ABOUT US
Where Pets Come First
Our dedicated and caring team of professionals offer a vast array of experience and expertise. We offer a
complete care portfolio for your pets needs and look forward to welcoming your pet to our family.
Thank you!!
OUR TEAM
Veterinarians
DR. STEVE ANDRIS
Veterinarian/Owner
Dr. Andris grew up in Grosse Pointe, MI and attended Grosse Pointe South and went on to Michigan State University to get his DVM. His family had lots of pets growing up and he grew a deep love for all kinds of animals. He began working at Platz Animal Hospital in 2009 and purchased the clinic in 2018 along with Dr. Gabe. Dr. Andris enjoys surgery, dermatology, endocrinology, and preventive medicine. He has a wife (Jenny), son (Sam), and twin daughters (Ashley & Katelyn), as well as one dog (Charley), a snake (BJ), and a tortoise (Sherman the clinic pet). In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family, sports, and traveling.
DR. GABE KONIECZKI
Veterinarian
Dr. Gabe earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree with honors from Michigan State University in 2016. He loves practicing medicine almost as much as he loves his patients. His special interests include internal medicine, gastroenterology, dermatology, ophthalmology, wound care, and surgery.
Dr. Gabe lives in Grosse Pointe Farms and has a lovely wife, and is a proud father of two wonderful daughters. He currently has one beagle, an island dog, two cats and a fish. Aside from veterinary medicine, he likes old German cars, loves music, and playing hockey. He feels tremendous gratitude everyday to be able to be your veterinarian.
DR. JAYME CICCHELLI
Veterinarian
Dr. Jayme Cicchelli is a 2016 graduate of Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to that, she obtained a BA from Wayne State University. Although she enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, she has a special interest in exotic pets, anesthesia, and pain management, end of life care, soft tissue surgery, and dentistry. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, music, hiking, baking, and wine-making. She is a lifelong Michigander and shares her Detroit home with her husband, daughter, two sons, dog, cat, and a rabbit.
DR. LORRIE DIBENEDETTO
Veterinarian
Dr. Lorrie DiBenedetto (affectionately known as Dr. D) received her bachelor's degree from Wayne State University. She then went on to earn her DVM from Michigan State University in 1995. Since graduation, she has practiced in the Metro Detroit Area. Her special interests include soft tissue surgery, dentistry, and geriatric medicine. She is an active member of her Ukrainian Catholic Church community. Dr. D enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband (Ed) and their five children. She is a grandmother to two grandkids!
ASHLEY BACKOS, LVT
Veterinary Technician
Ashley has worked in the veterinary field for the last 10 years. She is a licensed veterinary technician, which she got in 2012 from Macomb Community College. Ashley has a passion for emergency medicine, pain management and surgical procedures. In her free time, Ashley enjoys spending time with her two daughters and husband. We are happy to have as part of the Platz family!
DR. MARY PANAGOS
Veterinarian
Dr. Panagos earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2024 at Michigan State University. Before that, she earned her BS in Zoology. Her special interests include soft tissue surgery, dentistry, and exotic animal medicine. Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Panagos enjoys spending time with friends and family, bird watching, reading, and traveling. She grew up in Grosse Pointe and is very glad to be home and have the chance to help you and your pets. We are happy to have her join our Platz family.
STEPHANIE DEMBINSKI
Veterinary Technician
This is Stephanie Dembinski one of our Veterinary Technicians, she has been with us for 6 years. Ever since she was three years old her passion has been veterinary medicine. She has two friendly, amazing supportive dogs named Chappie and Norma, a loving husband, and a new baby!
TARA JOHNSON
Veterinary Technician
Tara comes to Platz with a deep passion for animals. She joined our team in 2020, but has been in the veterinary field since 2013. She enjoys traveling back home to Midland and has spent some time in Ireland/England. Tara enjoys playing softball and spoiling her cats.
MEGAN HARVEY, LVT
Veterinary Technician
Megan is one of our Licensed Veterinary Technicians here at Platz. She got her license through the state of Michigan from Penn Foster. She has certified training from Cornell University in advanced veterinary support and basic life care. She also has experience in emergency medicine as she spent her early career working in the ER and ICU. To further her Veterinary education, she is pre-med at Wayne State University with the hope of applying to Veterinary School in the next few years. In her free time, Megan loves to spend her time with her son, Mason, and her husband, Shane. She has four amazing pets, Mika (German Shepard), Clancy (cat), Bulma (cat), and Alduin (Argentinian tegu). Veterinary medicine is Megan’s passion and she is happy to share that with the clients and pets.
