Our Doctors

Dr. Brittney Forrest

Dr. Brittney Forrest graduated from veterinary school at St. George’s University, and she completed her clinical year at the University of Illinois. She is originally from northern New Jersey, but has lived in Grenada, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Kansas, and now New York.

She’s wanted to become a veterinarian since she was young and has always enjoyed working with animals. She currently lives with her wife, their two dogs, and their two cats. She loves what she does and can’t wait to meet your furry friends.

Dr. Linda Garrett 

Dr. Garrett is that rare thing —a true Ithaca native, having grown up near the hospital with her family and many critters. She received her BS degree from Fordham University, followed by an MA in behavioral physiology from the same institution.

After briefly working in medical research, she returned to Ithaca and earned her DVM degree from Cornell. Dr. G has maintained a strong interest in behavior and training since childhood, and is a member of the Veterinary Behavior Society and the Ithaca Dog Training Club, as well as the AVMA, Southern Tier VMA, and the Central NY Academy of Continuing Education.

Her collie companion Corey enjoys any training that involves “cookies” and has two obedience titles. The household cats are less impressed, but are willing to condescend to clicker-training, and will come, sit, and go to their spot on request (well… most of the time).

When not caring for patients or having fun with her family, Dr. Garrett enjoys reading (Charles de Lint is a favorite), making pottery, photography, cooking, traveling, and myriad other pursuits.

Dr. Bridget Barry 

Dr. Bridget Barry grew up in Watervliet, NY, graduated from Cornell in 1991, and has lived in Slaterville Springs on an old dairy farm ever since.  She currently works several days a month at a cat rescue/sanctuary in Franklin, NY, and volunteers with several local cat rescue/foster groups, as well as being a veterinarian and surgeon at Meadowridge on Mondays and Tuesdays. 

Every year, Bridget volunteers with a spay/neuter campaign and has been to the Bahamas, Mexico, and Peru to do surgery.  She is a member of VMAT and NRVT (national veterinary emergency response teams) and spent time in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. 

A significant portion of Bridget’s spare time is spent caring for her mostly rescued menagerie, which includes four dogs and cats, an iguana and a tortoise, sheep, goats, alpacas, chickens, turkeys, a goose, a llama, and a cow.

Dr. Carly McDonald

Dr. Carly McDonald grew up in Southern Ontario, Canada. She received her Bachelor of Science in Animal Biology from the University of Guelph.  In 2015, she began her veterinary school education.  Dr. McDonald received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, magna cum laude, from St George's University after completing a year of clinical rotations at Cornell University.  She has called the Ithaca region home ever since.

From the moment Dr. McDonald could talk as a very young child, she told everyone she met that she would one day be a veterinarian. She has worked in the veterinary field since she was 16.

When she isn’t at the clinic, Dr. McDonald enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, jetskiing, snowmobiling, and motocross with her husband and their dogs Ryder and Kawi. 

Dr. Mike Plotkin

Dr. Mike Plotkin is a 1984 graduate of SUNY at Albany and a 1993 graduate of Cornell University vet school.  Although a native of New York City, he quickly discovered that the Central New York life was for him and returned to Ithaca soon after graduation.

After starting his career in mixed animal practice, he transitioned to exclusively small animal practice (which has included over 7 years in emergency and critical care medicine).  Mike is married and has dogs, cats, and chickens. 

His hobbies include competitive distance running, cross-country skiing, Ultimate, gardening, and home improvement.