Our Team
Specialists in Specialty and Emergency Care
Our team of board certified veterinarians works closely with your primary care veterinarian to ensure your pet receives exceptional medical care every step of the way. Combining advanced training, clinical expertise, and compassion, our specialists are dedicated to providing the highest level of specialty and emergency veterinary medicine in a state of the art facility.
We are committed to guiding you through every stage of your pet's treatment and recovery while delivering compassionate care focused on achieving the best possible outcome for your pet.
To learn more about the dedicated professionals who make our hospital exceptional, please click on a doctor's name below.
Acupuncture & Alternative Therapies
- Diane Gabriel, VMD, CVA, CVCHM
Dr. Gabriel joined Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in October 2012.
Dr. Diane Gabriel graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2001 and received her certification in Veterinary Acupuncture from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 2007. She has been practicing integrative holistic veterinary medicine exclusively for over three years and performing acupuncture since 2006.
Dr. Diane Gabriel focuses her practice on integrative medicine. This approach utilizes more natural and gentle remedies coupled with traditional medicine to aid in healing and promote wellness. Dr. Gabriel creates individualized protocols for each patient, based on his/her specific needs. Her assessments include a comprehensive physical exam of the patient and an in-depth discussion with owners regarding nutrition, daily exercise and the personality of the patient.
Integrative medicine is beneficial to both young and senior pets. Dr. Gabriel utilizes a combination of Chinese and Western Herbs, Homotoxicology/Homeopathy, Nutraceuticals, Kinesiology, Nutrition and Acupuncture/Aquapuncture along with conventional veterinary medicine. Patients suffering from diseases such as osteoarthritis, skin disorders, allergies, kidney disease, anxiety, seizure disorders, and cancer may positively respond to integrative therapies.
Behavioral Therapy
- Robin Stephan, Animal Behavior Consultant
Robin Stephan joined Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in September of 2012.
Robin Stephan graduated from the University of Hartford, Hartford Connecticut Summa Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. She also graduated from the Canine Training and Management Program (Level I) and the Canine Behavior Program (Level II) which is accredited through Kutztown University and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.
Over the past ten years, Robin has worked with a vast variety of dogs as a trainer. She worked with Randy Krommer doing police dog and pet dog training. For the last two and a half years she has been teaching a Family Pet Dog Training class at Schuykill Veterinary Hospital. Along with teaching classes, Robin also does in-home training and behavior related consultations.
She provides boarding for dogs with behavior problems or health conditions that require extra care and are not accepted at a kennel.
Cardiology
- Meg Sleeper, VMD, DACVIM (Cardiology)
Dr. Sleeper joined Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in June 2011 and is board certified in Cardiology.
Dr. Meg Sleeper graduated cum laude from the veterinary school of the University of Pennsylvania in 1993. Following an internship in private practice, she returned to the University of Pennsylvania for a residency in cardiology, which was completed in 1997. Since that time, with the exception of 1 year in private practice she has worked in the section of cardiology and has been section chief of cardiology since 2001. In 2008 she was promoted to associate professor of cardiology-clinician educator track at the University of Pennsylvania.
Her research initially focused on the identification and characterization of juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy in Portuguese water dogs and has led to several ongoing studies, including most recently the evaluation of various candidate genes for use in a therapeutic gene transfer approach to improve cardiac function in failing hearts. Ultimately the goal is to translate this work to gene transfer treatment approaches for canine idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and human heart failure. Studies are also underway evaluating therapeutic gene transfer approaches to treat cardiac and skeletal muscle dysfunction in X-linked muscular dystrophy golden retriever dogs.
Emergency
- Caitlin Leone, DVM
Dr. Caitlin Leone joined Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in 2020.
Dr. Leone graduated from Ross University Veterinary School and did her clinical training at Kansas State University. She worked as a general practice veterinarian since her 2016 graduation in Pittsburgh, PA, Nashville, TN, and Rochester, NY.
She is excited to make the transition to emergency medicine with other interests in soft tissue surgery, laceration repair, and ophthalmology.
She grew up in upstate NY and now lives in Bethlehem, PA with her husband and her two dogs, Della and Looper. In her free time she likes to run, hike, travel, and visit with her family.
- Mark Meyerhoff, DVM
Dr. Mark D. Meyerhoff joined Valley Central Referral and Emergency Center in 2018 and recently again in 2025. Dr. Meyerhoff is originally from North Eastern Connecticut. He received a BA in Zoology at the University of California, Davis in 1988 and completed the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996. Dr. Meyerhoff completed a private practice internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Tropicana Animal Hospital in Las Vegas, NV and attended a VIRMP internship in small animal emergency and critical care medicine at the Pet ER in Towson, MD.
