Kris – Office Manager - A Butler native, Kris and her husband have recently returned to the area to be closer to family and friends. Kris accepted the position of office manager in September 2011, and is enjoying her introduction to the veterinary profession. She has 2 children, both presently in college, and 2 cats, Salem and Iris.
Brandie C. – Technician Manager – has worked in the veterinary field since she was 15. She joined the BVA team in August of 2006, and really enjoys our fast paced environment. Surgery and dental are her favorite areas of the hospital to work in and she became our Technician Manager in September of 2011. Brandie loves to read, ride horses, and enjoy the outdoors with her family and friends. She shares her life with her husband Josh, 3 dogs, Sadie, Lucy, and Gretta, a “bad cat” named Musket, and several horses.
Amanda Pr. – Assistant Technician Manager – graduated from Vet Tech Institute in March of 2010. She was hired at BVA as soon as she completed her internship here. Amanda T is our “ray of sunshine” and we are always grateful for her friendly, bubbly personality and constant cheerfulness. She became our Assistant Technician Manager in October of 2011. She shares her life in her new home with her husband, a cat, Louie and their 2 dogs, Elmer, a Bloodhound, and Jasper, a Beagle.
Dama– Receptionist Manager – Dama began her work at BVA in 2002 after receiving her degree from BC3 and Edinboro University. She did her internship at the Pittsburgh Zoo and has volunteered at the Erie Zoo, National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Moraine State Park, Jennings Nature Center, Pymatuning State Park, and the Mercer County Humane Society. Dama enjoys the puppy portion of her job – from helping new ones being born to educating clients during our ‘Puppy Class’. She is also a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. She became our Receptionist Manager in September 2011. She shares her home with her daughter, husband, and 2 spoiled cats, Kee and Santa’s Little Buddy.
Lorraine – Assistant Receptionist Manager – Our employee from “Across the Pond” is a native of London, England. As a military wife, she has traveled around the world with her husband. She was a volunteer at the Base Veterinary Clinic in Naples, Italy, and after moving to the states she worked at another local veterinary hospital for 9 years. Lorraine joined our team in April of 2008 and became our Assistant Receptionist Manager in October 2011. She loves to work on the administrative side of the business. She shares her home with her husband and 4 crazy dogs, Tug Boat, Roxie, Owen, and Cruiser.
Jill – Inventory Manager – After attending Fairmont State for 2 years and coming to BVA for her externship Jill became a permanent part of BVA in March of 2005. She is BVA’s “social media director”, a puppy class instructor, and most recently our inventory manager. Her interests include animal behavior (especially feline behavior) and internal medicine. She enjoys working in the treatment and laboratory areas of the hospital. She shares her home with her boyfriend of 9 years, a rescued cat named Troy Pawlamalu, and a French Bulldog named Einstein.
Receptionists
Cindy– is one of our lifelong team members who has been with the BVA team since 1993. Prior to working at BVA she worked for another veterinarian for 9 years. She is a very proud Air Force Mom who shares her life with her 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and 1 Rottweiler named Cisco.
Eleda – Another beginning member of our team, Eleda began her career with BVA in 1996. Previously, she had worked for Dr. Richards for 15 years! She loves being a receptionist and greeting all of the people and pets that enter our hospital. She shares her life with her husband and their 4 cats, Frankie, Sawdust, Walter, and Vivian.
LuAnn – is another staff member who has been with BVA for the long haul, beginning in 1996! She had some previous experience after training with another local veterinarian. She has previous human medical experience being a medical assistant, EKG tech and her personal favorite a phlebotomist. She was one of our technicians for about 10 years and switched over to receptionist work. She shares her life with her 2 sons, her husband, grandson and 4 spoiled dogs.
Linda – “LO” joined the BVA team in 2002 after working at the library. The change of pace is welcomed and she really enjoys being a receptionist here – “You get to meet so many people and pets!” She is originally from the Phoenix area and enjoys revisiting that area in her off time. She shares her life with her 2 sons, 2 dear friends and an older spoiled cat.
