Meet the Staff Melanie, Office Manager Melanie joined the GAH team in June 2006. Originally from Pennsylvania, she moved to the Gloucester area the previous year. Melanie is a 2002 graduate of Hawaii Pacific University and a 2005 graduate of Chaminade University of Honolulu. She spent 8 years as a member of the Army Reserve and served for one year in Iraq. Melanie would like to spend her free time scrapbooking, making cards and traveling; but she actually spends most of it working on home improvements. She also spends as much time as she can with her husband, Bill, and her pugs, Maile and Rosalina.   Sherrie, Vet Technician Sherrie has been with us since February 2004.  She came to us with 3 years of experience in the veterinary field.  Through her hard work and dedication to the profession, she has advanced her position to Lead Veterinary Technician.  She is also in charge of several other aspects of the business including inventory.   Sherrie and her husband Chris have many furry kids of their own, including 3 cats (Sasha, Sydney and Dori) and a dog, Lexie.  In January of 2007, they became the proud parents of twin boys.  The full house keeps Sherrie busy when away from the clinic, however, when she can spare a minute from everything, she enjoys crafts and spending time relaxing with friends.   Craig, Vet Assistant Craig has been with us since March 2004.  He has over 7 years experience and has lots of love and compassion for his job.  He served over 8 years in the U.S. Navy and NATO, but decided to follow his passion for animals and work in veterinary medicine.  He is currently working on a CVA certification and hopes to eventually obtain his LVT license.  In his off time, he does relief work for one of the local veterinary emergency clinics, spends time with family and friends, and does a lot of volunteer work for his church.  He has one tabby cat named Zelda, and if you ask him, she is "practically perfect in every way".   April, Kennel Manager April has been with us since February 2004. She started out as a Kennel Attendant, but now has the exciting role as Kennel Manager! Over the years April has cross trained to be a part time receptionist and recently graduated from Animal Behavior College. She is now Grafton Animal Hospital obedience instructor. When April is not at the clinic she like’s going for walks with her dogs, Charlie and Buddy. April also enjoys hanging out with her loud Sun Conure, Peanut who never stops talking.   Margaret, Veterinary Assistant Margaret has been with us since the spring of 2005. She also completed a Veterinary Assistant course in 2002 to add to here knowledge that she puts into work each day. She has three adorable Italian Greyhounds named Davinci, Shadow, and Pate. In addition to all of her other duties here, she also has a CFA registered cattery named Marmese Cattery. Margaret breeds and shows Siamese and Color Point Shorthairs (CPSH). More exciting news is that her cat, Marmese Cobalt, was a national winner, breed winner, and regional winner for the 2005/2006 season.   Carolyn, Professional Groomer Carolyn has been with us as a groomer since 2001. Carolyn was born and raised in Upstate New York. She has a two year certificate of completion in Computer Science from B.O.C.E.S. in Flint, NY. She also attended F.L.C.C. in Canandaigua, NY for Business Administration. Her main interests are her family. She and her husband of 16 years, Jim, have a son, Matthew and a daughter, Kelly. She really enjoys grooming pets! The challenging ones to the cooperative ones…dogs and cats alike! Seeing how great they look and feel after a bath and clip is her ultimate reward! Megan, Receptionist Megan joined the Grafton Animal Hospital team in December 2006, after living in Los Angeles for several years. Megan graduated from Virginia Tech in 2004 with a degree in Agricultural Economics and a concentration in Veterinary Business Management, and she is just finishing her master's degree in Theology. Megan grew up in the Hampton Roads area and always knew that she wanted to pursue a career in the veterinary medicine industry. She came to us with several years experience in the equine care and veterinary fields, including administration, veterinary assisting, and management. She is very excited about joining the GAH team and learning more about the ins and outs of a busy veterinary practice. Megan hopes to gain enough experience and education to one day become a veterinary practice manager.   Katie, Kennel Attendant Katie moved to Virginia in the summer of 2005 with her husband, who is in the Navy at Norfolk Naval Station. She has a busy household that also includes her 5-year-old son, Cole; 2 dogs, Aussie and Tank; their cat, Boudi; their friend, Selena and her cat, Morgan. Katie grew up around animals on a farm in the middle-of-nowhere, North Dakota. She is currently pursuing her degree in Criminal Justice and enjoys spending some of her extra time helping with the pets at Grafton Animal Hospital.   