Meet Our Team
Gina Brannick
Practice Manager
Gina is a 2004 graduate from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she received a Masters degree in Economics. Gina worked in veterinary hospitals throughout graduate school when she had two dogs, a chocolate lab named Jordan and a Siberian husky named Maggie. Gina, her husband, and their two dogs moved to State College in 2006, where she continued to work at a local veterinary hospital, as well as an adjunct instructor at PSU. She stepped away from work life when her daughter was born, followed by her son a few years later. Gina joined CPVETS in January 2018 and loves being back in the veterinary world.
Bonnie Welsh, CVT
Lead Technician, Inventory Manager
Bonnie graduated from the Vet Tech Institute in Pittsburgh in 2010 and got her certification the same year. Upon graduation, she worked in a small animal practice for 3 years before moving to Chicago to working at emergency/specialty hospital. In 2014 she decided that the city wasn't for her and moved back to lovely central Pennsylvania! Her favorite aspects of veterinary medicine are radiology and surgery. But she loves emergency medicine because you never know what is going to happen. In her free time, Bonnie enjoys spending time with her dogs, gardening, hunting, and looking for new adventures.
Jennifer Slater, CVT
OSHA Safety Manager
Jenn came to CPVETS right after graduating from the Vet Tech Institute in Pittsburgh, PA, back in 2011. She has been successfully perfecting her skills - triage, venipuncture, work with exotics - and is a valued member of our team. Like many of us, she finds veterinary medicine an extremely rewarding field, especially when a patient is discharged happy and healthy! Outside of work, Jenn spends time with her family (which includes two adorable children), as well as her shepherd, "Ruger", and her rabbit, "Moogie". She lives in Bellefonte and enjoys spending time outdoors with her family.
Marikaye Donovan, CVT
Equipment Manager
Marikaye attended Penn State University where she studied Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. She has also completed her coursework toward her Associate's degree in Veterinary Technology with the hopes of becoming a certified veterinary technician. Outside of her job, Marikaye enjoys helping out with her family's whitetail deer farm, as well as spending time with her family and cats, Liam, Kitty, and Sylus. She is an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
Martha Stone, CVT
Martha is a 2016 graduate of Wilson College, where she graduated with a Bachelors Degree of Science in Veterinary Medical Technology and a minor in Business. She received her certification to be a Certified Veterinary Technician that same year. She worked with CPVETS during the summers, before starting on a full time basis after graduation. Outside of work, Martha lives in Duncansville, PA and enjoys reading, watching movies and hanging out with her husband, friends and family.
Kasey Whetstine, CVT
Kasey graduated from the Vet Tech Institute in Pittsburgh in 2017 and received her certification in 2018. She has spent 5 years working in general practice and is very excited to start her new adventure in emergency medicine. Kasey has known her whole life that working with animals was what she wanted as a career. Her favorite aspect of veterinary medicine is educating clients on how to better care for their furry, and not so furry, family members. Her favorite dog may be a Frenchie but she loves all animals, no matter how furry, feathery or scaly they may be. When Kasey isn’t working, she spends her time outdoors with her 3 dogs who especially love camping and hiking.
Jacqui Kirkpatrick, CVT
Bio Coming Soon!
Shelby Jenkins, CVT
Shelby graduated from Johnson College in May 2023 with an Associates degree in Veterinary Nursing. She passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam in July 2023. Shelby worked in general practice during college and up until moving to the State College area. She is very excited to start her adventure in emergency medicine. In her free time, Shelby enjoys reading and being outdoors with her dog, Gemma. She also has two mini lop mixed rabbits, Tiffany and Bo!
Autumn Treaster, CVT
Bio coming soon!
Andi Hepler-Groff, CVT
Bio coming soon!
Michaela Brink, CVT
Bio coming soon!
Alyssa Whelpley
Technician
Alyssa began her work in the veterinary field immediately after completing high school, working as a veterinary assistant. She then earned a veterinary technician certificate diploma in 2012 from San Juan College. Alyssa also graduated from Penn State University in 2017 with a degree in Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. She currently has 2 pets of her own, a cat named Sassy and a dog named Quarry. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys spending time with her pets, working on home projects, reading, and traveling.
Tiara Shaw
Technician
Bio Coming Soon!
Holly Harris
Technician
Bio Coming Soon!
Megan Coval
Technician
Megan is currently studying Animal Science at Penn State University with a minor in Equine Science. She hopes to have a career working with horses. In her free time, she'll be in the barn with her horse Vinny or curled up watching a movie with her cat, Toast. Megan also has a guinea pig named Nelly and enjoys the beach, photography, and naps.
Faith Dehner
Technician
Bio Coming Soon!
Brooke Zeiders
Veterinary Assistant
Bio Coming Soon!
Maria Hernandez Morales
Veterinary Assistant
Bio Coming Soon!
Melody Li
Veterinary Assistant
Bio Coming Soon!
