A Special Team

Dr. Kip Butler joined our practice in July 2014, and in November 2016 became the new owner of Homestead Animal Hospital! Born and raised in Cobleskill, New York, Dr. Butler graduated from The State University of New York at Cobleskill with an Associates in Science Biology and Animal Science. He then completed his Bachelor of Science at the University of Vermont. In 2008, he earned his Doctorate from Kansas State University and has been practicing in New York since. Dr. Butler has been involved in all facets of veterinary medicine from large animal ambulatory practice to overnight emergency critical care and small animal general practice.

Dr. Darren MacNaughton grew up in Queensbury, NY and attended Princeton University, graduating with a degree in Neuropsychology. After graduating from Princeton, he worked in a research lab in the department of Cardiovascular Sciences at Albany Medical College. After a few years he entered the Master’s Degree program in the same department focusing on research in atherosclerosis and treatment complications from angioplasty. He left Albany Medical College to attend Veterinary School at Ross University College of Veterinary Medicine where he received the Best Surgery Team award for his small and large animal surgery work during his studies there. He then went on to study at Cornell University Collage of Veterinary Medicine doing a year long externship for clinical medicine.

After graduating with High Honors, he accepted a position in his hometown of Queensbury and has worked in several different Veterinary Hospitals in the greater Capital District since. He maintains his relationship with Albany Medical College, returning several times throughout the year to help teach medical students electrocardiogram labs. He is a member of the New York State Veterinary Medical Society, and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. MacNaughton is certified in Veterinary Stem Cell injections through Vet Stem, and is also a Certified Fear Free Practitioner. He has a special interest in neurology, cytology, and surgery. He currently resides in Clifton Park NY with his wife, daughter, and chocolate Labrador Retrievers.

Dr. Greg Adams joined Homestead Animal Hospital in October, 2021. Dr. Adams was born and raised in Platteville, WI where he developed a love for veterinary medicine working on dairy farms. He attended undergraduate at UW-Platteville and then moved to Madison, WI to attend veterinary school at UW-Madison. Dr. Adams has explored many facets of veterinary medicine from dairy to exotic animal medicine while studying in veterinary school. After school, he practiced mixed animal medicine at a clinic near his hometown. Dr. Adams and his wife Brittany, along with their five dogs and rabbit, are excited to move to New York to explore all that the Saratoga Springs area has to offer and look forward to becoming part of the community.

Julie started working at Homestead in 1997! She is one of the employees that so many of our clients have known and loved since the start. Julie is a graduate of Tonawanda High School. She is best known in the office for her friendly, calm demeanor, and her incredible laboratory skills. Her favorite part of the job is helping our clients that truly feel their pets are part of their family – sometimes their only family – especially during difficult situations. That is when her kind spirit truly shines.

Julie is also a board member at the Hudson Crossing Park in Schuylerville, where she is currently in charge of the park’s annual Cardboard Boat Race! She can be found digging around in both her garden at home and at the park, as gardening is one of her favorite hobbies. Julie shares her home with her husband, two children, and her pack of rescue animals: Maisy a Mutt mix, Sprout the Chihuahua, Bubs the cat, Sardenia the mama cat!

Kayla started her career with us as a veterinary technician intern in 2015, and we just loved her so much, we couldn’t let her go! Kayla joined our staff as one of our full time LVT’s in May 2016. As soon as you meet Kayla you will see how she was truly destined to work with animals. Her friendly personality and willingness to help are some of her best qualities! When not at work and busy being an amazing momma, Kayla enjoys spending time riding her horse competing in cattle sorting, ranch work and barrel racing. Kayla currently owns an American Quarter Horse named “It’s About Docalady”, two adorable miniature horses, chickens, a red heeler named Louie, and two fabulous cats.

Emma is a licensed veterinary technician that is originally from the Capital District area. She obtained her license in 2012 from SUNY Canton and spent her first few years as a technician working at the Fort Drum military base. She joined our team in the summer of 2018. She soon after started a Master’s program in public health, but wanted to remain within the veterinary field part time because of her passion for animal care. In her free time Emma spends her time at home with her fur babies or taking her dog on hikes or paddle boarding.

Ellie is a licensed veterinary technician who re-joined the team in 2020. Ellie enjoys emergency and diagnostic medicine. Ellie has a true love of cats and is sure to say hello to every kitty patient. Ellie loves the outdoors, her flowers and has 4 cats of her own.

Jen joined the Homestead team in 2020 when she was on a search for a veterinary hospital with a staff that is as caring and dedicated as she is! For her, the most rewarding part of the job is working with her teammates in providing a comfortable, comprehensive visit for our patients and supporting pet-parents in their desire to have a happy, healthy pet.

In Jen’s free time, she enjoys reading mysteries, working in her yard and exploring her wild little home state of Vermont with her partner Matt and her very adorable yellow lab Andy.

Kendra joined the staff at Homestead in March of 2021. Kendra graduated from SUNY Morrisville in 2008 with a degree in Agricultural Business then from SUNY Canton in 2013 with her Veterinary Technician License. Kendra enjoys spending time in surgery and seeing any Frenchie that walks through the door! Kendra lives in Greenwich with her husband, daughter, her dogs Murphy, Memphis & Butchy the rabbit. When not at the clinic she can found at her family’s strawberry farm, making jam, in her garden, or surrounded by family.

Liz is a graduate from Penn Foster Career School for Vet Assistant. She has been part of our staff since January 2014. Liz is our jack of all trades and is truly an asset to everyone! She can be found all over the hospital, assisting the doctors and technicians with appointments, helping clients on the phone, making social media posts and by keeping our facility clean and stocked! Liz enjoys spending time with family, cheering her nieces on in their dance competitions, and attending hockey games. She currently has a feisty black cat named Ivy.

Shelbi joined the team in October of 2019. Shelbi graduated from Le Moyne College back in May 2018 with a Bachelor’s in Biology. Shelbi has dreamed of being a veterinarian since she was 5 years old so is getting all the experience, she can here with us, before applying to veterinary schools. In her free time Shelbi enjoys reading, drawing and spending time with her dogs and family. Shelbi has many pets, she has 3 dogs River, Wrangler and Coco, 2 Siamese cats Loki and Bob and 3 rabbits.