Veterinarians
Melissa deBlok, DVM
Dr. Melissa deBlok is a General Practitioner who began practicing at All Friends Animal Hospital in 2007 and became a co-owner in 2009.
“I have always felt a special connection with animals and have always had an interest in science and medicine,” says Dr. deBlok when asked about her decision to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Now that she is a veterinarian, she says she finds great satisfaction in “healing pets and therefore, people.”
A native of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Dr. deBlok attended Holyoke Community College and then the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, for her undergraduate studies. She received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science in 1996 and graduated Cum Laude. In 1997, she enrolled in Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences and received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. During her time in veterinary school, she was inducted into the Phi Zeta Veterinary Honor Society, received the Salisbury Scholarship for Clinical Proficiency, made Dean’s List and President’s Honor Roll, received the Springfield Kennel Club Scholarship, Big Y Scholarship for Academic Excellence, and the Stephen Bufton Award for Women in Leadership.
Her areas of special professional interest include holistic and integrative medicine and wellness and preventative medicine. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Holistic Medical Association.
Her pets include a Beagle/Boxer mix named Tessa and two cats named Herman and Harley. Dr. deBlok’s interests include yoga, kayaking, hiking, traveling, reading and horseback riding.
Elizabeth Friday, DVM
Dr. Elizabeth Friday is a General Practitioner who has been a member of the All Friends Animal Hospital medical team since 2006.
A native of Baltic, Connecticut, Dr. Friday says that she has always had a love of animals and an interest in medicine. These childhood interests were further honed by spending time on a nearby dairy farm watching the veterinarian care for the animals and then volunteering for veterinary practices beginning at age 14.
Dr. Friday attended the University of New Hampshire for her undergraduate studies and graduated Cum Laude in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. In 1994, she entered Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine where she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1998.
Her area of special professional interest is internal medicine. Dr. Friday is a member of the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
She is married to Christopher Friday—Manager of Customer Relations at Mohegan Sun Casino—and the couple has two young children, Alexander and Sophia. They also provide a home for a Yellow Labrador Retriever named Gobi and a cat named Asparagus that she rescued as a kitten when the owner wanted to put it down due to a broken leg.
Dr. Friday’s interests include hiking, power walking, and Mommy and Me Swim Class with Alexander.