Herkimer Veterinary Associates

Herkimer Veterinary Associates is a full-service veterinary facility located in West Winfield, NY. The professional and courteous staff at Herkimer Veterinary Associates seeks to provide the best possible medical, surgical, and dental care for their highly-valued patients. We are committed to promoting responsible pet ownership, preventative health care and health-related educational opportunities for our clients. Herkimer Veterinary Associates strives to offer excellence in veterinary care to the Mohawk Valley and its surrounding areas. Herkimer Veterinary Associates has a veterinarian on call 24 hours to meet the needs of our clients and the pet owners in the Herkimer area.  Our doctors and staff are available to provide the best care available within in our clinic and beyond.  We continuously network with many veterinary specialists in upstate New York and can refer your pet should the need arise. Please take a moment to contact us today, to learn more about our veterinary practice and to find our more information about how Herkimer Veterinary Associates can serve the needs of you and your cherished pet.
full staff
  • Monday 7:30am - 5:00pm
  • Tuesday 7:30am - 5:00pm
  • Thursday 7:30am - 5:00pm
  • Friday 7:30am - 5:00pm
  • After hours call - 315-866-9999
  • Dr. Brenda Armstrong

    Brenda J. Armstrong, DVM

    Mixed Animal Veterinarian
    Dr. Brenda Armstrong is a 2004 graduate of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.
    Dr. Armstrong has practiced veterinary medicine in Herkimer since graduation.  In 2005 she joined Dr. Hays and Dr. Fischer as a partner in Herkimer Veterinary Associates.
    Dr. Armstrong and her husband have two cats named Medulla and Robin, a dog named Dolly and three horses named Jake, Big Hoss, and Scribbles.
    Dr. Armstrong enjoys horseback riding and karaoke.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2004
    Education:
    Ross University
    Interests:
    horseback riding and karaoke
  • Dr Emily Green

    Emily M. Green, DVM

    Mixed Animal Veterinarian
    Dr. Emily Green is a 2011 graduate from Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine.
    Since childhood, Dr. Green has wanted to help animals. Encouragement from mom, who often told  her she should become a veterinarian, pushed her forward. 
    Dr. Green has two dogs, a yellow Labrador Retriever named Tess, and Sierra, a black Labrador Retriever mix. 
    In her spare time Dr. Green enjoys running, hiking, snowboarding, and all outdoor activities.
    Dr. Green is excited to be working with both large and small animals.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2011
    Education:
    Michigan State University
    Interests:
    running, travel, hiking, sports
  • Dr Harold Fischer

    Harold E. Fischer, DVM

    Mixed Animal Veterinarian
    Dr. Harold Fischer is a 1985 graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.  He has practiced veterinary medicine in New York state since graduation. 
    Dr. Fischer was born in Kingston, Jamaica and has lived in South America, Miami and New York.
    He partnered with Dr. Hays in 1990 and formed Herkimer Veterinary Associates.
    Dr. Fischer, his wife and their three children are glad to call Herkimer home.  In his spare time he enjoys time with his family, they often canoe, and hike.  He also enjoys fishing and travel. 
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 1985
    Education:
    University of Florida
    Interests:
    flying, travel, hiking
  • Dr. Amanda Ostasz

    Amanda Ostasz, DVM

    Dr. Ostasz is a Small Animal Veterinarian.  She graduated from  University of Prince Edward Island Atlantic Veterinary College in 2007.
    Following graduation she practiced Mixed animal medicine in Chatham NY for 6 years before relocating to the Herkimer area.
    She has had a passion for working with animals since she was a young girl on her family small hobby farm.
    Dr. Ostasz and her husband share their home with four cats named Batman, Bonkers, Moto, and Sheldon.  They hope to add horses and chickens to their herd someday.
    In her spare time she enjoys horseback riding, driving, hiking, gardening, and reading.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2007
    Education:
    University of Prince Edward Island Atlantic
    Interests:
    hiking, swimming, horseback riding and gardening

