About Our Staff
Dr. Paul Howard DVM, MS
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Dr. Howard, a native Vermonter, received his veterinary degree from Michigan State University in 1975. After completing a small animal surgery residency at Cornell University in 1980, Dr. Howard accepted a faculty position in small animal surgery at the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine. This was followed in 1982 by a similar appointment at the newly established School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wisconsin in Madison (UWSVM), where he remained until 1989.
Dr. Howard attained board certification by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1986 and received a Master’s of Science degree at Wisconsin in 1989.
Dr. Howard relocated to Burlington, Vermont in 1989 and established the Vermont Veterinary Surgical Center (VVSC), the first veterinary practice in the state of Vermont that operated solely as a referral center. The VVSC accepts referral cases requiring orthopedic, soft tissue, and neurosurgical expertise. Dr. Howard enjoys all aspects of small animal surgery, but has developed special interests in arthroscopy, minimally invasive surgery, oral and reconstructive surgery. He continues to provide consultation and expertise to area veterinarians in endodontics and selective orthodontic procedures. Dr. Howard works extensively with law enforcement and search and rescue canines.
Dr. Howard is a current member of the Vermont Veterinary Medical Association (VVMA) and the New England Veterinary Medical Association. He previously served as president of both organizations. Dr. Howard is also a member of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. In 2006, in recognition of his contributions to the veterinary community, Dr. Howard was awarded the VVMA’s most prestigious honor, the Dave Walker Award. Dr. Howard was also recognized by the Vermont Police Canine Association in 2007 for his many years of service to law enforcement canines.
Dr. Howard’s non-veterinary interests are varied. He is a retired professional ski instructor, a Master Instructor for the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, and a member of the Colchester Technical Rescue Team. Dr. Howard is also an Angel Flight pilot; as a volunteer with this organization, he provides free-of-charge flights to children and adults so they can access crucial medical care otherwise not available to them.
Deborah Danforth, LVT
Licensed and Certified Veterinary Technician
Debbie Danforth, LVT, joined the VVSC in 1995 after relocating to Vermont from New York. She is the Senior Veterinary Technician and Hospital Manager. Licensed in New York in 1978 and certified in Vermont as a veterinary technician, Ms. Danforth is a graduate of SUNY Delhi with an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Technology.
Ms. Danforth is a member and officer of the Vermont Veterinary Technicians Association and has membership with the New York State Association of Veterinary Technicians and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. In June 2008, she was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the Vermont Veterinary Medical Association for her unprecedented 8 years as a member of its Public Relations Committee. Ms. Danforth is currently serving on the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities. This national committee is responsible for accreditation of veterinary technician programs throughout the United States.
Tracy Loiselle, CVT
Certified Veterinary Technician
Tracy Loiselle, a native Vermonter, joined the VVSC in 2006. Ms. Loiselle is a 2003 graduate of Vermont Technical College with an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology. She subsequently passed the Veterinary Technician National Examination to become a certified veterinary technician. Ms. Loiselle is a member of the Vermont Veterinary Technicians Association and has a special interest in anesthesia.
Nicki Rogers, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Nicki Rogers joined the VVSC in 2009. Ms. Rogers has returned to the area after working at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. A Vermont native, she is a 2004 graduate of Medaille College in New York. Ms. Rogers is a member of the Vermont Veterinary Technicians Association and has a special interest in veterinary dentistry.
Julianne Hillis
Veterinary Assistant
Julianne is a native Vermonter who began working at the VVSC in 2002 while attending high school. She is a 2006 graduate of Vermont Technical College with an Associate of Science in Bioscience Technologies Degree. Ms. Hillis continued her studies at the University of Vermont, graduating in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science.
Melissa Trayah
Veterinary Assistant
Ms. Trayah, also a Vermont native, is a 2000 graduate of Trinity College of Vermont with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in mathematics with a minor in chemistry. She joined the VVSC staff in 2007.