Dr. Howard A. Cohen
Dr. Howard is the owner and director of Urban Vets. A veterinarian since 1996, Dr. Cohen practiced medicine at veterinary hospitals throughout the city before establishing Urban Vets in 2000.
A Philadelphia native, Dr. Cohen attended Brandeis University and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology in 1989. He went on to attend Ross University Veterinary School and Purdue University Veterinary School, where he was on the dean's list. He received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1996. His professional interests include exotic animals, wellness medicine, cancer diagnostics and treatment and internal medicine.
Dr. Cohen is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the New York City Veterinary Medical Association, the New York State Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
In his spare time, Dr. Cohen enjoys keeping active by jogging, rollerblading, swimming and playing baseball. He also plays the guitar. Dr. Cohen's family includes his wife, Leslie, his son, Max, and two pets—Luna, a cat, and Princess Laya, a rabbit.
Elvin Alvarado
Elvin Alvarado joined the team at Urban Vets Animal Hospital in October 2012, but he's been employed in animal-related positions for over 23 years. Elvin works as a veterinary technician, a receptionist, and a manager at Urban Vets; in short, he says, he's responsible for a little of just about everything. He enjoys the variety his position provides him, but his favorite part of the job is simply helping the hospital's clients and their pets.
"The best feeling is when a pet's not doing well, and we can provide treatment and return the pet back to their owners feeling happy and healthy again," Elvin says. "That's when me and my staff know we've made a difference, and that's what makes me loyal to what I do."
When he's not at our animal hospital, Elvin enjoys spending time with his family, riding his bike, taking walks, and playing handball. He's the pet parent to a Turtle named Fluffly.
Yolanda Lebron
Yolanda Lebron has worked as a receptionist with Urban Vets Animal Hospital since March of 2015. Her job responsibilities include answering the phone, making appointments, greeting clients, cashing out, and filing records, reports, and insurance forms. Her favorite part of her position is getting to know clients and their wide variety of pets. "I just love having the opportunity to work with animals every day," Yolanda says.
In her free time, she enjoys spending as much time as possible with her family, as well as going to movies, sporting events, concerts, and amusement parks. Yolanda also has two cats.
Karen Cherrone
Dr. Karen Cherrone is originally from upstate NY. she received her bachelor of science degree in animal science from Cornell University in 1995 and her doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the Ohio state university in 1999. she then completed a small animal internship in medicine and surgery at the animal medical center in New York City in 2000. following the internship, she completed a one-year small animal surgery internship and a comprehensive three- year residency program in soft tissue, orthopedics and neurosurgery at Long Island Veterinary Specialists in 2004.
following her residency, Dr. Cherrone has served as a staff surgeon at specialty, referral and emergency hospitals on long island and in New York City, as well as a director of surgery at the Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital of the Aspca. she has received board certification and is a Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. her special interests include an array of soft tissue and orthopedic procedures, regenerative medicine (platelet rich plasma and stem cell therapy), as well as pain management. with 20 years of experience, she has performed thousands of surgeries over the years.
While not at work, she lives in Manhattan and enjoys sports, trying out new restaurants and spending quality time with her retriever mix Sofia.