I am Dr. Joya, a wife, a mother, a veterinarian, a lover of fun, sunshine, fashion and sometimes running. There are many things I love, but I have always loved animals. From the age of 7 after adopting our first cat Chessie, I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian. I wanted to care for the creatures that could not care for themselves. I would take in neighborhood strays, raise tadpoles and watch my cats deliver their kittens within our home. Becoming a veterinarian seemed a natural fit for me, however, it was never just about the animals.  I wanted to help people like me who deeply cared for their pets get the best care they could.

Veterinary dermatology has been one of my greatest joys. I chose to pursue it very early on in veterinary school after seeing how the talented doctors at Cornell took my beloved family dog Gizmo and changed her life. She was hairless, stinky with ulcerations on her face. She lived in an e-collar because of how severe her skin was. Within weeks, they were able to clear up her infections and get her itching under control. Her skin healed, her hair regrew, and she came out of an e-collar! I saw firsthand the difference quality specialized care could make, how it saved her life, and I wanted to do that for others. Not only to make their pets look beautiful again, but to give them their quality of life back, restoring the human-animal bond.

Daily I get to see my patients transformed from stinky, itchy, hairless pets to healthy, happy and often very hairy animals. It’s like Extreme Makeover: the veterinary edition. Restoring a pet’s quality of life gives pet parents their family members back. They are able to be snuggled, cuddled and embraced; it makes them whole again. I’m excited to share the wonderful impact dermatologic care can have on the pets I treat and their dedicated parents.