Meet Our Team

Matthew McDaniel, D.V.M., Founder

Fear Free and Cat Friendly Certified

Hometown: Hartford City, Indiana

Dr. McDaniel has been proudly operating Sand Creek Animal Hospital with his wife since January of 2002. He is a graduate of Wabash College and Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. In his free time, he enjoys gardening, cross-fit, hiking, and spending time with his pets (Stanley, his black lab, and Norman, his orange cat). Dr. McDaniel specializes in pocket pets, including rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, and chinchillas. A fun fact about Dr. McDaniel is that he is a huge fan of the Siena Saints basketball team and the Indianapolis Colts football team.

Anne Marie Carmichael, D.V.M., Founder

Fear Free and Cat Friendly Certified

Hometown: Schenectady, New York

Dr. Carmichael has been proudly operating Sand Creek Animal Hospital with her husband since January 2002. She was an undergraduate at University of Binghamton and completed her veterinary studies at Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. In her spare time, Dr. Carmichael enjoys reading, hiking, CrossFit, and, during the winter months, skiing. Dr. Carmichael shares her home with her two pets, Stanley, a black lab, and Norman, an orange cat. Although she likes working with all the animals who visit the hospital, Dr. Carmichael’s true love is working with dogs. Dr. Carmichael also enjoys doing dental and oral surgery as well as soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. A fun fact about Dr. Carmichael is she is a huge Harry Potter fan. Go Ravenclaws!

David Sonnekalb, D.V.M., Owner

Fear Free and Cat Friendly Certified

Hometown: Guilderland, New York

Dr. Sonnekalb joined our team in June 2008. He attended the University of New Hampshire and received his Bachelor’s degree in 2004, then graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In his spare time, Dr. Sonnekalb enjoys fishing, hiking, camping, and biking. Dr. Sonnekalb has Bandit, an Australian Cattle dog, and a cat named Duke. Dr. Sonnekalb loves to educate owners to help keep their pets happy and healthy. A fun fact about Dr. Sonnekalb is he loves to do home renovations!

Brittany Bewick, D.V.M., Associate

Fear Free and Cat Friendly Certified

Hometown: Latham, New York

Dr. Brittany Bewick joined our team in June 2017. She received her Bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Mount Saint Mary College in 2013 before going on to graduate from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. Outside of the animal hospital, Dr. Bewick enjoys spending time with her friends and family, playing sports, coloring, hiking, and of course, relaxing at home with her two cats, Olaf and Sully. Dr. Bewick loves all aspects of animal care, especially knowing that she can make a difference to improve an animal’s life. A great fact about Dr. Bewick is she LOVES Disney movies, especially Frozen!

Adele Rock, D.V.M., Associate

Fear Free and Cat Friendly Certified

Hometown: Johnstown, New York

Dr. Rock joined our team in July of 2018. She attended Cornell University for both her bachelor’s and veterinary degrees. Outside of the office, Dr. Rock enjoys hiking, baking, and camping. She enjoys all aspects of companion animal care, but she specializes in canine and feline behavior. Dr. Rock is also a huge fan of Harry Potter. Go Hufflepuff!

Cheyenne Lee, D.V.M., Associate

Fear Free and Cat Friendly Certified

Hometown: Lowville, New York

Dr. Lee joined our team in August 2022. She received her Bachelor’s in Animal Science from SUNY Cobleskill and then went on to graduate from Cornell University with her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Her favorite part of the job is connecting with the clients. Outside of the office, Dr. Lee enjoys anything outdoors, including birdwatching, hiking, fishing, gardening, kayaking, as well as arts and crafts. She shares her home with Zoey, a Green Cheek Conure, two cats, Mishi and Kelso, and a plethora of fresh and saltwater fish.

Sasha DiNitto, D.V.M., Associate

Fear Free and Cat Friendly Certified

Hometown: Winchester, Massachusetts

Dr. DiNitto joined our team in July 2023. In 2021, she graduated from the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. DiNitto is passionate about supporting the human-animal bond through general medicine. Outside of the office, she enjoys hiking and spending her free time with family and friends. She shares her home with a grey tabby cat named Mackenzie, an orange tabby named OJ, and a mixed-breed dog named Tucker.

Adam, Practice Manager

Fear Free Certified

Hometown: Guilderland, New York

Adam joined our team in April 2019 as a practice manager but years ago worked at Sand Creek as an assistant. He attended Cornell University for his bachelor’s degree in animal science. Outside of the animal hospital, Adam enjoys playing with his kids, hiking, playing basketball, and amateur video graphing. Adam has Libby a terrier mix and William, a long-haired cat. Adam loves being able to work with a great team and see the different types of pets that walk through the doors. Adam has worked in both the veterinary field and as a pharmaceutical representative.

Peter, Practice Manager

Fear Free Certified

Hometown: Albany, New York

Peter joined our team in May 2015 as a veterinary assistant. He is a graduate of UAlbany, where he studied Psychology. Peter is an avid writer and loves to read, he also just learned how to juggle and is quite good at it! Peter shares his home with his cat Pancake. Peter says the best part about his job is working with a great team and getting to care for all the patients!

