Itching To Understand Your Pet’s Allergies? Our Pet Dermatologist Can Help
Itching To Understand Your Pet’s Allergies? Our Pet Dermatologist Can Help Are your pets’ allergies keeping them (and you!) up at night? Environmental and food allergies can greatly impact your pet’s day-to-day life and getting to the root of the problem can be challenging. At VERG, we have our very own Veterinary Dermatologist to help…
10 Ways to Help Your Pet Recover from Orthopedic Surgery
Just like people, pets may require surgery at some point in their lives. Any surgery, however, is a major event for your pet and can interfere with their daily function after they return home. Knowing how to take care of your pet after they come home can greatly influence a successful recovery, shorten the recovery…
Seasonal Allergies in Pets
Spring means allergy season is here! Did you know your beloved four-legged friend can be susceptible to seasonal allergies just like you? Dogs and cats can be allergic to pollen, spores, and other allergens that appear in the environment seasonally. An allergic reaction occurs when the body responds to a substance in the environment that is typically…
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
Fecal Exams Explained: Protecting Your Pet from Parasites As a pet owner, you’re likely familiar with taking your furry friend to the vet for their annual check-up. One important test that should be noticed among the various health assessments they undergo is the fecal exam. But what exactly is a fecal exam, and why is it so…
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…
Laura Judd
BVetMed
Dr. Laura Judd grew up in Connecticut and earned her degree in Chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis. She went on to graduate from the Royal Veterinary College in England. Her clinical interests include internal medicine and pharmacology.
Outside of work, Laura enjoys cooking, knitting, reading, and visiting local markets. She also has a special love for small, spirited Chihuahuas and senior dogs with “bear-like” charm.
Kathryn James
DVM
Dr. Kate James grew up in Rhode Island and earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Wildlife Conservation and Biological Science, along with a minor in Italian, from the University of Rhode Island. She went on to receive her veterinary degree from the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada.
In her free time, Kate enjoys traveling, exploring the city, discovering new restaurants, working on jigsaw puzzles, and spending time with her 12-year-old French Bulldog, Gabby.
Stephanie Ho
DVM
Dr. Ho is originally from Northern California and moved to New York City to attend New York University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Biology and played on the NYU women’s soccer team. She went on to attend St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine, completing her final clinical year at the University of Georgia.
Her professional interests include emergency medicine, surgery, and shelter medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys playing soccer, running, spending time with friends, and caring for her two senior cats.
Brittany Haboucha
BVetMed
Dr. Brittany Haboucha grew up in Montreal, Canada, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Health Geography from McGill University. She then pursued her veterinary degree at the Royal Veterinary College in London. Her professional passions include antimicrobial stewardship in the veterinary field, with growing interests in internal medicine and critical care.
Outside of work, Brittany enjoys traveling, photography, rowing, and running. She also loves exploring New York City, whether by trying new restaurants or discovering what the city has to offer.
Emily Gordon
DVM
Dr. Emily Gordon grew up in Park Slope, Brooklyn. She earned her degree in Biology and Biotechnology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2021 before enrolling at Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine in Glendale, AZ. Her clinical interests include canine and feline respiratory diseases, endoscopy, and trauma cases, and she plans to pursue a residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine in the near future.
Outside of work, Emily enjoys playing ice hockey at a local rink, exploring markets, and spending time with her Chihuahua mix, Henderson.
Courtney Gallay
DVM
Dr. Gallay is originally from New City, New York, and earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Binghamton University. She went on to attend Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on the island of St. Kitts.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking with her rescue dog, Ellie, and traveling.
Cecily Freliech
DVM
Dr. Cecily Freilich grew up in Connecticut and earned her Bachelor of Science from Tufts University. She spent two years studying Lyme disease in Boston before pursuing her veterinary degree at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Her professional interests include emergency medicine, community medicine, and marine animal health.
In her free time, Cecily enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, and cooking. She is also excited to continue discovering all that New York City has to offer.
Jessica DiStefano
VMD
Dr. Jessica Forbes DiStefano grew up in western Massachusetts and earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Pathobiology from the University of Connecticut. She went on to complete a Master of Science in Infectious Disease and Global Health at Tufts University in 2020 and received her VMD from the University of Pennsylvania in 2025.
In her free time, Jessica enjoys relaxing with her cats, Tuna and Marlin, watching TV, playing cards with friends and family, and camping.
Kristi Cerami
DVM
Dr. Kristi Cerami grew up on Long Island and has more than a decade of experience in the veterinary field, including roles as a veterinary assistant and hospital manager. She completed her undergraduate studies at Stony Brook University before attending St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, and finishing her clinical training at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Her clinical interests include soft tissue surgery and emergency medicine.
Outside of work, Kristi enjoys reading and exploring local coffee shops. On her days off, she can often be found on a walk with an iced coffee and her two dogs, Dory and Mocha.