Who we are
We are Affectionately Cats, a feline-only veterinary hospital with boarding suites.
Our mission is to provide state-of-the-art veterinary care with a warm and gentle touch.
Our doctors love cats and practice with compassion and excellence in medicine.
With over 60 years of experience, they have the knowledge, and empathy both you and your cat deserve.
We are committed to helping you give your cat a healthy, happy life.
Dr. Denise Long-Kessler
Dr. Long-Kessler earned her doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1990 from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. In her first years of practice, she saw the need for warm and specialized care for her feline patients and their owners. She worked in Vermont’s first cat only hospital from its beginning. With a vision to provide a hospital in the embrace of warm and comfortable surroundings, Dr. Long-Kessler founded Affectionately Cats in 1993.
Dr. Elizabeth Berger
Dr. Berger earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. She completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1992. Dr. Berger then entered feline practice at The Cat Hospital of Philadelphia, one of the first feline veterinary hospitals in the United States. Dr. Berger returned home to her native Vermont and joined Affectionately Cats in 1994.
Dr. Lauren Bowling
Dr. Bowling has always wanted to work with cats since her parents got her first cat at the ripe age of four. Although she had several different career goal changes in her young life, she eventually went back to animals and graduated in 2003 from Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She has had experience in numerous veterinary environments, including general practice, feline-only, emergency, military, and deployed. She particularly enjoys dentistry, surgery, and internal medicine. In her off time, she works in data analysis and research for a non-profit organization, and enjoys biking, yoga, reading, knitting and cooking.
Dr. Amanda Spector
Dr. Spector graduated from Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013 and has lived in Vermont since 2017. She worked in equine practice for seven years before transitioning to small animal practice. In spring 2023 she joined the team at Affectionately Cats. Dr. Spector enjoys feline general practice and has special interests in internal medicine, ophthalmology, and dentistry. She lives on a small vegetable farm with her husband, their daughter, and their two wonderful Siamese mix cats, Myron and Lester. In her free time, Dr. Spector enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, reading, and taking care of her elderly pony, Nutmeg.
Providing exceptional care for your feline friend.
Our doctors are members of VIN, the Veterinary Information Network, because we choose to provide the best current health care available for your pet.
The knowledge and experience of thousands of veterinarians: As a member of VIN, we have constant access to a vast veterinary medical library and access to an online worldwide community of over 46,000 veterinarians, including hundreds of specialists.