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.
Caroline Ismail, Head of Client Services
Caroline is a longtime resident of Monmouth County, NJ and graduated from Howell High School in 2000. She attended Mercer County College and completed the required courses to become certified as an Animal Control Officer and Animal Cruelty Investigator in the State of NJ. Her love of animals then led her to the Monmouth County SPCA, where she worked for several years in the Vogel Spay/Neuter Clinic, and continues to volunteer as a foster puppy parent. In her free time, Caroline enjoys spending time with her husband Dan, their three dogs: Louie, Rolo, and Daisy Doodles and their two cats: Strudles and Dolfi. She loves music, Netflix, watching sports, and fantasy football.
Angela Diekhaus, Administrative Coordinator/Senior Veterinary Technician
Angela grew up in Bergen County but has settled in Middlesex County. She graduated Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Special Education in 2018. Angela has had a love of animals her entire life and began volunteering with animal rescues and TNR organizations in 2012. Angela got involved with high-volume TNR while working with People for Animals trapping feral cats in Hillside and Irvington NJ. Soon after, she started her own independent TNR group that blossomed into a 501c3 cat rescue. Angela has previously worked as a veterinary assistant at general practice and has settled in nicely here at The Spay & Neuter Center. When she is not at work, she is busy with her cat rescue and enjoys spending time with her family and pet 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 gorgeous daughter, walks with her dog Nezuko, listening to music, baking, and all things animals!
Nicole Cassese, Veterinarian 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 cat, Ted.
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.
Elaine Regiec, Veterinary Technician
Elaine graduated from The University of Findlay in Ohio in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science and majored in Equine Studies and Farm Management. After moving back to New Jersey, she fell in love with veterinary medicine and has worked at Middletown Animal Hospital and Red Bank Veterinary Specialist. Elaine joined the SNCNJ with 15 years of experience in general practice. She enjoys spending her free time camping with her family and her Collie, Miles.
Sarah Simon, Veterinary Technician