Dr. Meyerhoff has served as a FEMA instructor for the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Medical Team Training and served in Operation Noble Eagle providing medical assistance to search and recovery dogs of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia.
Dr. Meyerhoff lives in Northumberland County Pennsylvania with his wife Tara and children Alexandra and Seth. Outside of work, Dr. Meyerhoff enjoys visiting The Thousand Islands region of Upstate New York, history, hiking with the dogs, horses, mountain biking and baseball.
- Jeanette Rilling, VMD, MS
Dr. Jeanette Rilling joined Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in 2021.
Dr. Jeanette Rilling was born and raised in Bucks County, growing up in Bensalem, PA. She moved to Upper Bucks after high school and obtained her undergraduate education from Delaware Valley College. She graduated from University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2000 and also completed a post-doctoral Master's at East Stroudsburg University in 2005. Dr. Rilling has been a Lehigh Valley resident for over 30 years.
Dr. Rilling has always had a strong passion for animals. She says, "As a child I used every trick in the book to bring home new creatures, often to the dismay of my folks. They were always supportive - even after finding an alligator in my bathtub!" Before veterinary school she worked as a cruelty investigator for the Bucks County SPCA, where she obtained the first felony dog fighting conviction in Pennsylvania. Her commitment to providing compassionate care for animals has been unwavering over the years.
In her free time she likes to relax with her husband traveling, working out and jet skiing, as well as movies and dining out.
- Lori Schluth, VMD
Dr. Lori Schluth joined Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in 2017.
She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2008 and has been working in emergency medicine since 2010. She completed a one year internship at the ASPCA in New York followed by work as an emergency clinician and as a staff veterinarian at an animal shelter.
Her professional interests include emergency and critical care medicine, soft tissue surgery, anesthesia and pain management.
She is from the Philadelphia suburban area and shares her home with her husband and their English Setter, Max. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking with Max, going to the beach, and visiting her family in Florida.
- Chris Smith, VMD
Dr. Chris Smith rejoined Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in 2024.
Dr. Christopher Smith is a dedicated and experienced emergency veterinarian with over 30 years in the veterinary profession. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1992 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Pathobiology from the University of Connecticut. Dr. Smith's journey in veterinary medicine began as a volunteer at the young age of 15, and he has since developed a profound expertise in emergency veterinary care. Throughout his career, Dr. Smith has held numerous leadership roles and served as a medical director of several practices since 1998.
He is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS), continuously learning about advancements in emergency veterinary medicine.
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Smith enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, kids, and their 4 legged companions. His hobbies include fishing, attending music concerts, singing, playing guitar, and traveling.
- Amanda Teter, VMD
Dr. Amanda Teter joined Valley Central Referral and Emergency Center in 2018.
Dr. Teter grew up in Lansdale, PA.She completed her BS in Biology at King's College in Wilkes-Barre, PA in 2000.She worked as a radiology technician at the Ryan Veterinary Hospital for Companion Animals at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia before returning to school.She received her degree in veterinary medicine in 2005 from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Teter worked for 7 years as a primary care veterinarian in Schuylkill County Pennsylvania. She also worked as the Assistant Director at an online college and career school.For 5 years, she taught students in the veterinary technician, veterinary assistant, dog obedience trainer, and other animal-related programs. Her professional interests include emergency medicine, dermatology,integrative medicine, and continuing education.
Dr. Teter lives in Schuylkill County with her husband and daughter.She also has a small flock of chickens.In her free time, she enjoys knitting, reading, making wine, and spending time outdoors.
Internal Medicine
- Candace Carter, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Dr. Candace Carter joined Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in August of 2003 and is board certified in internal medicine.
Dr. Carter graduated from the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996 and then completed a one-year small animal rotating internship at Rowley Memorial Animal Hospital in Springfield, Massachusetts. She practiced small animal medicine locally as an associate at Walbert Animal Hospital in Allentown, PA, from 1997-1999. She went on to complete a small animal medicine residency at Michigan State University from 1999-2002. She spent one year as a clinical instructor at the University of Pennsylvania before returning to practice in the Lehigh Valley at Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center in 2003.
Dr. Carter interests include immune-mediated disease and hematological disorders. She continues to find all facets of internal medicine rewarding. She is able to perform endoscopy, colonoscopy, rhinoscopy, cystoscopy, bronchoscopy and ultrasonography to meet a variety of diagnostic challenges. Dr. Carter strives to provide quality medical care and answers so that her clients can make educated decisions regarding the welfare of their beloved pets.
- Ronald Hodges, DVM, PC, DACVIM (Owner - Co-Hospital Director - Chief of Internal Medicine)
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Dr. Ronald Hodges is an owner and senior internist at Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center. He has been board certified in internal medicine since 1996 and has been caring for pets in the Lehigh Valley since 1997.
