Meet the NorthStar VETS Team: Vincent Patanio, DVM

Dr. Vincent Patanio is a member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care team at NorthStar VETS. In this blog post and video below, he talks about how he got into veterinary medicine, the kinds of cases he sees and how his interactions with clients make him a better doctor every day.

How Dr. Patanio got into Veterinary Medicine
We caught up with Dr. Patanio, who was checking out one of our canine blood donors. Dr. Patanio originally worked with computers before beginning his career in veterinary medicine. “I initially started in computer technology, fixing network printers and that sort of thing. Then I went back to college and enjoyed the science of veterinary technology and just took it from there. I completed my undergraduate work at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and went to veterinary school at the Western University of Health Sciences in California. After that, I did a rotating internship at another hospital here in New Jersey. A friend of mine worked here at NorthStar VETS while I was an intern, so I ended up transitioning to here as an Emergency Veterinarian a couple of years ago.”

The Kind of Cases Dr. Patanio Sees
Dr. Patanio works with the Emergency and Critical Care cases at NorthStar VETS. “Typically, we see any emergency that comes through the doors, from hit-by-cars and toxicities to even minor things, too. Anything that comes through the door is what we have to deal with.”

Buzz was the patient being examined. Buzz donated to the NorthStar VETS blood bank to help other pets, and you can find out more information about getting involved at northstarvets.com/blood-bank.

Dr. Patanio and the team at NorthStar VETS sees a wide variety of cases each week. “All of our emergency doctors and specialists work together to make sure that these patients are all getting the best care. Typically, the most qualified person in the hospital is the one who is taking care of the pet at home, and I get to interact with these people every day and make myself better. That is the best part for me!”

What Dr. Patanio loves about being an Emergency Veterinarian
Dr. Patanio and the team at NorthStar VETS are available 24/7 to help you and your pets. “For what I do, it’s something different not just every day, but every hour. It’s an exciting calling!”

Learn more about the Emergency service at NorthStar VETS

Vincent Patanio, DVM
Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Dr. Patanio obtained his Bachelor of Science from the University of Massachusetts -Amherst in 2008. He went on to pursue his DVM degree from Western University of Health Sciences where he graduated in 2012. Dr. Patanio completed a one year rotating internship at Garden State Veterinary Specialists, was subsequently hired as an emergency doctor and spent two years working with their emergency and critical care department. Dr. Patanio joined the emergency team at Northstar VETS in April 2015.