Our Staff: Dr. Claire Hamer
I first decided to become a veterinarian in the fourth grade when my best friend told me all about what it was like to be a veterinarian. I have always had a keen interest in animals. My parents tell me with great delight that as soon as I was mobile I started to hunt Chongololos, which were giant millipedes, in our garden in Zambia. I won’t admit what I did with them as a toddler. The fascination grew to include chameleons, zebras, lions, elephants, goats, bears, dogs, whatever living creature I saw, in Africa and here, when I moved to the United States .
I graduated from the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1995. I practiced small animal medicine for three years in Iowa before moving to New York . I practiced for three years in Mahopac , NY before moving up to Rensselaer County . I have been at Nassau Veterinary Clinic for one year now, and I am thoroughly enjoying working here. My interests encompass internal medicine. I am a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the New York State Veterinary Medical Society.
My husband, Scott and I have three rambunctious girls, Annie, Gigi, and Carmela. We have truly loved living in this area. We find that the quality of life provided in this area is excellent being in a rural area, but only twenty minutes away from the state capitol. There is so much to do and see. We have also enjoyed meeting people in the community. Everyone has been very friendly. We could both see ourselves settling down here for quite a while. My main interests outside of veterinary medicine include refinishing furniture, art projects and other activities with my girls, knitting and whatever else my family and I can come up with to occupy ourselves.