We love to listen, so we can help guide you on a path to nuturing, healing and caring for your pet. Education is the key to helping your pet live a long healthy life. Get to know us here, or schedule an appointment so we can learn more about who you and your pals are!
Dr. Alexandra (Alex) Amster is a transplant to our beloved Louisiana! She was born and raised in Stamford, CT (a suburb of New York City.) She completed her undergraduate education at the University of Rhode Island and received her DVM in 2012 from Ross University in St. Kitts (the Caribbean – how nice!) She needed to complete her clinical year of veterinary school in the US so she decided LSU would be a great place to do one last crazy thing before returning to a job offer in New York. Once she met Dr. Hood at LSU, she never left! Her special interest is dentistry. She has been thoroughly trained by her mentor, Dr. Ritchie in Baton Rouge (a boarded veterinary dentist), and stays up to date on the most current information on the subject. Because of her, we are one of the only general practices in the New Orleans area offering oral x-rays and state of the art equipment to perform oral surgery and other oral assessment and treatments (no more plain ‘ol teeth cleanings for us.) She is particularly fond of Pitbulls, especially her own (“Lulu”.) She and Dr. Hood have two daughters (twins.)
Dr. David Hood was born and raised in Chalmette and has no intentions of ever leaving. His education started at OLPS, followed by Holy Cross. Sometimes, we find it necessary to make him recite “The Holy Cross Man”. He completed his undergraduate and veterinary medicine educations both at LSU where he graduated from in 2012. He has been an employee at St. Bernard Veterinary Hospital since he was 16 years old! He climbed the proverbial totem pole from kennel staff, to technician, to veterinarian, and finally to part owner. His special interests include soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, both of which he is extremely skilled. He is president of the veterinary board in St. Bernard Parish. His dedication not only to veterinary care (here and all over the parish) and to the parish itself is undeniable. Since returning to Chalmette after school, he has been very passionate about making the parish the caliber it once was and we couldn’t be more excited to be a part of that vision. He shares his life and his work with one of our other veterinarians, Dr. Alex Amster. Together they have two daughters (twins) a pitbull “Lulu”, and a cat “Moo moo”.
Dr. Jay Newbill has lived in Slidell his entire life. He completed his undergraduate education at Southeastern University and received his DVM from LSU in 1987. The transition from a lion to a tiger was quite easy for Dr. Newbill because he is a die-hard LSU fan. During football season, his phone can be heard from exam rooms playing the notorious fight song (don’t even think about telling him to turn it off.) He worked at St. Bernard Veterinary Hospital from 1989-2002 and then left to work at Ponchartrain Animal Hospital from 2002-2007. We were lucky enough to get him back in 2007 and he has been here since. He is also part owner and blesses us with his veterinary wisdom – almost 30 years’ worth! If you’d like to be added to his list of favorite clients, mention LSU tigers (football and baseball), duck hunting, or Destin. He leans on is wife, Maria, and children, Christina and Christian, for a break from work life.
Donna Zaffuto is our hospital manager and has been here since 1977! She is the glue that holds our whole staff together. Anyone who has a problem (staff and client alike), wants to have Donna be the one to fix it. She is loved for her compassion, sympathy, and ability to be forever energized. Don’t be fooled – should you cross her, you will feel the wrath (she always wins.) St. Bernard Veterinary Hospital would not be what it is today without her and we hope she continues to drink from the fountain of youth so she never leaves.
Amanda (aka “Princess”) has been a receptionist here since 2006. She is known for eating 4,000 calories a day and maintaining a model physique. We’re certain she has some sort of intestinal parasite but the jury is still out on that.
Marrisa (aka “Grumpy”) has been a technician here since 2013. Her nickname is not an exaggeration so don’t test it. What she lacks in good spirit she makes up for with cute hair and librarian glasses.
Brittney is our head technician and has been here since 2008. When she isn’t assisting with surgeries, doing inventory, and managing technician duties, she is probably yelling at the doctors who are sleeping and don’t feel like working. If it weren’t for Brittney, you may not ever get to see a doctor.
Mandi has been a kennel worker/technician here since 2016. She previously worked at Villalobos. We think she has the power of mind control because animals don’t just love her – they do exactly what she wants without being asked. We’re sure if they had thumbs, they would prepare her lunch and clean their own kennels.
Meghan is the latest addition to our team. Her giggle can be heard from anywhere in the hospital (we are very funny). She has a real knack for caring for newborn animals. Don’t tell her you are hungry – she will try and stick a bottle in your mouth.
Rachel has been our groomer and kennel worker since 2006. We can’t joke about her because she is the most kind-hearted, sweetest person we know. She is also amazing with the animals. We have yet to know an animal that has not fallen in love with Rachel.
