Meet the Team at Island Trees Veterinary Hospital
Get to know the team at our Hicksville, NY veterinary hospital. We’re dedicated to providing your pets with state-of-the-art, compassionate veterinary care.
Read about your veterinary hospital team in Hicksville, NY
It is our mission to partner with our clients to nurture and preserve the human-animal bond by providing compassionate, expert, and affordable veterinary care from your pet’s first adventure throughout a long and healthy life.
Veterinarians
Office Staff
Licensed Veterinarian Technicians
Dr. Caren
Veterinarian
Dr. Gil Caren is a General Practitioner who has been a member of our Hicksville animal hospital medical staff since July of 1994.
Dr. Caren says that his earliest influence edging him on to become a veterinarian was his mother. “Her love and compassion for animals greatly influenced me,” he says. “After graduating from veterinary school, Dr. Peter Kaufman was a tremendous mentor and greatly aided me.”
After more than 15 years of practicing veterinary medicine, Dr. Caren says, “I enjoy being a veterinarian because each case is a challenge and the diversity of animals and different medical and surgical procedures makes practicing fun.”
His area of special professional interest is internal medicine and Dr. Caren is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Caren has two grown daughters, Elise and Sammi, and says, “I am a proud dad and each of my girls has many wonderful attributes.” At home, he has two dogs, a Rottweiler/Lab mix and a Cane Corso, and three cats. His interests include gardening, cycling, aerobic training, fishing, and restoring antique furniture.
Dr. Gottlieb
Veterinarian
Dr. Jay Gottlieb founded Island Trees Veterinary Hospital in 1987 in Levittown, New York, and then oversaw its relocation to our current state-of-the-art facility in Hicksville in 1996.
When asked what influenced his decision to enter veterinary medicine, Dr. Gottlieb says, “I have always had a deep love and respect for animals and have been closely associated with them since childhood, thanks to my father. Through the years, my life has been centered on not only the usual run of small pets, but also larger animals, especially horses.”
Dr. Gottlieb grew up in Woodmere, New York and attended the University of Rhode Island for his undergraduate studies. During college, he was a horsemanship instructor and gave lectures in the veterinary science department. In 1974, he received his Bachelor of Science in Pre-Veterinary Studies. A year later, Dr. Gottlieb enrolled in the University of Perugia (Italy) College of Veterinary Medicine and received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1984.
His areas of special professional interest include surgery and dermatology. Dr. Gottlieb is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Long Island Veterinary Medical Association and the New York State Veterinary Medical Association. He also attends continuing education seminars to improve his awareness and knowledge of veterinary medicine as it continues to evolve. Additionally, he was a professor in the Veterinary Science Department at the State University of New York at Farmingdale for ten years and is currently an educator at Nassau BOCES.
Dr. Gottlieb and his wife Robin, a travel consultant, have two adult children: Brad recently graduated from Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and Keri recently graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in early childhood education. Dr. Gottlieb and Robin have adopted many stray animals in the past. Currently they have a Maltipoo they adopted from the ASPCA named Chloe.
Dr. Gottlieb’s interests include participating in equestrian events throughout the tri-state area, golf, fishing, carpentry, antique cars and spending time with his family.
Dr. Graser
Veterinarian
Dr. Diane Graser is a practicing veterinarian. She attended school at Colorado State University. Currently working with Island Trees Veterinary Hospital, Diane has been a practicing vet for the last 38 years.
Ellen S.
Office Manager
Ellen has been working in veterinary medicine for the last 25 years. When it comes to her practice, she takes pride in always looking for new ways to do more and educating herself on caring for clients.
In her free time, she’s always on the go. Ellen loves to go hiking, camping, fishing, horseback riding, and spending time with friends, family, and her beloved pets.
Dr. Lani Ramsden
Veterinarian
Dr. Ramsden grew up in South Texas in the small beach town of Port Aransas. She attended Texas A and M University and attained her bachelor’s in biomedical science, followed by her Doctorate at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine.
