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Your pet is in exceptionally good hands at Animal Hospital at Thorndale. We have an entire team of expert veterinarians, including board-certified specialists, which means they’ve taken extra steps in terms of their education and training.
In addition, our doctors are supported by a highly qualified team of professionals including state-licensed veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants and customer service staff.
As a specialist, Dr. Java applies her advanced expertise to the practice of primary and emergency care, giving patients an exceptional level of knowledge and experience. She earned her VMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005, then completed an internship at The Animal Medical Center in Manhattan and a three-year residency in Emergency and Critical Care at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in 2009. Dr. Java worked as a staff criticalist at emergency and specialty hospitals in the Philadelphia area before taking the helm at Animal Hospital at Thorndale in January 2021.
She has rescued numerous pets including a pit bull terrier (Merc), a bull terrier (Coupe), a pot belly pig (Chester), a cat (Oldz), an African grey parrot (Thunderbird), a pigeon (Ricky Spanish), a love bird (Stumpy) and two ducks (Rod and Piston). Quite the zoo!
As a veterinary surgeon, Dr. Hobday has particular interest and expertise in gastrointestinal, orthopedics and upper airway procedures. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1999, then practiced for nearly a decade in emergency medicine before completing her surgery residency at Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center and becoming a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgery.
She has dedicated her career to providing exceptional care, staying up-to-date with new procedures and best practices in her field of specialization. As a caring and skilled professional, Dr. Hobday is known for thorough case management and working closely with her clients to provide individualized follow-up care.
Dr. Hobday finds beauty in both fine art and in animals. She has a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and studied sculpture in Italy before pursuing her dream of helping animals. She has a cat named Taters and a Boykin Spaniel named Hug.
Dr. Simpler provides advanced diagnostic imaging services to our patients. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1999, she worked as an emergency clinician at several local specialty hospitals before pursuing further radiology training. She went on to complete a three-year residency in diagnostic imaging at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and became board-certified in radiology in 2015.
Dr. Simpler lives in the Greater Philadelphia area with her family, which includes three cats and a dog.
Originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania, Dr. Sefchik obtained her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Since then, she has worked in both emergency and primary care settings, including over 2 years of full-time emergency work experience and then moved to California where she practiced preventative care. She has a special interest in dermatology, cardiology, and internal medicine. She is also BLS/ALS RECOVER certified for life-saving interventions.
Dr. Sefchik is very passionate about ethical veterinary care and minimizing stress during veterinary visits. She is both CALM and Fear-Free certified.
In her free time, she is a dog mom to two Belgian Malinois (Zsa Zsa and Zorro), and two cats. She also enjoys playing the flute, attending concerts, fine dining, and exploring local hiking trails with her pups.
Dr. Tsui is a passionate veterinarian born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She graduated from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2022 and completed a small animal rotating internship at a 24-hour emergency facility in Long Island in 2023.
Beyond veterinary medicine, she shares her life with two extraordinary cats, Spirit and Rum, who know tricks and can even play fetch! When not with her cats, you’ll often find her exploring hiking trails and diving into gaming adventures. Hiking keeps her grounded, and gaming sharpens her problem-solving skills while keeping her entertained.
Dr. Tsui is dedicated to providing compassionate and expert care to pets of all kinds. Whether it’s routine check-ups, preventive care, or ensuring your pet’s comfort, Dr. Tsui is here to help them live their happiest, healthiest lives.
Dr. Baylor is a 1996 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Known as IBA to colleagues, she has been in small animal practice for over 28 years in the suburban Philadelphia area, recently focusing on a mix of dentistry, soft tissue surgery and urgent care. Dr. Baylor brings her expertise and love for solving problems to Animal Hospital at Thorndale, performing advanced dental procedures including tooth extractions and digital dental x-ray evaluation as well as routine surgical procedures.
As an empty nester, she enjoys traveling, often to see her two young adult children and nagging them via Instagram memes. With absolutely no culinary or gardening skills, Dr. Baylor prefers eating out, Door Dash, and artificial plants from Ikea.
Dr. Joanna Murray was born and raised in Queens, New York. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. Following vet school, Dr. Murray completed a 1 year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery in the suburbs of Chicago. She then settled in Philadelphia where she has practiced emergency medicine for over a decade. During this time, Dr. Murray completed special training in veterinary acupuncture, a practice which she continues to learn and grow in.
