The Toby Project

Who's Behind The Toby Project

We hear it over and over. What makes The Toby Project "special" is how much everyone involved cares about the animals we serve. Whether it’s a domesticated puppy coming for a spay or a feral cat living in the streets, every member of our team wants to make the experience as comfortable and loving as possible for both animals and caretakers.

Meet our “A” team of veterinary professionals and support staff:

Lori Behrman

Feral Clinic Manager & Mobile Clinic Locations Planner

Upon coming back to live in NYC from the west coast in the summer of 2008, Lori was looking for a worthy and meaningful animal-related cause to be involved with and help start her life again in New York. Having Dr. Kaplan as the amazing vet of her two cats, and learning about The Toby Project through visits to City Vet Care, inspired her to start her involvement in 2008. It was during that time that she gravitated to what she loves and does best: community organizing and outreach. She was an integral part of the van's first day on the road, and has been doing the location planning since then. She also now manages the stationary clinic for feral cats, in partnership with Ferals In Peril. In addition to animals, Lori's other passion is music: she's the head honcho for The Lori Behrman Band, and plays frequently in Manhattan and the outer boroughs. She shares her apartment with her two feline kids who love music as much as Lori does: Fang, a rambunctious manx mix, and Frances, a beautiful grey calico.
Jyaizia Lavine

Assistant Veterinary Technician

Jyaizia is a welcome addition to The Toby Project mobile surgical team. An assistant technician, she is enrolled in a program to become a licensed Veterinary Technician. Jyaizia is a native of Brooklyn, currently residing in Bed-Stuy and also works at The Toby Project feral clinic in that borough. She finds that her exercise routine helps her cope with her rigorous schedule. Most of all, she loves cuddling up with her three dogs Scrappy, Lucky and Champagne, and her cat Kiara.
Dr. Jenny Ripka

Veterinarian

Dr. Ripka graduated from the Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine in 1990. She has spent more than twenty years working for humane organizations in New York City. For the last ten years she has specialized in developing and operating low cost mobile spay neuter clinics. Dr. Ripka has worked for the Toby Project as a spay neuter surgeon from its inception in 2009.