Rebecca Jane Potter, BVSc., President and co-founder
Dr. Potter attended Rutgers University and obtained her Bachelors degree in Biological Sciences in 1997. She graduated from the University of Melbourne School of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. Dr. Potter worked as an associate veterinarian at the Veterinary Center of Morris County for 5 years, and then moved to Monmouth County where she worked as an associated veterinarian at Berg Animal Hospital for 2 years before pursuing shelter medicine and high volume spay and neuter surgery.
Dr. Potter served as the primary clinic surgeon at the Vogel Spay Neuter Clinic at the Monmouth County SPCA for 7 years, and was then the shelter's Medical Director from 2011-2013. During this time, Dr. Potter established and implemented standard medical and surgical procedures based on the golden standard of care developed by the ASPCA Humane Alliance in North Carolina.
Dr. Potter has 18+ years of high volume spay and neuter experience, and is an expert in the field of small animal spay and neuter surgery. Dr. Potter has also been a surgical instructor to veterinary students for the past 15 years, and has been a mentor and instructor to numerous Rutgers University Animal Science students throughout her career.
Dr. Potter enjoys her spare time with her husband and three children, her adorable cat Drax, and her giant lovable dog, Gus. Dr Potter is an avid reader, hiker, and enjoys traveling the world.
Adrienne Hancock-Brown, VMD, co-founder
Dr. Hancock, a native Staten Islander, attended Rutgers University and obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences in 1998. She graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. Dr. Hancock worked as an associate veterinarian at the Raritan Animal Hospital in Edison before pursuing shelter medicine and high volume spay and neuter surgery.
Dr. Hancock has over 18 years of high volume spay clinic experience at Humane Society’s Remote Area Veterinary Service clinics, the Vogel Spay/Neuter Clinic at Monmouth County SPCA, East Coast Spay Clinic, and St. Hubert’s Animal Rescue Center. She has performed over 40,000 sterilization surgeries and has kept up to date with the latest techniques in high volume surgery, anesthesia, and pain management for her patients.
As their first staff veterinarian, Dr. Hancock worked closely with the Managing Operations Director at St. Hubert’s Animal Rescue Center to start up their new spay/neuter clinic. She was also heavily involved in management during her time at the Monmouth County SPCA . Her duties (in addition to surgery) included writing clinic procedures and creating an internship for college and veterinary students so that they could observe and learn more about the need for affordable spay and neuter services in the community.
Dr. Hancock enjoys spending time with her husband, two boys, and her two cats, Finn and R.E.O. On most weekends you can find her in her garden, or getting lost in the woods.
Scott Hirschberger, DVM
Dr. Hirschberger is a native of NJ and currently lives in Marlboro with his wife, 2 daughters, and 3 dogs. He was in the inaugural class of the medical sciences program at Freehold Boro High School. He attended Brandeis University in Waltham, MA and Rutgers University and graduated from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. After graduating he completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan. He has over 13 years of experience in high volume spay/neuter surgery including 6 years as the lead surgeon at the Monmouth County SPCA. When he's not in surgery he can be found relaxing with his family, walking with his dogs, and rooting for the Mets, Jets, and Devils.
Angie Miller, Clinic Administrator/Senior Veterinary Technician
Angie earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Special Education from Rutgers University in 2018. She has had a lifelong passion for animal welfare and began volunteering with animal rescues and TNR organizations in 2012.Her work in high-volume trap-neuter-return started with People for Animals, where she trapped feral cats in Hillside and Irvington, NJ. This experience led her to found an independent TNR group that later became the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Pittie Party Rescue. Angie has also worked as a veterinary assistant in general practice, giving her a strong understanding of both the medical and operational sides of veterinary care. In her current role, she focuses on keeping the practice running smoothly while supporting staff, patients, and clients. Outside of work, Angie stays busy with her cat rescue, enjoys crocheting, traveling with her husband, and spending time with her cats, Milo and Cece.
Haley Cottrell, Senior Veterinary Technician
Haley has lived in Monmouth County her whole life and has strong ties to the community. Starting her animal healthcare journey taking care of animals at a local pet store right down the street, to dog walking and sitting, to being a technician at general practice, she has settled in nicely here at The Spay & Neuter Center. When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, walks with her doga Nezuko and Emma, listening to music, baking, and all things animals!
Nicole Cassese, Veterinary Technician
Nicole graduated from The Richard Stockton College of NJ with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology. She worked as a marine mammal technician assistant in rehabilitation with the local seal population for over 4 years at the Brigantine Marine Mammal Stranding Center. Nicole's love of pets landed her in dog grooming for 7 years. She started her transition to veterinary medicine here with us at the SNCNJ as a Veterinary Technician after having her second child. In her free time, she loves hiking with her family, beach days, working out, and cuddling on the couch with her dog, Emmie, and her cats Ted, Jerry and Ben.
Morgan DiBella, Veterinary Technician
Morgan grew up in Monmouth County, NJ and graduated from high school in 2016. She graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor's degree in animal science Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Research in 2021. Before working at the Spay and Neuter Center, she was a technician intern at Woodlands Wildlife Refuge. She enjoys rock climbing and taking her dog, Bumblebee, on hikes when she's not working. She also loves spending time with her family, friends and cat, Skylar. Morgan is currently enrolled in the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine at Rowan University and will soon be Dr. DiBella.
Sarah Simon, Veterinary Technician
Sarah grew up in Ocean County, NJ and graduated high school in 2019. Sarah started her career as a veterinary technician during her senior year of high school at a general practice, and then she worked in an emergency hospital. Outside of working at the SNCNJ she enjoys riding ATVs and spending time with her 4 dogs Oakley, Nova, Ellie, and Lilah!
Jillian Martucci, Veterinary Assistant
Jillian grew up in Monmouth County and graduated high school in 2020. Jillian received her bachelor's degree in psychology at Rutgers and quickly discovered her love for animals after working in a boarding facility. She is currently back at Rutgers pursuing a degree in Animal Science and hopes to become a veterinarian after her studies!
Savannah Kelly, Veterinary Technician
Savannah has been working with animals since 2020 and has always had a passion for animal welfare and veterinary medicine. She is currently enrolled in Penn Foster to become a certified technician in New Jersey! She has experience in high volume shelters, general practice and now with us in HVHQ Spay and Neuter! Savannah loves visiting her mom in New Mexico and spending time with her Great Pyrenees': Murphy, Leo, Mush and Marley--big dogs are her absolute favorite! When she's not working she loves the New York Islanders, running and coloring.