Hospital Administrator
Alan Schrope, MBA
Alan Schrope started as our Hospital Administrator in May 2004. He received his bachelor's degree from Purdue University, and was awarded his master's degree in business administration in June 2006. Prior to coming to Tucson, he worked for over eight years as the Facilities Manager for the Purdue Veterinary Teaching Hospital in West Lafayette, Indiana. While at Purdue, he gained a certificate in veterinary practice management from the Veterinary Management Institute. Alan has nearly ten years of basketball coaching experience. He and his wife, Lisa, have 2 dogs and 3 cats. Alan enjoys running and playing basketball in his free time.
Day Technician/Assistant Coordinator
Tammy Moore, C.V.T.
Tammy joined our hospital in December 2007, as Technician Coordinator. She is a certified veterinary technician with more than fifteen years of experience, both in technical and administrative management positions. She began her career as a veterinary assistant in general practice and quickly discovered the exciting opportunities of specialty medicine. Tammy worked in internal medicine for 10 years, and then in emergency for 4 years, as staff supervisor. Most of her leisure time is spent with her husband, Steve and their son, Tyler.
Day Veterinary Technicians and Assistant
Becky Briggs, C.V.T.
Becky started working at Valley Animal Hospital in 1989 as a full time emergency veterinary assistant. She became a certified veterinary technician in 1991. She worked with Dr. Thomas Miller for a number of years and developed a special interest in avian medicine. Becky currently enjoys working with Dr. Blake Herrington. Becky spends her free time running, cycling, spending time with friends and family, and of course, her feathered and furred friends.
Brendan DeSmet
Brendan was hired on as a veterinary assistant at Valley Animal Hospital in January 2003. After working as an adoption counselor at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona for three years, he decided to move into a field where he could be more directly involved in medicine and surgical practice. He is a member of VECCS (Veterinary and Emergency Critical Care Society), and continues to dabble in work with local animal rescue and welfare groups. He serves as co-organizer of the Veterinary Food Drive for the Tucson Community Food Bank, which continues to be increasingly successful in scope and participation. He currently shares his home with three adopted dogs and is owned by one cat.
Mary Potter, BA
Mary joined Valley Animal Hospital in June 2003 as an Emergency Veterinary Assistant. She graduated from the University of Arizona in 2006 with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science. In March 2008, she became a member of our day staff. Mary has always had a love for animals and feels blessed that she can work with and care for the wide variety of animals that visit our hospital. She enjoys learning new things and has a special interest in surgical procedures; including everything from routine spays and neuters to critical exploratory surgeries. Mary is currently studying to become a certified veterinary technician. She enjoys running, hiking, spending time with her husband, Corey, friends, family and her dog, Vixen.
Renessa Garcia
Renessa is a native Tucsonan, who has been working at Valley Animal Hospital since August 2003. She is a veterinary assistant for Dr. Kellams, and enjoys assisting with ultrasound and surgeries. She is interested in ultrasound, animal nutrition ,and exotic husbandry. Renessa has passion for scrapbooking, baking, and expanding her eclectic movie collection. Renessa enjoys spending time with her husband, camping, traveling, and attending wrestling and football events.
Rachael Shepard, A.A.S., C.V.T.
Rachael has been with Valley Animal Hospital since July 2005. Rachael graduated from Pima Community College's Veterinary Technology program. She is a certified veterinary technician working with Dr. Stofft. Rachael and her husband have two daughters, four dogs, four cats, and a bird. Rachael is very passionate about animals and hopes one day to return to school to become a veterinarian.
Penny Wortman, A.A.S., C.V.T.
Penny is a certified veterinary technician. In 2003, she received her Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology from Pima Community College. She joined Valley in 2005, after working for eight years in wildlife rehabilitation. She simultaneously worked for three years in the Raptor Free Flight program at the Sonoran Desert Museum and completed an internship at the Reid Park Zoo. She is also an instructor at Pima Community College in the field of animal science. Penny enjoys all types of birds and is Vice-President and Education Director of the Aviculture Society of Tucson. She shares her home with numerous birds, dogs and cats. She enjoys hiking Sabino Canyon, especially during nights of a full moon with the Decadent Dessert Club.
Sabrina Nowak
Sabrina has been an assistant at Valley Animal Hospital since September 2005. She enjoys helping animals and learning new things. She also has quite a few animals she loves dearly. She enjoys assisting in surgeries most of all. Sabrina is studying to become a certified veterinary technician.
Stacy Skopp, B.S., M.A.
