Our Veterinary Support Staff
Rachel
Hospital Manager
As a master of multitasking, Rachel has a unique and varied career path. With a background in economics and finance from both Queens College and Holistic Management International, Rachel decided to take a sharp turn to pursue her passion for food by earning a degree in Pastry and Baking from the Institute for Culinary Education and becoming a pastry chef. Rachel used her business skills to start her own small business – Painted Horse Chocolates– and then put these skills to work in the veterinary industry in sales, veterinary start-ups, and practice management. Rachel resides with her 10-year-old daughter, a rescue cat named Q, and various foster critters in Orange County, NY. When not running around, at the Center solving problems, Rachel enjoys learning about permaculture and slow food, foraging for food, creating handcrafted chocolates, and spending time with her family. If you’re really nice to her, she might bring you something yummy!
Jennifer, LVT
Assistant Manager and Licensed Veterinary Technician
After graduating from SUNY Ulster with an AAS in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology, Jennifer started as a licensed veterinary technician at the Veterinary Center in 2010 when the Center first opened. She worked for many years as a technician both at the Center and then in general veterinary practice. She then moved on to become a practice manager running a local small animal veterinary hospital. Thus, Jennifer brings both her expertise as a technician and her experience in practice management to her role at the Center. When not at work, Jennifer spends time with her husband, two daughters, 2 dogs, 4 cats, and a bearded dragon. When she is not using her analytical practice management skills, Jennifer is busy using her creative side running her own small business making digital pet portraits.
Shannon, LVT
Lead Treatment Licensed Veterinary Technician
Since she was a child, Shannon was fascinated by animals, playing in the mud, looking for worms and bugs. The youngest of five siblings, Shannon grew up in Orange County, NY. Her fascination with animals continued when she attended Orange-Ulster BOCES for Veterinary Science in her junior and senior years of high school. She then volunteered at the Hudson Valley SPCA for a few years and decided to pursue a career as a licensed veterinary technician. Shannon then attended SUNY Delhi where she earned an associate’s degree in Veterinary Science Technology and bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology. Wanting to expand her knowledge of all species, Shannon took courses in primatology, exotic animals, and research animals and then completed a semester-long internship at the Bronx Zoo. When she isn’t caring for animals at the Center, Shannon lives with her boyfriend, cat, and dog in Orange County. After a busy day at the Center, Shannon relaxes at home doing creative activities such as drawing, writing, and arts and crafts.
Tatiana, LVT
Lead Surgical Licensed Veterinary Technician
Originally from Dutchess County, NY, Tatiana developed a love for two things at an early age – veterinary medicine and traveling. After starting her worldwide travel journey at age 19, Tatiana got her LVT degree from SUNY Ulster and SUNY Delhi and went on to work with cats, dogs, and various exotic pets in Dutchess and Ulster Counties. When she is not working with pets, Tatiana can be found hanging out on the beach or at home playing with her four dogs and one guinea pig. She is also an avid cook and an active volunteer in numerous charitable organizations benefitting both people and pets. A woman of many talents, Tatiana also loves to event plan, decorate, and craft. She gives 100% to all that she does and does so with unrivaled passion. With all of Tatiana’s wide-ranging skills, we are thrilled to have such a motivated, multi-talented woman working with us at the Veterinary Center!
Gianna, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Gianna has been a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) for nearly a decade and has worked in numerous settings, including equine emergency, laboratory research, small animal emergency and general practice, and now bird/exotic pet practice. Her first ferret, Romeo, stimulated her interest in veterinary medicine in 2013, and while she loves working with all different species, ferrets have been her favorite animals since then. Here she is with her two current fur-babies, Luna and Loki. When she is not at work caring for animals, Gianna is a passionate tattoo artist who loves to create physical art for her clients with ink and needles. She specializes in hand-poke tattooing, a very primitive and delicate tattooing practice. Gianna also enjoys going to the beach, hiking in the woods, and anything that has to do with the great outdoors and sunshine! If you happen to have a ferret and visit the Veterinary Center, be sure to tell Gianna all about your fur baby!
