Meet The Team

Jonathan Kaufman, DVM

Managing Veterinarian

Dr. Jonathan Kaufman is a Baltimore native and has been the proud owner of Eastern Animal Hospital since 1990. Dr. Kaufman received his undergraduate education from both the University of Maryland and the University of Florida, then continued on to receive his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Florida in 1987. His areas of concentration are in small animal medicine and surgery.

After graduation, Dr. Kaufman returned to Baltimore to practice small animal medicine. In 1990, he purchased Eastern Animal Hospital and within a short time had increased the doctors and the staff, expanded the hours of operation, and offered a wide variety of veterinary services. Now, after serving the community for over 30 years, Eastern Animal Hospital has received numerous awards for its excellence in veterinary medicine and the Hospital has been named, Baltimore’s Best Vets numerous times. After much hard work and dedication, Dr. Kaufman is proud to announce the opening of his newest, most state-of-the-art veterinary facility, in which to care for his clients and their pets. The new Hospital boasts more space, the efficiency of flow for you and your pet’s comfort, a Luxury Pet Hotel, and Doggie Daycare. Dr. Kaufman performs many advanced techniques such as complex abdominal surgery, minimally invasive procedures, and laser surgery.

In 2010 Dr. Kaufman was appointed to the Mayor’s Anti-Animal Abuse Advisory Commission where he spoke before the Department of Justice’s animal cruelty session. He was a past President for the Pet ER, an animal emergency hospital.

Dr. Kaufman continues to be a supporting member of the East Baltimore communities. For many years, he has provided Arden’s Arc free veterinary care for hundreds of feral cats that they rescue. In addition, Eastern Animal Hospital is a supporter of Canton Dog Park, Friends of Patterson Park, the Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS).

​​​​​​​In his free time, Dr. Kaufman enjoys bike riding in beautiful northern Baltimore County, traveling to near and far places, cuddling with his dogs and family activities with his wife and two daughters.

Susan Warner-Jones, DVM

Dr. Warner-Jones received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ohio State University, where she received extensive training in companion animal and equine medicine. Dr. Warner-Jones served on the equine trauma team at the 1997 Kentucky Derby. She joined Eastern Animal Hospital in 1999.

Dr. Warner-Jones exemplifies the Eastern Animal Hospital approach of ‘treating the whole patient’ in complex medical cases. She routinely helps pets with a wide variety of surgical and internal medicine problems including:

• Lameness
• Urinary Tract problems
• Tumors
• Gastro-Intestinal problems
• Diabetes
• Skin Problems

Besides performing surgery and practicing internal medicine, Dr. Warner-Jones offers counseling to clients on selecting an appropriate pet, pet behavior issues, and helping pets successfully lose weight. In addition to treating cats and dogs, Dr. Warner-Jones treats other small mammals such as rabbits, rodents, and guinea pigs.

Dr. Warner-Jones’ interests include knitting and gardening, as well as spending quality time with her husband, three children, her dog Hoshi and Maine Coon cat.

Marieta Solé, BVMS

Dr. Solé was born in Argentina but has moved around for much of her life, living in Brazil, New Jersey, Georgia, North Carolina, New York, Scotland, and England. She completed her undergraduate studies at Davidson College in North Carolina, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in International Studies.

​​​​​​​Dr. Solé worked at John’s Hopkins University and Columbia University, specializing in cancer research, before attending the University of Glasgow in Scotland where she obtained her veterinary degree.

She also completed a Masters in Biodiversity and Conservation while there. Dr. Solé worked in a small animal hospital in Leeds, England, and then in a small animal general practice/emergency hospital in Katy, Texas. Dr. Solé is happy to once again be able to call Baltimore home!

In her free time, Dr. Solé enjoys spending time with her family, playing and watching soccer, supporting her husband’s basketball teams, and traveling. She has the most lovable English Setter, Westley, and is looking to expand the fur family soon (with her husband’s permission!)

Nicole Perez, DVM

Dr. Perez has lived in several different cities as a child due to her father's U.S. Air Force career, but has spent most of her life in Tampa, Florida. She obtained her bachelor's degree in Biology with a concentration in Integrative Animal Biology from the University of South Florida. She obtained her degree as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Public Health from the University of Florida. Her interests include public health, preventative care, community outreach, and dentistry. In her free time, she enjoys going to local coffee shops and breweries, listening to true crime podcasts, playing the violin, and spending time with her Chiweenie, Sir Guinness.

