Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Dr. Stevens traces his roots back 150 years to an Attica dairy farm that his family still operates today.
After a ten year corporate career, Dr. Stevens returned to Cornell University to pursue a degree in Veterinary Medicine. He succeeded Dr. Frank Yartz at the Ellicott Street Animal Hospital as the sixth owner of this practice in 2006. How surprising to end up owning the same practice where he took his Brittany spaniel and cat as a youth!
Clinically, Dr. Stevens enjoys the wide range of health concerns presented through the dogs and cats the practice sees every day. He has developed a particular interest in dentistry, and the nutritional management of health and disease.
He is a past president of the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Association and the Buffalo Academy of Veterinary Medicine and chair of the Ethics board for Western New York Veterinary Association. He has helped rebuild the Frank A. McClelland Sr. veterinary hospital at the Buffalo Zoo and led the effort to create Western New York’s first dog park. He was very proud to receive, on behalf of the Hospital, the 2014 Buffalo Niagara Business Ethics Award.
He founded the first low-cost vet clinic in the region, The West Side Pet Clinic, to help ensure that the less fortunate could afford basic veterinary care for their pets.
Dr. Stevens and his wife, Carolyn Hoyt Stevens, have two daughters in addition to Ellie and Eberhard Lothar Faber III (a.k.a The Sauce).
Dr. David Gurzak was born and raised in Buffalo and attended SUNY Geneseo for his Bachelor's Degree. He graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012, and subsequently completed a year-long internship in Colorado. He worked in Buffalo for several years and then moved to Portland, Maine, but returned in 2018. Dr. Gurzak is a chairperson on the WNY Veterinary Medical Association board, the WNY Hub Liaison for Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine, and enjoys hiking, reading, biking and spending time with his family and friends. He and his husband Chad and their daughter live in Hamburg with two cats named Beau and Magpie, two dogs named Ernie and Stanley, and four chickens.
After obtaining her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology and Business in 2017 from Western University in Ontario, Dr. Alyssa Kramer decided to take her career path in a different direction to combine her passion for animals and medicine. Dr. Kramer subsequently attended and graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2023 with her degree in Veterinary Medicine.
Clinically, Dr. Kramer has a special interest in the areas of surgery, community outreach, anesthesia, pain management and emergency medicine. Her favorite part of veterinary medicine is being able to communicate with clients and provide a collaborative, judgement-free environment to reach the best case-by-case decision for both client and patient.
Outside of the clinic, Alyssa enjoys spoiling her foster dogs, travelling, hiking, skiing, and spending time outdoors. She is very excited to be part of the talented Veterinarians and staff who make up this great team!
Dr. Alexandra Hrapach was born in Ukraine and grew up just outside Toronto, Canada. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2012 from the University of Guelph. Dr. Hrapach’s strong passion for animal care led her to obtain a veterinary medicine degree from St. George’s University in Grenada and complete her final clinical year at Cornell University. She enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine with a special interest in dermatology.
Outside of the hospital, Dr. Hrapach likes to spend time with her family, friends and dog Charlie. She enjoys traveling, baking desserts and scuba diving in the Caribbean.
Ellicott Street Animal Hospital is very pleased to welcome our newest veterinarian, Dr. Emily Schuchman. Dr. Schuchman (pronounced "shook-man") received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from St. George’s University and completed her clinical training at Lincoln Memorial College of Veterinary Medicine in 2022. She completed her undergraduate studies in biochemistry at St. Michael’s College in Burlington, Vermont. She is certified in and dedicated to Fear Free practice standards.
Dr. Schuchman’s interest in all things veterinary began as a child growing on her grandparents’ dairy farm outside of Binghamton, NY. Her family gladly nurtured her interest in animals through the farm, riding lessons, and tolerating the stray animals she would bring home. Throughout her schooling, she was involved with volunteer programs and was on the board of an organization called Angels in Armor Animal Rescue Fund (AAARF) that provided emergency medical care to unowned dogs and cats in the community surrounding her vet school.
Professionally, she has developed a special interest in surgery of all kinds. She is also particularly committed to helping clients address behavioral issues with their pets. She loves to think through client’s challenges with their pets from the pets perspective. On her time off you might find Dr. Schuchman rock climbing, crocheting, volunteering around town or spending time with her cranky cat Scully, who she lovingly refers to as a “demonic” short-hair.
Phone: 716-876-6023
