Steven Immerblum DVM

Owner/Medical Director Goldens Bridge Veterinary Care Center 

Dr. Immerblum, a 1979 graduate of the University of Philippines, has completed a internship at the prestigious Animal Medical Center and at New Haven Central Animal Hospital. Additionally he has been working in veterinary hospitals for over 40 years, with more than 25 of those years as a graduate veterinarian. In addition to the Animal Medical Center he has practiced at a number of large veterinary hospitals such as County Animal Clinic, Central Animal Hospital, and Manhattan Veterinary group. This broad experience, coupled with his compassion and love of animals, has enabled him to be a diagnostician that is able to provide your pet with outstanding care.  

What made you decide to open your own practice?
I wanted to practice quality medical care for my patients without some of the restrictions of working for others and corporations.

If you could have any animal, what would it be?
It’s hard to say, but I already have a favorite pet. I am a fan of an unusual breed, that is commonly (falsely) identified as an un-intelligent breed.  However true to its origins as a hunter bred to think on its feet, the Afghan hound is strong-willed and independent, aloof and self-confident. A study in contradictions, the Afghan hound has been described as fiercely brave but possibly timid, flighty but sometimes quiet and lazy, dignified but clownish. 

How many of your own animals do you have?
I have more than enough, ponies, goats, chickens, ducks, cats, dogs and Guinea Pigs. It’s a lot to list. 

If you couldn’t be a veterinarian what would you like to be?
I would most likely be a swim instructor.  Back in my college days, I coached an age group Mt. Vernon YMCA swim team. We won our first dual meet in 14 years. One of life's memorable and most rewarding experience. 

What is the number one thing you would like to tell clients?
That Dr. Google doesn’t actually have a medical degree, you can get a lot of good information on the internet but without all the facts, and knowledge behind it makes it difficult to pin point, you can do a lot more damage. Also that grain-free diets aren’t necessarily better for your pet. There have been a lot of studies now showing that some of them can lead to Dilated Cardio Myopathy. Always consult with your veterinarian before switching foods.

• Team Leader Westchester County Animal Response Team (WesCART)
• Empire State Animal Response Team (ESART)
• Yorktown Grange Fair Veterinarian
• Legislative Chairman for Putnam-Westchester Pomona Grange #48
• Medical Director
• Internship in Medicine and Surgery, Animal Medical Center, New York 1982
• University of the Philippines
• Internship New Haven Central Animal Hospital Medicine and Surgery, New Haven CT 1979
• American Veterinary Medical Association member
• Cornell Feline Health Center
• Westchester /Rockland Veterinary Association 
• Westchester Animal Response Team
• Veterinary Information Net Work
• ICG-Penn Hip Certified
• American Animal Hospital Association
• APHIS

Betty Garcia Nussbaum DVM

Dr. Nussbaum, a 2000 graduate of Cornell University Veterinary Medical College, who has previously practiced in Westchester and Long Island.  She has been an associate veterinarian at Goldens Bridge Veterinary Care Center for 10 years.  She has had extensive post graduate training in veterinary dentistry and is an excellent surgeon.  Dr. Nussbaum has a kind compassionate calming approach to treating both pets and their owners. 

• Associate Veterinarian
• Cornell University Ithaca 2000
• American Veterinary Medical Association
• Veterinary Information Net Work
• American Animal Hospital Association

Christopher J. Dillon DVM ACVS

Dr. Christopher J. Dillon is a 1991 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine Texas A&M University and is accredited by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. After several years in private practice, Dr. Dillon decided to continue his education and successfully completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship and Small Animal Surgery Residency at The Animal Medical Center in New York City. Since then, he has worked many years both on Long Island and Manhattan and most recently as Director of Surgery at a referral practice in upstate New York.   Over the years Dr. Dillon has developed a strong interest in reconstructive surgery as it relates to trauma and in the treatment of cancer, with other interests in soft tissue and neurosurgery.

Patrick Hopper, DVM, Dipl ACVIM

 Dr. Hopper is a 1983 graduate of the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and specializes in internal medicine. He is an accomplished ultrasonographer and internist, and performs echocardiograms, abdominal ultrasounds, biopsies and endoscopic examinations at our vet center.

