My love of animals came early in life. Everything from “rescuing” a moth named “Poopsy”, to trying to kiss box turtles. But the real epiphany occurred at 12 years of age, when my own dog Rogue got into a fight with a neighborhood dog. I was home alone and had to care for his partially torn off ear. When my parents arrived home, they called the veterinarian who was very impressed with the way the ear was wrapped. From then on it was a done deal in my mind: I was going to be veterinarian. My empathy for creatures that cannot speak for or take care of themselves has been a driving force in my life. I am truly a blessed individual to have found a job that I love so much.
Advice to pet parents?
Well-behaved pets increase the human-animal bond exponentially. Commitment and consistency are the key. It doesn’t have to take much time, but a little training every day and with every interaction makes a big difference. Take a training class early, whether your pet is a puppy or an adult dog new to your home. For dogs and cats, play with their feet, play with their mouths, play with their ears – annoy them just a little. It will pay off in spades later in life.
Who makes up your family?
My wife Micki is a physical therapist. We are empty nesters and proud parents of two young men, Dylan and Liam. They are both in college and those years are going too fast.
The oldest furry member of our family is a cat named Kahuna, The Big Kahuna to be exact. He is a big orange tabby who has lived with us since 2001.
We also have two pit bulls, Ozro and Cooper who were BARCS rescues. They were both brought to MCAH a couple months apart for treatment of fractured rear legs. They were both scheduled to have their damaged legs amputated, but we decided to take them home with all their legs.
Fun fact about your pet?
Our dogs sleep in bed under the covers. There have been many a night where I have had to sleep on the couch because there was no room in the bed.
I grew up on a small farm in Oklahoma surrounded by lots of animals. As a child, we had cattle, pigs, chickens, dogs, and cats. Most of our neighbors had horses as well. My favorite subjects in school were math and sciences. I originally went to college as a marine biology major with plans of working with marine mammals and fish. Some of my interests changed during college and I found myself interested in the possibility of a medical degree. I have always loved animals and veterinary medicine gave me the opportunity to pursue those interests.
What is your goal with every patient visit?
My goal with a patient visit is to first address any concerns of the pet parents. It is always my goal to make sure that not only is the patient getting the right treatment, but that the pet parents fully understand what we recommend and why, and that they are in agreement with the treatment plan.
Advice to pet parents?
Consider pet insurance. There are a number of companies that offer good plans. Having pet insurance allows you to make decisions based on what is best for your pet in times of need, without as much of a financial burden.
Who makes up your family?
My wife, Jenny, is also a veterinarian and owner at Mason Dixon Animal Emergency Hospital in Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania. We have three boys: Aidan, Finn, and Sullivan. We have three dogs: a French Bulldog named Nugget, a Potcake named Petal, and a Pit Bull named Bika. Three island cats round out the family: Mr. Nibbles, Cracker, and Cheese – all rescued from the Turks and Caicos.
Fun fact about you? Your pet?
I am an avid hunter and fisherman. I also enjoy home brewing and tasting beer at out local breweries. I love my Traeger and never turn down a cookout.
Our home is a bit like the Island of Misfit Pets: all of our pets came to us as a “rescue” with something “wrong” with them. They are all happy and healthy now, and we think they are each perfect in every way.
I started telling my parents that I wanted to be a veterinarian when I was five years old – after I realized my ballerina princess dream sadly was not going to pan out. While many people outgrow their dream of becoming an “animal doctor,” there has never been anything else that I wanted to be. Taking care of animals (and their owners!) is one of the best things I get to do every day.
What is your goal with every patient visit?
With every visit, I want animals and their owners to feel happy and comfortable in my care. I truly believe that veterinarians are advocates and cheerleaders for our patients. During each appointment, I strive to meet the patient’s medical needs, while having an open dialogue with owners about their pets’ care and any concerns or questions, whether it is a sick visit or “routine” wellness exam.
Advice to pet parents?