After graduating from Tuskegee University, School of Veterinary Medicine in 1987, Dr. Hodges completed a one-year small animal internship at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville, Florida. He then completed a small animal residency at the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville, Tennessee. In 1991, he joined on as a small animal practitioner at Wyncote Animal Hospital. He became CEO and owner of the Small Animal Veterinary Internal Medicine Referral Hospital of Langhorne, Pennsylvania in 1994. In 1997, he became the owner and CEO of the internal medicine department of Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center.
A high achiever since childhood, Dr. Hodges was valedictorian of his high school and was on the honor roll, Dean's list, and graduated within the top 10% of his class at Tuskegee University. In 1991, he received a Small Animal Internal Medicine Resident Teaching Award from the University of Tennessee. He was also awarded the Tuskegee University Eastern Regional Achiever Award in 2001. Dr. Hodges co-hosts the Animal Doctor Show on Channel 69 WFMZ-TV Allentown, PA, with Kathy Craine. He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Inc.
Dr. Hodges has authored several publications and continues to provide conference presentations and continuing education seminars.
In his spare time Dr. Hodges enjoys traveling, scuba diving, watching the Eagles and spending time with this children.
Nuclear Medicine
- Ronald Hodges, DVM, PC, DACVIM (Owner - Co-Hospital Director - Chief of Internal Medicine)
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Dr. Ronald Hodges is an owner and senior internist at Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center. He has been board certified in internal medicine since 1996 and has been caring for pets in the Lehigh Valley since 1997.
After graduating from Tuskegee University, School of Veterinary Medicine in 1987, Dr. Hodges completed a one-year small animal internship at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville, Florida. He then completed a small animal residency at the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville, Tennessee. In 1991, he joined on as a small animal practitioner at Wyncote Animal Hospital. He became CEO and owner of the Small Animal Veterinary Internal Medicine Referral Hospital of Langhorne, Pennsylvania in 1994. In 1997, he became the owner and CEO of the internal medicine department of Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center.
A high achiever since childhood, Dr. Hodges was valedictorian of his high school and was on the honor roll, Dean's list, and graduated within the top 10% of his class at Tuskegee University. In 1991, he received a Small Animal Internal Medicine Resident Teaching Award from the University of Tennessee. He was also awarded the Tuskegee University Eastern Regional Achiever Award in 2001. Dr. Hodges co-hosts the Animal Doctor Show on Channel 69 WFMZ-TV Allentown, PA, with Kathy Craine. He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Inc.
Dr. Hodges has authored several publications and continues to provide conference presentations and continuing education seminars.
In his spare time Dr. Hodges enjoys traveling, scuba diving, watching the Eagles and spending time with this children.
Oncology
- Craig Clifford, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology)
Dr. Craig Clifford graduated from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine and received an MS in Animal Science/Virology from the University of Delaware. After completing an internship and a medical oncology residency at the University of Pennsylvania, he became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology) in 2003. He is a medical oncologist at BluePearl Malvern and was previously the director of BluePearl Science.
He is active in clinical research within a referral setting and serves as an advisory board member with industry and non-profit foundations. He has authored/co-authored over 70 papers and book chapters and is a frequent lecturer at major veterinary meetings in the USA and abroad. Dr. Clifford is a member of the VCA Pet Cancer Care Alliance Committee, has served on many VCS and ACVIM committees, is a member of the Oncology Pathology Working Group, and was an Examiner for the Australian Scientist's Oncology Specialty Exam.
- Christine Mullin, VMD, DACVIM (Oncology)
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology)
Dr. Mullin joined Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in August of 2015 and is board-certified in Oncology.
Dr. Christine Mullin is a native of Cherry Hill, NJ. She graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Biology from The College of New Jersey where she was also captain of the women's soccer team, playing in two NCAA Division III National Championship games. She then attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated summa cum laude. Dr. Mullin completed a one-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in NJ. She subsequently completed a three-year residency at The Oncology Service in the Washington DC metro area and obtained board certification in Medical Oncology from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Dr. Mullin has a strong interest in clinical research and has served as a co-investigator for multiple clinical trials through the Animal Clinical Investigation network. Her professional accomplishments include publication of several co-authored journal articles and book chapters, being awarded a clinical research grant from Pfizer as an intern, and designing and implementing a multi-institutional prospective clinical trial as a resident.
During her residency, Dr. Mullin conducted extracurricular bench top research in osteosarcoma within the Pediatric Oncology Branch at the NIH National Cancer Institute. She was recently awarded the Amiya Patnaik Memorial Award for Most Outstanding Resident Basic Science Research at the 2014 Veterinary Cancer Society conference for this work.
She lives in NJ with her husband as well as their German shepherd and 2 cats.
- Rebecca Risbon, VMD, DACVIM (Oncology)
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology)
Dr. Risbon joined Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in December 2019 and is board certified in Oncology.