Jean - Paul Petrie, DVM, DACVIM - Cardiology

Dr. Jean-Paul Petrie received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1994 from the University of Guelph's Ontario Veterinary College located in Ontario, Canada. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship in cardiac physiology and interventional cardiology at the Robarts Research Institute at the University Hospital in London, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Petrie is both board certified by, and Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in Cardiology.  Dr. Petrie has a special interest in echocardiography and feline cardiomyopathies. He has lectured both nationally and internationally, is actively involved in clinical research projects and has published several articles and book chapters.

Lisa DeCarlo-Immerblum MS LVT, Hospital Administrator

Lisa is the hospital administrator of Goldens Bridge Veterinary Care Center in Goldens Bridge NY, an American Animal Hospital Association Accredited small animal veterinary hospital. Ms. DeCarlo, a New York State licensed veterinary technician, received an Associate of Science in Animal Health Technology from the University of Maine - Orono, a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from SUNY- Purchase College, and a Master of Pharmacology from the New York Medical College. She is recipient of Purchase College's Irene Goldring Award given to the most promising graduation woman in the sciences. 

She is a Veterinary technical director for Amber's Angels Rescue of Goldens Bridge, New York, a Certified Special Education Lay Advocate and has served as adjunct faculty in Veterinary Technology Westchester Community College, and the Yorktown Granges 862's Veterinary Technical Adviser & Poultry Chairperson for fourteen years. Lisa lives on Everblooming Farm in Somers, New York. She is married to Steven Immerblum DVM, and they have two daughters. Amanda, a registered nurse and Amber a graduate in Social Work from Fordham University. Everblooming Farm supplies pets and farm animals for educational programs and professional Film and print projects including MTV, Dr. Pohl, Animal Planet, and the Rolling Stones Magazine. 

How long have you been with GBVCC
I’ve been with the practice since Steve decided to open! March, 1991! 

What pets do you have at home?
Oh boy, this is going to be a list… we’ll just do my personal pets… 2 ponies, 2 goats, 18 hens, 2 roosters, 2 guinea pigs, 1 snake, 2 cats, 11 call ducks, and finally 1 dog…. That’s a lot, and I love every one of them!

If you could have ANY pet in the world, what would it be?
I would LOVE to own a Buckskin Quarter Horse, with a black mane and a black tail. They’re stunning! Gypsy Vanners are also pretty gorgeous, I’d love one of those! They’re just the most amazing performers! Other than those, perhaps a Llama or an Alpaca, I’ve always wanted them; they’re pretty great on a farm too! 

If you weren’t working at GBVCC, what would you be doing?
I’d probably be working at a Veterinary Medical Center in an ICU Technician or in the surgical department. If I wasn’t working in the veterinarian field I’d probably be working in event planning, and floral arrangements! I just absolutely love throwing a great party, and I can’t decide between that or floral arrangements. It’s a hard choice!

Julie, LVT

Tahlia Blackburn

How long have you worked at GBVCC?
It’ll be 3 years in September!

How many animals do you have?
I have 2 cats, and one dog! They’re amazing… but I’m sure everyone thinks that… 

If you could have any animal in the world what would it be?
ALL THE ANIMALS! It’s always been my dream to own exotic animals, large cats etc., however that’s not exactly fair for them. My goal would be to open a sanctuary for exotics that have been raised in captivity, illegally. Rehabilitate them and let them live out their natural life in the best environment that we can create for them! 

If you weren’t working at GBVCC or in veterinary medicine, what would you be doing?
That’s hard, I’ve known I wanted to work with animals most of my life… but I suppose I’d go in to business and marketing since that’s what I originally went to school for. Maybe I’d go in to human medicine… I guess that’s interesting too!

