Our Team

Anthony Dallatore, VMD

Dr. Anthony Dallatore, DVM, graduated from the University of Delaware with a major in animal science and minors in entomology and biology; then went on to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania with a major in small animals. Dr. Anthony is the Chief of Staff at Hockessin Animal Hospital and a Windcrest Animal Hospital Group co-owner. Dr. Anthony has special interests in avian and small mammal internal medicine and surgery and canine and feline internal medicine and surgery. Dr. Anthony is the proud father of twin boys, Sebastian and Donte, and his wife, Mary Ann, is a Licensed Veterinary Technician. Born and raised in Wilmington, DE, the Dallatore family includes Adalida, an Australian Shepherd/Pit Bull mix; a senior Havanese mix, Harriette; and a three-legged cockapoo named Dennis. In addition, the Dallatores are tolerated by four cats, Walter, Winifred, Wilhelmina, Graycie, and a ferret Mocha. Dr. Anthony enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking and fishing, and spending time with his family at their small fishing cabin on the Conowingo Reservoir.

Janet Mitchell, VMD

Janet Mitchell, VMD, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and is an associate veterinarian at Hockessin Animal Hospital, specializing in dentistry. Dr. Mitchell has lived here in Hockessin since the mid-’70s attending H.B. DuPont middle school and A.I. DuPont High School. She received her undergraduate degree, B.S. in Zoology, from Clemson University in 1987. Dr. Mitchell finds helping people help their pets live happy, healthy lives the most rewarding part of her job. Dr. Mitchell has been a member of the Delaware Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association since 1990. She served as president of the Delaware Veterinary Medical Association in 2003 and again in 2015. She was also a member of the Hockessin/Greenville Rotary from 1995 – 2011. Dr. Mitchell is a member of the local Hockessin Business Association.

Dr. Mitchell and her husband, Jim, own and operate the Woodside Farm Creamery in Hockessin. They milk their own Jersey cows and sell homemade ice cream at the farm. Dr. Mitchell has a family of pets, including her two cats, Squirt and Gracie, and two dogs, Jake (a bulldog) and Pippa (a small mix breed).

Ian Frey, Practice Manager at Hockessin & Graylyn Crest

Ian attended Wilmington University where he obtained his BS in Business Management. Prior to becoming the Practice Manager of both Hockessin & Graylyn, he was the manager of the Delaware SPCA. He was brought to the field of Veterinary Medicine because of the encouraging and rewarding environment, and the opportunity to work with team members that not only want to be successful in their position at the hospital, but in their personal lives as well. Ian’s superpower is to learn, teach, promote and encourage success; both inside and outside of the hospitals he manages. In five years, he would like to be working towards obtaining his CVPM Certification. In Ian’s downtime, he enjoys fishing, kayaking and hiking. He shares his home with a loving German Shepherd, Scarlett.

Danielle Chance, Pet Groomer

Danielle first joined us at our sister hospital, Windcrest, for about two years where she worked in the grooming department. Prior to that, she worked in a variety of customer service roles. Danielle decided to continue her education and attended Cecil County Community College to learn the basics of pet styling and animal care. Along with grooming, Danielle loves sports and spending time with her three energetic boys at home. Although she does not personally have pets, her grooming clients are her pets and she treats them as such.

Amy Wilbur, Practice Manager

Amy attended a vocational high school where she studied Animal Science, she went on to obtain her associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology at the Del Tech Georgetown Campus and eventually became a Licensed Veterinary Technician. In 5 years Amy hopes to achieve homeownership as well as gain knowledge and experience in the Pet Insurance field. . In Amy’s free time she enjoys exercising and seeing live music, preferably bands and DJs. She shares her home with 3 guinea pigs, whom she loves caring for and brings her great joy. Their names are Rose, Daisy, and Ellie (a.k.a. LP ‘Little Pig’). She has owned guinea pigs from a young age and even had 7 total at one point! Amy’s superpower is her sense of humor and being able to lighten a room.

Doug Gersh, Technician

Doug is a retired neurologist, coming from a private practice right here in Wilmington, Delaware. Prior to being a neurologist, Doug was a Clinician’s Assistant Professor of Neurology at Jefferson University. He obtained his M.D., residency in neurology and fellowship in neurology (EEH + EMH) from Thomas Jefferson University, as well as a residency in psychiatry at LIJ Hillside, NY. His 5 year goals include continuing to work and learn. In his free time Doug enjoys reading about small animal neurology, studying farsi, playing chess, playing the harpsichord and participating in a chorus. He shares his home with an Umbrella Cockatoo, Parakeet, Maltipoo and a stray domestic shorthair. Doug’s superpower is he can make dogs laugh.

Brooke Benigo, Technician

Brooke is currently in her Junior year of undergrad at the University of Delaware, majoring in Pre-Veterinary Medicine while minoring in Equine Science. Previously, she was a bather at PetSmart’s grooming salon while she was in high school to start gaining experience in animal care. It has always been her dream to become a Veterinarian and in 5 years, Brooke hopes to be attending Veterinary school working towards those credentials. In her downtime, she loves reading, cooking, and watching movies/TV series. She shares her home with a Havapoo, Beau. Brooke’s superpower is lifting chunky dogs onto the treatment tables with little to no effort!

Tara Rowe, LVT

Before coming to Hockessin, Tara was a Kennel Attendant at another practice for 2 years and prior to that she worked in customer service for a produce company. After being shown a glimpse of the world of surgery, she was hooked and knew she wanted to do more in the Veterinary field. While trained on the job, Tara registered with the state when her eligible hours were reached , to take the VTNE test and receive certification. Her 5 year goals include expanding her technician skill set and gaining experience in the Surgery & Anesthesia departments. In her downtime, Tara enjoys movies, video games, crafting (with resin) and training her cats to do fun tricks, like high five! She shares her home with a 16 year old cat named Genesis, a 6 year old cat named Henrietta, and a 3 year old cat named DevCat. Tara’s superpower is resilience.

Melissa Hogan, LVT

Before joining our team at Hockessin, Melissa worked in clinical pharmacology, monitoring human drug studies for 12 years. While caring for a kitten with cerebellar hypoplasia, Melissa met Dr. A. Dallatore who introduced her to the world of veterinary medicine and the rest is history. She obtained a BA in Psychology from the University of Delaware, an MPH in Healthcare Organization and Policy from the University of AL- Birmingham, and most recently, an Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology from Harcum College. Her 5-year goal is to physically still be able to perform her job well. In Melissa’s free time, she enjoys running, rock climbing, hiking, gardening, refinishing furniture & home improvement projects. She shares her home with 7 cats, one being a semi-permanent foster. Melissa’s superpower is fluently speaking to, and understanding, cats.

Elizabeth Pohle, Technician

Elizabeth is currently a student at the University of Delaware where she is studying pre-veterinary and animal biosciences, with a minor in equine sciences. Prior to joining the Hockessin team she volunteered as a Technician at Forgotten Cats and worked on Webb Farm. She has hands-on experience in a hospital setting, shelter setting and farm setting! Over the next five years, Elizabeth plans to graduate from UD, apply & attend veterinary school, and eventually earn her title as a Veterinarian. When not at work, Elizabeth enjoys exercising and going to the beach. She shares her home with a Harlequin rabbit, Oliver, and two cats named Dale and Brennan. Her superpower is being a safe space for her friends and family.