Jen Bottaro, DVM

Dr. Jen Bottaro grew up in northern New Jersey and started her career in veterinary medicine at the tender age of seven helping at the animal hospital her mom managed - cleaning kennels and assembling puppy/kitten/dental kits to assist with client education. Playing hooky from school was never an option! Over time she was trained as an assistant and subsequently a technician, caring for all types of patients. While not in school or work, she was showing Newfoundland dogs and started working with a large hunter/jumper barn – taking lessons, working, and breaking/training horses as her skills developed. She purchased and competed her thoroughbred horse, Emerson, throughout high school. Both Jen and Emerson sought higher education; they both attended Randolph Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, VA. During summer breaks Jen worked at a large emergency and referral hospital as an emergency technician; during the school year she worked nights at a local small animal practice and weekends at the barn where she boarded Emerson.

Attending veterinary school was inevitable and she was also able to fulfill a childhood dream of living in Canada. She attended the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island, Canada and was able to enjoy the beauty of the Island while pursuing her lifelong goals! Between her second and third year of vet school Jen had the opportunity to work with Veterinarians Without Boarders and spent three months in Laos located in Southeast Asia assisting with a Foot and Mouth vaccination and eradication campaign with local livestock. She also helped Savannakhet University develop a curriculum to train farmers to become proficient in basic veterinary medicine, diagnostics and procedures.

After graduating veterinary school Jen spent a year in northern Maine doing mixed animal practice and working with a large Standardbred racehorse population. She then decided that she wanted to focus her career on small animal medicine/surgery and spent the last seven years in Pennsylvania working with dogs, cats, and some exotics including her favorite skunk patient, “Rosie” and even saving a Rose Hair tarantula with a fractured leg!

Jen currently has four best friends that she rescued – Captain (black lab), Thresher (three-legged chocolate lab), Jimmy the Squeaks (DSH) and Giuseppe Morello (DSH). She also has a 75-gallon freshwater aquarium that was given to her years ago by a client and still has many of the original fish! During her free time Jen and her pups love hiking, camping, swimming (in every mud puddle, stream, lake or ocean) and traveling wherever life may take her!

Abby Cusack, DVM

Dr. Abby Cusack grew up in Germantown, Maryland and attended University of Maryland for her undergraduate studies. She will be graduating from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in May with her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine.

During undergraduate and veterinary school she worked as a veterinary technician at small animal hospitals. Her interests include dermatology, internal medicine, and dentistry.

​​​​​​​At home, Dr. Cusack loves spending time with her dog (Sunny) and cat (Allie), as well as tending to her collection of indoor plants.

Laura Michelotti, DVM

Dr. Laura Michelotti grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, but has called Maryland her home now for several years. She attended University of Maryland for her undergraduate studies. Dr. Michelotti participated in the marching band at UMD and continues to be a proud Terp. She then attended Oklahoma State University for veterinary school. As of July 2021 she completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington D.C. She is excited to move up to Baltimore with her husband (James) and two dogs (Parmesan and Rotini).

During undergraduate and veterinary school Dr. Michelotti worked as a veterinary technician at a small animal hospital. Her interests include ophthalmology, internal medicine, and general wellness care.

At home, Parmesan and Rotini keep her quite busy. Dr. Michelotti does make time for outdoor adventures and caring for her new (and ever-expanding) plant collection.

Monica Valero, DVM

Dr. Monica Valero attended veterinary school at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, which was her top vet school of choice. Her areas of interest include clinical pathology, internal medicine, and preventative medicine.

Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Valero enjoys cooking, catching up on pop culture, playing soccer, and spending time with her cat (Kai). She is looking forward to moving to Baltimore, as this is the first time she will be living outside of New York.

Rebecca Parrish, ​​​​DVM

Dr. Rebecca Parrish is a Maryland native who’s excited to be back in Maryland. She went to a small women’s college in Virginia and then went to Veterinary school in Canada. In school she focused on small animals as well as horses.