Dr. Murray came to Animal Hospital at Thorndale drawn by the exceptional team and high standard of care. Her passion is helping pets that are not feeling well. She loves being able to follow-up with her patients, something that is often not possible in the ER.
When not working with animals, Dr. Murray is busy raising three small children. She enjoys spending time outside gardening, learning new recipes in the kitchen, and traveling.
For nearly two decades, Megan has continually worked as a CVT, primarily in emergency and critical care and providing anesthesia for emergency surgical procedures. Megan’s primary skillset and interest is in all aspects of urgent care, and she focuses on providing the utmost bedside watchful eye and care. With her tremendous experience, she teaches our veterinary assistants valuable and practical nursing skills. Should the opportunity to travel arise, Megan nabs it. She enjoys traveling the world and experiencing new cultures and their local lore.
For Ayanna, working with animals every day is incredibly rewarding. She feels that each pet has its own unique personality and story, and she cherishes the opportunity to build trust and form connections with them and their owners. Whether it’s providing routine check-ups, assisting in surgery, or offering comfort during hospitalization, Ayanna is dedicated to ensuring the well-being of every animal she encounters. This early love for animals inspired her to pursue a career in veterinary medicine, where she could combine her fascination with science and desire to help animals live healthier, happier lives. In her spare time, you can find Ayanna cuddling with her three cats at home watching Netflix movies together.
Brittany has been with our hospital for more than five years. From a young age, she’s dedicated herself to helping animals and riding horses. Outside of the hospital she can usually be found hanging out with her three horses, Mira, a thoroughbred mare and her two miniature horses, Baylee and Storm, or with her two cats Miss Kitty and Sally.
Katie joined the hospital in April of 2024 as a veterinary assistant. She is currently attending West Chester University with a focus in biology. After graduation in 2025, she plans to go to veterinary school to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian. She has a deep love for all animals and wants to help in any way she can. In her free time, Katie loves to play tennis and go for hikes.
Lindsey has been one of our veterinary assistants since September 2020 and has brought her warm personality to our hospital as a Florida-to-Pennsylvania transplant. Lindsey has lived in Chester County for nearly a decade and is currently enrolled in the Penn Foster Veterinary Technician Program to earn her CVT. In her personal time, she enjoys being with family who affectionately calls her the “Crazy Cat Lady” as she answers to the whims of her very demanding cats, Kingston and Sampson.
As a dedicated receptionist, Renee brings a passion for animal care and a commitment to exceptional customer service. With a background in administration and a love for animals, she ensures a warm welcome for every visitor to the hospital. Committed to community welfare, she has helped the less fortunate animals in the community through shelter and rescue work for two years before working in a hospital environment. Renee strives to blend her diverse interests seamlessly into her role as a receptionist, creating a calm environment where both pets and their owners feel valued and cared for. Beyond her professional role, she is an avid video gamer, finding joy in immersive worlds and strategic challenges. Her artistic inclinations extend to creating and appreciating visual arts, which enriches her perspective on daily tasks.
As the Practice Manager, Allie brings years of experience in the veterinary field, having worked multiple roles in shelter, primary, and emergency hospital settings. Her passion lies in delivering exceptional care for pets and ensuring a great experience for their owners. She is committed to fostering strong relationships with both pets and their owners while leading the team to uphold the highest standards of veterinary care. Outside of the hospital, she cherishes spending time with her husband and their three daughters. They share a home with two cats (Donut and Mowgli) and an African grey parrot (Blue), adding to the joy of her family life. In her free time, she enjoys engaging in community events, traveling to the beach, exploring the outdoors, and dining at all her favorite, local restaurants.
Mannie is a senior cat who’d been living at a local shelter after his owner passed away. He was in need of medical attention, a safe place to live and some love. The Animal Hospital at Thorndale team was delighted to provide all three. After surgery to repair his entropion (an inward rolling of the eyelid) along with dental care, a nutritious diet and lots of affection, Mannie is now thriving as our resident “custodian of love,” giving gentle headbutts and allowing anyone who needs it to pet him.
Mon-Wed: 8am – 7pm
Thurs-Fri: 8am – 5pm
Sat: 9am – 1pm
Sun: Closed