She then practiced mixed animal medicine on large and small animals in Marble Falls, the heart of the Texas Hill Country. She then moved to her husband’s childhood hometown on Long Island. She has enjoyed quality care for family pets as the medical director of a small Blue Point – Bayport hospital for nearly 15 years.
She enjoys spending time with her children, husband, and pets in her free time. She loves the outdoors, gardening, traveling, and spending time in the Catskills and at the beach.
She will be available for appointments in January and cannot wait to provide you with the exceptional care you have become familiar with receiving from Island Trees Veterinary Hospital.
Sue W.
Receptionist
Sue had been working as a Receptionist for the last 22 years. She attended John Jay University. She prides herself on always being kind, considerate, and understanding to all her clients.
In her free time, she can be found spending time with her kids.
Chan
Receptionist
Chan has been with Island Trees for a few years. She serves the team in a multitude of ways: receptionist and manufacture of endless laughter! She enjoys spending her time scolding her very spirited lab-dachshund mix “Zoey”!
When she’s not at ITVH she’s constantly educating herself in the field of veterinary medicine while pursuing her dream career in nursing school.
Sue B.
Head Licensed Veterinary Technician
Sue has been practicing veterinary medicine for the last 24 years. She attended the University at Albany and Suffolk Community for tech school. In her work, she takes pride in comforting the patients while they’re staying at the hospital.
In her free time, Sue enjoys spending time with her family as well as relaxing with her cat and dog.
Shawna
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Shawna graduated from Suffolk Community College Vet Science program and has been practicing for 19 years.
While working in the field, she enjoys making sure patients get the proper care, helping in surgery and performing dentals. She enjoys learning how to improve her skills as well as new ways to treat and support the patients in the best way that she can.
In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and her dog. She is also a volunteer Firefighter and a member of the department’s drill team. She enjoys traveling, hiking, being outdoors, working out, crafting, and baking.
Betsy
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Betsy is a graduate of the State University of New York Farmingdale and received her NY State Veterinary Technician License in 1992. She has been with Island Trees Veterinary Hospital since 1992
and has worked in Veterinary Medicine for the past 25 years.
She developed a love for animals at a young age and has cared for both large and small animals throughout her life. “My house was the house everyone brought animals in need to, whether it was a bird with a broken wing or an orphaned rabbit.”
Betsy is an accomplished equestrian, enjoys paddle boarding, is very active, and spends time with her two beautiful daughters.
Kim
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Kim has been working in veterinary medicine for the last 38 years. She attended school at Suny Farmingdale. She prides herself in doing her very best to make patients feel as comfortable as possible when they are frightened and ill.
In her free time, she loves spending time with her friends, family, rescues, and horses.
Angelina
Veterinary Assistant
Angelina has been working in vet med for the last 2 years. She attended Suffolk County Community College. She prides herself on working hard to make the patients comfortable and encourage them to think of the hospital as a positive place.
In her free time, she can be found spending time with her family or playing baseball with her friends.
Noah
Veterinary Assistant
Noah has been working in vet med for the last 4 years. He studied at LIU Veterinary Medicine. He prides himself on making a stress free environment for his patients.
In his free time, he loves to listen to podcasts, work out, and play with his pets.
Dustin
Kennel Assistant
Dustin has been working in vet med for the last year. He attended Suffolk County Community College. He prides himself on his immense love for animals.
In his free time, he loves going to the beach, riding jet ski, and spend time with friends.
Madison
Kennel Assistant
Madison has been working with Island Trees for the last 3 months. She prides herself on a willingness to learn and cares deeply for animals.
In her free time, she loves to go to the gym, read, and watch tv.
Deanna
Kennel Assistant
Deanna prides herself on taking care of the pets at this hospital the same way she would take care of her pets at home.
In her free time, she loves to do nature photography, archery, pool, watch movies, hike and camp.