Sandy – became part of our receptionist team in 2004. She turned out to be our ‘missing puzzle piece’. Her employment here has been a welcomed addition to the BVA team.
Channing – was a client before joining our team in March 2009. She enjoys being a receptionist and likes to watch our doctors perform surgery when she has the opportunity. She has 2 spoiled labs, Kelsey and Morgan.
Catrina- recently joined our BVA as a receptionist and is currently attending Vet Tech school. She previously worked on a horse farm and really enjoys the interaction with clients. She also likes the organization aspect of working in the file room.
Lane- joined our team in November 2011. She previously worked at a bovine embryo center in Maryland. Lane was born and raised on a dairy farm. She is interested in learning more about new puppies and will be helping with our Puppy Pre-school Classes soon. Lane shares her home with her husband and 3 spoiled dogs, Copenhagen, Whiskey and Teeny Weenie.
Technicians
Mary – Another team member that has been here for the longest time is our Mary – she began in November of 1997. Mary does have a new career now but still works part time for us on the weekends. She shares her home with her husband, son, house cats and also spends time at her childhood dairy farm. She is known by the barn cats for her ‘tuna time’ routine and respected at BVA for her dedication, patience and compassion.
Tommasina – Our “New Jersey Girl” came to us back in 1999. She moved here after marrying Jesse, a Butler native. She had previous veterinary experience, as she was also a technician in New Jersey. She shares her life with her husband and a houseful of animals. Tommasina enjoys the client and patient experience of our hospital and can be found assisting the doctor in the exam rooms.
Sarah– While attending Median School of Allied Health Careers, Sarah chose BVA for her externship and never left! She has been with us since September 2003 and enjoys working in all areas of the hospital, but especially surgery. She shares her life with her husband, 2 daughters, and 1 son, as well as numerous cats and dogs, a hamster, a snake, and a water dragon. Sarah is a very active member of one of our local humane organizations, Rainbow Animal Refuge.
Christa – joined BVA in July of 2004 when she was just 17 years old! The surgical and treatment areas of the hospital are her favorite places to work. She shares her life here in Butler with her husband David and their son Domanic. Their family pets include 2 cats, 3 dogs, and 2 horses.
Salena– began here November of 2004 and we haven’t stopped laughing since! Our biggest Nascar fan enjoys working in the exam room and reception areas of the hospital. She also gets great satisfaction from helping grieving clients cope with the loss of a beloved pet. She shares her life with her husband, teenage son, and several bloodhounds and yorkies. Her lovely yorkies are always very well dressed in the latest fashions!
Amanda B. – began her career with BVA June of 2007. She enjoys working in every area of the hospital, but especially in the treatment and surgical areas. She graduated from Vet Tech Institute in Pittsburgh and is one of our Certified Veterinary Technicians. She shares her home with one very spoiled ferret named Deagle.
Kristen – originally started at BVA in 1998 after graduating from Median School of Allied Health Careers. She was with us for years before taking some time off to raise her 2 children. We have had Kristen back with us since October of 2007. She enjoys interacting with clients and pets in our exam rooms. In addition to her children, she shares her home with her husband, a cat named Zowie, and a dog named Alley.
Amanda Pe. – started with us in 2008. She is a student at BC3 getting the basics under her belt to move on to some type of Wildlife Management. She enjoys helping in the exam room. She shares her home with friends and family as well as numerous cats and dogs.
Jen– had been bringing her pets to BVA for years when a friend told her we were accepting applications. She was hired in July 2008 and has been a great addition to our team. She enjoys working in the treatment area of the hospital most. She shares her home with 3 dogs, Cheyenne and her 2 mischief makers, Molli and Bubby.
Amber – started with us in 2008 and has fit right in! She enjoys learning and assisting in the surgical area of our hospital. She shares her home with her husband, daughter, son and 2 sweet dogs.
Mary Beth – joined our team in 2009 after doing her internship here for Vet Tech Institute. She is one of our licensed veterinary technicians and enjoys educating our clients in the exam rooms. She plans to apply to vet school after completing her bachelors degree. She shares her home with a dog, Luke, and 2 cats, Sophie and Lulu.
