Dr. Dawn started a Ph.D. program in research but soon realized that she wanted to work with people and animals. She left the midwest with a masters degree and began veterinary school at the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell. After graduating in 1999 she and her husband decided to make the Ithaca area their home because they believed it was a wonderful place to raise their two children. She has practiced small animal medicine in Syracuse for three years and in Ithaca since 2004. Dawn enjoys all aspects of medicine but has special interest in complex medicine cases, preventative care, and acupuncture. On her days off you can usually find her hanging out with her family, hiking with her dog, and enjoying great food with friends. She is a member of the AVMA.

Dr. Mayes graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2013 with a passion for preventative medicine, soft tissue surgery, dermatology, and behavioral issues.  After working at small animal practices in North Carolina and Central New York, she joined the Cornerstone Veterinary Hospital in 2023. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, her twin children, two dogs, 1 cat, and two tanks of freshwater fish.  She also enjoys horseback riding, hiking, traveling, painting, and reading.

Dr. Barry graduated from the NYS College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University in 1991. She is well known in the Finger Lakes veterinary community as she has practiced here since that time. Dr. Barry left private practice in 2005 to be the Director of Shelter Medicine at the Tompkins Co. SPCA. We were all happy to see her return to general practice in 2010 although she is still known for her rescue work. When not helping pets in the Finger Lakes, she is traveling the globe with rescue groups to spay and neuter dogs and cats in underprivileged areas. Bridget is also a member of VMAT, a veterinary disaster response team, and the Southern Tier representative to the NYS Veterinary Medical Society since 2006. Although it is hard to believe she has any free time, Dr. Barry has many interests outside of veterinary medicine including spinning and knitting wool from her own flock of sheep!

Dr. Shakespeare has retired from general practice but may still be found helping us behind the scenes!

We wish her well!

Joan has worked in the veterinary field since 1983 when she came to Ithaca to attend Cornell. She is the familiar face everyone looks for when they enter Cornerstone. Chances are she is sure to remember you and your pet after one visit to the office! Known for her dedication, friendliness and knowledge both in preventive health care and animal behavior, Joan is a valuable team member. Active in dog showing, she has earned numerous obedience, performance and conformation titles and championships on several different breeds. Joan is a past instructor for Ithaca Dog Training Club and can help you with questions regarding dog behavior and training.

Ellen originally came to Ithaca from Long Island to earn her B.S. at Cornell University in Animal Science/General Agriculture. That was over 30 years ago and she has been working with animals ever since- both as a licensed veterinary technician and helping local feral cat rescue organizations. She provides outstanding laboratory, surgical and radiology support but she is probably best known for her excellent nursing care of all of our patients and compassion for our clients. Ellen”s leisure time is spent caring for her extended family of cats, horses and chickens.

Kris received her BS in Animal Science from Cornell in 1982. She returned to her native Long Island where she and her husband raised 2 children. During this time Kris earned her technician license and worked for many years in a busy 5 doctor practice. She also taught veterinary technology to students at Suffolk Community College. Kris and her husband came back to Ithaca in 2005 and she joined Cornerstone in 2009. Kris’s technical skills and expertise are a welcome addition to the practice. Kris enjoys gardening, cooking and baking and most importantly, spending time with her four grandchildren.

Heather joined our practice in the fall of 2023; she comes to us with 20 years of experience with dogs, cats, horses, exotics and a love for Veterinary Medicine. Her passion and love for animals seized her as a child and has never let go; she has begun to attend Veterinary Technician school in 2024 and is very excited to assist with vet tech services. Heather currently shares her life with 3 cats, 4 dogs, and a horse! In her spare time she enjoys traveling to shows and catching up on her endless reading list and spending time with her husband and gaggle of creatures.

Mary Kate is from Albany, NY and moved to Ithaca in 2020, following family. She has been with Cornerstone since early 2023. Mary Kate has had dogs and cats her whole life and started riding horses when she was about 10. When not in the office or saddle, you’ll fine her traveling, taking care of feral cats, or working at a nursing home/assisted living facility in activities!

Denise worked with us in the past and she has moved back to Ithaca from the island of sunny St.Croix to rejoin our team. She enjoys working with her horses in her spare time and has several dog and cat pals as well. She is also an avid supporter of the Cornell Farrier Scholarship program. She is an invaluable member of our team!

Molly has been with Cornerstone since Fall of 2022 and she has loved every moment of it! She mostly works at the front desk with Joan, but is more than happy to jump in a room with the doctor the day calls for it! Outside of work you can find her tending to her three cats, dog, fish and chickens at home. Otherwise she’s probably fiddling with one of her many half finished arts and crafts projects.

After spending the COVID pandemic working at home, Laurel was thrilled to be asked to join the Front of Office staff at Cornerstone. Laurel has been a client of the practice since 2007 and looks forward each day to helping our clients and pets be healthy and happy. Laurel grew up in the mountains of Northern New Mexico surrounded by animals, plants and great rock formations. She studied biology and art as an undergraduate at the University of New Mexico, parasitology and tropical medicine at Tulane University and biochemistry at Cornell University. Laurel retired from Cornell after a wonderful 40-year career. Her efforts included many years at the bench and many years helping Cornell students, students from
other institutions and science teachers make an impact on the science education and practice in this county. She served as the Director of Undergraduate Research in Biology and Outreach in Biology for 20 years and the Director of Undergraduate Research for Cornell for 10 years. She was also the director of the Cornell Institute for Biology Teachers, which partnered science teachers with Cornell researchers to
develop innovative labs and classroom materials. CIBT offered workshops and classroom support for over 200 teachers and 10,000 students each year. When she is not working at Cornerstone she loves to attend theatre productions, garden and care for the over 20 animals that she and her partner share their lives with.