  • Erin Murphy DVM

    Mixed Animal Veterinarian
    Dr. Erin Murphy graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015.
    Dr. Murphy spent three years practicing mixed animal medicine in Idaho after graduation followed by two years in a small animal practice in Upstate New York.  She joined Herkimer Veterinary Associates in 2020, excited to be working with large and small animals again.
    When not hard at work, Dr. Murphy enjoys riding her horse, Wilson, backpacking, skiing, and traveling with her husband and their black lab, Odin.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2020
    Education:
    University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine
    Interests:
    Riding her horse, backpacking, skiing, and traveling

  • Gretchen Hopson, VMD

    Dr. Hopson is a Mixed Animal Veterinarian who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2017.  She recently moved back up to New York all the way from South Carolina, and previously worked for HVA in 2017 to 2020.  Now, she's back and is happy to be back with us!
    Outside of the office, Dr. Hopson enjoys painting, rock climbing, skiing, and hiking.  Her and her husband also enjoy spending time with their two cats Pippa and J.R. Norman.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2017
    Education:
    University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
    Interests:
    painting, rock climbing, skiing, hiking

  • Emma Farkash, BVMS

    Dr. Farkash is a Mixed Animal Veterinarian that joined us this year after graduating from the University of Glasgow in Scotland.  Thanks to her education she is accredited to practice in every country in the world!  She even won most enthusiastic rectal palpater in her class.  We are incredibly thrilled to have her with us.
    Outside the office, Dr. Farkash is an avid runner and trains regularly for marathons.  When not running, she spends her time curled up with a good book.  Her favorite animal is the Bottle-nosed Dolphin, but her favorite to treat are sheep and goats.
    Since moving to New York, Dr. Farkash hasn't yet found the perfect furry friend, but her parents have two adorable pit bulls which she is more than happy to show you pictures of!
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2023
    Education:
    University of Glasgow
    Interests:
    Running, marathons, reading, seeing friends
  • Christine Nellis

    Christine K. Nellis, Practice Manager

    Chris joined Herkimer Veterinary Associates in 2008 as our Practice Manager.
    A 1986 graduate of Cornell University  with a degree in Farm Business Management, she spent 25 years managing a dairy farm with her husband John and raising their 3 children.
    Chris enjoys working with our staff and the doctors to maintain the quality of care expected at Herkimer Veterinary Associates.
    When away from the office Chris enjoys their family farm, showing registered Holsteins, gardening, cooking, sewing and travel.
    She and her family are avid baseball enthusiasts and have hosted 37 players from the Little Falls Diamond Dawgs.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2008
    Education:
    Cornell University
  • Christina Murphy

    Christina Murphy, LVT

    Chrissy came to Herkimer Veterinary Associates in her 19th year as a Licensed Veterinary Technician. She brings a wealth of skills and knowledge.  Her interests are dentistry, animal behavior, and client education.
    In her spare time Chrissy enjoys her small hobby farm.  They have horses, bees, and two golden retrievers.
    Chrissy enjoys hiking, horseback riding, gardening, and competing in dog obedience trials.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2016
    Education:
    State University New York, Delhi
    Interests:
    Canine Behavior and Training
    Email:
  • Brianna Unsinn

    Brianna Douglas, LVT

    Brianna graduated from SUNY Delhi in 2014 with her degree in Veterinary Science Technology.  Afterwards, she went to SUNY Morrisville to get a degree in Equine Rehabilitation, graduating in 2017.  Now, Brianna owns a farm with her husband Bob and his brother where they have beef cows and a flock of chickens.  She also has her dogs Boone, Chief, Ronda and four cats, Stevie, Gus-Gus, Vaca and Bovina.
    Brianna's hobbies include Horseback riding, hunting, and farming.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2020
    Education:
    Delhi/Morrisville College
    Interests:
    Hunting, Horseback riding, and Farming
  • Taylor Calhoun

