Dr. Jeff D. Bay, DVM, DACVIM
Specialty: Small Animal Internal Medicine

"An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language." - Martin Buber

Jeff is a graduate of the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine (1996). After obtaining his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM), he completed a one year rotating internship at the Alameda East Veterinary Hospital (known for the series “Emergency Vets” on Animal Planet). His training was completed with a Small Animal Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Missouri.

He obtained board certification from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2000. After completion of his residency, Jeff spent 4 years at a large, multi-specialty referral center in western Massachusetts before moving to the Midwest to start an Internal Medicine service at a hospital in Wisconsin.

Dr. Bay offers a wide variety of services for your referred patient, including diagnostics and therapy for difficult internal medicine cases, abdominal ultrasonography and ultrasound-guided biopsies, a full range of endoscopy services (gastrointestinal, nasal and lower respiratory, and urogenital) and chemotherapy. Jeff enjoys all aspects of Internal Medicine practice, but finds it especially rewarding just helping families keep their pets happy and healthy for as long as possible.

Dr. Bay moved to the Capital District in early 2007. He spends time outside of work with his wife Sue, young sons Jaxton and Rogan, and several four-legged children.

Dr. M. Faulkner Besancon, DVM, DACVS
Specialty: Surgery

"If all the animals were gone, man would die from great loneliness of spirit." - Chief Seattle

 Dr. Besancon is a New England native, born and raised in Connecticut. He received his undergraduate degree with honors in Biology form Northeastern University in 1993. He went to veterinary school at Iowa State University and received a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 1997. He continued his training by completing a 1 year rotating internship in Small Animal Medicine & Surgery and a 2-year internship in Small Animal Surgery at the South Shore Animal Hospital in Weymouth, MA. He then returned to Iowa State for a 1 year Orthopedic Fellowship before completing his surgical training with a 3-year Small Animal Surgical Residency at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Besancon received board certification as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (DACVS) in February, 2005. 

Dr. Besancon enjoys all aspects of veterinary surgery, but is particularly interested in minimally invasive techniques (arthroscopy, thoracoscopy, and laparoscopy), orthopedic and neurologic surgeries, and oncologic surgery. He has written or co-authored many scientific articles, most recently publishing in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and Veterinary Surgery.

Dr. Todd M. Bishop , DVM, DACVIM
Specialty: Neurology/Neurosurgery

"All of the animals except for man know that the principle business of life is to enjoy it." - Samuel Butler

Todd is a native of the mid-Hudson Valley, obtained his veterinary degree with distinction from Cornell University in 2003, and was the recipient of a number of awards recognizing his commitment and achievements during his academic training. He did his rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he received additional recognition for excellence in teaching. After the internship Todd entered private practice, working as an associate in a small animal hospital in Rochester, NY before continuing his training in a Neurology internship at the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in central New Jersey. Todd stayed on at Red Bank for a 3-year Neurology and Neurosurgery residency that culminated in board certification in the specialty of Neurology by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in July, 2009.

Todd has an interest in clinical research but primarily enjoys helping clients with animals that have neurologic disorders live longer and happier lives. He is excited about moving back to New York to begin working with the practitioners in the Capital District on their challenging neurology cases. .

Dr. N. Joel Edwards, DVM, DACVIM
Specialty: Cardiology

"If it doesn't affect eternity it isn't worth worrying about." - Anonymous

Joel is a 1964 graduate of the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, became a Diplomate of the American College of Internal Medicine specializing in Cardiology in 1978 and operated a private referral practice specializing in cardiovascular diseases for 22 years prior to his semi-retirement in 2000. Joel has authored numerous scientific articles and two textbooks on electrocardiography. His principle professional interests are in the management of clinical cardiovascular diseases of animals.

Currently Joel remains semi-retired, continuing to see patients on a scheduled basis. His personal interests are hiking, golf, gardening, woodworking and outdoor sports. Joel is one of three founders of Community Caregivers, Inc. a local non profit organization caring for those in need.

He is active in his church having served multiple terms as both deacon and elder. Joel is married to his soul mate Cindy, has three children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild and at any given time can be easily convinced to brag about them. His motto: "I'd rather wear out than rust out."

Dr. Andrea Looney,DVM, DACVA, CCRP
Specialty: Anesthesia, Rehabilitation and Palliative Care

"Whoever said you can't find happiness forgot about my little dog." - Gene Hill

Dr. Andrea Looney graduated from Cornell University in 1989 obtaining her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM). After working in private practice for several years, she returned to Cornell University for further instructorship in community practice and emergency medicine. Dr. Looney completed her residency in anesthesia in 1997 and took a position at Angell Animal Medical Center in Springfield and Boston working in anesthesia and intensive care. In 2004, she became Chief Medical Officer of Tufts Veterinary Emergency and Treatment Specialties, and Clinical Assistant Professor at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. In 2007, Dr. Looney accepted a position at Cornell University Hospital for Animals as a lecturer in Anesthesia, Rehabilitation and Palliative Care. Dr. Looney is board certified in anesthesiology, has been trained and certified in acupuncture and rehabilitation, and is currently undergoing training in animal chiropractic.

She currently holds an adjunct title at Cornell University but is extremely happy to return to the Capital District (a native of the area) and to join the staff at Upstate Veterinary Specialties. Her areas of focus include anesthesiology, intensive care, palliative care and rehabilitation. Dr. Looney also provides triage for overflow referral cases and welcomes interaction with area veterinarians and clients in all areas of her work.

