John Palescandolo, DVM
Practice Owner, Veterinarian
Dr. John Palescandolo, DVM, graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1992. Before pursuing a career in veterinary medicine, he spent time as a commercial crab fisherman in Alaska, a rock climbing and mountain biking guide, and managing a cattle and horse ranch in Colorado. He had been on the staff of Animal Emergency & Referral Associates in Fairfield for over 20 years. After purchasing the Willowbrook Animal Clinic, he has focused entirely on his own practice, making sure it is a place where pet owners can know that both they and their pets will get the excellent treatment they deserve.
Dr. John is a very compassionate veterinarian and skilled surgeon with decades of experience who truly enjoys what he does. Outside of work, Dr. John enjoys spending time with his wife, four sons, and his pets. He is very passionate about sports and enjoys cycling, rock climbing, and swimming. He is an avid reader of books and loves a good slice of key-lime pie!
- Over 30 years in practice
- Education: University of Colorado and Ross School of Veterinary Medicine
- Interests: Special interest in Emergency Medicine
Amanda Barbaris, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Amanda Barbaris earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. Originally from Virginia, she relocated to northern New Jersey to practice and currently provides relief veterinary services to hospitals. Outside of work she enjoys spending time and seeking adventure with her husband, 2 daughters, 2 dogs, and 3 cats.
Joseph Osei, DVM
Veterinarian
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Joseph Osei as the newest addition to our veterinary team! Dr. Osei brings extensive experience and a deep passion for animal care. With his expertise in preventive care, internal medicine, surgery, and emergency medicine, he is well-equipped to provide exceptional care for your pets.
Dr. Osei graduated from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and has since been dedicated to delivering personalized attention and the highest level of care. His warm and caring nature, combined with his effective communication skills, ensures that your furry companions will receive the attention they deserve.
Dr. Osei enjoys sightseeing and being a foodie, and his hobbies include playing video games, watching anime, and reading comic books. He also has a passion for exotic pets and strives to deepen his connection with the local community.
Ilka Bott-Wentworth, DVM
Veterinarian
Growing up with donkeys, sheep, chickens, peacocks, and dogs Dr. Ilka Bott-Wentworth developed a passion for helping animals at an early age. She worked as an vet assistant from the age of 16 in a small animal clinic. After a B.S. from Gettysburg College in Biology, she went on to work at GSK, a small animal clinic, and farm in Morris County N.J.. Dr. B-W achieved her D.V.M. from St. George’s University with a clinical rotation at Purdue and Lousiana State University with passions for companion animal medicine, therio, and integrated medicine.
She loves spending time with her nephew and godchildren, hiking with her family, reading, traveling all over the world (especially to Africa). She has English Springer Spaniels Mia, Belle, Freddie, and Whiskey as well as an African Grey parrot, named Pepper.
Maddalena Carnaghi Palescandolo
Practice Manager
Maddalena is originally from Busto Arsizio, Italy. Always having a strong passion for animals of all kinds, she studied veterinary medicine at the University of Milan. After graduating, she emigrated to the United States in 1999 in search of a job. Maddie and Dr. John met as young veterinarians and quickly moved in together. After marrying Dr. John, Maddalena went on hiatus from the veterinary profession. This was done in order to raise their four beautiful boys; Giacomo, Luca, Leonardo, and Lorenzo. Now, she has remerged into the veterinary field as our Practice Manager. Maddie loves reading, cooking, and spending time with her family. Because of her many years spent traveling the globe, Maddie speaks Italian, English, Spanish, as well a little bit of French. She shares four pets with her family; Marco, Benji, Bonnie, and Cheeto.
- Education: University of Milan, School of Veterinary Medicine
Mary
Office Manager
Mary has been working at Willowbrook Animal Clinic since 2019 as the Head Receptionist. She always had an innate love of animals so she decided to peruse her passion for working with them in a hospital setting.
She has over 30 years of customer service experience in various fields including Human Resources, Advertising, and Professional Pet Care. She was the Owner/Operator of a pet sitting and dog walking service in Hoboken, NJ. During this special time in her career, she felt truly honored to have her fellow neighbors/residents entrust the care of their family members to her and her staff. However, after several years, she and her family decided to leave Hoboken and the business was dissolved.