RACHEL PERKOWSKI
Veterinary Technician
Rachel has been at Platz since 2005. She started out working in the kennel, but now is primarily the lab technician (although she helps out wherever else she is needed). She graduated from Oakland University with a BS in biology. She currently has two Shelties that she adores and in her spare time she can be found making stained glass, volunteering at her church and visiting the zoo!
DANNY PERSYN
Clinic Manager and Veterinary Technician
Danny has worked at Platz Animal Hospital as one of our best veterinary technicians since 2004. Danny enjoys getting to know each patient and provide the best possible care. He has an interest in dentistry and for puppy/kitten care. In Danny's free time he enjoys spending time with his family, loving on all of his pets, and having a glass of wine.
SHANNON HINZE
Receptionist/Office Assistant
Shannon has been working in the veterinary field for over 30 years-a third of them at Platz. She is always happy to help you with your questions that you have and tell you about her many vet med stories. She is dedicated to her family, friends, 5 cats, and 2 dogs.
LAUREN GENEREAUX
Receptionist
Lauren joined our team in September 2023. She has a lot of experience in the vet field having worked in general practice, boarding and emergency medicine. She’s a proud mother of a 2 year old daughter named Celeste and has a beautiful husky, Ghost. In her free time, you can find Lauren spending time with her family and binging her favorite tv shows.
ASHLEY MCLARTY
Receptionist/Office Assistant
Ashley has been with us since 2015 and is one of our full time receptionists here at the clinic. She’s one of the first and last people you’ll talk to during your visit! She’s a friend to all who work here and does so much for the clinic. When she’s not on the phone, she’s making sure your pet is getting extra love during their visit. Outside of work Ashley enjoys spending time with her friends and her cats, Jack and Leo, and her dog Daffney Duck.
MAKAYLA RILEY
Receptionist
Makayla has been working at Platz for a few months and has loved working every second. She has always wanted to work with animals and is so excited she can now that she is working at Platz. She is excited to meet new people working here. She would like to work her way up to a Veterinary Assistant then one day a Veterinary Technician.
LINDSEY HARRIS
Veterinary Assistant
Lindsey has loved animals all her life. Her interest in the veterinary field sparked as a young girl. She grew up with a diabetic dog and was interested in every aspect of his care. From then on she knew she was going to work with animals. Growing up, she would bring in strays and beg to keep them and give them a good home. When she was older, she attended University of Findlay, where she learned about small and large animals, in their Animal Science program. Today she owns 5 pets, dogs Isla, Alastair, and Louella, and cats Jemeson and Finley. Her compassion and care for animals is shown here at Platz every day.
SYDNEY WHITE
Veterinary Assistant
Sydney has been with Platz since 2017. She started as a kennel worker and worked her way up to an assistant. She loves being involved with your pets from the moment they walk into the clinic to when they are being cared for in the back. She graduated from Hope College in 2023 with her degree in Biology. She is currently in the process of applying to Veterinary School. In her free time she enjoys baking, hanging out with friends, and cuddling with her two dogs and two cats. We are happy to support her goal of becoming a Veterinarian.
TAMMY LOPEZ
Veterinary Assistant
Tammy has been working with animals since the age of 15! Starting at a pet store, to dog grooming, and to assisting in Veterinary Medicine. She loves animals of all kinds, and loves being able to learn new things about animals everyday. Tammy took several years off to raise her children and is so excited to be part of the Platz Family. In her free time, she loves spending time with her husband, children, her dog and her two cats!
SARA MCLARTY
Veterinary Assistant
Sara is one our our assistants here at the clinic! She’s behind the scenes helping keep your pet stay happy during their visit, and assisting the technicians and doctors with whatever they made need. Sara is going to school to become a technician. In her free time, Sara can be found with her friends, family, and taking care of her own pets at home.
BJ
Clinic Pet
BJ is our resident corn snake who also stays behind the scenes and lives upstairs!
BOOBOO
Clinic Pet
Booboo is our resident Persian cat! BooBoo stays behind the scenes and lives in an apartment above the clinic that is utilized as extra office space and lunch/break area. His job duties consist of eating and providing cuddles to staff members on break!
SHERMAN
Clinic Pet
Sherman is a Leopard tortoise. He enjoys laying in the sun on warm summer days and staying under the heat lamp in the winter. In Sherman's free time, he enjoys going outside to play in the grass, eating fruit and always saying hello to patients that come by. Sherman is loved by all of the staff. If you see Sherman make sure to say hi!
KURT
Clinic Pet
Kurt is our resident rescue Red Eared Slider. He lives behind the scenes upstairs and brings a smile to staff members on lunch. He enjoys swimming, basking under the heat lamp and getting snacks!