephanie Ibanez
CSR
Since Stephanie was a little girl she has always had a love and passion for animals. Growing up an only child she found comfort and companionship in her pets which varied from goldfish, betta fish, rabbits, guinea pigs, a cockatiel and dogs. After graduating and working as a medical assistant for many years she had an opportunity to work as an animal transporter, alongside many rescue groups. This confirmed her ideal job would be working in a place where she can be around animals and the people who love them. Working at LIBEVC has been the best of both. In her free time she loves to be home with her dog Polo watching television, listening to music, going out to eat and doing fun outdoor activities.
Jacqueline Contino
Veterinary Assistant
Jacqueline’s focus is in wildlife conservation and animal behavior. After earning her pre-veterinary degree in Animal Biosciences, she worked as a domestic animal vet assistant for 3 years, then spent over 4 years living in South Africa studying and working closely with the wildlife. Working in behavioral analysis, ecology, animal tracking, and most importantly conservation, Jacqueline plans to establish her own rhino orphanage one day. But until then, she will use her expertise in the natural order of wild animals to help exotic pets live a long happy healthy life in the human home. In her free time, Jacqueline loves making memories with her family, hiking and birding adventures, and lots of yoga.
Ali Williams
Veterinary Assistant
Ali is currently a veterinary student at Long Island University, working toward becoming a veterinarian herself! She has a goal of participating in wildlife conservation efforts and helping to save native US species from extinction. She is especially passionate about fighting for animal welfare and ensuring the proper treatment of all animals. She received her Bachelor's degree in Evolution, Ecology, and Environmental Biology from Appalachian State University where she also played collegiate field hockey. Outside of the veterinary world, Ali enjoys live music, hanging out with her cat, exploring vegan cooking, and going outside to appreciate nature and the beautiful birds of Long Island. Ali has vast experience taking care of and working with animals, having worked at an emergency animal hospital, interned at the National Aquarium, and worked as a New York licensed wildlife rehabilitator.