In the years since she’s had the privilege to work with great doctors who were also great teachers. She applied the knowledge and experience they imparted to her on a daily basis. She has come a long way from her early days at the front desk when upon answering a call in which a client requested an appointment for her cockapoo, she emphatically stated “I’m sorry, but we don’t see birds!”.
She decided to continue her work with animals and so she found herself here at Willowbrook. She feels honored to work with such a fantastic group of hard-working and like-minded, compassionate people who strive, every day, to provide optimal pet care in an enthusiastic, professional and caring way.
She believes the most important aspect of her role here at the front desk to be the “introduction to the practice”. She enjoys communicating with pet parents and to get their pets the best care possible. Particularly, if the client is calling about a pet in crisis. She never wants the client to feel like they are going through a tough time alone.
In her spare time, you will find her at an Animal Rights Walk, Anti-Fur Protest in NYC or cooking a delicious vegan meal. She also loves spending time with her favorite person in the world – her daughter, and their two feline family members, Sammy and Haimish.
Natasha
Veterinary Technician
Natasha's Bio
Natasha is originally from Mumbai, India, and has a background in human medicine and public health. As a kid, she grew up around animals and they very quickly became her passion. She was a dog walker for 3 years during her time working in the public health field. Her love and passion to work with animals were always on her mind, so when the opportunity presented itself, she transitioned to the veterinary profession. She has been working in the Veterinary field since 2020 and is currently enrolled in a Veterinary Technician program to become certified as a veterinary technician.
She feels the most rewarding part of working with animals is helping pets get better and working with like-minded, sensitive, and compassionate people whose aim is to treat and provide excellent care to animals and pet clients alike. Animals show immense resilience, unconditional love, and gratitude. This is what makes her feel the profession is full of heart and compassion. Animals have the ability to savor, live, and value every moment. Being able to work with them is something that has been a great learning and growing experience for her, both as a professional and as a person.
Working with animals every day has its own funny moments, but getting smeared on her face during an anal gland expression has been the most embarrassing one yet.
She lives with her 6-year-old pit bull pup and during her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, playing music, and trying different cuisines.
Larissa
Veterinary Assistant
Larissa's Bio
Larissa was born and raised in New Jersey. She’s always had a passion and fascination for animals since she was a young girl. As a child, she can remember always bringing home small frogs and turtles.
She decided she wanted to spend her life working with animals and at 17 started working at Camp BowWow. She decided to move to North Carolina for a short period of time in 2019 and that’s where she was able to start her career in Veterinary medicine as a Veterinary assistant.
She loves working in an animal hospital because she enjoys building a bond with each animal, being able to watch them grow up, and helping them overcome an illness.
Monika
Receptionist
Monika's Bio
Monika was born in Kosice, Slovakia. She’s had a love of animals her entire life. When she was a kid, she had a dream of becoming a Veterinarian but life took her in the direction of styling marketing. She grew up next door to her grandparents who owned a farm and her father was a hunter who bred Dachshunds.
In 2001, she and her father moved to the US where she met her husband. Together they have three children. Her hobbies include attending their extracurricular activities of basketball, baseball, football, field hockey, and lacrosse.
She speaks Slovakian, Polish, Czech, and a little Russian.
Her favorite part of working in an animal hospital is the ability to connect with the clients to help get their pets the best care possible. She also enjoys snuggling with puppies.
Maria
Receptionist
Maria's Bio
Maria has always enjoyed being around animals, specifically dogs, and grew up around many German Shepherds. She has been working in the Veterinary field since 2006.
In her free time, she enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time with her family. She has three kids, one grandchild, and a cat who is fifteen years old!
Rosanna
Receptionist
Rosanna's Bio
Rosanna was born in Italy and moved to the US with her family when she was young. She grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and moved to New Jersey when she got married in 1981.
She speaks both English and Italian. She and her family have been lucky enough to travel to many different places in the world. She has visited Italy, France, Spain, Hawaii, Canada, Jamaica, Mexico, Greece, and the US Virgin Islands.
As a Marketing Consultant, she has worked in many different industries but never in the Vet industry. She finds it challenging to work in a new field but feels that she is making a positive difference in pets’ lives, keeping them healthy, active, and pain-free. She also enjoys working alongside animal rescues which allows her to make a greater impact in the lives of homeless animals.