Wilmarie, Kennel Attendant Wilmarie joined the Grafton Animal Hospital team in February 2007. She moved to Virginia from Connecticut in July 2006 to live with her brother. She has had an interest in working with animals every since she was a child and gained that opportunity upon her arrival in Virginia. She enjoys being able to spend plenty of time with GAH boarders and puppy daycare patrons, as well as learning something new with each passing day. She hopes to adopt a husky in the very near future. During her free time, Wilmarie loves to spend time with her boyfriend and playing video games. Selena, Kennel Attendant Selena has been with Grafton Animal Hospital as a kennel attendant since 2005.  She has a cat named Morgan and a dog named Mack.  Her hobbies include computer games, woodworking and picking on her nephew.   Kelly, Receptionist Kelly joined Team GAH in July 2007. She brought not only a sparkling telephone personality but also her 9-month-old Boston Terrier, Darcy.  Prior to becoming a GAH team member Kelly spent several years in the food service industry. She is currently pursuing her associates in Culinary Arts and hopes to work through the ranks of the American Culinary Federation to become a Grand Master Chef in Pastry. As far as her veterinary career goes, she would like to train as a Veterinary Technician in the future. A true east coast girl, Kelly loves being waterside or on the slopes. In her free time she enjoys snowboarding, scrap booking, hanging out with her best friend Blondie, or spending time with her boyfriend Michael and their little Darcy Monroe in their new home.     Joanna, Receptionist Joanna joined the GAH staff in October of 2007, just days after leaving her hometown of Cranston, Rhode Island.  She comes to us from another animal hospital in RI where she also worked as a receptionist.  At home in RI she has a pit bull terrier named Shi and a Russian box tortoise named Lola.  In her free time, Joanna loves being outside doing anything.  Her favorite hobbies include hiking, biking, volleyball, but mostly swimming. Jennifer, Receptionist Jennifer joined the GAH team in January 2008.  She moved to VA in 2004 from Michigan to be with her husband, Rich, who is active duty Navy.  Jen graduated from Oakland Community College with a certificate of massage therapy.  Prior to working at GAH, Jen spent the last 3 years working as a professional horse trainer and teaching riding lessons.  She has 2 dogs and a horse.  In her free time, she enjoys riding and showing her horse, and spending time with her husband and friends..   Melanie, Vet Assistant Melanie and her ferret "Dillan" recently moved to Hampton from her hometown of Warwick, Rhode Island.  She graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in the Animal Science field of study.  For the last four years, she was employed at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists, a 24-hour emergency and specialty practice, where she was trained as a veterinary technician.  Melanie is seeking out new experiences to better prepare her for life as a veterinary student, hopefully in the very near future.          Heather, Vet Assistant Heather joined the team in August 2007 as a Veterinary Assistant.  Heather has close to 5 years experience in the veterinary field and has wanted to work with animals since she was very young.  Heather has attended Cedar Valley College for training and courses in obtaining her Veterinary Technician License, and is determined to soon finish all the courses so she can be a certified technician. When she isn't working, Heather enjoys spending time with her newly wed husband, Eric, and her boxer Isabella.  Heather is also very close to her family and spends much time with her brother and sister as well as with her pets.          Clarissa, Grooming Assistant Clarissa joined us in September 2007 as a Grooming Assistant.  She lives in Yorktown with her husband, her cat Daffy and her chinchilla Jo Jo.  She has a bachelor’s degree from Christopher Newport University.  Clarissa’s main interests are photography and care giving.  She truly enjoys taking care of animals and feels this is a great way to do just that. Squeaks, Troublemaker Cat "Squeaks" the hospital feline "greeter" joined the GAH staff in May 1994. Actually, the staff joined Squeaks, since he has lived at the clinic since he was 5 weeks old. He roams the hospital at will, frequently visiting with clients and their pets in the waiting room and exam room. Squeaks' gentle disposition and playful attitude makes him perfect for the job. Despite his tendency to sneak into the storeroom and have a smorgasbord with the prescription pet foods, he does a very good job.   Croaker, Noisemaker Bird Croaker, a female Quaker Parrot (also known as a Monk Parakeet) joined the GAH staff in 1995 and rapidly appointed herself the clinic noisemaker. She is always anxious to compete with the receptionist when answering the phone, trying to prove who can be louder (sorry about that). She has successfully trained most of the employees to follow her command using negative reinforcement (that beak is a powerful influence). Even Squeaks the cat keeps his distance.   Home | Meet the Doctors | Meet the Staff | About Us | Services | Boarding Grooming | Forms | Contact Us | Our Location | Admissions | New Clients Employment | Pet Links | Wellness Tips | About Pet Portals Powered by VetInsite.