About Us

Meet Our Doctors

Janet Spence, DVM, Medical Director

Dr. Spence was born and raised in Akron, OH. She attended the Akron University for her undergraduate education and graduated from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, Dr. Spence moved to the Buffalo-Niagara area to practice small animal medicine. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, the American Association of Feline Practitioners, Western New York Veterinary Medical Association, and the Niagara Veterinary Medical Association. Her areas of interest include behavior, soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, internal medicine, and emergency/critical care.

Matteo Cascio, DVM

Dr. Matteo Cascio grew up in the Greater Toronto Area and earned his Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Zoology from the University of Guelph before completing his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the Ontario Veterinary College. Dr. Cascio enjoys many aspects of veterinary medicine, with particular interests in primary and urgent care, surgery, dentistry, and exotic animal medicine. During his training, he volunteered in Zanzibar, Tanzania, where he participated in spay/neuter clinics and helped provide veterinary care to both companion animals and farm animals in rural communities. Outside of the hospital, Dr. Cascio enjoys reading, hiking, watching and playing sports, and spending quality time with his fiancée. He is excited to build lasting relationships with clients and provide compassionate, high-quality care to every pet he meets.

Melanie Hopkins, DVM

Dr. Melanie Hopkins is originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and graduated from the University of Massachusetts Lowell with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biological Science. She attended and graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. She is absolutely in love with the town of Lewiston and is so excited to serve such an amazing community. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Irshad Khan, DVM

Dr. Irshad Khan was born and raised in Pakistan. After finishing vet school in Pakistan, he moved to France where he completed his masters degree from University of Francois Rabelais Tours. He later moved to Canada and worked at small animal practices in Newfoundland and Ontario. His professional interests include small animal medicine and surgery. In his spare time he enjoys walking trails, riding his bike, and volunteering.

Hospital Tour

Getting Ready for Your Appointment

We offer appointments 6 days a week! Please call (716) 754-7422 to schedule an appointment, or use our virtual assistant Sophie in the bottom right corner to schedule an appointment online!

Got Records?

Please bring your pet's health records to your appointment.

Questions? We Have Answers!

We encourage you to prepare a list of questions prior to your appointment. We're happy to share advice on grooming, diet, behaviors, and more.

Pro Tip: Take a Picture or Video

Take a picture or video! An itch, cough, or shake can be hard to describe, and our pets often don't do things at the vet that we see them do at home. A picture or video can really help our vets narrow down what's going on.

Snacky Pets Encouraged

If possible, don't feed your pet right before a visit. We may use treats to help your pet feel comfortable with us, and we want every appointment to be a positive one!

The Lewiston Difference

CONVENIENCE

Drop Off Appointments

For your convenience, we offer “drop-off” appointments. This means you have the option to bring your pet in at the time that works best for you, and leave him/her with us for a couple of hours. Once the doctor has examined your pet, you will receive a call to go over the exam findings. From that point we will organize a pick up time for your pet.
Concierge Appointments

Need some help getting your pet inside? We also offer concierge appointments: simply let the front desk know before your appointment that you would like help with your furry friend, and a member of our team will meet you at your car to help bring your pet inside!

ACCESSIBILITY

Virtual Assistant

Our virtual assistant, Sophie, is available 24/7 to help with appointment requests, online food and medication refills, and other common questions. With Sophie, help is always within paw’s reach! Simply tap or click the blue icon in the bottom right corner to get started.
Conveniently Located in Lewiston

Lewiston Animal Hospital is easy to reach, conveniently located along Center Street in the heart of Lewiston. With on-site parking and a central location, getting your pet to their appointment is simple and stress-free from start to finish.

LESS STRESS, MORE TAIL WAGS & PURRS!

We know vet visits can be stressful — for pets and their people! At Lewiston Animal Hosptial, we use a combination of comfort-focused design and gentle care practices to help every visit feel calmer and more comfortable for your furry friend.

Happy Visits

Sometimes a visit is just about building trust! We offer free Happy Visits during our regular business hours, which let your pet stop by for treats, praise, and positive experiences with our team — no exams required — so the clinic becomes a place they feel good about.

Calm Music

Soft, calming music plays throughout the hospital to help reduce stress and create a soothing atmosphere. It’s a small detail that can make a big difference for anxious pets.

PVPs (Pre-Visit Pharmaceuticals)

For pets who need a little extra support, pre-visit pharmaceuticals can help take the edge off anxiety before they arrive. Used thoughtfully and safely, they make appointments smoother and less stressful for everyone involved.

Pheromones

We use calming pheromones throughout the hospital to help pets feel more relaxed in an unfamiliar environment. These scent signals are species-specific and naturally reassuring.

Quiet Exam Rooms

Our exam rooms are designed to be calm, quiet spaces with minimal distractions. Less noise and movement means pets can settle in more easily and feel secure during their visit.

Our Policies

Policies

For your protection and the safety of your pet and others, we require that all patients be placed on a leash, or contained in pet carriers. All pets are to be properly controlled while in the waiting room and the exam room.

We accept cash, Mastercard/VISA/Discover/American Express and CareCredit. Payment is expected when services are rendered. We will gladly prepare you a written estimate of services prior to the treatment of your pet if you desire.

In urgent or emergency situations, a pet may require immediate stabilization or life-saving care before a full treatment plan can be discussed. This can include initial diagnostics, pain control, fluid therapy, oxygen support, or other appropriate interventions necessary to stabilize your pet so that further evaluation and treatment can be provided safely. In these cases, you will be asked to review and sign a stabilization consent form that outlines possible services and associated costs.

Please don’t hesitate to speak with us if you have questions about emergency care, financial policies, or how we handle urgent situations. Your peace of mind matters to us.

Payments

Payment options for hospital services include Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and cash.

We also accept CareCredit financing.

Accreditation

AAHA Accredited

You’ve chosen a veterinary hospital that is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association. Lewiston Animal Hospital is among only 14% of hospitals in the country who voluntarily go through a comprehensive, stringent evaluation every three years. We are evaluated on over 900 standards established to ensure our patients and clients receive the highest level of care.

Accredited practices must meet specific standards in the following areas:

Anesthesia
Client Service
Contagious Disease
Dentistry
Diagnostic Imaging
Emergency/Urgent Care
Examination Room
Housekeeping
Human Resources
Laboratory
Medical Records
Pain Management
Patient Care
Pharmacy
Practice Leadership
Safety
Surgery

We were awarded this accreditation status because we provide high-quality pet care in a compassionate environment. Our standards are very high, and we are proud to offer this level of excellence to you. You can learn more about what our accreditation means for your pet family member at AAHA’s Healthy Pets website: Why Standards Are Important.

Our veterinarians are members of the Buffalo Academy of Veterinary Medicine and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Buffalo Academy of Veterinary Medicine was organized in 1952 as a continuing education venture. Since then, the academy has been dedicated to educating members beyond the academic environment. Along with monthly meetings to continue education, we give our veterinarians time away from the practice to attend a national meeting to remain updated on the best medical practices for your pets.