Meet the Avian and Exotics Team in Boston

Elena Buernrostro, DVM (Avian and Exotic Medicine)

EDUCATION
University of Sydney – Sydney School of Veterinary Science, DVM

SPECIALTY TRAINING
Angell Animal Medical Center, Avian & Exotic Specialty Internship, 2022-2023

Brendan Noonan, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice)

Dr. Noonan figured out early on in life he was interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine while surrounding himself with exotic animals as pets.  After graduating high school, he went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in animal science from Cornell University in 2005 followed by his doctorate in veterinary medicine in 2009.  His strong interest in exotic animal medicine, particularly avian, led him south toward warmer weather to complete an internship with Dr. Kelleher at Broward Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital in Coral Springs, Florida.  He was fortunate enough to go back to Cornell in 2010 to pursue his ultimate goal of an ABVP (avian) residency with Cornell’s exotic animal medicine service.  He finished his 3 year residency in July of 2013 and joined the Angell exotics team in September 2013. When he is not at the clinic Dr. Noonan enjoys spending time with his Hyacinth macaw, Umbrella cockatoo, pair of Curl-crested aracaris, Eastern rosella parakeet, flock of fancy chickens, and 2 dogs.

EDUCATION
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, DVM, 2009

SPECIALTY TRAINING
Broward Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital, Internship, 2010
Cornell University Hospital for Animals, Avian/Exotics Resident 2010-2013

CERTIFICATION
Diplomate, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Avian Specialty, 2013

Elisabeth Simone-Freilicher, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice)

Dr. Simone-Freilicher is one of less than 140 doctors in the world who are board-certified in Avian Medicine.  She has also completed specialty training in Exotic Medicine, including rabbit and rodent dentistry, medical and surgical treatment of ferret diseases, and reptile medicine and surgery. Dr. Simone-Freilicher is available by appointment for primary care as well as consultation or referral of avian and exotic cases.

Dr. Simone-Freilicher has over 20 years’ experience in pet bird biology, husbandry, behavior, and medicine. In 2010 she was recognized by the Association of Avian Veterinarians for “outstanding service and commitment to advancing and promoting avian medicine and stewardship.”

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Simone-Freilicher has written numerous articles forVeterinary Practice News, Critters USA, andRabbits USA, as well as peer-reviewed case reports for the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Simone-Freilicher has provided educational lectures at meetings and events, and strongly believes that the better educated the pet owner, the better care the pet receives, which can prevent many uneccessary medical conditions.

EDUCATION

College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University, DVM, 2002

SPECIALTY TRAINING

West Hills Animal Hospital, Residency in Companion Avian and Exotic Animal Medicine, 2002-2005

CERTIFICATION

Diplomate, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Avian Specialty, 2006

Patrick Sullivan, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice)

Dr. Patrick Sullivan has always had an interest in exotic animals, keeping several different species growing up. Upon finishing an undergraduate degree at Mount Ida College, he went on to receive his doctorate in veterinary medicine from St. George’s University in 2009. After practicing in the Boston area for 4 years, Dr. Sullivan accepted a position as an Avian and Exotics intern at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. Following his internship, he completed an Avian & Zoological Medicine residency at The University of Tennessee in Knoxville. During his residency, he was able to work with companion exotic animals, as well as zoo and native wild animals. Working with conservation groups provided him with the opportunity to treat American black bears, bald eagles and non-domestic felines such as tigers, lions, leopards, and mountain lions. Dr. Sullivan finished his residency in July of 2017 and was thrilled to be able to come back home to Massachusetts to join the team at Angell.  In his free time, he enjoys live music, following Boston sports, and traveling.

Education
St. George’s University DVM 2009
Mount Ida College BS 2004

Specialty Training
Angell Animal Medical Center, Avian & Exotics Internship, 2013-14
University Of Tennessee, Residency, 2014-17

CERTIFICATION
Diplomate, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Avian Specialty, 2018

Giana Fontana, Avian and Exotics Assistant

Giana came to Angell Animal Medical Center in the summer of 2018 after graduating from Mount Ida college with her bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology. Giana is passionate about working with the avian and exotics department, and harbors a particular interest in her avian and reptile patients. In her spare time, Giana enjoys spending time with family and friends, pet sitting, and loves to hang out with her Beagle, Stewie and her cockatiel Kabuki.

Gailyn Gaskell, CVT, VTS (CP-Exotic Animal), Lead Avian/Exotics Technician

Gailyn is a graduate from Mount Ida College and has been a Certified Veterinary Technician since 2008. She previously worked at a hospital where she kept active in the emergency, critical care, surgery and general practice departments. Since college she has had a special interest in exotic pets and began her career at Angell in June 2013. In 2017 she obtained the title of VTS in Clinical Practice – Exotic Companion Animal. Gailyn and her family share their home with 2 small dogs, a cat, rabbit, green cheek conure, leopard gecko and her flock of chickens. In her free time she enjoys hiking, spending time with family and friends, and the occasional white water rafting.

Hayley, Avian and Exotic Assistant

Hayley graduated from UMass Amherst with a Bachelor’s in Biology in 2020. She has gained experience as an assistant at both Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey, with their Avian and Exotic department, and at Somerville Veterinary Center here in Massachusetts before joining the Avian and Exotic team at Angell-West. In her free time, Hayley enjoys baking and exploring the outdoors. She aspires to one day be a Conservationist and is enrolled in Tufts University’s Masters in Biology program.

Deb Kennedy, Avian and Exotics Assistant

From early childhood, Deborah has had an affinity for small animals and always cared for one or more at home.  At the end of first grade, her teacher, impressed with this natural gift, gave her the classroom pet (a Guinea pig named “Robert”) to take home and care for.

After receiving a B.S. in rehabilitation counseling from Boston University, Deborah joined Vinfen Corporation of Boston for several years as a counselor. Her urge to work with birds and exotic animals drew her to the pet industry where for several years she managed the avian departments of pet stores, gaining a wide-ranging knowledge of avian health issues and honing her skills in caring for birds.

In 2001, Deborah was recruited to join the staff of the Angell Avian/Exotics service. Her work here over the years has fulfilled her ambition to deepen her knowledge and understanding of the medical aspects of avian and exotics care.  She is recognized in particular for her skills in handling and caring for the avian species and in neonate care.  As a veterinary assistant for over 12 years, she has assisted avian exotics specialists, interns and residents performing diagnostic procedures, inducing and monitoring anesthesia, taking medical histories, and educating clients to care for their pets. In some quarters at Angell, Deborah is known as “the Bird Whisperer.”

At home, she lives with her husband, two 23-year old Moluccan cockatoos (Lucas and Ashley), a 23-year old Nanday conure (Matilda) and an 18-year-old, Black-headed caique (Scooter).

Kerianne Durgin, Client Care Coordinator, Oncology, Avian and Exotics

Kerianne first joined Angell in 2017 as a Client Care Specialist. In August 2018, she moved to her current positon as a Client Care Coordinator, working with our Oncology and Avian/Exotic services. Kerianne graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2016 with a Business and Sociology Degree. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, traveling, and most of all spending time with her Pit Bull, Mylee.