Meet Our Veterinarians
Dr. Steven A. Wolchinsky
Dr. Wolchinsky is a native of Brooklyn, New York, and has worked at Rocky Gorge Animal Hospital since 1987. He is the owner of the hospital and has been running the day-to-day veterinary operations since 1996. His goal is to continue to run the hospital with the old-fashioned values with which Dr. C. Bruce Morley began Rocky Gorge, and still offer all the conveniences of a modern hospital. Dr. Wolchinsky attended Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. He enjoys all aspects of canine and feline medicine. Dr. Wolchinsky has special interests in internal medicine, cardiology, diagnostic imaging (digital radiology, ultrasound and CT Scan), and any new advances in veterinary medicine. Please note that Dr. Wolchinsky is not an avian, small mammal, or pocket-pet specialist. He is, however, happy to examine them. Simply ask for him when scheduling an appointment. Dr. Wolchinsky is married and has two sons, a daughter, two dogs, two cats and a bird.
Dr. Sallie E. Morris
Dr. Morris holds a D.V.M. degree from Texas A & M (1975). Her hobbies include anything animal-related with a special interest in horses, Dobermans, surgery, animal chiropractic care and homeopathy. Dr. Morris has been dedicated to Rocky Gorge since 1979. We are lucky to have someone with her surgical expertise on our team. Dr. Morris is married with two daughters, more than 20 horses, three Dobermans, three cats, six geese, and two white doves.
Dr. Karen Farnan
Dr. Farnan is from Annapolis, Maryland. She received her DVM degree from the Virginia, Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia in 1988. Dr. Farnan has worked at Rocky Gorge since 1994. Throughout her life, Dr. Farnan has had many beloved canine and feline companions. Dr. Farnan chose to become a veterinarian so she could work with animals and people in a challenging and interesting career. Dr. Farnan's medical interests are focused on all aspects of canine and feline medicine and surgery. She is married and has a son, twin daughters, and three cats. Dr. Farnan enjoys reading novels, mysteries, and of course veterinary medical journals. In her free time, Dr. Farnan can be found spending time with her family, reading, skiing, and appreciating nature.
Dr. Marisa Pasekoff
Dr. Pasekoff is from Miami, Florida. She received her bachelor's in 1996 from the University of Maryland College Park and graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. Dr. Pasekoff joined the Rocky Gorge team in 2002. Her medical interests are focused on all aspects of canine and feline primary care, internal medicine, and emergency medicine. In her spare time, Dr. Pasekoff enjoys reading, music and spending time with her husband, daughters, and two dogs.
Dr. Tracy Appelbaum
Dr. Appelbaum truly grew up at Rocky Gorge Animal Hospital. Her family has come to Rocky Gorge Animal Hospital for veterinary care her whole life. Dr. Appelbaum has worked at Rocky Gorge as a patient care technician and as a surgical technician. Dr. Appelbaum received her veterinary degree from the Iowa State University in 2006.
She completed an internship in small animal medicine at Dogs and Cats Veterinary Referral in Bowie, Maryland in June 2007. Dr. Appelbaum returned to Rocky Gorge as a staff veterinarian in July of 2007. Dr. Appelbaum's areas of interest are internal medicine, cytology and pathology, and surgery. Dr. Appelbuam spends her free time with her husband, Juan, and their Weimaraner, Hobbes.
Dr. Casey Beck
Dr. Beck joined the Rocky Gorge veterinary team in 2008. She is a graduate of St. George’s University in Grenada, where she merged her love of biology with her passion for helping animals. For every veterinarian there is a point in their career where they need to seek help for their own pets. Dr. Beck experienced this first hand when one of her pets became critically injured and needed emergency care. Dr. Beck recalls that she knew what the outcome could have been but the veterinarian she brought her pet to was able to save his life. She was deeply touched and it has inspired her to be the type of veterinarian that will always give that “one last chance” to a pet in need. One of her most memorable moments in her career involved a boxer puppy that was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at 3 months old, other veterinarians said she wouldn’t live, Dr. Beck thought otherwise. She put her belief to the test and dedicated herself to the young patient . . . who is now 2 years old. Dr. Beck has a dog named Carib, a 4 year old cat named Tia and a double tail Betta Fish named “Red.”
Dr. Anne Ray
Dr. Anne Ray received her DVM degree from Auburn University in 1978. Her post-graduate work was at Kansas State University where she completed a residency in Internal Medicine while earning a Master of Science degree. In private practice since 1981, she established Laurel Park Animal Hospital in 1990 and worked there until December 2008. In January 2009, Dr. Ray joined the healthcare team at Rocky Gorge Animal Hospital.
Dr. Ray is accredited by the US Department of Agriculture and therefore has been jointly approved to perform State-Federal animal health activities including the issuance of interstate and international health certificates and official testing of livestock in the response to possible bio-terrorism.
"Veterinary medicine will always be a challenge in that it is constantly evolving while building on past information. That is why it is important to stay abreast of the newest medicines and diagnostics by attending continuing education meetings, reading the latest periodicals, and consulting with colleagues. Our clients deserve nothing less."
Dr. Meegan Weiler
Dr. Weiler became part of Rocky Gorge Animal Hospital’s team in March of 2010. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University and has an interest in emergency medicine and critical care. When Dr. Weiler was 10 years old her grandfather instilled in her a love of all animals. It was at that very young age she decided to become a veterinarian. During her internship she was again influenced by another important person that crossed her path, Dr. Michael Matz, an internal medicine specialist. While she worked with him, he taught her that compassion and use of “common sense” is what can make a good vet a great vet. As a veterinarian she has so many memorable moments with patients that make her appreciate being a part of this amazing profession. Dr. Weiler has 1 dog named Brewster and 2 cats named Max and Bungee, all were rescues.
Dr. Stacy Rine
Dr. Rine graduated from the University of Florida in 2000 and joined the Rocky Gorge Animal Hospital veterinary team in the summer of 2011. Her passion for animals and her love of science can be seen in how she practices medicine every day. The most enjoyable part of her job is being able to see the incredible bond between pets and their owners. She feels it is her responsibility to give every patient the best of care because of their unconditional love they show their owners. Her most interesting patient was Ollie a porcupine she helped in vet school. She had to sing “You are my sunshine” to him just to get him out of his crate. Dr Rine owns a Beagle named Darty and a Rottie named Lance. She also has two cats named Harry and Hagrid.