Our Veterinarians

 Dr. Isaac Angell is a native of the Hudson Valley, born and raised on Bentley Farm in the town of Stanford, NY. It was there Dr. Angell’s love of animals flourished. Dr. Angell states, “It was raising and training oxen that taught me about persistence and consistency. It was riding and driving the horses that taught me about patience and calmness. It was showing our Ayrshire cattle and winning a prize that taught me to take pride in my work.” Growing up, one of Dr. Angell’s life aspirations and goals was to become like his family’s longtime veterinarian, Dr. Douglas Hart. It was Dr. Hart who mentored and guided Dr. Angell through vet school and ultimately offered him a job with Pine Plains Veterinary Associates upon graduation from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. 

​​Dr. Angell received his undergraduate degree in Animal Science from Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. During his undergraduate career he was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society and the Cornell Tradition Society. He received the DUE Award for academic excellence,  

and the American Dairy Science Association Award. He had the privilege of participating in Cornell Dairy Fellows program.  
​In Veterinary School, Dr. Angell received the Francis H. Fox Scholarship, Dr. Ronny Miller Memorial Scholarship, and the Dutchess County Dairy Committee Scholarship. He dedicated a summer to enroll in and graduate from the Summer Dairy Institute. He graduated from Cornell with his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. Believe it or not Dr. Angell, Dr. Hart, and their predecessor Dr. Webster all had a professor in common at Cornell: Dr. Fox.  

Dr. Angell is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and Eastern New York Holstein Club.

Dr. Angell’s passion for large animals led him to buy the large animal division of Pine Plains Veterinary Associates in 2014 and start his own veterinary practice, Bentley Veterinary Practice, which is solely dedicated to farm animals. 

When Dr. Angell is not working for the Veterinary Practice, he loves spending time with his wife and daughters. Together, they enjoy working together on their farm and tending to their herd of cattle. 

Dr. Julie Clas grew up near Rochester, NY. Although she did not grow up on a farm, her interest in animals drew her to work on a large dairy in high school and college. It was in this environment that she took the night shift milking, calved cows in the maternity pen, and learned the intricacies of a working farm.

Dr. Clas attended the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University where she majored in Animal Science. From there she continued onto Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine. It was here that her interest in equine medicine budded. She worked as an emergency surgery tech at Cornell’s Equine Hospital and assisted with many colic surgeries. While fostering her interest in Equine medicine she also pursued more training in cattle medicine, taking an advanced summer course in dairy cow management called the Summer Dairy Institute.

Graduating from Cornell in 2010, she took a job in Franklin County, NY where she worked until she joined Bentley Veterinary Practice in 2016. It was there that her interest in equine reproduction, equine dentistry, cattle herd health and reproduction, and neonatal care flourished. It was through her abilities and 
passions that the practice went from being a bovine centered practice, to a practice that encompassed a considerable equine focus as well as turning more attention to sheep, goats, and pigs.

Dr. Clas has many veterinary proficiencies, but what makes her impressive is her ability to relate to people: always willing to listen and have a conversation in a relatable manner.

Dr. Clas is an active member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, and the American Veterinary Medical Association.

When not engaged in the caring for the animals, Dr. Clas might be found staying busy with her two young kids, running, cycling, or even horseback riding. ​​​

Dr. Seth Shirky was born in Rifton, NY, and grew up in the English Countryside, where he developed a passion for agriculture while raising sheep, cows, and other farm animals. This early experience inspired his lifelong interest in livestock and veterinary medicine. 

After graduating high school, Dr. Shirky moved back to New York to pursue his undergraduate education at SUNY Cobleskill and Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. During his undergraduate years, he honed his interest in large animal care and gained valuable hands-on experience working with cattle. 

Dr. Shirky was accepted into Cornell University's College of Veterinary medicine, where he graduated in 2024. While in veterinary school, he balanced a rigorous academic schedule with practical work on the university dairy and in the anatomical pathology lab at the Cornell Animal Health Diagnostic Center. He served as an active member of the Student chapter of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), where he enjoyed organizing and leading palpation and breeding labs for his peers. 

