Meet our team here at Innovative Vet Path! We are an organization of passionate, board-certified individuals, excited and ready to interpret specimens and provide accurate, timely guidance.
Karen Trainor, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVP
Dr. Trainor is originally from New York and graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006 before completing a small animal rotating medical and surgical internship at Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Services in Rochester, NY. She pursued a residency in anatomic pathology and a postdoctoral fellowship in cardiovascular pathology at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX.
Dr. Trainor is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathology and a member of the International Society of Veterinary Dermatopathology, American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology, and American Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Trainor went on to work as a research assistant professor in the cardiovascular and translational pathology lab at Texas A&M. She obtained additional training and experience in dermatopathology while working as a diagnostic pathologist at Abaxis Veterinary Reference Lab in the Kansas City area. Her other special interests include infectious diseases and zoo and wildlife pathology. Dr. Trainor lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, daughter, and their adorable cat Newton.
Ana Resendes, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVP
Dr. Resendes is originally from Portugal and graduated from the University of Lisbon in Portugal, in 1998. After pursuing an internship in anatomic pathology at the Barcelona Autonomous University in Spain she started a PhD in veterinary pathology and at the same time she was assigned as an assistant professor in anatomic pathology at Barcelona Autonomous University where she worked for 6 years. After, she pursued a senior residency in anatomic pathology during 1 year at the University of Utrecht, in the Netherlands and sit in 2016 the ACVP examination.
Dr. Resendes is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathology and a member of the International Society of Veterinary Dermatopathology. Dr. Resendes worked as a diagnostician pathologist for IDEXX, AVD, and as an independent consultant for various laboratories worldwide. Currently, she works as an assistant professor in veterinary anatomic pathology in Lisbon (Portugal) at the Lusófona University and as an independent consultant for several companies worldwide. She visited Texas A&M University in College Station and the Joint Comparative Center (AFIP) in Washington for training. She developed a special interest in dermatopathology while working as a diagnostic pathologist and after visiting Texas A&M University, where she reviewed several dermatology cases from the specialty service at Texas A&M and dermatology rounds. Her other special interests include infectious diseases, horses dermatopathology and gastroenteropathology. Dr. Resendes lives in Portugal near the sea with her family and two gorgeous cats.
Brian Palmeiro, VMD, Diplomate ACVD
Dr. Brian Palmeiro was born in Long Island, NY and obtained a Bachelor of Science from Rutgers University. He attended veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania and completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery, as well as a residency in dermatology and allergy at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. His interests include allergic skin disease, ear disease, immune mediated, and autoimmune skin disease.
Dr. Palmeiro is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology and a member of the American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology, and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Prior to starting Lehigh Valley Veterinary Dermatology in 2010, Dr. Palmeiro practiced in the Philadelphia area, NJ and Delaware. He still sees cases part time at Hope Veterinary Specialists in Malvern, PA. Dr. Palmeiro lectures at the University of Pennsylvania to veterinary students and serves as a mentor in the dermatology residency program. He lives in Allentown with his wife, son, daughter, 3 dogs, and numerous fish.
Carine Laporte VMD, Diplomate ACVD
Dr. Carine Laporte is originally from New York and obtained both her Bachelor of Arts and Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania. She then completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery from Texas A&M University before subsequently completing a private practice dermatology residency.
Dr. Carine Laporte is originally from New York and obtained both her Bachelor of Arts and Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania. She then completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery from Texas A&M University before subsequently completing a private practice dermatology residency.
Anita R Kiehl DVM, MS, DACVP
Dr Kiehl grew up in Florida, working for several veterinarians as an assistant while completing high school and college, then attended and graduated from the University of Florida in 1980. She practiced in Daytona Beach, Florida prior to attending Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Co, completing a residency and master’s degree in clinical pathology, and becoming a Diplomate of the College of Veterinary Pathology. She pursued a career as a diagnostician in a series of commercial veterinary laboratories before co-founding Florida Vet Path, Inc and FVP Consultants, Inc in 1998 and 2003 respectively, with Dr. Maron Calderwood Mays. Dr Kiehl is a member of AVMA, ACVP and ASVCP. She co-authored with Dr Mays in 2016 a book published by Wiley entitled Atlas for the Diagnosis of Tumors in Dogs and Cats, which has recently had a second edition published with additional authors including Dr Karen Trainor and Dr Laura Hokett.
