Get to know our team!
We are solely dedicated to your pet’s care! We look forward to getting to know you, and we hope you’ll take the time to scroll down and get to know us.
Meet the Caring Staff at One Love Animal Hospital’s Boerum Hill Location
One Love Animal Hospital opened in October 2010 by husband and wife vet team, Dr. Kenneth Humphreys and Dr. Eliza Lischin. Since then, it continues to be a trusted name in pet health, as it provides comprehensive quality care essential to enhancing the human-animal bond shared between you and your pet.
Dr. Tannaz Zafarnia
Dr. Suji Kim
Dr. Amy Kantor
Meet the Caring Staff at One Love Animal Hospital’s Bay Ridge Location
One Love Animal Hospital opened in October 2010 by husband and wife vet team, Dr. Kenneth Humphreys and Dr. Eliza Lischin. Since then, it continues to be a trusted name in pet health, as it provides comprehensive quality care essential to enhancing the human-animal bond shared between you and your pet.
Dr. Laura D’Onofrio
Dr. Stephany Matos
Dr. Nikita Sokol
Meet The Caring Staff at One Love Animal Hospital’s Yorkville Location
One Love Animal Hospital opened in October 2010 by husband and wife vet team, Dr. Kenneth Humphreys and Dr. Eliza Lischin. Since then, it continues to be a trusted name in pet health, as it provides comprehensive quality care essential to enhancing the human-animal bond shared between you and your pet.
Dr. Danielle Schoen
Dr. Michelle Meltzer
Dr. Tannaz Zafarnia
Veterinarian
Dr. Tannaz Zafarnia is passionate about animal welfare and strengthening the human-animal bond. With a diverse educational background that includes a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Psychology from Baruch College, a Master of Science in Global Affairs from New York University, and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from LIU College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Zafarnia combines her multidisciplinary knowledge to offer comprehensive care and advocacy for pets. She has assisted in legislative protection for animals at both the state and federal levels.
Outside of her professional life, Dr. Zafarnia is a proud pet parent to two cats, Tala and Taro. An avid traveler, she enjoys exploring new destinations and eagerly anticipates whale-watching season in the New York Bight every year.
Dr. Amy Kantor
Medical Director
Dr. Amy Kantor was raised in the DC area, but her heart has always belonged to New York City, a place she considered home even as a child. She graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her internship and surgical residency at the renowned Utrecht University in the Netherlands.
Since 1998, Dr. Kantor has been a trusted surgeon within general practice settings in NYC, earning a loyal clientele that has followed her for over two decades. Her dedication to community care is evident through her volunteer work with NYC’s homeless population via Collide, a commitment she upheld for over ten years, and her ongoing efforts with Vets International, where she would perform surgeries in remote regions of Guatemala.
Dr. Kantor specializes in complex and routine soft tissue surgeries, some orthopedic procedures, and referral consultations.
When she’s not in surgery, Dr. Kantor enjoys life in Brooklyn, with two of her three sons, and their dog, Celeste.
Dr. Suji Kim
Veterinarian
Dr. Suji Kim’s early years started in Pennsylvania before setting roots in Brooklyn. Her foundation for veterinary medicine began in high school as an after school caretaker for local wildlife at the Wild Bird Fund on the Upper West Side. Since then, New York City pigeons and wildlife have always had a special place in her heart. Dr. Kim earned her veterinary degree at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and did her clinical studies at Oregon State University. She continued to hone her skills after graduation by completing a rigorous Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at Oradell Animal Hospital in New Jersey. Dr. Kim loves being a veterinarian who has the skills and knowledge to diagnose and manage diverse conditions and diseases. She feels immense joy in working with animals, but she also aims to empower and educate families so they can be the most informed and confident pet owners. Outside of work you might catch her running a Loop in Prospect Park, reading in a hammock, or flowing in a yoga class on the weekend.
Dr. Kamila Shmakalova
Veterinarian
Dr. Kamila Shmakalova, or “Dr. K,” joined One Love Animal Hospital in April. Born in the former Soviet Union and grew up in Brooklyn, Dr. K is fluent in both English and Russian. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Biology from CUNY Brooklyn College in 2005 and worked for a few years as a veterinary assistant in NYC before going on to complete her veterinary degree from Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2014.
After graduation, Dr. K found herself practicing in Santa Fe, NM, for a large, non-profit organization, working with shelter and companion animals. Dr. K recently returned back to Brooklyn to be closer to her family. Her own family includes a sweet rescue mixed dog named Laika and her extensive cat family. Dr. K’s professional interests include soft tissue surgery, dentistry, medicine, and enhancing the human-animal bond.
In her free time, Dr. K likes to take her dog for walks on the beach, cuddle at home with her pets or hang out with her human family and friends in the city. She is excited to be back in NYC and to be a part of our Boerum Hill team.
Dr. Olivia Grittani
Veterinarian
Dr. Olivia Grittani wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as she could remember and is thrilled to be a part of the One Love team! She received her Bachelor’s degree in Pre-Veterinary Science from the University Of Massachusetts Amherst and received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University, with her clinical year at the University of Illinois. She enjoys all aspects of small animal general practice and is committed to maintaining the health and wellness of our canine and feline friends!
