Our Team
Dr. Cara Kneser, DVM
Meet Dr. Cara Kneser
The heart and founder of Kneser Veterinary Services, Dr. Cara took a wonderfully unconventional path to becoming a veterinarian.
After earning her degree in Animal Science from Cornell University, she married the farm boy next door. Together, they ran a small dairy farm and raised four children. When they eventually sold the farm, Cara continued working with livestock on another dairy.
Then, during a girls’ weekend, Cara confessed her one great regret: she had always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, but thought that dream had passed her by.
She quickly learned never to underestimate a group of determined friends! Before breakfast was over, a plan was hatched.
Cara returned to school, earned a degree in Biology, and in 2006 was accepted to Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. Four “challenging” years later, she earned her DVM.
Large animals have always been her passion. From riding horses and working with cattle as a young girl in New York to spending time on a ranch in Montana, caring for animals has been a lifelong calling. After veterinary school, she worked at a large-animal practice in Connecticut before opening Kneser Veterinary Services in 2016.
When asked what she loves most about being a veterinarian, Dr. Cara will tell you that while caring for the animals is incredibly rewarding, the best part is the relationships she builds with the people who love them.
And when she’s not working? She’s happily being “Moomoo” to her beloved grandchildren—taking them camping, on adventures, and, of course, to Disney World! Her favorite place there? Animal Kingdom, naturally.
Dr. Cara’s journey is a reminder that it’s never too late to chase the dream you thought you had to give up.
Keri Boucher, Vet Tech
A veterinary technician for over 30 years, Keri has loved animals since before she could walk and, ever since her family’s cat Patches guarded her crib, they have loved her back. Keri’s interest in equine behavior, particularly relaxation techniques coupled with positive reinforcement, has led to her advances in handling animals for treatment in the field — a win for all involved.
Together with her husband Ken, Keri built Iris Creek Farm in Scotland, CT, where she tends her flock of sheep, prepares wool and yarn for events, and plays liberty games with her horses. When not in the vet truck or working on her farm, you might find Keri off on an adventure with her family to the mountains up north or the Connecticut shore.
Bailey Hirschboeck, Vet Tech
Hi there! My name is Bailey and I work as a vet tech with Dr. Kneser. I have always had a love of animals from a young age. I've been coercing my parents into allowing me to purchase my own animals for as long as I can remember. It really started with some turtles. It has truly come full circle. I now own and operate Country Critters Farm where we raise and preserve endangered breeds of livestock and poultry through sustainable methods. I love educating on these amazing breeds and their importance.
We also have a sister branch, Country Critters Wildlife Rehabilitation, where I can harbor my love for wildlife and conservation. We specialize in turtles and semi-aquatic mammals including beaver, otters, and muskrats. When I am not taking care of my own critters (or making Dr. Cara stop to let me help a turtle across the road), I enjoy farm sitting for others and breeding cows. I worked on a dairy farm for four years where I learned to artificially inseminate cattle and found a love for ruminant reproduction (large and small!).
Sara St. Marie, Office Manager
Sara joined the Kneser team in October 2024, bringing with her more than 20 years of experience in the veterinary industry. Her deep knowledge of animal care is matched by a lifelong passion for horses. Over the years, she has owned, bred, trained, and shown American Quarter Horses, Morgan horses, and an Arabian horse, reflecting her hands-on dedication to the equine world.
Outside of work, Sara enjoys spending time tending to her flower beds—usually under the watchful supervision of her two cats, Fred and George.