Meet the care team
Every person at NUZZLE was chosen not just for their credentials, but for the genuine warmth they bring to patients and families. We also all have pets — which means we know exactly how you feel in the waiting room.
Dr. Maya Chen
Dr. Chen founded NUZZLE in 2019 after a decade at a large corporate practice, frustrated by the 10-minute appointment culture that left clients with more questions than answers. She completed her internal medicine residency at Cornell University and holds a diplomate certification from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, bringing specialist-level diagnostic thinking to every annual wellness exam.
Pet parent to Oat, golden retriever.
Dr. James Okafor
Dr. Okafor trained at the University of Edinburgh School of Veterinary Studies and completed a surgical internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York before joining NUZZLE at its founding. His meticulous technique and calm bedside manner have made him a favorite among clients who previously dreaded their pets' surgery days — he's the kind of surgeon who texts you a recovery photo from the procedure room.
Pet parent to Sable and Pepper, two black cats.
Dr. Sofia Reyes
Dr. Reyes holds a certified veterinary acupuncture credential alongside her DVM and brings a whole-animal, environment-aware lens to behavioral medicine and clinical nutrition. She spent three years as a behavior resident working with shelter animals before joining NUZZLE, and now manages everything from separation anxiety in city apartments to prescription diet protocols for cats with chronic kidney disease — often in the same afternoon.
Pet parent to Hummus, anxious beagle mix.
Priya Nair
Priya is NUZZLE's Fear Free Certified practitioner and the first face most of our patients see when they arrive — by design. She pioneered the clinic's low-stress handling protocols, which have measurably reduced the need for chemical restraint in fractious patients. Her anesthesia monitoring during surgical cases is so thorough that Dr. Okafor jokes that Priya is the real reason our complication rate is so low.
Pet parent to Miso, tabby cat.
Carlos Mendes
Carlos runs NUZZLE's diagnostic hub — in-house IDEXX analyzer, digital radiography, and portable ultrasound — with the calm precision of someone who genuinely loves the puzzle of an unusual blood panel. Before joining NUZZLE he worked at a specialty emergency hospital for four years, where he developed an acute eye for critical lab values and a talent for patient positioning that produces clinic-quality radiographs on even the most anxious patients.
Pet parent to Fig, rescue greyhound.
Rachel Torres
Rachel keeps everything running — scheduling, membership enrollments, insurance claims, team culture, and the espresso machine. She came to veterinary practice management from healthcare operations consulting and brought with her a genuine belief that a well-run front office is an act of care for the clients and patients who depend on it. If you've ever gotten a same-day appointment at NUZZLE, Rachel is quietly the reason why.
Pet parent to Archie, dachshund.
Want to join the NUZZLE team?
We're always looking for talented veterinary professionals who share our values. Say hello.
careers@nuzzlevet.example