The American Veterinary Clinic Team
The AVC Doctors Compassionate, caring, professional...
Dr. Pranesh
Senior veterinarian & Director
Dr. Pranesh Sewpershad (BVSc.Hons.Pret) DVM
Specializing in:
- Small animal internal Medicine
- Clinical pathology
- Diagnostic imaging
- Preventative medicine
- One Health practitioner
Big title for a little person – Beeeg heart with lots of compassion in this guy! Proud South African graduated from the Faculty of veterinary sciences in Pretoria, the beautiful Jacaranda city. He loved it so much that after completing the undergraduate degree, he went back and studied some more gaining a post graduate degree in small animal internal medicine, clinical pathology and diagnostic imaging (Ultrasonography, MRI and CT). Having spent the greater part of his advanced veterinary career at a specialist hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, he practiced medicine alongside a highly specialized team of veterinary specialists! He brings this expertise to the U.A.E and is able to assist in advanced veterinary care, treatment and management of conditions in your pet. He is like your Physician only better – his patients do not talk – but he does talk to his patients – no he is not crazy!
When he is not immersed in his clinical duties, he works in developing new novel ideas and concepts for the veterinary market. All work and no play, makes anyone dull – he tries to ride his bicycles and attempts to pitch a tent in the desert – BBQ’s or Braai’s as they say in R.S.A, is a favorite pass time too. He loves doing arty-crafty stuff with the only woman born to rule his life – his daughter! The wife hangs out there sometime and somewhere too!
No vet’s home is complete without a menagerie – take your pick – he has it or had it – now, will a camel fit in an SUV…mmmm?
Dr. Pranesh speaks English, Afrikaans, Hindi and Urdu. He is attempting Arabic – he is not so good at that one, better stick to being a vet, we say!
Dr. Laura
Associate veterinarian
Dr. Laura Maldonado Mercedes Chacone. DVM
“The many named one”
Specializing in:
- Ultrasonography
- Internal medicine
- Critical care
- Emergency medicine
- General practitioner
How can one person have so many names? We think we were impressed with her extra names so we hired her. Dr. Laura is our Spaniard dancing queen who sprung out from South America in the middle of the Amazon jungle with amazing diagnostic skills in veterinary Ultrasonography. Born with an ultrasound probe in her hand, she perfected her skills in Ecuador when she worked alongside some of the best vets in Ecuador at one of the largest specialist veterinary clinics. She is also proficient in internal medicine with a leaning to emergency veterinary medicine. Dr. Laura complements our team of veterinarians with her amazing attitude, bubbly spirit and attention to detail for all the patients at AVC!
She loves to gym, collects funky pens and pencils and is an amazing mum to her son, and a crazy cat Tango. She can speak Spanish and English (or she at least tries too or you know Spanglish?) Husband, Juan, is a pilot who loves spending his money on her makeup kits which is NOT tested on animals
Dr. Laura is on a continuous education sabbatical – she wants to be smartest vet around! so we can ensure we provide you with the best! Coming soon!
Dr. Aqsa Azam DVM
Specializing in:
- General practitioner
- Small animal dermatology
Dr. Aqsa, our Lahore-lass, hails from the beautiful country of Pakistan and comes along with a befitting and accomplished history of trials and tribulations to achieve her veterinary degree. Supported and motivated by her father, Dr. Aqsa completed her degree at the University Veterinary and Animal Science (UVAS), Lahore, Pakistan.
Her drive and determination into exploring the veterinary world, brought her to the USA with extensive internships in New York and New Jersey at specialist small animal practices. She developed and perfected her skills in small animal general practice and went on to work in Malayasia with a veterinary group of practices. In all, she accumulated a great wealth of experience and expertise in general practice. She brings it all together very well at the AVC as part of our dynamic and evolving team.
She has kept it all in the family and is married – to a vet! I am sure she is the better vet!
Mother to twin boys, dedicating her love to anything with animals, her own menagerie and colony of cats and her favorite daily habits are makeup, reading books and she is an avid Netflix-er!
You are sure to see the fiery – feisty spirit in her during her dedication to ensuring all her patients are well cared for.
Dr. Aqsa speaks English, Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi.