Stacy joined the Valley Animal Hospital staff in January of 2006. She is a born and raised Southern Belle from Memphis, TN, who moved to Arizona in 1997 and attended the University of Arizona. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Pre-Vet) and is about to complete her Master of Science in Agriculture (Animal Science). Stacy hopes to one day be a veterinarian. Stacy presently has her three dogs, Bear, Aurora, and Gizmo who keep her young and sane. Outside of work, Stacy enjoys four-wheeling in her Jeep, hiking, shooting, swimming, anything outdoors and any new experiences that come her way. Stacy is known to be a kind and caring person and she attributes that to her wonderful friends and family.
Tammy Thomas, A.A.S., C.V.T.
.jpg)
Tammy has been with Valley Animal Hospital since January 2006. Tammy graduated from Pima Community College's Veterinary Technology program and is a certified veterinary technician. Animals have always been Tammy's passion and she feels very lucky to be working with the animals she loves. Tammy shares her home with two basset hounds and two geriatric cats.
Rachel Tures
Rachel has been a veterinary assistant at Valley Animal Hospital since 2006. She enjoys working with a wide variety of pets from exotic birds and reptiles to cute puppies and kittens.
Mary Cox, A.A.S., C.V.T.
After 25 years as a secretary, Mary returned to school and earned an Associates of Applied Science degree in veterinary technology. She joined Valley Animal Hospital in March, 2006 and became a certified veterinary technician in August 2006. She enjoys bowling, reading, and spending time with her teenage son, three cats and one dog.
Andrea Swanson, C.V.T., A.A.S.
Andrea has had the pleasure of working at Valley Animal Hospital since March 2007. She graduated from Pima Community College with an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology in May 2008 and became a certified veterinary technician in August 2008. Andrea has enjoyed working with our interns and is currently working with Dr. Vagnetti. In her spare time, Andrea enjoys playing sports and spending time with her animals.
Jessica Dolan, C.V.T.
Jessica was born in New York and moved to Tucson after graduating from high school. She has been working in the veterinary field since she was 14 years old. She became a certified veterinary technician in 2006. Jessica is sports oriented and spends her free time outdoors or with her pets.
Emergency Technician/Assistant Coordinator
Natalia Sanchez, B.S., C.V.T.
Natalia grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and then moved to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona. She received a Bachelor of Science majoring in Veterinary Science and Wildlife Conservation while working at Valley Animal Hospital in the evenings. She received her Veterinary Technician credentials in 2001 and moved up to Phoenix to work for a year at a surgical referral practice. She then spent the next 3 years as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines and learned how to fetch her own water! She moved back to the United States and found a job in Seattle, Washington at a small animal clinic and lived there for almost 3 years. Natalia eventually migrated back to the Southwest where she recently took the emergency coordinator position here at Valley Animal Hospital. She is very excited to be back at home with Valley and looking forward to the multiple outdoor activities that Tucson has to offer.
Emergency Technicians and Assistants
Sherry Wynn, B.S., C.V.T.
Sherry joined Valley Animal Hospital's emergency team in August 2001. She graduated from the University of Arizona in May 2005 with a Bachelor of Science and a major in veterinary science. Sherry held the position of Emergency Service Coordinator for 3 years starting in July 2005. During this time, she gained her certification as a veterinary technician. She enjoys the challenge of emergency medicine and has the desire to someday become a veterinarian herself. Sherry and her husband enjoy their 3 cats, Casanova, Sherah, and Kira, and a dog, Hemi.
Ericka Meyers, A.A.S., A.A., C.V.T.
Ericka became a part of the Valley family in 2001. Ericka has a special interest in reptile medicine. Ericka has initiated several charitable events sponsored by Valley Animal Hospital; including a momumental food drive, held annually to benefit The Tucson Community Food Bank. Our employees have contributed over 15,000 pounds of food towards this event. She also initiated an effective recycling program to help minimize hospital waste. Ericka enjoys running and spending time with her son, Braeden. Ericka is currently attending the University of Arizona and pursuing a career as a veterinarian.
Tori Beale
Tori has been working at Valley Animal Hospital since 2005 as an emergency veterinary assistant. She graduated from the University of Arizona in May of 2008 with a Bachelor of Science and hopes to continue her education to become a veterinarian. Tori has a dog, Charlie, and a cat, Eight, that she loves spending time with. She also enjoys playing soccer and spending time with her family and friends.
Kristin Rowland
Kristin joined Valley in November of 2007 where she holds the poisition of Patient Care Attendant. She works on emergency where she is responsible for the treatments for all hospitalized patients. Kristin absolutely loves to foster puppies and enjoys reading and playing video games in the spare time. She has two dogs and a rabbit at home.
Katrina Flatley, A.A.
