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10 Ways to Help Your Pet Recover from Orthopedic Surgery
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Seasonal Allergies in Pets
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A Comprehensive Guide to Veterinary Anesthesia & Pain Management
A Comprehensive Guide to Veterinary Anesthesia & Pain Management at VERG Brooklyn: Ensuring the Well-being of Our Pets As pet owners, we always want what is best for our furry companions, especially when they need medical care or undergo surgical procedures. Veterinary anesthesia and pain management specialists play a crucial role in ensuring the comfort and well-being…
Fecal Exams Explained: Protecting Your Pet from Parasites
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What does a Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist Do, and When Does My Pet Need One?
What does a Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist Do, and When Does My Pet Need One? Internal Medicine Veterinarians or Internists are board-certified specialists trained to help pets with multiple chronic conditions, solve complex diagnostic problems, and manage long-term illnesses. Their training uniquely allows them to manage these complex illnesses and help pets live their best lives. What’s the…
Jelenny Viera
Referral Coordinator
Jelenny is a proud Manhattanite who joined VERG in 2013. Known for her attention to detail and thoroughness, she manages many of the hospital’s patient and client-related tasks. As a Referral Coordinator, she works closely with VERG’s Specialty Medicine veterinarians and referring practices to ensure smooth communication and coordination of care.
Outside of work, Jelenny enjoys spending time with her family and relaxing with her three cats—Moo Moo, Blackie, and Wilson—while watching Netflix.
Christine Galotti
LCSW
Christine Galotti, LCSW, is a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience working therapeutically with diverse populations, including students and their families, veterans, justice-impacted adults, individuals navigating substance use treatment, and adults seeking outpatient mental health support.
A dedicated volunteer animal rescuer, Christine is passionate about supporting the people who love and care for animals. In her role as VERG’s Veterinary Client Support Coordinator (CSC), she provides guidance and care to clients and staff, with a focus on grief and bereavement, compassion fatigue, and the intersection between human and animal violence.
Christine has completed graduate coursework in the Human-Animal Bond in Therapy, as well as a post-master’s certificate in Veterinary Social Work and Animal-Assisted Interventions at NYU Silver School of Social Work. In addition to her clinical work, she has taught Sociology courses at CUNY Hunter College.
Matthew Morgan
DVM, DACVS-SA Chief of Surgery
Dr. Matthew Morgan is a board-certified veterinary surgeon (Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons (Small Animal)) and serves as Chief of Surgery at VERG Brooklyn.
Dr. Morgan graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with honors from St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed his clinical year at Cornell University. During veterinary school, he received the Pfizer Excellence in Small Animal Surgery Award and was inducted into the Phi Zeta Veterinary Honor Society.
Following graduation, Dr. Morgan completed a one-year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery and a one-year surgical specialty internship at Long Island Veterinary Specialists. He then pursued a one-year research fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery, focusing on regenerative medicine and translational orthopedics. In 2014, Dr. Morgan joined Affiliated Veterinary Specialists to complete a comprehensive three-year surgical residency in small animal surgery. During residency, he served as an assistant surgery laboratory instructor at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Morgan’s clinical practice includes orthopedic surgery, soft tissue surgery, and neurologic (spinal) surgery. He also performs minimally invasive procedures including arthroscopy and laparoscopy and has completed advanced training focused on expanding these techniques. He lectures nationally and internationally on orthopedic surgery, surgical decision-making, and minimally invasive surgery. His research has focused on orthopedics and perioperative care, and he has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications.
Dr. Morgan also serves as a Major in the United States Army Reserve. He has deployed to the Middle East in support of United States Central Command (CENTCOM), providing surgical care and specialty consultation for military working dogs and partner-force animals in operational environments. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his work as a regional clinical advisor during deployment.
Outside the hospital, Dr. Morgan is a single-engine and glider pilot, an avid scuba diver, and a firefighter and certified EMT with the Village of Quogue Volunteer Fire Department. At home, he lives with his wife and their rescue mallard duck, Doug.
Select Publications
- Morgan, M.J., Frazho, J.K. Comparison of TPLO tibial tuberosity fractures with and without an in situ rotational pin. BMC Res Notes 11, 368 (2018).