Dr. Marcelo Uzeda. DVM
Specialising in:
- Critical care medicine
- General practice
THE HUMANS YOU TRUST TO HOLD YOUR PETS PAWS IN TIME OF NEED:
MANOJ D’SOUZA
SENIOR VET TECHNICIAN
Manoj D'Souza
Manoj, is a pioneering member of our team. He arrived in Abu Dhabi 1999 as the very first assistant at the AVC. His job was to acquire and set up the initial equipment for the clinic. Needless to say his versatility, ingenuity and love for dogs, made him change careers from an electrician to a vet tech. He is the calmest person you will ever come across. One heart beat short of a coma! Even the most aggressive dogs, learn to chill with him.
He heads our technician team and ensures they all are well trained and kept on their toes to ensure the best for our patients. He is responsible for ensuring all our smart equipment are well maintained and kept in tip-top condition.
Manoj is blessed with two dogs, Aliya and Pishty, an amazing family with two kids with his wife Vilma. When he is not in the clinic he does photography and loves fishing. Manoj is an avid electronic/computer tech geek so he is always tampering with computers and other electronics.
SHEREMIE “SHENG” GONAZELES
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
She is our latest vet technician to join us – she is in charge of your pet when they are admitted to the hospital – she ensures they are comfortable, get their meds and lots of TLC – she is the mother of the hospital and she keeps things very strict! Did I do that correctly now?
MARK
VET TECHNICIAN
Mark joined our team after gaining vast experience working in other vet clinics in the UAE. He is a great addition to our team with a superb attitude, courteous smile and brings with him a wealth of experience in veterinary patient care. Mark is a qualified physiotherapist who gave up on the bi-peds, and now focuses on his passion of helping his patients with much needed TLC and hands on rehab exercises!
He helps fix our backs!
Mark is a self-claimed foodie who explores Abu Dhabi’s streets in search of that elusive dish. He is also an avid gamer and has a mean left thumb on his gaming console. Sudoku is also one of his favorite past-times.
ROBERT
VET TECHNICIAN
Robert Castro
Veterinary Technician |Passionate Communicator | Farm-Born Funnyman | Saxophonist Serenader | Devoted Dad
As a vet technician with a heart as big as the barn he grew up on, Robert has a unique way of connecting with animals and their owners. Born and raised on a charming farm, he learned the art of patience and care from his early days tending to cows, chickens, and mischievous goats.
But don’t let the farm boy charm fool you—Robert also knows his way around a saxophone! When he’s not tending to furry friends, you can catch him playing smooth jazz tunes that would make even the most anxious pet’s tail wag to the beat.
With a sense of humour as vast as the rolling countryside, Robert can turn even the most stressful moments at the clinic into a laugh-out-loud experience. His quick wit and infectious laughter are just what the doctor ordered, making every visit to the clinic a memorable one.
And let’s not forget his most cherished role—being a doting dad to his son, Axel. When Robert isn’t soothing worried pet parents, he’s busy creating adventures and sharing precious moments with his young sidekick.
Need a vet tech who can communicate with your furry family members, make you chuckle during the toughest times, and serenade your pet with a saxophone solo? Look no further than Robert, the farm-born, music-loving, and hilarious vet tech extraordinaire!
Sultan Alexis
VET TECHNICIAN
Sultan Alexis
Meet Sultan Alexis, a dedicated and compassionate veterinary technician with a talent for working with animals and a heart full of kindness. With his reserved demeanor and exceptional pet-handling skills, Sultan brings a unique blend of patience and expertise to our veterinary team.
Sultan’s journey into the world of veterinary care began with a deep-seated passion for animals from a young age. His natural ability to connect with pets and a strong desire to make a positive impact on their lives led him to pursue a career as a veterinary technician.
Over the years, Sultan has honed his skills through rigorous training and hands-on experience in various veterinary settings. His calm and patient nature makes him the go-to person for handling even the most anxious or fearful animals. Whether it’s a nervous kitten or a senior dog needing extra care, Sultan’s gentle touch and soothing presence put both pets and their owners at ease.
Sultan is a valued member of our veterinary team, always willing to assist his colleagues and contribute to the overall well-being of our furry patients.
