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 two dogs (Ralphie & 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/Owner
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 two beagles, 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, two cats, 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 going to be a first-time grandmother in April and is very excited about the arrival of her granddaughter.
Veterinary Technicians
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 add her to our Platz family!
STEPHANIE DEMBINSKI
Veterinary Technician
Stephanie has worked in the veterinary field for the last eight years. She’s a very passionate person when it comes to helping animals and learning new techniques on how to be the best technician she can be. Just recently married, Stephanie spends her off days with her husband and her favorite little guy Chappie.
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, taking her dog Gus for walks and spoiling her cats.
MEGAN HARVEY, LVT
Veterinary Technician
Megan's love for medicine and animals has given her many opportunities including being a Veterinary ER and critical care assistant and helping her earn her veterinary basic life support and advanced life support from Cornell University’s recovery program. When outside of veterinary medicine Megan loves spending time with her reptiles (Draco, Daenerys, and Miguel) her son, Mason, and her husband, Shane.
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!
Clinic Manager
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.
Receptionists
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.
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 own fur babies.
Assistants
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 of her life. As a kid she would bring home strays and give them a new home: her first one was when she was 2. She has always known she wanted to work with animals. Lindsey attended the University of Findlay for a degree in animal science where she fell in love with both large and small animals while attending their program. Lindsey was a student at Penn Fosters in there veterinary technician program. Her goal is to become a technician and possibly specialize in dental.
MEGHAN IRVING
Veterinary Assistant
Meghan has been volunteering at Platz Animal Hospital since 2016 and was happy to be added to the team in 2019. As one of our Veterinary Assistants, Meghan is happy to help look after your pet's needs while at Platz Animal Hospital. Meghan graduated from Michigan State University in 2022 with a degree in Animal Science. She is applying to schools in pursue 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.
Clinic Friends!
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!