Dr. David Shearer BVetMed PhD CertSAD PGCertVetEd FHEA CBiol FRSB DipRCPath MRCVS
David Shearer qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 1984. After a period in general mixed practice he was at The University of Bristol Vet School for nearly 10 years as a Junior Fellow in Veterinary Dermatology, Wellcome Research Scholar and Lecturer in Veterinary Pathology. He has over 30 years experience of veterinary referral dermatology as well as over 30 years experience as a diagnostic pathologist with a global reputation as a veterinary dermatopathologist. His PhD is in skin immunology and microbiology, he holds the RCVS certificate in small animal dermatology, was a RCVS advanced practitioner in small animal dermatology (2015-2019) and is a Diplomate of the Royal College of Pathologists.
David is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biologists and has co-authored a textbook on veterinary ectoparasites as well as writing papers on dermatology, skin immunology and pathology. David enjoys teaching and has lectured globally on dermatology, immunology and pathology. David was part of the management board of The International Society of Veterinary Dermatopathology (ISVD) for 16 years and President of ISVD from 2014-2018. David works as an independent consultant veterinary dermatopathologist in the UK as well as for laboratories in Europe and the USA. David also provides clinical support for his wife’s dermatology referral work.
Darren Berger, DVM, Diplomate ACVD
Dr. Darren Berger was born and raised in the State of Iowa. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Iowa and his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University. Following graduation, he worked as a general practitioner and emergency veterinarian in Des Moines, IA prior to completing a dermatology residency in Phoenix, AZ. Dr. Berger is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology. He was a tenured associate professor at Iowa State University and is now the Medical Affairs Specialist – Allergy & Dermatology with Elanco Animal Health. He still maintains an affiliate associate professor at Iowa State University where he helps mentor dermatology residents and teaches dermatology at South Dakota State University.
Taylor Trost
Taylor Trost lives in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, with her husband, son, and two dogs. She holds a degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Teacher Leadership. After seven years as a 4th-grade teacher, Taylor transitioned into the online business world, earning a Director of Marketing Certification and a Digital Business Manager Certificate.
Taylor joined Innovative Vet Path in 2022 as a Virtual Assistant and has since grown into the role of Online Business Manager. In this position, she focuses on streamlining operations, optimizing systems, and ensuring the business runs efficiently. She plays a key role in overseeing projects, improving workflows, and supporting the team in delivering top-tier service. Taylor loves working with Dr. Trainor and the team and is passionate about supporting IVP’s clients with efficiency and organization.
Shawna Barnes
Shawna Barnes lives in Fort Worth, Texas, with her husband, two kids, and two dogs, Calla and Finn. She studied Public Relations at the University of Idaho and later pursued further education in Human Resources Management in Fort Worth, where she continued to build on her passion for organization, communication, and helping businesses grow and succeed.
Before transitioning into administrative services, Shawna worked with local nonprofits, focusing on making a positive impact in her community. Her passion for mission-driven work continues to inspire her as she brings her skills to Innovative Vet Path. Shawna helps maintain day-to-day operations, offering behind-the-scenes support and keeping the team organized and on track. She’s proud to be part of a group that shares her values of precision, care, and making a positive impact in the lives of animals and their families.
Brittany Boyette
Brittany Boyette lives in a small southern town with her family. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree along with three Associate Degrees in Middle School and Special Education, Business, and Psychology. Her background reflects a lifelong interest in education, communication, and building systems that help people access information more easily. Before starting her own business, Brittany worked in the corporate world. She later transitioned into entrepreneurship after becoming a mother to her autistic son, which inspired her to build a business centered on inclusion, support, and helping others succeed. That mission continues to shape the work she does today.
At Innovative Vet Path, Brittany helps manage the education and communication platforms that connect the team’s expertise with the veterinary community. She supports the systems behind the educational resources, courses, masterclasses, and case insights shared with veterinarians each month. Brittany also helps ensure that the information coming from the Innovative Vet Path team is organized, accessible, and easy for the audience to engage with.
Newton Trainor, Feline Wellness Specialist and Gravitational Pull Field Expert
An accomplished physicist and wellness guru, Newton Trainor is a welcome addition to the Innovative Vet Path family. With a passion for research, he can often be found conducting gravity-related experiments, and has been responsible for many discoveries involving items knocked off of desks, countertops, and other raised surfaces. His efforts in this area of study have earned him a knighthood, which is why you will often hear him referred to as “Sir Newton,” by his closest friends.
Nutrition and health are always Newton’s top priority, which is why he took great pains to attain certification from the Mindfulness of Eating Organic and Well (MEOW) Institute. He is diligent in his evening yoga practice, and while not fully vegetarian, has developed an abiding love of beans.
When he is not engaged in research or meditation, you will likely find him playing with a variety of toddler toys, although he might not admit that fact, if asked.