Our Staff

Get to know our Veterinary Staff

Dr Nicholas Chuff

Dr. Nicholas Chuff, Founding Owner (Retired)

Dr. Chuff was born in Ilion, NY and grew up on a small farm in Frankfort Center. He attended Frankfort Schools and Alfred University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. Upon graduation, he attended the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University graduating in 1977. Dr. Chuff then entered the U.S. Army at the rank of Captain and first served as the Officer in Charge of the veterinary facilities at Seneca Army Depot, Romulus, NY and Fort Drum. He was then assigned to the 106th Medical Detachment in Seoul, Korea where he was in charge of the Military Working Dog Programs as well as being liaison officer to the Korean Calvary. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for developing the only functional air droppable Field Veterinary Hospital in the Armed Forces . In 1980, Dr. Chuff was married to Consuelo Savidge and entered private practice at Ellisburg Veterinary Clinic, Ellisburg, NY. They have one son Matthew, who is a graduate of Ilion schools, Hamilton College and Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Matt is currently a dairy practitioner in Rushford, NY. In 1981, Dr. Chuff moved back to Ilion and opened German Flatts Veterinary Clinic. In 1995, Dr. Chuff decided to specialize in Dairy Production Medicine and became board certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Dairy Practice Specialty. Dr. Chuff has over 30 years of martial arts training and experience and is currently a Master Instructor and 7th degree black belt in the American Eagle Style of Martial Arts. His other hobbies include skiing and golf.


Dr. Matt Chuff

Dr. Matt Chuff, Owner

Dr. Matt Chuff took over as owner of German Flatts Veterinary Clinic January 2021, allowing his dad and founding owner, Dr. Nicholas Chuff, to retire in August 2021. Matt was born and raised in Ilion, and a graduate of Ilion High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College and his DVM from Cornell University. Prior to working at Lakewood Veterinary Services in western New York, he practiced in Northeastern Colorado for a dairy practice. He worked primarily with dairy farms ranging from 1,500 to 13,000 cows. Matt’s areas of interest include transition cow management, reproductive management, records analysis, and parlor evaluations. He is now co-owner of Lakewood Veterinary Services as well as owner of German Flatts Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Chuff is happily married to his wife, Kari, and proud dad to their daughter, Madelyn. In his spare time, he enjoys cycling and downhill skiing.  

 

 

Dr. Patricia Clark

Dr Clark

Dr. Clark earned her B.S. with honor and distinction from Cornell’s College of Agriculture in Animal Science and her D.V.M. from Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She has been practicing small animal medicine for over 25 years, with the majority of that time at German Flatts Veterinary Clinic. Her greatest satisfaction comes with treating the more difficult cases and reuniting pets with their families. Her goal has always been to treat her patients’ medical and surgical needs as she would treat her own pets. Dr. Clark lives on a small farm with her husband, John. They have 2 grown daughters, Mary and Andrea. The Clark family raises and shows purebred Oxford and Southdown sheep. Dr. Clark is a member of AVMA, NYSVMS & CNYVMA and also a member of the New York State Academy of Veterinary Practice.

 

Dr. Erin McDonald

Dr Erin McDonald

Dr. McDonald is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. She and her husband Nathan live in Ava, NY with two cats, chickens and bees. She enjoys gardening, canning and many outdoor activities.

Dr. Julie Berntson

Dr Bernston

Dr. Berntson earned her B.S. with honors in Animal Science and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) both from Cornell University from 1990-1998. She initially started practicing veterinary medicine at Burrstone Animal Hospital in New Hartford, NY. She joined German Flatts Veterinary Clinic in 2010 on a part-time basis and has recently returned after a 2 year absence living abroad in Singapore. Dr. Berntson will do her best to pursue the ideal treatment options that meet the needs of your pet. Dr. Berntson lives in New Hartford with her husband Ross. They have two active children, Sarah (14) and Nate (12) and an overactive yellow Labrador named Ember. Ember has a great story which Dr. B will gladly tell you if you ask her. When Dr. Berntson isn’t spending time with her family she loves to cook, garden, travel, hike, go to plays and read.

 

Kris Lennox, CVPM - Practice Manager

Kris Fahey

Kris joined German Flatts Veterinary Clinic in 1982, working evenings and weekends as a receptionist/assistant. After earning her AAS in Veterinary Science Technology from SUNY Canton in 1987, she passed her New York State Boards and became a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT). Gradually, Kris took over more of the office management and financial responsibilities for the hospital, freeing up Dr. Chuff to focus on practicing veterinary medicine. In 2001, Kris received her Certification in Veterinary Practice Management (CVPM), an international recognition. Kris lives in Ilion and has two sons, Josh and Mike, who is currently serving with the United States Air Force. She also has two dogs, an English Bulldog named Wilson and a French Bulldog named Piper.


Licensed Veterinary Technicians

 

Jade Mason

Jade Mason, LVT
Jade earned her degree in Veterinary Science Technology in 2017 from SUNY Delhi with future plans to specialize in zoo animals and dentistry. She loves spending time with friends, family, and her 3 dogs. Jade is an avid hiker and loves exploring.



Colleen Rondeau

Colleen Rondeau, LVT
Colleen joins our team with over 15 years of experience in the veterinary field! She is "fear free" certified and has a strong passion for anesthesia and emergency medicine. Colleen has done much hospice care over the years for elderly, sick dogs, whose owners have been unable to care for them. She lives in Ilion with her husband of 23 years, along with her daughter and twin boys, two dogs, two cats, fish and mice! Colleen loves to read, learn, swim, travel and go to the beach. Her future plans are to continue to become specialized in anesthesia and emergency medicine, and possibly go into teaching veterinary technician courses.



Photo coming

Danielle English; LVT, CVPM
Danielle earned her license as a veterinary technician in 2008 after working in the animal field since she was 16 years old. She has also passed her exam to become a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager in November 2022. Danielle has a passion for training and behavior for dogs and, when she's not working, she loves spending her free time with her family as well as training her three German Shepherds.




Receptionists

 

 

Allison Kent

Sally Morse
Sally grew up on a farm with her grandparents' cows, chickens, dogs and cats and used to work in a beauty salon for dogs. She loves riding horses, hiking and going to see new waterfalls. And of course spending as much time as possible with her little pup, Buttercup.

 


Emily Vander Groef

Emily Vander Groef
Emily lives in Mohawk with her 3 dogs, 2 cats and cows and has started her education to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician! She enjoys being outside, taking care of her animals and spending time with friends and family.



Assistants

 

Emily Slaughter

 

Emily Slaughter

Emily is from Ilion, and she enjoys spending time with those closest to her. Lucy, (AKA Goose) is Emily’s chocolate lab, and she is a very important part of her life. Lucy loves car rides, walks, and napping of course. In Emily’s free time, she likes to do anything outdoors such as, fishing, hiking, and hunting, and also loves to binge watch crime shows. She loves to travel, and has been to countless cities, states, and countries. Emily is in her final year of college, and also has a hobby of photography!