Find a veterinarian and hospital where you feel safe, comfortable, and valued. A large part of our job as veterinarians is helping you through some of the most difficult decisions you will make as a pet parent. One of the most important things you can do for your pet is to build a relationship with a professional you trust, who discusses your pet’s needs with you, and who helps you come to decisions about your pet’s care. While it is our job to care for your pet medically, it is also our job to care for you, the pet parent, and make sure we are meeting your needs.
Who makes up your family?
I spend time at home with my husband Chip and our son Sam. When not chasing around the two-legged child, I spend the rest of my day running around after the four-legged ones: a miniature dachshund named Lola, and a Pembroke welsh corgi named Zoey.
I have been drawn to animals my entire life. I had multiple pets growing up, and had a collection of over 200 stuffed animals in the loft above my room as a child. Animals are such incredible, amazing companions and the relationships we cultivate with them are remarkable. The human-animal bond is something that has always fascinated me and it is something I have an interest in prolonging and protecting. So much so that I decided to become a veterinarian to keep pets as healthy as possible and maintain that bond with people. I also enjoy medicine and the mechanisms of diseases. I like being able to explain how the body works and how conditions are treated. It’s such a “win” for me to figure out what is going on with an ill patient and be able to treat it especially since animals can’t personally relay their symptoms. Even after practicing since 2008, I STILL get a high when I can cure an illness and help a pet.
What is your goal with every patient visit?
Honestly it is for clients to trust me to be able to assess their pet and formulate the correct diagnosis/treatment plan. Trust is something I know must be earned. Most people view their animals as family members/children and there is little to no room for error when dealing with such precious patients. I want each client to know that I am doing my best to make the most appropriate recommendations for their pet’s health, whether the pet is sick or in for a wellness exam. Building that level of rapport and a relationship with each client and pet is one of my top priorities.
Advice to pet parents?
Every day we get to spend with our pets is a gift. Enjoy them! Trust that your vet has your pet’s absolute best interest at heart and don’t hesitate to ask us questions or reach out with any concerns.
Who makes up our family?
My husband Scott and I live in Westminster. Scott is a Physician Assistant for a local cardiology group. We have 3 boys: Riley, Wesley, and Blake who keep us busy on weekends playing a variety of sports. I am their BIGGEST fan and love cheering for them at their games. But luckily I am not the ONLY girl in our household. We have a rescue Australian Shepherd/Blue Heeler mix named Ember and a Domestic Shorthair cat, Maisie, who I adopted through MCAH!!
Fun fact about you?
I enjoy running and traveling. Some say I’m fully crazy as I’ve completed 4 full marathons! Fun fact – I met my husband while I was working as a vet at a practice in Westminster. He came in with his dog as one of my appointments and there was instant chemistry. A few weeks later he sent a letter thanking me for the care and time I took with his dog, and asking if he could buy or bring me dinner. I still have that letter to this day. I’m glad I took a leap of faith and said yes because the rest is history.
I’ve wanted to be a veterinarian since before I could even correctly spell the word. I came home from a career day in elementary school and knew that being a vet was exactly what I wanted to be, and to this day, I don't regret that decision. Some days can be very challenging, but knowing that I make a difference to my patients and their owners makes me continue to love what I do. I truly enjoy helping pets live healthy lives, which in turn improves the bond with their pet parents.
What is your goal with every patient visit?
With every patient visit, I want to make sure the owner understands that it’s a team effort for the care of their pet. It is important to me to make sure that they are part of the decision-making process, and are as comfortable as possible no matter the situation.
Advice to pet parents?
Ask your question! I want to help you and your pet with whatever you need – please don’t be afraid to ask me anything about your pet. If I don't know the answer I'll do my best to find the answer.
Who makes up your family?
I am the proud dog mom of two: Reed (a pit/corgi mix) who I adopted in Sept 2011, and Daisy who I adopted in August 2021.
Fun fact about you? Your pet?
I love to travel! I find great pleasure in spending time outdoors. On the water, I enjoy boating, fishing, and crabbing. I enjoy hearing the sound of the water hitting the shoreline. On land, I like hiking, walking my dogs, or just sitting outside enjoying the sun, sounds, and smells around me. I also enjoy eating international dishes, especially Thai. My dogs love their veggies, especially carrots and celery.
