Our Team

THE DOCTORS

DR. GAYLE BLOCK

Dr. Block is the practice owner, having opened Town and Country in 1992, with Dr. Maxine Borghesi. Owning her own practice was an early dream of Dr. Block’s, which she achieved through her determination and a passion for helping animals. A very hands-on practice owner, Dr. Block sees patients regularly throughout the week, and has a dedicated surgery day. She truly enjoys forming lasting relationships with her patients and clients.

One of Dr. Block’s passions has always been helping to reduce the pet overpopulation epidemic, and she has spearheaded several spay and neuter events. A graduate of Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Block is a current member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association. She was honored to be named the 2016 CVMA Veterinarian of the Year. In her time away from the office, she enjoys the outdoors, yoga and her family, which includes her husband and daughter, her giant puppy Cabot and two cats, Callie and Carson (and her granddog, Sailor). She is a long time resident of Tolland, CT.

DR. EMILY MELENDEZ

Dr. Melendez joined Town and Country in May 2018.  She graduated from Tufts University in 2015, and has been practicing in Connecticut since.   She grew up in Maine, and moved to Connecticut to attend Wesleyan University.   When she isn’t busy providing amazing veterinary care, she enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and relaxing at home.   She shares her home with her husband, Aaron, two tuxedo cats, Finn and Jake and her dog (Cabot’s BFF) Ollie.

THE STAFF

DEBORAH

Deborah is our new Practice Manager.  She joined us in June 2022.  She comes with 10 years of veterinary practice management experience.  Deborah is originally from NY and moved to CT during Covid.  She shares her home with her son Charles, 4 dogs, Sake, Eve, Storm and Toulouse and 2 cats, Tiger and Misty.  Deborah has a passion for animals and enjoys being in a busy veterinary environment.  In her down time, she enjoys gardening, reading, watching the Steelers play and long walks with her dogs.  Deborah also enjoys baking and cooking!

ROBIN

Robin is our head technician. She has been in the veterinary field since 2003 and has spent the last nine years at Town and Country.  Robin enjoys all aspects of patient care.  She shares her home with Manny and Poppy, her two Rat Terriers.  Robin loves spending her spare time taking Manny and Poppy on hikes and to the beach.

ROCHELLE

Rochelle is a licensed veterinary technician.  She has been in the field since 2019, when she graduated from technician school and passed her national exam.  Rochelle has worked at Town and Country for the past 2 ½ years as a CVT.  She loves all animals from small to large, including the furry and the scaly.  Rochelle has a cat named London and a chocolate English Labrador Retriever named Denver.

JACKIE

Jackie is a veterinary assistant who’s been with us since 2015.  She has been in the veterinary field for over 15 years.  We are fortunate to have her as part of our team.  Jackie enjoys traveling, car shows, hiking and riding and massaging horses.  She shares her home with three cats, Simon, Maddie and Marshmellow. Jackie’s cheery, upbeat personality cannot be missed!

SHAELYN

Shaelyn joined the team in 2021 as an intern while completing the assistant program at MCC.  She is currently a veterinary assistant further pursuing her career in veterinary technician school.  When not at work, Shaelyn enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music, and painting.  She shares her home with three cats and a dachshund.

ELAINE

Elaine joined the team in April.  She is one of two customer service representatives.  Elaine has been in veterinary medicine in one capacity or another since graduating high school.  She enjoys any opportunity to enhance the client-patient bond through education.  Elaine shares her home with a plethora of furry, feathered and scaled friends, as well as a few humans.  We are happy to have her on our team.

DONNAJAY

DonnaJay is our newest hire, joining our team in September.  You will find her at the front desk as one of our customer service representatives.   DonnaJay has over seven years of experience in the pet industry.  Her vast experience ranges from completing a veterinary assistant program at MCC in 2014, to working in various capacities, to settling in the veterinary field in 2016.  She shares her home with her husband, two children and two dogs, Diamond and Dolce.  DonnaJay likes to spend her down time relaxing with her family, cooking and keeping busy with all her pets.

COLBY

Colby graced the hall, waiting room and exam rooms at Town and Country for more than 15 years.  He had more friends (and more cookies) than most of us in our lifetime.  He was shy but would come around and would often go right into rooms with his mom (Dr. Block), especially if he particularly liked the patient she was seeing.  His distinguished gray face could not help but make you smile.   His spirit will always be present at Town and Country.