His kindness extends beyond the animals he cares for; Sultan also exemplifies empathy and compassion towards pet owners during challenging times.Sultan Alexis is more than just a veterinary technician; he is a dedicated and caring individual who strives to improve the lives of animals and their owners every day. His reserved nature, pet-handling skills, patience, and kindness make him an invaluable asset to our veterinary practice, and we’re proud to have him as a member of our team. When Sultan is around, you can be confident that your beloved pets are in the best hands possible.
The American Veterinary Clinic team
Your dedicated team of pet care professionals!
Rinoy Job:
The Hospital Supervisor
That explains the suit! The Supervisor!
Rinoy joined the AVC in 2009. His positions in the clinic have included Receptionist and Pet Relocation Advisor but his customer service skills and through knowledge of all aspects of the clinic have allowed him to expand his role into that of Hospital Supervisor to manage all the administrative stuff – sounds boring! But He loves it! He has an MBA in Human Resources to prove it. He makes sure everyone completes the chain and everyone follows the rules and policies. He pays attention to ensure the clinic remains standing – you know vets, they always bring the house down…
In his spare time, when we allow him to leave the clinic, he has a secret double role! Many may have seen him on the cricket pitch in a few cricket league matches in Abu Dhabi, when he swaps his suit for cricket bat beating a poor defenceless cricket ball to a pulp as the number one batsman. Trophies, certificates and medals litter his apartment…
He has a keen love for dogs and has his own four legged menagerie in Kerala.
Wilma, his wife, 2 kids Bryan and Bianca complete him.
Rinoy’s friendly attitude and people skills help set the tone for the rest of the staff!
Speaks: English, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam.
Habid Thondikodan:
Public Relations Officer P.R.O
Habid, makes sure we all have our paperwork in order and that we are legal residents of the U.A.E. He liaises with various federal municipal government departments to keep all our licenses, visas and operational requirements legal.
He facilitates deportation of unwanted staff! He walks the walk and talks the talk when it comes to handling extremely daunting tasks.
You will occasionally see him assisting in pick up and drop off’s for cattery, kennels and consults.
Habid is courageous in his endeavors and is married to Shayla and they have two kids together Hazin and Haya.
He loves running – sometimes away from us – and has completed R.A.K and Adnoc marathons.
Speaks: English, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and Arabic.
Our client relationship managers are committed to providing the best possible service.
Subin. P. Baby
Client Relationship Manager
Few words, but major impact – he speaks when he is spoken to! Subin is friendly and efficient in communications and accountancy, and is a soft-hearted dude who cries when he sees pets in pain – the emotional empath…
He loves cats and is always playing with little dogs in our lobby. He’s also an avid cricketer, after all he is Indian and face it – Indians know their cricket!
He balances the customer relation team with his calmness and problem-solving skill set. Subin also helps out in the pet relocation department. Yeah, he can multi-task!
His rough rugged looks hide a big soft inner teddy bear – did we mention he is single?
Speaks: English, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam
Chelsea Kyle
Our trainee CRM
Meet our youngest and adorable receptionist! She does live up to her personality that turns the clinic upside down!
Chelsea brings a fresh perspective and a willingness to learn and grow, especially with cats.
She is adept at providing outstanding client services through effective interaction, creative problem-solving, and a strong dedication to customer satisfaction.
Not only is she mastering the art of decoding barks and meows, but also perfecting the technique of making every trip to the vet go smoothly with guaranteed satisfaction for all your pets needs.
She is knowledgeable in all our merchandise inventory and is an aspiring veterinary nutritional advisor, from the Royal Canine Nutritional Academy.
She loves doing Origami, designing, and making different kinds of trinkets. She is also an amazing cat mum of three. If you ask us, she has the hallmarks of a future crazy-cat lady…but we love her none the less!
She speaks English, Tagalog and “Cat”.
Office Staff
Keeping the business side of things in order…
Waruna S. Nanayakkra
Accountant
Waruna – Tranquil Financial Steward
Waruna is our serene accountant with an unwavering commitment to maintaining financial harmony within our bustling practice.
With a gentle demeanour that mirrors the soothing presence we provide to our beloved animal companions, Waruna is the calming force behind our financial operations.
With a strong background in finance Waruna has honed their expertise to perfection. He possesses an exceptional ability to navigate the complex terrain of financial management, ensuring that our veterinary facility remains financially sound and stable.
Waruna is responsible for:
Carefully managing our budget to enable us to continue offering top-notch care to our patients.
