My inspiration for making my veterinary dream come true was Larry Lion, a beloved stuffed animal I had at the age of two. When Larry’s string was pulled, he roared. One day, to my dismay, the string stayed out. Larry Lion was broken. My thoughtful babysitter at the time offered to take Larry home for an “operation.” I still remember feeling frightened for him, but my babysitter said not to worry. She’d take good care of him. The next day, Larry Lion came back home. He wasn’t able to talk anymore—they had to remove his “voice box” but otherwise he was restitched and as good as new. I could have cared less that he didn’t speak anymore. I had my best friend back. It was at that moment, I knew I’d one day become a veterinarian and take care of other people’s much-loved best friends. It’s been 40 years and I can still remember that feeling of pure joy.

Dr. Loftin has been a practicing veterinarian since 1986. She graduated from a veterinary school in the Philippines and went on to study clinical medicine at the University of Missouri Veterinary School until her graduation. Dr. Loftin feels living in the Philippines for four years satisfied her sense of adventure and taught her how to be self-reliant.

A Detroit native, Dr. Maryellen Voigt attended the University of Missouri, Columbia, and received a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture in 1984. She went on to attend the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine and was awarded her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1987. Upon graduation, she honed her skills in a small animal hospital in central NJ where she continues to practice. Dr. Voigt's professional interests include ophthalmology and soft tissue surgery. She holds advanced training in emergency preparedness as a member of both the Morris County Animal Response Team and Morris County Medical Reserve Corps. Also, as a USDA Federally Accredited Veterinarian, she can issue both domestic and international health certificates. What else can this wonder woman do? Why see pot bellied pigs of course? One of the few in the state who do! With a perpetual smile on her face and a perceptive sense of medicine, Dr. Voigt is a great addition to the Mountainview family.

Dr. Ottoson was born and raised in central NJ. After obtaining his B.S. in Biochemistry from Cook College at Rutgers University, Dr. O was briefly employed in the pharmaceutical industry prior to finding his life-long career in veterinary medicine in 2006. Immediately on graduation from the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. O began the journey to achieve board certification in surgery by completing a rotating internship at Oradell Animal Hospital, followed by a surgical internship at Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists in MD.