Veterinary
OPHTHALMOLOGISTS
Dayton, Ohio
Our board-certified ophthalmologists and staff at The Animal Eye Institute understand that your pets are an extension of your family. Therefore, your pet's well-being is our utmost concern. Through excellent communication with you and your referring veterinarian we are committed to exceeding your expectations by providing high quality, compassionate, state-of-the-art ophthalmic care to your pets. The Animal Eye Institute excels at the diagnosis, surgery, and medical treatment of eye disorders for companion animals (dogs and cats), large animals (horses, llamas, cattle), exotic and pocket pets. Most procedures are possible to perform on an out-patient basis.
Our board certified ophthalmologists are the leading experts of veterinary eye care in the Florence area. We would love to see your pet and start to help them with their eye problems!
Dr. DJ Haeussler
Board Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist
Dr. DJ Haeussler grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. He finished his undergraduate work at The Ohio State University and then received his doctorate in 2006. He then went to New Jersey where he finished two internships at Garden State Veterinary Specialists and then returned to his alma mater, The Ohio State University to complete his residency. While at Ohio State University for his residency, he completed a Master of Science degree and earned the top award for professional student research at Ohio State as well as the top resident award for professional research at the annual American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) in 2010. Dr. DJ Haeussler has been published in Veterinary Ophthalmology, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Clinician's Brief, and others. His publications have been referenced in the gold standard textbook, Veterinary Ophthalmology. Dr. Haeussler has also published a photographic atlas to help better help veterinarians and veterinary technicians identify ophthalmic disease in dogs and is entitled Recognition of Canine Ocular Disease: A Photo Atlas, Volume 1. Dr. Haeussler's photographs of ophthalmic disease are found in textbooks and lectures worldwide. Dr. Haeussler is the host of the podcast "Veterinary Ophthalmology" and the co-owner of the VetEye App. Dr. Haeussler has also served as a part-time ophthalmology consultant and clinician at Garden State Veterinary Specialists, in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. He is a board-certified diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO). Dr. Haeussler has also served on the ACVO Membership Promotion and Outreach Committee as the committee chair, president of the Cincinnati Veterinary Medical Association, and was a member of the Cincinnati Veterinary Medical Association Board of Trustees.
Dr. Haeussler’s interests are providing exceptional ophthalmic care to prolong vision and comfort for your pet. He is very interested in cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation as well as various surgical methods of corneal repair. He enjoys mentoring interns and residents and enjoys lecturing at the local, state, and international levels. Dr. DJ Haeussler is married to Dr. Jayme Haeussler, a veterinarian in the Cincinnati area. Outside of his career, he is an avid sports fan and enjoys following the Cincinnati Reds, the Cincinnati Bengals, and The Ohio State Buckeyes. He loves to spend time with his wife, Jayme, their two sons, Trey and Dane, and their dogs, Philly and Sydney. Dr. Haeussler's other hobbies include scuba diving, photography (even underwater!), and anything to do with veterinary ophthalmology.
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Science, The Ohio State University
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University
Internship, Medicine and Surgery, Garden State Veterinary Specialists
Internship, Internal Medicine and Critical Care, Garden State Veterinary Specialists
Master of Science, The Ohio State University
Residency in Comparative Ophthalmology, The Ohio State University
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA)
Cincinnati Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)
International Equine Ophthalmology Consortium (IEOC)
International Society of Veterinary Ophthalmology (ISVO)
American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO)
Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA)
West Virginia Veterinary Medical Association (WVVMA)
Ophthalmic Photographers Society (OPS)
South Carolina Veterinary Medical Association (SCVMA)
Miami Valley Veterinary Medical Association (MVVMA)
Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA)
Dr. Emily Spica
Practice Limited to Diseases of the Eye
Dr. Spica grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. She earned her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College, outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she graduated with honors in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. After college, she worked as a veterinary technician at a small animal primary care practice before deciding to go to vet school. In 2021, Dr. Spica graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, where she engaged in the mixed (large and small) animal curriculum, participated in research, and ultimately developed an interest in ophthalmology. Dr. Spica then completed a small animal medicine and surgery rotating internship at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, where she received the Dr. Sharon Drellich Memorial Award for Professionalism, Collegiality & Compassion. She joined the AEI team in 2022 as a specialty ophthalmology intern. Outside of work, Dr. Spica enjoys trying new restaurants in the Cincinnati area, going to concerts, watching NBA, and spending time with her partner as well as their pitbull and 3 cats.
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Science, Bryn Mawr College
VMD, University of Pennsylvania
Internship, Angell Animal Medical Center
Internship, Comparative Ophthalmology, The Animal Eye Institute
Residency, Comparative Ophthalmology, The Animal Eye Institute
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
Cincinnati Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)