Handling invoicing and billing with the utmost precision, making sure clients have a seamless experience.
Offering transparent financial insights, so you can make informed decisions about your pet’s care.
The Zen Approach is what truly sets Waruna apart with his unflappable serenity. In the often-hectic world of veterinary medicine, his calm disposition remains a beacon of tranquility. No matter the financial challenge, Waruna approaches it with a poised and composed attitude, ensuring that the financial side of your pet’s care remains stress-free.
Waruna is not just an accountant; he is a dedicated partner in ensuring that your pet’s health and well-being always come first.
In a world full of numbers, Waruna stands out as the embodiment of tranquility.
“Let’s journey towards financial harmony, one paw at a time.”
The AVC Pet Relocation Team
Making pet relocation easy!
Abhi Chhetri:
Senior Pet Relocation Advisor
Abhi oversees the AVC Pet Relocation Department – making sure you and your pet receive the best possible advice and care when traveling. Abhi’s extensive experience with both importing and exporting pets ensures he can provide answers to all your pet relocation questions!
Shibin Poonthottathil:
Pet Relocation assistant
You will also meet him on the occassion, he is fetching/drop-off your fur kids at your home. He ensures they travel in our air-conditioned vehicles in prime comfort. He aims to ensure they are always safely in their crates/carriers. Shibin, is calm and collected at all times and is able to soothe any anxious pet before and after travels. He is trained in recognising veterinary emergencies and to mobilise the technical team in the event.
He can also be found outside our clinic feeding the community cats or sneaking them in to the air-conditioned hallways of the building to cool down. An avid eco-warrior continually watering plants and ensuring our front garden is clean from ecologically damaging trash!
The AVC Kennel Team
Trusted care for your trusted companion!
Kristian-B :
Kennel Supervisor
Everyone who uses the AVC Kennels knows Kristian! He has a calm and gentle approach with the dogs in his care and treats them as if they were his own. His admirable work ethic, attention to detail, and dedication to customer service allow him to excel in his role as AVC Kennel Supervisor.
Kristian-B :
Kennel Supervisor
Everyone who uses the AVC Kennels knows Kristian! He has a calm and gentle approach with the dogs in his care and treats them as if they were his own. His admirable work ethic, attention to detail, and dedication to customer service allow him to excel in his role as AVC Kennel Supervisor.
Ralf Vibar :
Dog Handler
Ralf Vibar :
Dog Handler
Ralf, a true dog whisperer and an invaluable member of our kennel facility team. With an innate understanding of canine behaviour and breed-specific nuances, Ralf is not just a dog handler but a dedicated caregiver who goes above and beyond to ensure every dog’s well-being.
With a warm and friendly demeanour, Ralf welcomes every four-legged friend with open arms, creating an environment of trust and comfort. His attention to detail ensures that each dog’s unique needs are met, from dietary preferences to exercise routines.
What truly sets Ralf apart is his unwavering empathy and compassion. He has an incredible ability to connect with dogs on a profound level, making them feel safe and loved during their stay. Ralf understands that each dog is unique, with its own set of behaviours and quirks, and tailors their care accordingly.
With a passion for canine welfare and a commitment to exceptional customer service, Ralf is the go-to person for dog owners seeking the best care for their beloved pets. When you entrust your furry family member to Ralf, you can rest assured that they are in the hands of a truly exceptional handler and a compassionate soul who treats each dog as if they were his own.
Alvin Lawama :
Dog Handler
Introducing Alvin, a dog handler whose kindness, empathy, and compassion shine through in everything he does. With a heart full of love for our four-legged friends, Alvin is a devoted caregiver who understands the emotional needs of your pet.
His gentle and patient approach creates a safe and comforting environment for every dog. Alvin has an extraordinary ability to connect with dogs on an emotional level, offering them reassurance and understanding during their time together.
Whether it’s a shy pup needing extra encouragement or a senior dog seeking a gentle touch, Alvin treats each canine companion with the utmost care and consideration.
Alvin embodies the spirit of empathy and compassion, making him easy choice for dog owners looking for someone who will treat their pets with the love and respect they deserve. When your furry friend is in Alvin’s capable hands, you can be certain they are receiving not just care, but genuine warmth and affection.
