I had wanted to be a veterinarian since I was a little girl.  In 1996, that dream was real- 

ized when I graduated from veterinary school at the Kansas State University College of 

Veterinary Medicine.  Since graduation, I have had the pleasure of working in many dif- 

ferent small animal hospitals.  My ?rst job out of school was at a small, rural hospital.  

From there, I worked at an emergency clinic which was always a special interest of 

mine.  I then worked in several large hospitals with many doctors and specialists for 

several years.  Here, I honed my diagnostic and surgical skills.  After leaving these large 

clinics, I worked at several smaller hospitals where I was able to enjoy a closer relation- 

ship with my clients and patients.  Throughout my career, I have volunteered my serv- 

ices helping wildlife and have had the pleasure of a seasonal, part time position at a 

dedicated wildlife hospital - Messinger Woods Wildlife Care and Education Center.  I 

have served as a board member and president of the Pet Emergency Fund in Buffalo, 

NY - a charitable organization which assists pet owners in need for emergency veteri- 

nary care.  I also volunteered many hours with Feral Cat Focus to help sterilize and 

vaccinate feral cats in Western New York.  My professional interests are emergency and 

critical care medicine and surgery, feline medicine, internal medicine and shelter medi- 

cine.  I am dedicated to the best care for my patients in every aspect.  

I currently practice small animal medicine and surgery in a large, rural mixed animal 

practice in the Northcountry of New York.  I enjoy the simplicity of rural practice - our 

goal is to help our patients and clients however we can - the true heart of veterinary 

medicine. 

Outside of veterinary medicine, my passion is whitewater kayaking and I enjoy teaching 

others this fantastic sport.  I recently started an outdoor adventure business called Misty 

Mountains Adventures (www.mistymountainsadvenures.com).  We teach whitewater 

kayaking, guide river trips and organize backcountry ski and whitewater trips to out- 

standing destinations.  We teach kayaking in the beautiful Adirondack mountains of up- 

state New York.  There are hundreds of rivers and creeks within a short drive.  The riv- 

ers and mountains are what feed my soul. 

I am also involved in bringing a low-cost, high-volume, high-quality mobile spay and 

neuter clinic to the Northcountry of upstate New York called Spay it Forward, NY.  Check 

out our website in progress:  www.spayitforwardny.org.  By offering low-cost spay and 

neuter services to rescue organizations, low-income families, feral and barn cats, we 

will truly make a positive impact on the stray population of the great Northcountry.  

Whitewater kayaking, veterinary medicine and living in the Northcountry are my pas- 

sions in life! 

Executive Director:

Patti Gorby

I have been passionate about helping animals since I was a little girl. Spay it Forward NY is a culmination of a lot of desire and hard work. Besides my love of animals, I have a Masters of Music degree in Horn Performance from Indiana University where I had the honor of studying with Myron Bloom, and a Masters of Library and Information Science degree from Kent State University.  

I am very excited to join the community of Northern New York where nature is abundant and the people have been kind.