The Packanack Animal Hospital Family

In addition to our veterinarians, Packanack Animal Hospital has nine caring staff members who are also animal lovers. Our support team is dedicated to providing medical assistance to our doctors and loving attention to our clients. Our staff will welcome you as special guests offering compassionate care, clean surroundings and friendly customer service.Your pets are pampered from the minute you enter our waiting room!

We are committed to maintaining a comforting atmosphere, high level of medical proficiency and expert animal handling. We are proud of our animal hospital and grateful for your trust.
We welcome a visit from you with questions or to just stop in to say hello!

Steven Clinton Neuss, D.V.M.

Dr. Neuss is the owner and Director of Packanack Animal Hospital. Dr. Neuss has been practicing veterinarian medicine since 1979 as well as serving the local New Jersey animal community since 1993. He takes a special interest in challenging diagnostic and surgical cases and is often consulted by his colleagues. Dr. Neuss is proud to provide veterinary medicine to the heroes of the Passaic County K-9 Unit, who risk their lives as they partner with the brave officers of the Passaic County Sheriffs Department.

Dr. Neuss is passionate about animal care. His commitment to dogs and cats extends well  beyond New Jersey. Having lived outside of the United States, Dr. Neuss is dedicated to the health of pets who join their families in international travel, as well as the well-being of pets who leave or enter our country on a permanent basis. Dr. Neuss is an accredited United States Department of Agriculture Veterinarian and can advise you on safe international and interstate health practices for your pets, while providing the needed vaccinations and certificates for travel.

Dr. Neuss is a member of the American Veterinarian Medical Association and the New Jersey Veterinarian Medical Association. Dr. Neuss attended Undergraduate school at Rutgers University and earned a Masters degree in Animal Husbandry at the University of Missouri. Dr. Neuss graduated from the University of Shiraz with a Doctorate of Veterinarian Medicine.

Dr. Neuss resides in Wayne, New Jersey with his wife Joyce, his mother in law Myrna, his three dogs: Misha, Maggie and Norm and his cat Luey. He is the proud father of two daughters, Ilysa and Lara. In his free time, Dr. Neuss is an avid golfer and also enjoys playing the paino.

Lisa M. Confessore, D.V.M.

Dr. Lisa M. Confessore provided veterinarian care to Essex County, New Jersey for 17 years prior to joining Packanack Animal Hospital in 2004. She holds a biology degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Doctorate in Veterinarian Medicine from North Carolina State University-College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Confessore is a member of the American Veterinarian Medical Association, the New Jersey Veterinarian Medical Association and the North Jersey Veterinarian Medical Association where she attends monthly continuing education meetings. Dr. Confessore is dedicated to addressing the ever changing needs of dogs and cats throughout each life stage.  She is equally attentive to the families who provide their pet's with loving care. Dr. Confessore derives great satisfaction by cultivating long term relationships with her clients. She is continually motivated by challenging cases and her professional and collegiate relationship with Dr. Neuss energizes and enhances the diagnostic and treatment process.

Dr. Confessore fills her non-working hours caring for her family, her husband and three active teenagers. She enjoys music, New York City , movies and cooking. She fills our staff kitchen with freshly baked goodies and the warmth of her loving personality.

Veterinarian Technicians/Assistants

Our hospital technicians are expertly trained and experienced. The duties of a veterinarian technician include: taking x-rays, drawing blood, placing IV catheters and assisting our veterinarians in the operating room and through all medical and dental procedures. They perform numerous procedures while assisting our veterinarians with your pets ever changing needs. The technicians are trained in safe animal holding and in monitoring the medical status of cats and dogs. They have extensive knowledge in animal behavior and can provide tips and information for training. In addition, our technicians are educated to be sensitive to the emotions of our client families as they are faced with difficult medical decisions and loss. We provide our entire staff with professional grief counseling and support as your losses are felt deeply by the staff as well. We are dedicated to staying current on all animal care and our technicians participate in ongoing continuing education.

Dina Maria Giantonio

Dina is Head Technician and Inventory Manager at Packanack Animal Hospital. Dina has been a skilled and dedicated employee since 2007. Dina provides a leadership role in the hospital through supervision of our other technicians, assisting in surgeries and keeping supplies and orders up to date. She is a passionate feline fan and has rescued four stray kittens and is a "Mom" to Zack Morris. Dina lives in Montclair where she enjoys cooking, attending concerts and spending time with friends.  

