Our Team

Lawrence Rebbecchi, Jr., VMD

Dr. Lawrence Rebbecchi graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with his VMD in 1990. He has always had a love for pets and animals since he was a child, and he saw veterinary medicine as an opportunity to combine his love of animals with his ability to plainly communicate and educate pet parents. He is very proud to have built up a successful practice, and he finds it very rewarding that the community trusts his compassionate and empathetic care that he has been delivering for nearly 30 years in his practice at Philadelphia Animal Hospital.
In addition to his work at the practice, Dr. Rebbecchi is also the veterinarian in charge of caring for the Philadelphia Police TSA Explosives Unit at Philadelphia International Airport, as well as providing care for all the canines that work at the airport. He has also served as the veterinarian in charge at national competitions for working dogs.
Dr. Rebbecchi has three grown daughters, Adria, Daria, and Vittoria. Daria, his middle daughter, will be graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020 with her VMD and will join the practice! His family has also included many pets over the years. Currently, he has many dogs and cats at home as well as retired thoroughbred race horses. He has also raised goats and cattle at his home in South Jersey. When he is not at work, he enjoys spending time with family, vacationing on the West Coast of Florida, and caring for his horses at his home in New Jersey.

Fred Cuccinello, DVM

Dr. Fred Cuccinello graduated from the University of Florida with his DVM in 1984. He has aspired to be a veterinarian since he was six years old; he wanted to combine his love of animals with his love of the medical field. A former practice owner, he has been a practicing veterinarian for over 35 years.
He loves building relationships with and educating pet parents about wellness care and acute and chronic medical issues. Dr. Cuccinello has a special interest in allergy management, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, internal medicine, and neurology.
Dr. Cuccinello (Dr. C) lives in South Jersey with his wife, two children, and their dogs. When not working, he enjoys spending time with family, friends, reading, traveling, and watching the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers and his beloved Florida Gators.

Erin Paul, VMD

Dr. Erin Paul (aka Dr. Erin) currently lives in Philadelphia but grew up in Pittsburgh. She attended Penn State for her undergraduate degree followed by the University of Pennsylvania for Veterinary school. Dr. Erin absolutely loves working with animals and the owners who love them. Being able to help people by helping their pets has been incredibly fulfilling for her.
While she loves all animals, Dr. Erin’s favorite is her own dog named Luna. In her spare time, she loves reading, painting, and exploring the Philadelphia food scene with her fiancé. Dr. Erin also loves traveling and visiting her family back in Pittsburgh.
She is very excited to be part of the Pet Check team and can’t wait to meet all of you!

Michele Leso, VMD

Dr. Michele Leso was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa. She has her undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware, a Master’s degree from Hahnemann University, and her Veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Leso Shares her Southern NJ home with her husband, 5 children, and a collection of pets including, dogs, cats, rabbits and a sheep.

Megen Cummings, VMD

Dr Megen Cummings is from a small town in southern New Jersey. She always knew that one day she would become a veterinarian. Her family raised a variety of animals on a small farm and held petting zoos and pony rides for all different occasions. Megen was very active on her farm and always had a deep unconditional love for animals. Megen began her Veterinary education in 2013 at Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2015, after receiving a scholarship from the US Army, she was commissioned as a Captain. Immediately out of vet school, she became an Officer in Charge of an entire clinic on a military installation. Megen cared for a variety of military animals including Military Working Dogs and Calvary Horses. She was in charge of wellness and preventative care measures, as well as injuries and illness, in our dedicated military animals. After 4 years, stationed at Fort Irwin, CA and Fort Lewis, WA, Dr Cummings decided to move back to South Jersey. She has two boxers, Duke and Duchess, who are her world. Megen loves to take her pups to play in the water and on long hikes.

Sara Karandish, DVM

Dr. Sara Karandish earned her bachelor's degree in biology from George Washington University in 2015. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from California's Western University of Health Sciences School of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. Prior to becoming a Veterinarian, Dr. Sara worked for several years in the field of biomedical research at George Washington University in Washington DC. There are many satisfying aspects about being a veterinarian according to Dr. Sara. “I take pleasure in taking care of my patient’s health issues and in educating my clients on what is best for their pets. There is a very rewarding feeling when I see that my patients are receiving the best care possible, both at the Hospital and at home.” Dr. Sara is an avid animal lover, dedicating her profession to providing care and treatment for companion animals, and spending a lot of her free time assisting with rescue and adoption of stray and homeless animals including the Feral Kitty TNR program. She and her husband live with their four-legged babies, rescued coonhounds Jellybean, Candy Cane, JoJo, Lucy, and a handful of rescued kitties.

Lauren Simermeyer, DVM

Dr Lauren Simermeyer, DVM graduated from Iowa State in 2007. She had grown up in the South Jersey area and so returned to be near her family. Her area of practice has focused primarily in the ER. Recently, she has decided to take a step back from the fast pace and wild hours of working in the emergency department. She finds working in the Urgent Care setting much more in alignment with her practice style. She lives in Southampton, NJ with her fiancé and their daughter. She has six corgis, a chihuahua and two cats.