Throughout vet school, Dr. Shirky traveled extensively to broaden his veterinary skills and perspectives. He conducted a research project on tick-borne diseases in Ankole cattle in Uganda, assisted with spay and neuter clinics for feral cats and dogs in Guatemala, and worked with a dairy practice in New Zealand. These international experiences deepened his commitment to providing excellent care to livestock and farm animals. 

After graduating, Dr. Shirky returned to the Hudson Valley to join Bentley Veterinary Practice. His areas of interest include cattle herd health, reproduction, and preventative care for farm animals. A lifelong cattle enthusiast, Dr. Shirky purchased his first British White cow after veterinary school and plans to establish a small herd of this unique breed known for their temperament and meat quality. 

When not working, Dr. Shirky enjoys running, spending time outdoors, and taking cold plunges in winter. He is thrilled to be serving the Hudson Valley community and looks forward to collaborating with local farmers to promote the health and well-being of their animals.  

 Dr. Megan Boenicke recently joined Bentley Veterinary Practice in June of 2025 after graduating for Tufts University. Dr. Boenicke was born in Del Rio, TX. Since a young age, Dr. Boenicke wanted to be a veterinarian. 

Growing up, she enjoyed the science and medicine side associated with veterinary medicine and continued to pursue it. 

After graduating high school, Dr. Boenicke went to Baylor University where she studied Health Science. During her undergraduate studies, she interned at Days End Horse Rescue in Maryland and Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, TX. Going into vet school, she was interested in both large and exotic medicine. 

Dr. Boenicke attended Tufts University in Massachusetts for vet school. During her first year, she realized her true love for large animal medicine, and worked to gain more experience in this field. During vet school, she worked with the barn staff of the Large Animal Hospital, was a student worker with the campus farm, and a TA for large animal clinical skills. She was also active members of Tufts AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners) and SLO (Student Livestock Organization). 

During clinics, Dr. Boenicke had the opportunity to participate in the US Sheep Experiment Station where she helped with their lambing season and common issues and diseases in lambs and ewes before they were sent out to pasture. 

Dr. Boenicke was very excited to join Bentley Veterinary Practice as it allows her to do true mixed large animal practice as well as some exotic work. 

When not working, Dr. Boenicke enjoys running, playing soccer, hanging out with her old man Westie, and exploring what the Hudson Valley has to offer. 

Jodi Rathjen is the Business Manager at Bentley Veterinary Practice, where she enjoys supporting the dedicated Bentley Veterinary team and keeping operations running smoothly. Jodi has spent the past 35 plus years managing her household,  raising 3 children, working as an art teacher, and 10 years managing a local optometrist office.  

When not at work, Jodi can be found enjoying one of her many hobbies from quilting, needle felting, woodworking, or gardening. She is also loving her new role as a grandma! She’s excited to learn more about the veterinary world and all the animal antics that come with it!

Haley has been with the Bentley Veterinary Practice since 2024. Haley is a lady of ambition. For being the young lady that she is hardworking.  She works full time with Bentley Vet as well as taking a full course load working towards her degree to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician.

When Haley is not working in the office or on the road with the doctors, she enjoys working on her family farm where her and her family raise and show Southdown Sheep. 

Along with her busy work life, Haley is a 4-H leader of a Sheep Club in Dutchess county. Haley has found a way to still do wonderful activities such as being a Sheep judge at local county fairs around New York State while working alongside the Bentley Veterinary Practice. 

Haley would like to thank all of our clients for their endless support and the rest of the Bentley Vet Team for being an extraordinary place that cares for an endless amount of large animals

Charlene is our newest receptionist at Bentley Vet! Charlene graduated Northwest Connecticut Community College with a Recreational Leadership Degree. Charlene grew up on a Beef Cattle farm where she raised Simmentals with her family. She was part of her local 4-H club and entertained many leadership roles during that time. Charlene always carried a heavy passion for the agriculture industry. Charlene continues to raise beef cattle along with two sheep “Brittany Shears” and “Sally” that hold a special place in Charlene’s heart as they were her daughter's. 

Charlene has always had a passion for helping animals and in that, she strives to assist in the well-being of the Bentley Veterinary Patients. When she is not working diligently at the practice, Charlene enjoys gardening outside, working on her family farm, baking delicious treats, and traveling with her husband. Charlene is looking forward to continuing to work with the Bentley Veterinary Practice!