Ashley, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Ashley is a Licensed Veterinary Technician with several years of experience, primarily working with cats and dogs in emergency and critical care. However, for the past few years, Ashley has worked part-time with exotic pets of all kinds at Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics and has recently transitioned to a full-time role at the Center to pursue her desire to achieve a veterinary technician specialty degree in nutrition. Her passion lies in preventative medicine and nutrition, with a strong focus on improving patient health and quality of life through education, proactive care, and evidence-based practices. In this light, at the Veterinary Center, you will find Ashley showing pet owners how to give medications or educating them about their pet’s care.
Christina
Veterinary Assistant
Originally from Patterson, NY, Christina has been around and loved animals of all kinds for as long as she could remember, and she most likely will be the first voice you’ll hear when calling the Veterinary Center! She received her Bachelors Degree in Biology at Hartwick college; however, most of the courses she took there were animal-related. After graduating, Christina found her way to the Veterinary Center, where she realized becoming a veterinary technician was her calling. Currently, she is enrolled in the Penn Foster College Veterinary Technician Program. A reptile enthusiast, she has 2 bearded dragons, 2 leopard geckos, 2 western hognose snakes, and 2 poison dart frogs. As she always says, if she could have every animal that came into Center, she would!
Victoria
Veterinary Assistant
A Westchester County native, Victoria has loved and been around animals her entire life. Growing up, she was an avid horseback rider, and she has extensive experience caring for dogs, cats, snakes, turtles, and guinea pigs. One of her favorite activities is hiking with her dogs. She treats each patient with wonder and care, as she does our resident Goffin's cockatoo, Quinn, who adores her. Every day, she’s over the moon to be a part of our Veterinary Center team and to be able serve so many different creatures.
Tiffani
Veterinary Assistant
Originally from Westchester County and a long-time animal lover, Tiffani was excited to start her first job in the veterinary industry at the Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics. She earned her associate’s degree in business from Dutchess Community College and worked for several years as a pharmacy technician and as a front-end manager in the food industry. New to the veterinary world, Tiffani particularly loves learning new facts about exotic animals every day at the Center. As a mom to two cats and a crested gecko, Tiffani will tell you that her favorite things are cats and coffee and her dream is to someday open her own cat café.
David
Veterinary Assistant
A Poughkeepsie native, David has been surrounded by animals all his life and currently owns over 15 animals including birds, geckos, skinks, and many other exotics. Currently a student at Marist College majoring in biology, David plans to follow his passion for animals and apply to veterinary school. When he is not caring for his many animals, David can be found doing one of many of his other hobbies including fixing cars, pottery, and studying wildlife!
Lucien
Veterinary Assistant
A lover of all animals and an owner of too many, Lucien grew up knowing he wanted to help creatures of all kinds. Starting out with volunteer work at animal shelters and pet sitting for family and family friends, to working at his first general practice at 16 and attending Orange-Ulster BOCES for Veterinary Science in his last 2 years of high school, Lucien was ready to jump right into this field from day one. When he was young, there were only a couple dogs and some birds in his house, and now there are animals of all kinds. From a cat and some dogs, to reptiles and small mammals, even fish, amphibians, and invertebrates, Lucien will care for everything with enthusiasm and dedication. When not working, he enjoys reading, listening to music, and gardening, as well as picking the wild fruits on his property. Lucien is always ready to help with any animal that comes through the door.
Kim
Client Service Representative
With years of experience managing the front desk and helping out pet owners at various veterinary hospitals, Kim is a dedicated client service representative with a true passion for animals. She is excited to assist clients and their pets and to ensure that their experience at the Veterinary Center is as positive as possible. She is truly a master multitasker with great attention to detail. When she’s not at work, Kim enjoys spending time with her family, shopping at flea markets, and traveling. Kim’s love for all kinds of animals and her dedication to providing stellar customer service make her a true asset to our team. Be sure to give Kim a big ‘hello’ when you come into the Veterinary Center!