In her free time she enjoys reading, cross stitching, and spending time with her two cats, Livvy and Poppy.

Julissa Aparicio-Massanett, DVM​​​​​​​

Dr. Julissa Aparicio Massanett grew up in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico and attended the University of Puerto Rico where she obtained her B.S. in Industrial Microbiology. While completing her undergraduate studies she worked as a chemistry research assistant and as a veterinary assistant in a small animal hospital where she discovered her passion for veterinary medicine. Dr. Aparicio Massanett then decided to pursue her veterinary degree at Midwestern University where she concentrated in small animal veterinary medicine. She obtained her veterinary degree in June of 2022 and is a member of the Phi Zeta Honor Society.

While in veterinary school, Dr. Aparicio Massanett worked as an assistant in the Microbiology department, conducted research as part of Johns Hopkins University’s Boehringer Ingelheim NIH Veterinary Scholars Program, and volunteered in multiple low-cost spay/neuter events.

Dr. Aparicio Massanett’s main interests are preventative care, dentistry, and internal medicine. She recently moved to Maryland with her fiancé and her two dogs Nina and Nala. During her free time, she loves listening to true crime podcasts, trying new foods, and watching movies with her family.

Denice Aleman, DVM​​​​​​​

Dr. Aleman was born and raised in central Florida. She attended Berry College in Rome, Georgia for her undergraduate studies. She could be found either playing collegiate softball or milking cows at the school dairy at 4 am. She then attended the University of Florida for veterinary school (go gators!)

Dr. Aleman’s interests include, but are not limited to: clinical pathology, dentistry, soft tissue surgery, and internal medicine. In her free time she enjoys cooking, watching college football, and taking her dogs hiking. She is especially excited to experience seasons and actually have a cold Christmas!

Justin Scally

Hospital Director & Chief Operating Officer

Justin L. Scally, a nationally recognized leader in animal welfare and protection, joined Eastern Animal Hospital in 2015. Prior to coming to EAH, Justin worked as a highly accomplished local government department head and as a highly respected leader with national non-profit organizations. Justin has been a director of animal services agencies in both North Carolina and Kentucky and has also worked for The Humane Society of the United States and American Humane Association. Justin was an animal control officer in Maryland and got his start in animal welfare by working as a veterinary technician.

Justin has devoted his life’s work to animal protection and has a wealth of training and experience. Among his many accomplishments and recognitions, Justin has obtained specialized training in crime scene investigations as well as technical animal rescue and emergency management. Justin has also served in various roles within public safety.

Justin has traveled the nation working to save animals in numerous high-profile cruelty cases, has worked to bring animal abusers to justice, and has rescued animals from natural disasters of historic proportions. Justin has presented at seminars and conferences nationwide and has also testified and lobbied in support of stronger animal protection legislation.

Justin’s special interests in veterinary medicine include emergency medicine, critical care, and surgery.

Abbey Bradley

​​​​Assistant Hospital Director

Abbey Bradley grew up in Baltimore, and recently returned home to Baltimore after spending five years in Olympia, WA as a practice manager of a veterinary oncology practice. Abbey obtained her master’s degree in environmental education from Goshen College in Indiana and her bachelor’s in environmental science and philosophy (ethics and epistemology) from Allegheny College in northwest Pennsylvania.

Abbey has worked in veterinary medicine since 2006 and was pursuing her technician license before becoming manager of her practice. She has worked in many areas of the veterinary practice, including boarding, doggy daycare, veterinary assistant, and management.

In her free time, she enjoys bird watching, reading, writing, hiking and swimming with her dogs, Frankenstein and Atlas, camping, and going off trail to identify plants and find the best wild edibles.

Rob Nicholas

​​​​Operations Manager

Rob has over 15 years of experience in the veterinary field ranging from general practice to emergency and specialty practices. His passion for animals bleeds into his home life where he fosters for Saving Grace Animal Rescue. He has two children - His daughter Mila is 9 years old and in fourth grade and his son Liam is 5 and he just started kindergarten. Of course, their family wouldn’t be complete without his animal kids, as well! They have one hound mix named Lucy and then they have a 6 month old bird named Cheddar!