Meet the Vets
Our team of experienced veterinarians at Arlington Dog and Cat Hospital is dedicated to providing exceptional care for pets and the people who love them. We are each united with one goal: to better the lives of every pet that comes through our hospital doors. Get to know the compassionate veterinarians at Arlington Dog and Cat Hospital below!
Dr. Herb Leary, VMD
Herb Leary, VMD is the Hospital Director of Arlington Dog and Cat Hospital. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Before coming to Arlington Dog and Cat Hospital, he practiced veterinary medicine at the Jersey Shore.
Dr. Leary enjoys helping people develop their careers. He is a former board member of the Metropolitan New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association and was Chairman of the Education Committee for several years. He attended the Academy of Veterinary Imaging in Dallas, Texas and is a graduate of the Small Animal Veterinarian Ultrasound Imaging Program. Currently, he is an instructor in veterinary ultrasound at the Academy of Veterinary Ultrasound.
Herb is an outdoor enthusiast and has a passion for hiking, skiing, kayaking and all that nature has to offer.
Dr. Marguerite Hoey, DVM
Dr. Marguerite Hoey grew up locally in Lyndhurst and first started at Arlington Dog and Cat Hospital as an assistant while attending college. She completed her undergraduate and veterinary education at Michigan State University. After graduation, she worked at a small animal hospital in Michigan for two years before joining Arlington Dog and Cat Hospital.
Dr. Hoey is active in the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association and currently serves on the Public Relations committee, Animal Hall of Fame, and Veterinary Scholarship committees. She is also Treasurer and Co-Secretary of the Northern New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association which meets monthly for continuing education. Dr. Hoey is a past recipient of the Northern NJ Veterinarian of the Year award as well as the NJVMA Distinguished Service Award. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering at church, playing fetch with her black Lab, Ollie, reading, and cheering on local sport teams.
Dr. Rachel Plafker Esrig, VMD
Rachel Plafker Esrig, VMD attended undergraduate college at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, graduating with a degree in Neurobiology and Behavior. She went to veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania, earning her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation, she completed an internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery and was granted the annual award for exceptional patient care.
Dr. Esrig resides in Essex County with her family and her “retired” Seeing Eye Dog Mac, two cats, Lewis and Mabel, as well as Betty and Veronica, her laying hens. In her spare time, Dr. Esrig accompanies Mac in his volunteer duties as a therapy dog at a local Alzheimer’s disease facility and enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking, stand-up paddle boarding and spending time with her (almost) grown children.
Dr. Jessie Viscarra, DVM
Jessie Viscarra, DVM, is a graduate of St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada, West Indies. She was born and raised in New Jersey but with a passion to travel the world. She came across Arlington Dog and Cat Hospital not as a prospective job candidate but as client desperate to have her precious chihuahua seen for an emergency.
Her professional interests include anesthesiology and emergency medicine. Life outside of veterinary medicine consists of family time, reading, running, and caring for her rambunctious pets which consists of Rudy the Shiba Inu, Lola the Chihuahua, Lilo the Sun Conure and Ms. Baskin, a red eared slider.
Dr. Annette Califano, DVM
Dr. Annette Califano received her veterinary education at Tufts University (V’18). She was born and raised in Essex County and has lived in the area most of her life. After graduating veterinary school, Dr. Califano practiced in Pennsylvania for four years before deciding to relocate and join the team here at Arlington Dog and Cat Hospital. Her professional interests include internal medicine and preventative care. She currently has one cat, Sandie.
Schedule an Appointment With Us!
Reach out to our team to learn more about our services and to schedule an appointment.