Erin, Licensed Veterinary Technician

Fear Free Certified

Hometown: Rochester, New York

Erin began working at Sand Creek in November 2008. Erin graduated from S.U.N.Y. Alfred State College with a degree in veterinary technology. Outside of work Erin likes to snowshoe, craft, travel, and read. Erin has a Beagle mix named Austin. She says she loves her job and the satisfaction of knowing she had a part in making someone’s pet feel better. A fun fact about Erin is she can shoot a bow and arrow!

Stephen, Licensed Veterinary Technician

Fear Free Certified

Hometown: Alexandria Bay, New York

Stephen originally joined the Sand Creek team in October 2009 as a Licensed Veterinary Technician. He graduated from SUNY Canton with a degree in Veterinary Science. Stephen, in his spare time loves saltwater fish, hiking, fishing, reading, and playing Magic. Stephen shares his home with Wesley a pittie mix and two cats, Indigo and Ahsoka. He particularly enjoys working with big dogs and kittens! Stephen is a huge Star Wars and Marvel nerd!

Jessica, Licensed Veterinary Technician

Fear Free Certified

Hometown: Buffalo, New York

Jessica joined the Sand Creek team in November 2016. Jessica graduated from Medaille College with a veterinary science degree. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and playing with her dogs, Brodie, a Pomeranian mix, and Daphne, a lab/hound mix. Jessica says that she enjoys working with all animals but loves helping sick patients recover! A very fun fact about Jessica is that she is a triplet!

Jess, Licensed Veterinary Technician

Fear Free Certified

Hometown: Guilderland, New York

Jess joined our team at Sand Creek in February 2020. She is a graduate of SUNY Delhi with a degree in Veterinary Technology. She has fish and a domestic shorthair named Austin. In her free time, she enjoys reading, volunteering, and spending time with friends and family. Jess says the best part of her job is alleviating pain from our sick patients. A fun fact about Jess is that she likes to work with exotic animals.

Morgan, Licensed Veterinary Technician

Fear Free Certified

Hometown: Canajoharie, New York

Morgan joined our team in March 2022. She has a associate’s degree from SUNY Delhi in Applied Science with a concentration in Veterinary Science Technology. Her favorite part of the job is building bonds with the patients and their owners. Outside of work, Morgan loves hiking, fishing, kayaking, biking, reading, and spending time with her family.

Audrey, Licensed Veterinary Technician

Fear Free Certified

Hometown: Durham, New York

Audrey joined our team in July 2023. She received her Associate’s of Science from SUNY Delhi and has been a technician since 2021. Audrey says her favorite part of the job is being the voice for the voiceless. Outside of the office, Audrey enjoys spending time with her family, reading, playing video games, taking walks in the woods, watching movies, and listening to music of all genres. She is also a HUGE fan of Halloween! She shares her home with 2 cats and 2 dogs!

Natasha, Licensed Veterinary Technician

Fear Free Certified

Hometown: Coxsackie, New York

Natasha joined the Sand Creek team in January 2024. She received her AAS in Veterinary Technology from SUNY Delhi in 2023. Natasha says her favorite part of the job is being able to work with a great team and helping to be apart of keeping people’s pets healthy. Outside of the office, she loves skiing and going to concerts and aquariums. She has also recently discovered a love for Legos! Natasha shares a home with a mini Goldendoodle named Maddie.

Amelia, Veterinary Assistant

Fear Free Certified

Hometown: Clifton Park, New York

Amelia joined our team in November 2021. She is from Clifton Park, NY, where she shares a home with her goldendoodle, Hunny. Amelia’s favorite part of the job is meeting new patients and working with a great team! Outside of work, Amelia loves shopping, working out, traveling, and hanging out with her friends and family.

Susie, Veterinary Assistant

Fear Free Certified

Hometown: Averill Park, New York

Susie joined our team in April 2023. Her favorite part of working in Vet med is getting to work with anxious pets and ending the appointment with tail wags and happy pets and owners! Outside of the office, Susie enjoys camping in Lake George and horseback riding. She has been to over 20 national parks and plans to visit them all! Susie shares a home with her cat, Ember, a bearded dragon named Aster, and a Newfoundland named Delilah.

Giulianna, Veterinary Assistant

Hometown: Albany, New York

Giulianna joined our team in October 2023. She says her favorite part of the job is knowing she is helping the furry children of the area and she genuinely adores each one that comes in! Outside of the office, Giulianna is a self-proclaimed “cat lady” and has three cats, Charlie, Athena, and Mercy. She is a huge fan of Taylor Swift and enjoys reading, enjoying the wonders of nature, traveling, and spending time with the people close to her. In her free time, she also volunteers at the shelter!