Dr. Melanie Mineo , DVM, DACVO
Specialty: Ophthalmology

"Who can believe that there is no soul behind those luminous eyes!" - Theophile Gautier

Dr. Melanie Mineo is a native of western New York. She graduated from D’Youville College in Buffalo with a BS in Biology in 1991 and then attended Purdue University, receiving her DVM in 1996. She went on to complete a small animal internship at Newark Animal Hospital/Delaware Veterinary Specialty Group in 1997. In 2001, she moved to Florida to begin a veterinary ophthalmology internship, culminating in the completion of a three year residency in 2005. Her residency program was unique in that she not only studied with her primary mentor in a private clinical setting, but also trained in multiple academic and research environments as well. This training included rotations in such places as North Carolina State University, University of Georgia, University of Florida and Merck Laboratories. Dr. Mineo has also studied at the prestigious Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, DC, where she pursued further education in comparative ophthalmic pathology.  Dr. Mineo received board certification as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists in 2008. 

Throughout her training, Melanie has been involved with research in the areas of corneal disease, retinal disease and the effects of Bartonellosis on ocular health. Some of this research has lead to published abstracts and presentations at internationally attended meetings such as the ACVO and ARVO annual meeting. She has also lectured at numerous continuing education courses at the local, regional and national level.

 Dr. Mineo is happy to return to NY to join the other specialists at UVS, offering services related to the medical and surgical management of ophthalmic disease.

Dr. Cassidy D. Sedacca, MS, DVM, DACVIM
Specialty: Cardiology

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France

Cassidy was raised in Florida and obtained his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida in 2005. He completed a one year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Colorado State University, and subsequently returned to the University of Florida for a one year specialty internship in cardiology. Cassidy then entered a three-year cardiology residency at Colorado State University and obtained his board certification as a Diplomate of the College of Cardiology within the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2010.

Cassidy's passion for cardiology stems from his love of working with both animals and people. His primary goal is to provide happier and longer lives to each of his patients with heart disease.

Cassidy moved from Colorado to Upstate New York in 2010 with the love of his life, his wife Kara (also a veterinarian), and their four-legged children Moose, a German Short-Haired Pointer, Albert ("Bertie"), a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and three cats, Baby, Luna, and Gwen. Together, they love to go hiking, camping, and biking in the beautiful Northeast. Cassidy also enjoys playing hardball in the Capital District Men's Senior Baseball League on the weekends during the warmer months of the year.

Dr. Michelle Tranchina, DVM, DACVD
Specialty: Dermatology

"Pet a dog where he can't scratch and he'll always be your friend." - Orville Mars

Dr. Michelle Tranchina became interested in veterinary medicine while doing an internship at the Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn, NY where she was born and raised. Dr. Tranchina attended Villanova University graduating cum laude with a B.S. in Biology and B.A. in French. She completed her veterinary education at Michigan State University in 2007 graduating with honors. After veterinary medical school, Dr.Tranchina spent a year completing a small animal rotating internship at VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center (VREC) in Norwalk, CT. Following her internship she pursued a residency in Comparative Dermatology at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. She completed her residency and achieved board certification in 2010.

Dr. Tranchina has a passion for all things dermatology with a particular interest in immunology and allergic diseases in dogs and cats. She also enjoys the challenge of diagnosing and managing immune mediated skin disease.

When not with her patients Dr. Tranchina has a love for cooking and baking and spending time with her four legged companions, "Santino"- her Newfie and "J.Lo" the cat.

Dr. Tranchina is excited to explore and get to know her new home in the Capital District and looks forward to being a part of your pet's health care team.

Dr. Aaron C. Wey, DVM, DACVIM
Specialty: Cardiology

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." - Roger Caras

Dr. Wey is a native of Texas and got his first taste of the Northeast by attending Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. Dr. Wey returned to Texas for his veterinary education and graduated summa cum laude from Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine, obtaining his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 1997. He then spent a year as an Intern in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine before traveling to California, where he completed a residency in Cardiology at the University of California, Davis. He completed the requirements for board certification by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and became a Diplomate of the College of Cardiology (DACVIM) in 2001.

Dr. Wey received an award for outstanding research during his final year as a resident at U.C. Davis and maintains an active interest in clinical research. He has published articles in numerous scientific journals and textbooks, most recently in the Clinical Veterinary Advisor and Small Animal Critical Care Medicine. He has interests in heart failure management, endocarditis/myocarditis and interventional therapies for congenital and acquired heart disease.

In 2003 Dr. Wey moved to Upstate New York from Southern California, where he had established a successful Cardiology referral practice in San Diego. He currently owns and operates Upstate Veterinary Specialties, PLLC. He lives in Altamont with his wife (Jodi), daughters (Natalie and Camille), son (Ian), and numerous furry and feathered family members.

Dr. Kristina Wilson-Hart, DVM, DACVR
Specialty: Radiology

"The purity of a person's heart can quickly be measured by their regard for animals." - Anonymous

Dr. Wilson-Hart, a native of Cobleskill, New York, completed her undergraduate studies at Cornell University in 1991, graduating with honors from the Animal Science College. She obtained her DVM degree from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating Cum Laude in the class of 1996. She then entered private practice and worked in Vermont and New Hampshire before returning to Cornell for specialty training in 1999. She completed a three year residency in veterinary diagnostic imaging in 2002, and successfully completed the board examination for certification by the American College of Veterinary Radiology (DACVR) in 2006. 

She currently owns and operates Central Vermont Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging, a mobile diagnostic imaging service based out of Rutland, Vermont. Dr. Wilson-Hart has been performing advanced imaging services at Upstate Veterinary Specialties since October of 2005 and will continue to provide imaging support services for the other specialties in the hospital. She offers free radiology rounds for area practitioners the last Wednesday of every month at the facilities of the Capital District Animal Emergency Clinic. She lives near Rutland with her husband, two dogs and 3 cats.

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