Cameryn Rousselin
Veterinary Assistant
Bio Coming Soon!
Liz Chapin
Veterinary Assistant
Bio Coming Soon!
Maggie Giordano
Veterinary Assistant
Bio Coming Soon!
Casey Ream
Veterinary Assistant
Bio Coming Soon!
Brittney Minnich
Veterinary Assistant
Bio Coming Soon!
Kami Woodring
Veterinary Assistant
Bio Coming Soon!
Brittany Uncles
Administrative Assistant
Client Service Representative
Brittany grew up with compassion and love towards all animals. She carries a degree in Applied Health Science with a minor in Community Health. Outside her job, Brittany enjoys spending time with her family, friends and outdoor activities. | |
Chrissy Leidy
Lead Client Service Representative
Bio Coming Soon!
Haley Justice
Client Service Representative
Bio Coming Soon!
Lekshmi Balan
Client Service Representative
Bio Coming Soon!
Ali Campbell
Client Service Representative
Bio Coming Soon!
Gracie Wenzel
Client Service Representative
Bio Coming Soon!
Bria Ebeling
Client Service Representative
Bio Coming Soon!
Kate Lucas
Client Service Representative
Bio Coming Soon!
Charlotte Dudis
Client Service Representative
Bio Coming Soon!
Claireese Richards
Client Service Representative
Claireese is a Veterinary and Biomedical Science major at Penn State University with plans to attend veterinary school. Growing up surrounded by animals and currently caring for five cats, two dogs, and a leopard gecko, she has developed a strong passion for animal health and welfare. Claireese is committed to continuing her education and gaining experience as she works toward becoming a veterinarian.
Josie Brannick
Client Service Representative
Josie began working at CPVETS during high school and will continue while attending Penn State University, majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Her long term career plans involve human medicine. Working at an emergency veterinary hospital is a great way to combine her interest in medicine with her love of animals.
Andrea Loar, DVM
Dr. Loar is a native of Howard County, Maryland and graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. Prior to veterinary school, Dr. Loar gained valuable experience as a veterinary technician and Practice Manager for an emergency clinic. Dr. Loar started at CPVETS in January 2018 as our Chief Medical Officer. During her free time, Dr. Loar raises beef cattle with her husband in Clearfield
Kayla Kerstetter, DVM
Dr. Kerstetter is a native of Mill Hall, Pennsylvania and graduated from Midwestern University in 2018. Prior to fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian, she worked as a veterinary technician at a small animal practice in Central Pennsylvania, when she was also an active member of 4-H and livestock. Some hobbies include quilting, playing with her Australian Cattle dog Harley, and riding horses.
Samantha Tartaglino, DVM
Dr. Tartaglino is a native of Vienna, Virginia. She received her Veterinary Degree from St. Matthew’s University in 2018, completing her clinical year at Oklahoma State University. Prior to obtaining her veterinary degree, Dr. Tartaglino worked as a technician at a mixed animal practice near Washington DC, where she returned post-graduation. As a Penn State alumni, Dr. Tartaglino is excited to return to State College and cheer on the Nittany Lions. Along with PSU football & hockey, Dr. Tartaglino enjoys hiking, Lego’s, ice cream, and spending time with her dogs, a German Shepherd mix named Chips, and four Australian Shepherds named Ammo, Caliber, Lexi, and Lego.
Mary Coleman, DVM
Dr. Coleman is a native of Wheeling, WV. She completed her undergraduate studies at West Virginia University and then graduated with her DVM degree from The Ohio State University in 2021. In her free time, Dr. Coleman enjoys competing in agility with her dog, traveling, riding horses, and cheering on her alma mater in college football. She currently shares her life with a standard poodle named Charlotte and two black rescue cats, Ripley and Scout.
Madeline Schneider, DVM
Dr. Schneider is a native of St. Marys, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2023. Prior to veterinary school, Dr. Schneider attended Penn State University during which time she worked as a technician in a small animal practice and a student worker at the Penn State Deer Research. In addition to all things Penn State, Dr. Schneider enjoys boating, playing volleyball and hiking with her two dogs, a Shepherd mix named Ozzie and a Black Lab mix named Fayden.
Liam McConnell, DVM
Liam McConnell was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana before moving to Kentucky with his family, where he attended Centre College for undergraduate schooling. From 8th grade through graduating from college, he worked in small animal general practice and emergency clinics, as well as pursued opportunities for research with wildlife abroad. Following graduation from Centre, he was accepted into the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine’s class of 2025. It was in vet school that he adopted his cat, Margaret, and was exposed to the emergency side of medicine more, ultimately leading him to accept a position with CPVets following graduation. In his free time, Liam enjoys watching LSU football, weightlifting, playing video games, and spending time with his cat. Liam hopes to pursue opportunities in continuing education with feline medicine, to better understand how to treat cats in a hospital environment, and to better serve their owners in high stress situations.