    Taylor Calhoun, LVT

    Taylor is a 2019 graduate of SUNY Delhi with a degree in Veterinary Science Technology and a 2021 graduate of SUNY Canton with a Veterinary Business Administration degree.
    She has worked in a veterinary hospital since 2017, and is now a member of our team!  Caring for animals and helping them feel better is one of the main reason she became a veterinary technician.  When not in the office, Taylor hangs out with her boyfriend, watching Netflix, and her three pets Wheelie and Screech, her cats and Winston her adorable guinea pig.  
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2020
    Education:
    SUNY Delhi/Canton
    Interests:
    Helping animals feel better and Netflix with her Boyfriend

  • Morgan Rivers, LVT

    Morgan graduated from SUNY Delhi with Taylor, another of our technicians, in 2020.  After graduating she started working for us and stayed for a whole year before moving down to Texas with her new husband.  As much as she loved the food down there they decided to move back up to New York and she started with us again!  We are thrilled to have her back!
    In the day to day, Morgan, does enjoy doing appointments with our feline patients a lot but her favorite animal is actually a cow!  If we did have large animal technicians, Morgan, would be the first on to volunteer for the job!
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2020
    Education:
    SUNY Delhi

  • Dannielle Edick, LVT

    Dannielle graduated from SUNY Delhi and Oswego in 2015.  Since then, she has spent her time in many different animal care programs and zoos.  She has worked at the Utica Zoo, as well as the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and Safehaven Wildlife Sanctuary in Nevada.  Her favorite animal is a Serval, which is a wild cat native to Africa.
    In her free time, Dannielle enjoys listening to Kpop, watching anime, reading, and spending time with her fur babies.  She has four animals, two cats named Spencer and Bandersnatch, one dog named Loki, and a horse named Sky.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2015
    Education:
    SUNY Delhi and Oswego
    Interests:
    Kpop, anime, reading, hanging out with fur babies
  • Linda Bucenec

    Linda Bucenec

    Linda joined our team November 2017 and has had fifteen years of experience working as a receptionist at another veterinary hospital. During her free time, she works on home renovation/repair, gardening, and taking care of her numerous pets.
    Linda's animal family consists of three dogs, seven cats, twelve chickens, two horses and a mule. She enjoys watching old movies, spending time with her beloved pets and reading a good book. By working here at Herkimer Veterinary Associates, Linda hopes to establish a rapport with her co-workers and our clients.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2017
    Interests:
    Gardening, watching old movies, reading
  • Melinda McMann

    Melinda McMann

    Melinda is a graduate of Russell Sage College.  She has a degree in accounting which she got in 1983.  In 2019 she became a part of our team and is one of the friendly faces greeting our clients as they come in.  She has one pet, her cat Archie, and on occasion will watch her daughters pets.  Traveling is also one of the things she enjoys doing, taking the trip to Virginia to see her son on a regular basis.
    Melinda's hobbies include, riding her bike, and dancing, especially ballet.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2019
    Education:
    Russel Sage College
    Interests:
    Riding her bike, and dancing

  • Lisa Frost

    Lisa is a graduate of SUNY Delhi and was a licensed technician for two years before training to be a bovine inseminator.  Inseminating sent Lisa all over New York state and sometimes into Vermont but one farm in particular kept her here in New York.  She met her husband on one of her trips to his farm and the rest is history!
    Now, Lisa works with her husband on his farm and spends some of her time helping us at Herkimer and West Winfield, doing reception and helping our doctors and technicians.  In her free time she likes sewing, quilting, doing puzzles, and reading.  
    Years in Practice:
    Feb 04, 2022
    Education:
    SUNY Delhi
    Interests:
    Sewing, quilting, puzzles, reading

  • Guinevere Serpentina

    Guinevere has been a long time resident in West Winfield and has slowly become a part of the office!
    Every year she comes to the office and tries to lay her eggs in our parking lot, or across the street in the gravel at the side of the road.
    If you are headed to this office please keep an eye out for a beautiful friend!
    Years in Practice:
    Jun 13, 2023
    Education:
    Unity College - Marine Biology
    Interests:
    Basking in the sun, crawling on the roadside, swimming, biting fingers
  • Laura Harding

