Meet our Staff


Doctors and staff




We are fortunate to have four dedicated veterinarians and an experienced and caring support staff to help you with all pet's medical needs.


Suzanne Magruder, DVM
graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in 1996. She then completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Michigan Veterinary Specialists. She worked in a small animal practice in Indianapolis, Indiana before moving to Connecticut in 2002. She and her husband, Scott, purchased Saybrook Veterinary Hospital in July 2013. They live in Centerbrook along with their dog, Dexter, and a three-legged cat named Peggy. She enjoys cooking, hiking, camping and boating in her spare time.

Susan McCawley, VMD is a 1983 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She and her husband, Chris, also a veterinarian, live in Lyme, CT along with a dog, cat, and a handful of chickens. Dr. McCawley’s Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a certified pet therapy dog that spends time volunteering at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding. Dr. McCawley has two adult sons and a new grandson and enjoys cooking and gardening in her spare time.

Kathryn Merkent, DVM is a 2016 graduate of the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to veterinary school, she received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Connecticut in Patholobiology with a minor in Molecular & Cellular Biology. Before becoming a veterinarian herself, Dr. Merkent worked as a veterinary technician for 10 years, working alongside Dr. Magruder during much of that time. She and her husband, Ryan, live in Clinton with their cat, Harry and Beagle, Scarlett. She enjoys exercising, cooking, and traveling in her spare time.    

Kelly Ward Minott, DVM is a 2012 graduate of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her clinical year at Auburn University of Veterinary Medicine. Upon graduation she did a small animal medicine and surgery internship at The Animal Medicine Center in New York City. She and her husband then moved from New York to Guilford, Connecticut. After practicing for 6 years in East Haven she joined the wonderful group at Saybrook Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Minott spends her free time chasing after her son and snuggling her dog and three cats.


RETIRED BUT NOT FORGOTTEN:


Dianne Adams, DVM
is a 1977 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She then moved to New York City to do a internship at the Animal Medical Center. It was there that she met her husband, Dr. Andre Thouin. They purchased Saybrook Veterinary Hospital and moved to Old Saybrook in 1988 with their two young sons and cats. She enjoys taking photographs of people with their pets and being a grandmother.


Andre Thouin, DVM
grew up in Switzerland and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1974. He received his veterinary degree from the University of Zurich in Switzerland in 1978. He then completed an internship at Oradell Animal Hospital in 1979. He and his wife, Dr. Dianne Adams, purchased Saybrook Veterinary Hospital and moved to Old Saybrook in 1988. They have two grown sons and he enjoys tennis, skiing, sailing, travel, bicycling and hiking.

Our veterinary technicians include Michelle, Laura, Mandy, Jennifer, Sarah, Joy, Deena, Christy and Bethany. They are an invaluable resource in the care of your pet. They are all compassionate care givers and are a vital part of your pet's medical team.