Occupation: I am a veterinarian at Mt Pleasant Hospital for Animals. I started here about six months ago. I work at Mystic Aquarium and the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, part-time, and I also work at South Wilton Veterinary Group, an avian and exotic referral clinic. We also treat dogs and cats there.

Family: My family is from Newtown. My parents had a place on Lake Lillinonah for years. My younger brothers and sisters — Bill, John, Tricia, and sister-in-law, Amy — all went to Newtown schools. My older sister Judy, brother Paul, and I graduated from Ridgefield High School. My oldest brother, Rick, went to school in Texas. I have 20 nieces and nephews.

Pets: I only have one cat, Petrie. She came from Amy and Billy when their cat had kittens. I’m not home enough to have a dog, but I would like to, some day.

Where do you live? I live in Bethel now.

What do you like to do in your free time? I like to bicycle and I like to go for boat rides on the lake, and go fishing; any outdoor activity. I read a lot and belong to a book club in Brookfield. I enjoy going to the beach and anywhere, really, near the water.

What are you reading now? I just finished The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline, which I liked, and The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. It’s really good.

Do you have a favorite travel destination? I love South Africa and New Zealand. They are two of my favorite places I’ve traveled to for work. I was a zoo veterinarian for ten years. I worked with Disney to open Animal Kingdom. I also did shark research with great white sharks, in New Zealand and South Africa, when I was working for — and even after — The Bronx Zoo.

What is the best thing about Newtown? The best thing about Newtown is the people that live there and that it still has that small town feeling. I love the dairy and horse farms. I love the fact that whenever you go into town you always seem to run into someone you know.

Who has been the greatest influence on your life? There are several people, such as some of my mentors who have guided me through my career. There were a couple of zoo veterinarians who helped me develop an interesting and diverse career. And friends who encouraged me to go to veterinarian school and helped me through the process. There are too many to pick just one who has influenced my life.

Do you have a personal philosophy? To do the best I can, every day. To have high standards and integrity, and do things to the best of my ability.

Do you have a guilty pleasure? Traveling, and relaxing with my friends and family. My family is very important to me. They’re all my best friends. I have friends from all walks of life that I stay in touch with, too.