What is the one thing you wish clients knew?
There are a ton of things I wish clients knew, similar to everyone in the industry I’d love for them to understand that when we suggest, or do things it’s always in the best interest of their furry family member. However, I think the most important thing I see in the waiting room is making sure cats are secured in carriers and dogs kept on short leashes. It’s so stressful to be at the vet, cats don’t like cars, and dogs smell a million and one things going on, everyone (including owners) are anxious while here. It’s important to keep them all away from each other. Small spaces is not the place to have them make new friends, they all react so differently that it can and has become very dangerous. So mostly I would always say keep your kitties closed in their carriers and keep your pups on short leashes and next to you at all times. 

Kristen Buehler BS LVT

How long have you been at GBVCC?
About 4 years now

How many pets do you have?
I have two dogs, Toby, a wire haired dachshund mix, and Zoe an energetic pit-bull mix. I also just got 6 caterpillars that I’m really excited to watch grow and turn in to butterflies!

What pet do you wish you could have?
I would love to have a cat! They’re so independent, smart and super sassy!- If you weren’t working at GBVCC what would you be doing? I’d 100% be traveling the world! There is nothing (aside from animals) I love more! 

Did you go to school to be a technician?
I did! I attended Westchester Community College to get my license, but I got my degree in psychology from Pace University. I switched to animals because it was such a passion of mine, I remember being a little girl and wanting to be a veterinarian. This allows me more freedoms to travel.

Shannon O'Neill-Nelson

How long have you worked at GBVCC?
Over 3 years now. My anniversary is every April!

What Animals do you have at home?
I have 2 Dogs, Ruby and Baxter, and one Cat Ouji (perfect cat boy)

If you could have any animal in the world, what would it be?
A BEAR! Definitely a Bear, I love Bears, everything bears all the time… I even have a pencil case that’s a bear (his name is Sir Bearington), and several items through my home that are bears… I kinda wish I was a Bear…

If you weren’t working in veterinary medicine, or at GBVCC what would you be doing?
I would probably be pursuing my PhD in Mathematics. Working in calculus and research, perhaps even a Mathematics professor at a University somewhere.

If there was one thing you wish clients knew, what would it be?
I wish they understood the effort of and emotion we put forth for what we do. Almost everything we do in this industry is equal to what they do in human medicine, yet our patients can’t tell us what is wrong.

Holly

How long have you been at GBVCC?
21 Years but who’s counting! 

How many pets do you have?
I currently have 5 cats and 2 dogs. I do a bit of work with my community where I live helping to find homes for some of the cats in the neighborhood! 

If you could have any pet what would it be?
I would LOVE to have a baby kangaroo! I sometimes wish I lived in Australia, I just love so much about it and the animals that are originally from there, and I would love to have in my home full time always!

If you weren’t in this profession, or working at GBVCC what would you be doing?
If I wasn’t in veterinary medicine I’d probably be landscaping, maybe owning my own landscaping company. It’s one of my other passions, I love getting out of the hospital and either working in the gardens there or at home. I have a beautiful vegetable garden at home that’s my pride and joy every year, I mean aside from my son and husband that is!

If there was one thing you really wanted clients to know, what would it be?
One thing I’d really like clients to know is how important Health Insurance is for their pet(s). This is sometimes the difference of a lifesaving treatment or having to say goodbye to your loved one.  It adds extra security to your ownership, you know there will be some reimbursement. 

Janet MacPhee

How long have you worked at GBVCC?
A little over 20 years! I can’t believe how fast time flies!

How many pets do you have?
I have two amazing cats, Jasmine and Hooper. Unless you also count husbands? Just kidding, the kitties run my whole house!

If you could have ANY pet in the entire world what would it be?
I would probably have a Red Panda, they’re just so stinkin cute!

If you weren’t working at GBVCC what would you be doing?
When I first started out I was working kennels, and got in to grooming. After several years I started taking Grooming courses and became certified. If I wasn’t working at GBVCC I’d probably own my own grooming salon which was the goal in the beginning. 

If you could let clients know one thing, what would it be?
Probably that mats hurt! Regular brushing and grooming in general is a huge help. When we get a severely matted dog or cat on the table its torture for them to with stand getting them combed out. We all know that sometimes it’s unavoidable, however regular brushing can help a lot! 

Ashley

Aaron