Yesi Ayala

Yesi has been a diligent employee of Packanack Animal Hospital for many years. In addition to her duties as veterinarian technician, Yesi shares the role of inventory manager with Dina. She enjoys and is adept at dental procedures and has enrolled in a college dental hygiene program. Yesi enjoys the fast paced hospital environment and particularly the opportunity to work with puppies and kittens. Yesi is the loving owner of a portly cat named Sylvester.

Samantha Howlett

Samantha joined the Packanack Animal Hospital two years ago. "Sam" is a highly competent technician as well as an ardent animal advocate. Sam’s interest extends to exotic animals and she hopes to one day expand her veternary experience to working with an exotic animal group. Sam is the proud owner of Tipsy, who many of you know as our hospital pet and mascot. Tipsy is a special needs cat and Sam and her family have lovingly opened their home to her. Tipsy is happy in her forever home which she shares with 11 year old Casey. Tipsy continues to be well fed while maintaining her curvy shape. Sam is an avid Yankee fan and during off baseball season she enjoys cooking and baking (she holds a degree from Johnson and Wales) as well as reading and traveling.

Becky Pearson

After a brief leave from PAH, Becky has rejoined the family as a veterinarian assistant. Becky is currently studying to be a certified Veterinarian Technician with a particular interest in zoo animals. She hopes to combine her love of veterinary medicine and travel to study animals around the world. Becky loves her Siamese cat Buster and enjoys watching National Geographic television with him. Becky is also an accomplished guitar player!

Vicky Glanville

Vicky is a part time veterinary technician while she supports herself through college. Vicky works at PAH on Friday nights and Saturdays.  This year, Vicky will graduate from William Paterson University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and no doubt she will excel in her chosen profession. She shares her home with her cats Marbles and Chloe as well as Casey, who is a Beagle Mix.  When Vicky is not studying, she enjoys reading and hiking.

Reception Staff

Ellen Astudillo

Ellen has been a receptionist at Packanack Animal Hospital for five and a half years. Ellen's professional manner and friendly personality helps in managing our clients and the front desk. Ellen  manages the non-medical supplies by ordering and updating our inventory. As the office  “Social Director”, she coordinates hospital activities, raffles and "Theme Days" for employees and clients. Ellen is an accomplished photographer and enjoys gardening, decorating, fleamarkets and live music. Ellen lives in Ringwood and has two daughters, two beautiful granddaughters and two cats: Jet and Lilly.

Kristine Cimino

Kristine joined our hospital in 2007 and has since become a very valuable employee. She is often the first face that our clients see as they enter the building. Kristine's "people skills" and love of animals combined with her unique sense of humor make her ideally suited for her reception position. Kristine has the added responsibility of directing all staff. Kristine is happily married to her husband John and is a Stepmother to John's two teenage sons. She enjoys cooking, decorating, music and is a Yankee and Giants fan. Kristine and her family have Bowen (aka Goofey Juice), a pampered Chihuahua that she rescued several years ago. Kristine directs all staff in matters related to the efficiency of day to day hospital work.

Nicole Montoya

Nicole is the newest member of the Packanack Animal Hospital reception team. She works with PAH during evening hours and on Saturdays. She attends Kean University where she is studying criminal justice. Nicole loves animals, especially her two black cats Kobe and Brooke. Her hobbies include cooking, baking, movies and taking road trips.

Kennel Manager

Holly Dzamba

Holly is our Kennel manager and the office "go to person".  Since 2006, Holly has cared for the canine and feline clients as they wait for and recover from treatment. She soothes and nurtures your special family member, keeping them safe, clean and loved. Holly decorates the hospital for all of the holidays and maintains the fresh smell of the hospital. Holly never hesitates to assist in treatment rooms as she is also an expert dog handler and trainer. Holly is a passionate Packanack team member who enjoys the opportunities that are presented to PAH to rescue or help to heal community dogs and cats. Holly has created our protocol for helping our clients through the grief process when saying goodbye becomes a reality. Her sensitivity during these most difficult times has brought comfort to many. Holly is also a German Sheppard lover. Currently she shares her home with Skylar, a Papillion and Bella a Maltese. Her grandson, Nicky is the light of her life.