Dr. Rebecca Risbon has been board certified in medical oncology by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine since 2007. Dr. Risbon has a strong interest in immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and canine histiocytic sarcoma.
Dr. Risbon graduated from University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2003. She completed her one-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital. She then completed her three-year residency in medical oncology at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital.
Dr. Risbon currently lives in Montgomery County with her husband, son and her black Labs Willowbee. She enjoys traveling,reading, running, and hiking with her dogs.
Surgery
- Guy DeNardo, DVM (Practice Limited to Surgery)
Bio coming soon!
- Carlos Hodges, DVM, MS, PC (Practice Limited to Surgery) (Owner - Co-Hospital Director - Chief of Surgery)
Practice Limited to Surgery
Dr. Carlos Hodges is an owner and surgeon at Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center and has been caring for pets in the Lehigh Valley area since 1996.
Dr. Hodges comes from a family of veterinarians. His father is a retired general practitioner in Philadelphia and he works with his brother, a veterinary internist. Dr. Hodges graduated from Tuskegee University, School of Veterinary Medicine in 1985. He completed a one-year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery from 1985-86. Dr. Hodges completed a one-year fellowship in surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, completing a research project in veterinary dentistry under the guidance of Dr. Colin Harvey. Dr. Hodges completed a surgical residency at Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine from 1987-90. His research was in chylothorax under the guidance of Dr. Terry Fossum. In 1990, Dr. Hodges accepted an appointment as Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery and Orthopedics at the teaching hospital of the Texas Veterinary Medical Center at Texas A&M University from 1990-96, working with Dr. Don Hulse. He remained in that capacity with interests in soft tissue surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, and veterinary dentistry until June of 1996 when he began the surgical practice at Valley Central.
Dr. Hodges' surgical interests include but are not limited to soft tissue surgery, neurosurgery, and orthopedics. He is certified in the Kyon TTA & Total Hip, and performs TPLO and Tight Rope surgeries for the cruciate deficient stifle. Dr. Hodges is also certified in the Biomedtrix Total Knee Replacement. He performs minimally invasive orthopedic (arthroscopy, ACL, & fracture fixation), soft tissue surgery (gastropexy, ovariohysterectomy, bladder stone removal, etc), and thoracoscopy procedures (lung biopsy, pericardectomy).
Dr. Hodges won the research portion of the ACVS residents competition in 1990. He is a member of the AVMA, AAHA, and PVMA. Dr. Hodges co-hosts the Animal Doctor Show on Channel 69 WFMZ-TV Allentown, PA, with Kathy Craine. He is also a frequent participant on MyFox Philly 29 and WCAU-TV Philadelphia. Dr. Hodges has hosted a Wednesday's Foster Child segment sponsored by Freddie Mac from WCAU-TV Philadelphia. The segment won the PVMA's Media Award in 2004.
Dr. Hodges and his wife, Ardeth, have a daughter, Raya, and a cat, Sophina. Outside the hospital, he enjoys cycling, scuba diving, wine and beer tasting, golf, traveling, and hiking.
- Nicole Salas, DVM, DACVS (Surgery)
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Dr. Salas, a native of New Jersey, graduated from Cornell University with a bachelors in animal science. After graduation she traveled to Grenada , West Indies where she attended St. George's University, School of Veterinary Medicine. Her clinical year was completed at North Caroline State University. She did a rotating internship at Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialists in New York City, a surgical internship at Affiliated Veterinary Specialists, in Maitland Florida, then a surgical residency at VSEC in Langhorne Pennsylvania.
Following her residency Dr Salas moved south to Tampa Florida where she practiced at a large multi specialty and emergency hospital. She was the director of the internship program and helped train residents. Dr. Salas was also a surgical consultant for Busch Gardens and was filmed for the television show Wildlife Docs.
Wanting to move back North to introduce her twin daughters to the seasons, Dr Salas returned to Pennsylvania in 2017. Dr Salas was the surgeon and medical director of a specialty and emergency hospital in Conshohocken PA. She loves all surgeries, but has special interest in biliary surgery.
- Lindsay Schmidt, DVM
Practice Limited to Surgery
Dr. Schmidt joined our Surgery team in June 2022. Originally from Montana, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University in 2008. After five years in general practice in Montana and Washington, she decided to pursue her love of surgery. Dr. Schmidt successfully completed several surgical internships in St. Louis, Chicago, and Baltimore, followed by a surgical residency at Hope Veterinary Specialists in 2019.
Dr. Schmidt is well-versed in a variety of surgical procedures with special interest in soft tissue, oncologic, minimally invasive, orthopedic, and neurologic procedures.
In her free time, Dr. Schmidt enjoys traveling, gardening, and spending time with family and her fur babies.
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