Hospital Staff
Our Hospital Veterinary Team
At Adorable Pets Veterinary Center, our caring staff takes pride in taking the time necessary to give skilled treatment by utilizing cutting-edge tools, drugs, and techniques. We handle your dogs with dependable skills and sensitive, compassionate touch, just as if they were our own pets.
Dr. Bernie Aleksey
Veterinarian
Dr. Bernadette Aleksey, (please call her Dr. Bernie), graduated magna cum laude from Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine in 2003. She is a member of the veterinary honor society, PHI ZETA, and was a recipient of the Valerie Bates Humanitarian Award. Prior to becoming a veterinarian, she was a practicing Enrolled Actuary and an Associate of the Society of Actuaries for over 13 years jetting around presenting retirement projections to multi-billion dollar conglomerates.
Dr. Bernie’s passion for learning continues. She has completed over 200 hours of instruction, successfully passed a two-day IVAS examination, 40 hours of internship, and a grueling 14-page case study in order to become a certified veterinary acupuncturist (CVA). She has recently earned the Graduate Diploma of Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine, (GDVCHM) after 480 hours of instruction, multiple case studies, and publishing papers for the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies (CIVT). Dr. Bernie treats the whole patient by integrating Chinese Herbal Therapy, Chinese Acupuncture, and Laser Therapy with traditional western Veterinary Medicine on an individual-patient basis.
Dr. Bernie recently earned her Certification in Veterinary Manual Manipulation (CVMM) from the Chi University of Florida. The training consisted of 2 sessions that took place online plus 3 five-day sessions at the spacious Chi University campus in Ocala, Florida. In this 128-hour CVMM program, 40 hours are dedicated to intensive learning in hands-on wet labs. Her degree allows her to perform hands-on treatments on her patients and adds another specialty skill set to treat the whole pet’s health.
So, her alphabet soup of veterinary specialties on her business card is Bernadette Aleksey, DVM, CVA, GdiplVCHM, and CVMMP.
Dr. Bernie is still welcoming new TCVM clients. She performs acupuncture and laser therapy on felines, canines, and pocket pets in Middlesex County.
Dr. Bernie’s most memorable experience from veterinary school was looking forward to palpating dairy cows in the middle of winter after trudging through a quarter-mile of waist-deep snow! To date, the most unusual pet treated was a rooster for a prolapsed cloaca!
Dr. Bernie is married to her soulmate, Tom Ceniglio, and has two vivacious and gorgeous teenagers. She enjoys traveling and then being home with her family and her pets: Macy (Boxer mix), Jayde, Taz, Mercie, Charlie & Aries (Cats), Geo (Oberhasli Goat), Captain Tuttle (Russian Desert Tortoise).
Suzanne Banks
Practice Manager & Certified Veterinary Technician
Sue graduated from Becker College with an Associate of Science Degree in Veterinary Technology. In 2006 she was recertified in veterinary technology through the AVMA. Sue is a mother of 2 very rambunctious boys. They spend a lot of time participating in TaeKwonDo and soccer. In the summer, they can always be found at the Waterford Speed Bowl. Sue met Dr. Bernie in Orlando, FL during a veterinary conference.
Wendy Abrams
Client Liaison and Certified Veterinary Assistant
Wendy completed her Veterinary Assistant training at Middlesex Community College in 2012. Prior to pursuing her interest in the Veterinary field, Wendy managed the Creative Department at Ogilvy & Mather in New York City. Wendy holds a BA in Sociology from Goucher College. As a caring and committed Client Liaison and Veterinary Assistant, Wendy enjoys working with clients and their “adorable pets” in an environment focused on providing exceptional care and state-of-the-art integrative medicine. Outside of work, she can be found baking, canoeing, scuba diving, and playing with her spirited Goldendoodle named Gracie.
Kate Simshauer
Certified Veterinary Assistant
Kate came to East Haddam 12 years ago from New York. At that time she began working as a Realtor in the Shoreline area. Animals have always been Kate’s first love though and the transition to the Veterinary field was only natural. She couldn’t be happier for the opportunity to build a career in the health and wellness of animals with the help of such experienced professionals like Dr. Bernie and the rest of the staff at Adorable Pets. When she’s not at the clinic Kate enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with family which includes two much-loved pets.
Heather Trotochaud
Certified Veterinary Assistant
Heather completed the Veterinary Assistant Program at Middlesex Community College in 2012. After four years she decided to try another profession with animals to gain extra skills and went to Connecticut K-9 Education Center in 2016 and completed the grooming course. She worked at New Inn Kennels for four years as a groomer as well as taking some veterinary technician classes at Northwestern Connecticut Community College. She wanted to come back to the animal science profession and came to work at Adorable Pets Veterinary Center. In her spare time Heather enjoys going hiking, spending time with her family, going out with friends, and of course, spending time with her dog Benjamin.
Christy Page
Client Liaison
Christy is excited to begin her career in the veterinary field at Adorable Pets and looks forward to applying her years of customer service experience to our furry and nonfurry customers alike. When not at work she can be found in her garden with her two cats or pursuing her interest in Medieval reenactment.
Dylan Barillaro
Veterinary Assistant
In May 2024, as a Junior in the Veterinary Science Program at Vinal Technical High School, Dylan achieved his Level 1 Veterinary Assistant Certification. His passion for aiding animals unable to help themselves led him to enroll in the program. Dylan plans to become a certified veterinary technician and potentially attend veterinary school. In his free time, he enjoys camping, quality time with his family, socializing with friends, and spending time with his dog and two cats.