Meet The Staff
Dr. Gale Flanagan is the owner and Director of Rt. 516 Animal Hospital. She has owned the hospital since July 1994. Dr. Flanagan grew up in Nutley, NJ. She then attended The Ohio State University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1985 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1989. Dr. Flanagan shares her home with her beloved greyhound Coal, her yellow lab Tucker (her first puppy ever!) and four cats Squeaky, Brutus, Inky and Kitty. Dr. Flanagan enjoys playing with her dogs, gardening, shopping for animal art, bike riding and rooting for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Dr. Marni Cohen-Horowitz grew up in Marlboro, New Jersey. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 1997. She then went to Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and did her clinical rotations at Oklahoma State University. After receiving her DVM, she moved back to New Jersey to be closer to her family. She worked at Staten Island Veterinary Group and then Middletown Animal Hospital, before joining the staff at Rt. 516 Animal Hospital in April of 2005. Her dog, Taenia, was an adorable stray that adopted her when she lived on the island of St. Kitts. She also has 2 cats, Alleygator and Monkey. Dr. Cohen-Horowitz is a big Florida Gator fanatic (GO GATORS). In her spare time, she enjoys playing golf, kissing shih-tzus and spending time with her husband, family, friends, her dog and 2 cats.
Dr. Melissa Rotella joined the staff of Rt. 516 Animal Hospital in July of 2006 after completing her veterinary degree at The Ohio State University. Dr. Rotella is originally from Raritan, NJ and received her undergraduate degree in Animal Science at Rutgers University in 2002. Dr. Rotella and her husband, Rob, recently welcomed an addition to their family with the birth of their daughter, Madelyn Rose, in October of 2010. In addition, they have two pets; a sweet ten-year-old golden retriever, Innis, and a feisty two-year-old cat named Jack. In her spare time, Dr. Rotella can be found spending quality time with family and friends, taking walks with her dog and daughter, or relaxing with a book.
Dr. Dana Livingston was born and raised in Sayreville, NJ. Always an animal lover, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science at Delaware Valley College in 2003. She was awarded her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree by the University of Minnesota in 2007. Dr. Livingston has been practicing medicine in Minneapolis before returning to NJ to be closer to family and friends. Dr. Livingston and her husband share a home with a Sun Conure named Sprite and four cats, Mischief, Echo, Romeo and Fury. When not at the animal hospital, Dr. Livingston can be found spending time with her husband, friends and family, as well as reading gardening or traveling.
Dr. Michael Cummings was born in Liverpool, England. He attended the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Cummings received his DVM in 1999. He’s been with our Hospital since 2008.
Manager – Ilah is a native of Staten Island and moved to New Jersey several years ago. Before joining the Hospital in 2002, first as a Receptionist and then Hospital Manager, Ilah worked on Wall Street in the Bond Industry in NY for 10 years. Ilah is married to Steve and has 5 cats – Chloe, Munchkin, Blackie, Spooky & Smudgie. Ilah loves to travel, go to concerts and spends her free time with her husband and friends.
Manager – Nancy was born in Queens, NY and moved to NJ at an early age. After working over 20 years as a retail manager, Nancy took a major leap and switched careers to Veterinary Hospital Management. She has been with us since 2007. Nancy is married to Walter and they have 4 children and 5 grandchildren. Nancy’s passion has always been animals and that is why she has 6 dogs; 4 Golden Retrievers, Sophie, Lindy, Becky and Sadie; a Chocolate Lab, Ruby; and a Boxer, Hattie. In her spare time, Nancy enjoys spending time with her family and friends and her dogs and reading and travelling.
Reception – Lisa has been with our Hospital since August 2003 as a Receptionist. She has a teenage daughter and is engaged to be married. Even though Lisa does not have any pets, she considers the 3 hospital cats, Peaches, Slim and Fling, her own. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends and travelling.
Reception – Angela was born and raised in NY and has lived in NJ since 2002. Angela has been with us since January 2007. Prior to joining us, she worked in the veterinary industry since the 1980’s involving herself in rescue and training. Angela currently teaches basic obedience on Sunday evenings in our hospital. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her fiancé, John, her 22 year old son, 14 year old daughter and her Boston Terrier, Oreo.