Lillian, Veterinary Assistant

Fear Free Certified

Hometown: Stillwater, New York

Lillian joined our team in December 2023. They graduated from SUNY Cobleskill with a Bachelor of Technology in Animal Science and an Associates of Applied Science in Equine Studies in 2016. Lillian says their favorite part of working in vet med is helping pets be as comfortable at the vet as possible. Outside of the office, Lillian enjoys horseback riding, reading, hiking, kayaking, playing video games, and cuddling with their dogs, Morty and Kitten. Lillian also enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons!

Angela, Client Service Representative/Inventory Manager

Fear Free Certified

Hometown: Great Neck, New York

Angela joined our team in April 2019 as a Client Service Representative. Angela is a graduate of SUNY Albany and has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Outside of work, Angela likes to spend time with her family and watch Sci Fi and action movies! She also loves to volunteer and foster dogs through a local rescue group. Angela does have one dog of her own Quincy, a Plott hound mix! Angela’s favorite part of her job is being around other animal lovers like herself!

Jenna, Veterinary Assistant

Bio Coming Soon

Keegan, Veterinary Assistant

Keegan joined our team in September of 2024. She is from East Greenbush, NY where she shares a home with a 14-year-old black lab named Maggie. Keegan’s favorite part of the job is building a relationship with not only the pets but also with the owners. She loves to scuba dive, especially in the Florida Keys where she worked closely with different species of dolphins, sea turtles, as well as river otters and pelicans.

Nicole, Veterinary Assistant

Nicole joined our team in December of 2024. She is from LaGrangeville, NY where she shares her home with two Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers named Bailey and Cooper, and a bunny named Charlie. Her favorite part of the job is getting to meet all the new pets, learning something new every day, and having a great support team behind her. Nicole loves shopping, going to the gym, and playing volleyball in her free time. A fun fact about her is that she has never been on a plane.

Lori, Veterinary Assistant

Lori joined our team in January of 2024. She is from Colonie, NY where she shares a home with her two dogs Archie and Clyde. Lori’s favorite part of the job is helping all the animals and her fellow team members. She strives to keep everyone’s pets around for as long as possible and takes pride in her small contributions to assist with that endeavor. Lori enjoys running and walking outdoors with her dogs and she also loves being on the water whether it be boating, jet skiing, kayaking, or swimming. She also enjoys reading and knitting.

Becca, Veterinary Assistant

Becca joined our team in December of 2024. Originally from Harwinton, CT where she grew up on a horse farm, her favorite aspect of being a part of veterinary medicine is being a calm and comforting presence for both people and animals who are going through stressful experiences. Becca shares her home with her cat Vesper and a Connemara pony named Bailey. Her favorite movies are the Lord of the Rings series!

Diego, Veterinary Assistant

Bio Coming Soon

Mackenzie, Veterinary Assistant

Mackenzie joined our team in March of 2024. She is from Glenmont, NY where she shares a home with her feline friend Flora. Her favorite part of the job is helping animals get the best care they need. Her hobbies include hiking, writing, reading, skiing and fishing.

Taylor, Veterinary Assistant

Bio Coming Soon

Hayli, Client Service Representative

Hometown: Pompano Beach, Florida

Hayli joined our team in October 2021. She loves hiking, going to theme parks and photography. Hayli shares her home with two dogs, Bruno, an American Staffordshire, and Drex, an American Staffordshire mix and two bunnies, Scarlett and Cedar. Her favorite part of the job is meeting clients and their pets.

Jolene, Client Service Representative

Hometown: Reading, Pennsylvania

Jolene joined our team in April 2023. Her favorite part of the job is working with people and getting to know them. She loves seeing their pets grow and helping them every step of the way. Outside of the office, Jolene is an avid gamer and reader/book collector, and she loves to cook and is a huge movie buff. She even plays dungeons and dragons with her husband and friends every weekend! Jolene shares her home with two dilute torties, Roux and Abby, and a domestic shorthair named Stubbs.

Sara, Client Service Representative

Hometown: Clifton Park, New York

Sara joined our team in November 2023. Her favorite part of working in vet med is helping our clients navigate through the difficult parts of pet ownership with compassion and empathy. Outside of the office, Sara shares her home with two dogs, Frankie and Morty, as well as four cats, Ralphie, Ayla, Stevie, and Fritzy. She is also a freelance ghost writer on the side!

Abby, Client Service Representative

Hometown: Nassau, New York

Abby joined our team in March 2024. Her favorite part of working in Veterinary Medicine is seeing all of the different pets that walk in through the door! Outside of the office, Abby enjoys gardening, doing Diamond art, and going camping and hiking. She shares her home with Toby, a Lab mix, and two cats, Lilly and Yager.

Tabitha, Client Service Representative

Hometown: Schenectady, New York

Tabitha joined our team in June 2024. She loves being able to interact with the pet parents and meet their wonderful furry family members. Outside of the office, Tabitha likes to paint, go mini golfing, and go on hikes/walks with her dogs and boyfriend. She is also a foster parent and volunteer with Out of the Pits Rescue group. Tabitha shares her home with her three dogs, Loki, Dixie, and Finley, her chinchilla, Remi, a bearded dragon named Mochi, and three chickens!