- Morgan, M.J., Lurie, D.M. & Villamil, A.J. Evaluation of tumor volume reduction of nasal carcinomas versus sarcomas in dogs treated with definitive fractionated megavoltage radiation: 15 cases (2010–2016). BMC Res Notes 11, 70 (2018).
- Jin DW, Peck JN, Tano CA, Morgan MJ. Discrepancy between true distance of tibial tuberosity advancement and cage size: An ex vivo study. Vet Surg. 2019;48(2):186-191.
- Gingold BM, Milloway MC, Morgan MJ. A novel motor-sparing locoregional nerve block technique for stifle surgery in dogs. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2020;47(5):731-732.
Credentials
- Board-Certified Veterinary Surgeon (Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons)
Nicole Shaw
DVM, DACVIM (SAIM)
Dr. Shaw has been part of VERG’s Internal Medicine and Radiology departments since 2006. Her professional interests include ultrasound, endocrinology, hematology, and infectious diseases.
Dr. Shaw earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Tufts University before completing her internship and residency at the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughters, and their scruffy dog Bernie. Her hobbies include traveling, reading, and some martial arts.
Michele Cohen
DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology), DACVR (Radiation Oncology)
Dr. Cohen graduated from Brown University and went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at The Animal Medical Center and pursued residency training in both medical and radiation oncology at Auburn University.
A respected leader in her field, Dr. Cohen has authored numerous publications and presented lectures locally and nationally on a wide range of oncology topics. She has received several awards for her contributions to veterinary oncology, including the E. Gregory MacEwen Memorial Award for Outstanding Basic Science Research from the Veterinary Cancer Society in 2002. Notably, she is one of fewer than 20 veterinarians board-certified in both medical and radiation oncology.
Before joining the VERG Brooklyn in 2006, Dr. Cohen was in private practice on Long Island. She is available for consultation, diagnosis, and treatment of many types of cancer at VERG, with radiation therapy offered at a nearby facility when needed.
Alysa Cook
DVM, DACVIM (SAIM)
Dr. Alysa Cook earned her veterinary degree from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine before completing an internship and residency at the Animal Medical Center in New York. Following her training, she practiced at a large referral hospital in Atlanta. Her professional interests include endocrine disorders, infectious diseases, immune-mediated diseases, and endoscopy.
Outside of work, Alysa enjoys live music, reading, and exploring the city.
Select Publications
- Cook AB, Langston CE, Fischetti AJ, Donovan TA. Imaging Diagnosis – Urinary Bladder Duplication in a Cat. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2015; 56(4): 347-462. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vru.12194
- Langston CE, Cook A, Eatroff A, Mitelberg E, Chaloub S. Blood Transfusions in Dogs and Cats Receiving Hemodialysis: 230 Cases (June 1997-September 2012). J Vet Intern Med 2017 Mar;31(2):402-409 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28198040/
- Laube R, Cook A, Winkler K. Diphallia in a Mixed-Breed Puppy: Case Report. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2017 Sep/Oct; 53(5):281-284. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28792795/
Graham Rossi
DVM, DACVIM
Graham earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology and Animal Science from the University of Findlay before completing his veterinary degree at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. After veterinary school, he completed a small animal rotating internship at the University of Wisconsin, where he went on to complete a residency in Cardiology. Passionate about all aspects of cardiology, Graham is dedicated to individualized patient care to help provide the best quality of life for both pets and their families. His clinical interests include the management of congestive heart failure and the treatment of arrhythmias.
Outside of work, Graham enjoys running, playing recreational volleyball, and exploring new foods.
Shanna Wong
DVM
Shanna graduated from Hunter College, CUNY with a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences and went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from North Carolina State University. After graduation, she completed a small animal rotating internship at The Animal Medical Center, where she discovered her passion for anesthesia and analgesia. She then pursued a specialty internship in Anesthesia and Pain Management at Cornell University, where she also completed her residency.
Her professional interests include pain management, locoregional anesthesia, anesthesia for cardiac patients, and the care of exotic, zoo, and wildlife species.
At home, Shanna lives with her partner and their spunky dog, Cooper. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, exploring new foods, and spending time in nature.