In her spare time, she loves reading, running, exploring the city, and spending time with her island cat, Gaston!
Dr. Nikita Sokol
Veterinarian
Dr. Nikita Sokol has always felt a calling to help animals. Nikita graduated from SUNY University at Albany with a major in Biology and a minor in Anthropology. She volunteered at veterinary clinics and a local farm, and after graduation, took a gap year to apply and prepare for veterinary school. During that time, Nikita worked for One Love Animal Hospital in Bay Ridge as a receptionist, and enjoyed working in the clinic, helping solidify her love for veterinary medicine and the One Love staff. Nikita attended Ross University on the beautiful island of St. Kitts, and completed her clinical studies at Tufts University, in Massachusetts. After earning her degree, Nikita worked for Blue Pearl as a small-animal intern, practicing through different rotations to gain experience before coming back to work for One Love Animal Hospital as an associate veterinarian, and making her life-long dream come true.
Nikita loves to travel, hike and spend time with her family, including her husband, Jerry, and their two fur-babies, Pickles and Dumpling.
Dr. Laura D’Onofrio
Veterinarian
Dr. Laura D’Onofrio was born and raised in Brooklyn and always had a strong desire to work with animals. She volunteered as a teenager watering, feeding, and cleaning animals in the kennel. Laura attended Wagner College, where she majored in chemistry, and then she moved on to study at St. George’s University of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada. After a year abroad, Laura returned to the U.S. to attend the Kansas State School of Veterinary Medicine, where she earned her D.V.M.
A 15-year veteran of the veterinary field, Laura has worked in all facets of the pet care world, from kennel help to technician to doctor. Through her meticulous nature and tireless work ethic, Laura has gained clients, friends, and countless loyal four-legged customers while working in the field.
Laura enjoys free time with her dogs, Phantom and Lira, a Weimaraner and a mixed breed, and her cat, Suzy.
Dr. Stephany Matos
Veterinarian
At a young age, Dr. Stephany Matos understood the connection that a person can have with their pet. She learned from her first dog, Tilly, that loyalty and compassion are among the many traits that make owning a pet an amazing experience. Because of her relationship with Tilly, her passion to help animals grew stronger. Through the years, she has housed a variety of furry friends, including hamsters, guinea pigs, iguanas, parakeets, and dogs. Stephany currently cares for her beloved ferret Scoop and guinea pigs, Peppa and Smudge.
Dr. Matos began her pursuit of veterinary medicine by attaining a Bachelor of Science in Zoology at the State University of Oswego in upstate New York. During her undergraduate studies, she worked as a kennel assistant, grooming and feeding dogs, as well as a veterinarian assistant at a local animal hospital. Stephany moved abroad to study veterinary medicine at Ross University in St. Kitts, West Indies and finished her clinical year at Tufts University in Massachusetts.
Dr. Matos is extremely grateful that she has been able to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian and looks forward to making connections with pets and their families through kind and compassionate care.
Dr. Allen Menasche
Veterinarian
Dr. Allen Menasche was born and raised in Brooklyn. He has a passion for his work with dogs, cats, and a variety of small animals. Allen grew up with two dogs: Chicha, a mini-dachshund, and Zoey, a golden retriever. He became a veterinary assistant in high school, fell in love with the field, and strived toward his goal of becoming a veterinarian. Allen received his D.V.M. at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed his clinical rotations at the University of Florida. Allen enjoys forming relationships with his clients and ensuring the best quality of care for his patients.
In his spare time, he enjoys working out, playing sports, and exploring restaurants in NYC.
Dr. Danielle Schoen
Veterinarian
Dr. Danielle Schoen joined One Love Animal Hospital in the fall of 2011. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the State University of New York College at Geneseo in 2001 and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. She gained four years of invaluable experience working as an emergency clinician at the Veterinary Emergency and Referral Group in Brooklyn following the completion of her small animal internship at Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialists in New York. She takes great pride in diagnosing and treating complex illnesses, as well as using her progressive medicine and dental knowledge.
Outside of the clinic, she is an avid reader, and her other interests include cycling, going to the beach in the summer, and swimming both recreationally and competitively.
Dr. Michelle Meltzer
Veterinarian
Dr. Michelle Meltzer grew up in Rochester, NY though most recently hails from Las Cruces, NM. She decided at 9 years old that she wanted to be a veterinarian and is very happy to have fulfilled that childhood dream.
Dr. Meltzer received her Bachelor of Science from Cornell University in Animal Science in 1999. She worked at the Cornell veterinary diagnostic lab for 2 years before attending Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, where she graduated in 2005 after a clinical year at the University of Illinois.
Dr. Meltzer has been at Yorkville Animal Hospital for the past 7 years and is thrilled to be able to continue practicing here with her old clientele and new ones as well! She especially enjoys wellness exams, preventative care, and young and senior visits. Continuity of care and getting to know her clients and patients well are very important to her.
In her time off, she can be found skiing during the winter, spending time with her pets, traveling, running, and reading.