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    Meet Our Team

    Meet Our Team


    Gina Brannick

    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 Shick CVT

    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

    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 Clark

    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

    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

    Bio Coming Soon!

    Jacqui Kirkpatrick

    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!

    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.

    Sara Muñoz Declara

    Alyssa Young is a native of Osceola Mills, PA. Since she was young, Alyssa has always wanted to surround herself with animals. She was involved with 4H and Future Farmers of America, showed goats, cows, horses and pigs. Fulfilling her dream to work in the veterinary field, Alyssa has many years of experience as a veterinary assistant. She spends much of her spare time with her working dogs, providing therapy and also in cadaver and deer tracking. Alyssa has seven loving dogs, Radar, Paris, Ryder, Khaos, Eagle, Charlie, and also Olive, a potbellied pig. Her hobbies include showing horses, riding ATV's, hunting and driving antique tractors that she restores with her grandfather.

    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.

    Sarah Iwanski

    Sarah graduated from Penn State University in 2019 where she received a Bachelor's of Science degree in Animal Science with a minor in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. She enjoys working in the emergency field and always learning something new. Outside of her job, Sarah enjoys spending time with her three cats and family, as well as going on hikes, dancing, working out, and trying new vegetarian dishes.


    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.



    Tess is an active student at Penn State University working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. She hopes to attend veterinary school after graduation and someday own her own clinic. Tess has cared for animals as long as she can remember and dearly misses her own dog, Pepper, when she’s away at school. In her free time, she likes going for walks, listening to music, and volunteering at the Penn State swine farm.

    Dominique is currently studying Animal Science Business and Management at Penn State University with a minor in Psychology. She hopes to explore her career in zoology with large exotics. In her free time she enjoys spoiling her cat, Louis, reading and traveling.

    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 County, and enjoys caring for her 3 horses, 5 cats, and 2 dogs.

    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

    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.


    Samantha Tartaglino

    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.


    Bio Coming Soon!

    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.