From the time I could barely walk or talk, I have had the joy of being surrounded by all forms of furry and feathered family members. Some of my earliest memories are of hand-feeding sick creatures and even getting to watch a pet guinea pig give birth. I would always find it frustrating, however, when either we could not find a veterinarian who was able to treat my variety of pets or when more could not be done to help a sick one. I promised myself that I would one day find a way to help animals in any way I could. After a variety of experiences and internships, I decided becoming a veterinarian was the best path for me.
What is your goal with every patient visit?
My goal is to ensure the pet and pet parent have the least stressful experience possible while receiving the highest quality of care. I strongly believe in low-stress techniques and hope to improve each patient’s physical AND emotional comfort with each visit. Additionally, I try to encourage lots of questions (there are no dumb questions!) and hope that each visit leaves the pet parent well-informed and comfortable with the decisions made.
Advice to pet parents?
Bring your pet’s favorite toy and treats to each visit to help reduce their stress. Calories don’t count in the vet's office! And don’t be afraid to ask questions, we are a team in your pet’s care.
Who makes up your family?
Our family currently consists of my wonderful husband, Mike, our two incredible children, and a 3-year-old retriever mix of intense energy, Laika, as well as two elderly and maternal felines, Milo and Dulci, and three intelligent and affectionate rats, Willow, Acorn, and Cedar.
Fun fact about you? Your pet?
Our rat, Acorn, can jump nearly 4 feet up from the side table to the fireplace mantle and officially has earned her title, Acorn the Adventure Rat.
I have had a love for animals ever since I was very young, but my dream to become a veterinarian started in this very hospital when I was 11 years old. I came into the hospital with my family’s very first puppy for his vaccines with Dr. Steele and I just knew that I wanted to work here. I asked Dr. Steele if I could work here and she told me I could start when I was 14 years old. From that moment on, I waited patiently until I could put in an application and started as soon as I could. My experiences here at Mount Carmel Animal Hospital further confirmed my desire to become a veterinarian by seeing how compassionate the team is for their patients. No matter what was needed, this team always made it happen and I knew that this was what I wanted to do for my future patients as a veterinarian. From volunteer to kennel assistant to vet assistant and now finally veterinarian, I know that my experience at this hospital has made me into the person I am today. I cannot wait to be the best veterinarian for my patients, my clients, and my team.
What is your goal with every patient visit?
My number one goal for every patient visit is for both the pet and pet parent to feel that they have been listened to. While I know I can’t actually talk to my patients, I want them to feel comfortable with me and to make the experience as fear-free as possible. For pet parents, I want them to feel assured that I understand their questions and concerns so we can work together to achieve their goals. Veterinarians cannot do their job without the help of pet owners! Clear communication is one of my top priorities.
Advice to pet parents?
Never be afraid to ask a question no matter how silly you think it is. There is an answer to almost every question! I want to make sure that we work together to get your questions answered. As I begin my career as a veterinarian, I have more to learn so if I don’t know the answer, I will do everything in my power to find that answer for you. These questions not only ease your anxieties but also allow me to help other pet parents in the future.
Who makes up your family?
My family consists of me and my partner Isabelle, who I met while in veterinary school. My domestic shorthair Scarlet has been with me since high school and has traveled all over with me. Of course, when my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel came into my life, I had to continue the Gone With The Wind theme and name him Rhett. My partner and I then adopted another domestic shorthair named Sweet Potato while I was in veterinary school. While he doesn’t have a matching name, he fits in perfectly and completes our pack.
Fun fact about you?
I have always been a life-long learner who is curious and analytical. If I had not pursued veterinary medicine, I would have probably chosen research. If there is a question that doesn’t have an answer, I love the process of figuring it out. While in my undergraduate program, I worked on a research project with sugar gliders, and while in veterinary school I worked on a research project with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. These projects made me realize there are so many unanswered questions in the world, and I loved helping find those answers.