Stevie – joined our team in August of 2006 after attending Vet Tech Institute. She is originally from the Johnstown area but relocated here to work at BVA. She enjoys working in the surgical area of the hospital and educating clients in the exam rooms. She shares her life with her husband and their wonderful son Alex. They have 2 dogs, Bobby and Hank, 2 cats, Monroe and Moose, and 1 chinchilla, Kirra.
Rose – started with BVA in 2006 after attending Median School (now the Vet Tech Institute) in Pittsburgh. She enjoys taking care of patients that are hospitalized, working in labe and assisting in the surgical area of BVA. She shares her home with her daughter, her husband, adorable kitty and two spoiled rotten dogs, a bull terrier and a golden retriever mix.
Melanie – while putting herself through school years ago, Melanie would come and help BVA during the summer months. She has recently graduated from Indiana University of PA with a BS in Biology. She started to work in a human hospital but missed the animal interaction and came back to us full time! She shares her home with dogs, cats and a guinea pig!
Melissa – graduated from Sanford-Brown Institute in Pittsburgh and joined our team in April 2011. She enjoys all aspects of the hospital, and has wanted to work with animals her entire life. She shares her life with a Doberman/Lab mix named Mya and enjoys learning new things, books, music and movies.
Fontaine - After obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at Wilmington College in May 2011 , Fontaine decided to take a short break from school and joined the BVA team in June 2011. She enjoys working in the treatment area of the hospital, especially with critical patients. She has a strong interest in equine rehabilitation and surgery, and plans to apply to vet school in the fall of 2012. She shares her life with 4 dogs, 2 quarter horses, 1 angus steer, and 2 cats.
Kayla – graduated from Vet Tech Institute in Feb 2011 and joined our team in August 2011. Her favorite area of the hospital to work in is surgery. She has 2 dogs, Tess, an Australian Shepherd, and Emma, a Lab mix.
Hope – graduated from Sanford Brown Institute in Pittsburgh and worked at another local Veterinarian in the kennel. Hope is “happy to be part of the BVA family”. She enjoys educating the clients in exam rooms. Hope shares her home with an Australian Shepherd and 3 cats.
Tina - Tina joined us in November 2011. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and enjoys working in the treatment area caring for our hospitalized patients. She shares her home with 2 German Shorthaired Pointers, Ruger and Cami, a Yorkie, Sammy and a Ferret.
Kennel Staff
Brandi G. – joined our kennel staff in July of 2009 to gain animal experience. Now, in addition to caring for our boarding pets, she serves as a technician assistant in the treatment areas of the hospital. She is currently enrolled at Vet Tech Institute and shares her life with 2 dogs, Emma and Sara, and a guinea pig named Hannah.
Debra – had been a client at BVA for many years before applying for a kennel position. She joined our team in August of 2009 and has been a great addition! She enjoys taking care of the pets in the boarding area and loves to clean. She shares her home with her English Mastiff, Marcus, and 2 cats, Patches and Little Bitty.
Amy – started with us in May 2010. She is currently in college working on her undergraduate degree in biology so that she can continue on to vet school. She is another member of our kennel staff that is also a technician assistant. She shares her home with her family and a Pekapoo named Misty.
Meghan – Meghan started her veterinary career with us in May 2010. She is currently a Pre-Vet student at St. Francis University. She shares her home with a white satin rabbit named Zalea.
Chelsea – also started with us in August of 2010. She is a student at Butler County Community College and shares her home with 2 chihuahuas named Baby and Tagger.
Zach – started with us in July 2011. Zach is currently attenting Butler High School and is working in kennel to gain experience for Vet school. Zach has 9 cows and 2 dogs, Sam and Kate.
Stacey- began working in kennel December 2011. Stacey is attending Clarion University majoring in pre-vet. She has 2 Labrador Retrievers, 4 cats, 1 snake, 1 hamster and 1 parrot!