    Laura Harding

    Laura comes to Herkimer Veterinary Associates from the Herkimer County Humane Society.  Her passion for animals and desire to be at their service will make her a perfect fit.
    Laura will be a friendly face at our front desk and throughout the office, she is eager to meet all our clients needs.  Her skills in animal handling will make her a help to our doctors and technicians.  She is eager to learn and grow in the veterinary world.
    Laura has two dogs Morgan and Nyla. She enjoys all of the outdoors, especially kayaking, and camping.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2014
    Interests:
    outdoors, kayaking and camping
  • Alissa Collins

    Alissa Collins

    Alissa joined us in March of 2021 but has been around animals her whole life.  Her family has owned a farm since 1991 and she learned to drive a tractor when she was 8!  She graduated from Cobleskill in 2019 with her degree in Agricultural Business Management.  Along with the farm she has two dogs, Maddie and Lilly, that she spends her time with.
    Alissa's hobbies include, hunting, trail riding, and really anything outdoors.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2020
    Education:
    SUNY Cobleskill
    Interests:
    Hunting, trail riding, anything outdoors

  • Emilee Dygert

    Emilee became a part of our team in October of 2020 and has always wanted to work with animals since she was 12 years old!  Although her favorite animals are typically farm animals she adores all things small animal, as well.  Which is a good thing since she lives with four dogs!  Emilee lives with three bulldogs, Boo, Brutus, and Penelope, and one Airedale/Redbone mix, Geo.
    Emilee's hobbies include reading, crafts, and playing video games with her boyfriend.
    Years in Practice:
    Jul 30, 2021
    Interests:
    reading, crafts, and video games

  • Cait Szczesniak

    Cait joined us after graduating from Pen Foster in January, with a degree in being a Veterinary Assistant!  She has a love for all animals, her favorite being dogs.  Medium to large breeds are her preference, especially since she owns an Australian Shepherd named Dexter which she has had since he was 10 weeks old.  Winter potty training was a task but now they enjoy walks every day after work.  Caity also enjoys the company of her orange kitty named Tony, after Tony Stark from the Marvel Universe.
    Aside from walking together, Caity enjoys streaming television series on different platforms.  A current favorite is "In the Dark" on Netflix which has some Veterinarian characters.
    Years in Practice:
    May 23, 2023
    Education:
    Pen Foster
    Interests:
    Streaming Series, taking Dexter for walks

  • Lindsey Wright

    Currently, Lindsey is attending SUNY Cobleskill and will be graduating this coming spring with a BS in Animal Science.  This September she will be applying for the Veterinary program to become a Doctor.
    Lindsey lives on a dairy farm with her boyfriend, his brother, and their Border Collie, Dixie.  In FFA, of which Lindsey has been a member for 8 years she has received her American Degree, which is the highest degree one can achieve.  Less than 1% of members have ever received it!  She has also been a member of 4H for 15 years.  Lindsey has shown chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, pigs, beef and dairy cows, sheep, meat goats, and horses.
    In highschool, Lindsey played volleyball, did track and field, as well as throwing events.
    Her life revolves around her farm and she wouldn't have it any other way!  Along with working on the farm she does run her own photography business, and helps us when ever we need it!
    Years in Practice:
    Aug 22, 2023
    Education:
    SUNY Cobleskill
    Interests:
    being on her farm, photography

  • Cassandra Allen

    Cassandra has been a long friend of Herkimer vets, originally working with the Herkimer County Humane Society.  During her time with them, Cassandra learned a lot about caring for animals and a lot about Veterinary medicine.  In the Summer of 2023, she decided to take the leap and join the team and we couldn't be happier!
    In her free time,  Cassandra enjoys using her Cricut and other arts and crafts as well as playing pool twice a week.  Her household includes three dogs Mirage, Dixie, and Squishy, and a child named Mallory.
    Years in Practice:
    Dec 05, 2023
    Interests:
    Pool, animals, arts and crafts