Katrina became a member of the Valley Animal Hospital Emergency Team in January 2008. She has enjoyed volunteer work with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay in Florida and Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS); she continues to be involved in events which help communities and the animals in them. Katrina takes great pleasure in caring for the animals at Valley and learning from the experienced doctors and peers around her. She is interested in every aspect of veterinary medicine, and has a special interest in surgical procedures and anesthesia. Katrina is a student at the University of Arizona, studying veterinary sciences. She plans on applying to veterinary colleges around the world in the near future.
Jamie Zupko
Jaime joined Valley Animal Hospital in February 2008 as an emergency veterinary assistant. She graduated from the University of Arizona in December 2007 with a Bachelor's of Science in Veterinary Science. She enjoys working with the variety of animals seen at Valley. Jamie has one cat at home named Zoey.
Susan Sumner
Susan started at Valley Animal Hospital in February of 2008. She graduated from Western New Mexico University in December, 2001 with a Bachelor in Elementary Education. She teaches middle school druing the day and works in Valley's Emegency Department part time. Susan loves working with animals and children. Her main interests are the small furry ones and exotic animals. Susan has a variety of animals at home. In her spare time she loves to read, camp and play soccer.
Katey Mckinney, C.V.T.
Katey joined Valley Animal Hospital's emergency team as a certified technician in February 2008. She loves working on the emergency team because of the variety and challenge it offers. Katey obtained an Associates of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology at Pima Community College in 2006. She is married and has two dogs.
Beck Manos, C.V.T.
Beck joined Valley Animal Hospital's emergency team as a certified technician in August 2008. Bio and picture soon to come.
Mandy Church
Mandy joined Valley Animal Hospital's emergency team in October 2008. Bio and picture soon to come.
Sam Stout
Samantha is a Tucson native and joined Valley Animal Hospital in October 2008. She graduated from Pima Medical Institute as a Certified Veterinary Technician in 2005. She enjoys the opportunity to work with the wide diversity of animals seen at Valley, along with the knowledgeable doctors and staff that care for them. She has one dog,"Zoe", a cat,"Ah", and a rabbit, "Skidmark". Outside of Valley, Samantha has a 4 year old daughter named Paige, who enjoys the outdoors, reading and playing with her mother and pets!
Front Office Coordinator
Jason Miller
Jason Miller is a native Tucsonan and has been with Valley Animal Hospital since 1994. Jason is currently the front office manager, has two children and is raising his brother and sister. Jason enjoys breeding fine, rare geckos, hiking, camping and exploring. Prior to Jason working as the front office manager, he was a veterinary assistant for 6 years. Jason hopes to someday do reptile rehabilitation in New Zealand.
Customer Service Representatives
Christina Nord
Christina was born in Nogales, Arizona and was raised in Patagonia, Arizona. She moved to Tucson 7 years ago to attend college. Christina joined Valley in May 2006. She enjoys spending time with her son and two kitties.
Cassandra Nowak
Cassandra, also known as Cassi, has been with Valley Animal Hospital since October 2006. She has lived in Tucson for 5 years; prior to that time, she spent 18 years in her native town, Tumacacori. Don't be mistaken if you see double here at Valley, her twin, Sabrina is a technician and they have 3 older brothers. Cassandra graduated from Sahuarita High School in 2004. She has many special interests and throughout her education, professional singing in the music study was her favorite. She has placed in many talent shows throughout her life. She previously attended Pima Community College, and hopes to return to complete her degree in music. Animals and music play an important role in Cassandra's life, however, she also enjoys snow boarding, swimming, running and four-wheeling. Working at Valley Animal Hospital has changed her life and she hopes to stay with Valley for many years to come.
Sara Franklin
Sara has been part of the Valley Family since March 2007. Sara moved to Tucson with her husband, Wes, and their two dogs, Ranger and Dresden in July 2006. She is originally from Albany where she was born and raised. Sara enjoys spending her free time with her husband and dogs. She also enjoys running, reading, interior design and being in the Arizona sun.
Jamie Joyner
Jamie was born and raised in Tucson. She joined Valley Animal Hospital in November 2006. She enjoys spending her freetime with her two children.
Brooke Howard
Brooke has lived in Tucson her entire life. She has been with Valley Animal Hospital since July, 2007 and will soon be attending Pima Community College. She enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and riding horses.
Katrina Stwart
Katrina joined the Valley team in November 2008. She is a native Tucsonan and graduated from Santa Rita High School in 2007. She loves working with clients, especially the furry ones! It is a pleasure for her to know that she can make a difference in someone's day with just a simple, "Hello" or "Thank you". In her spare time, Katrina enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and friends, and of course, playing with her animals.
Business Office Team
Anna Lewman, Business Manager
Anna, originally from Kansas, has worked at Valley for over 20 years. She has been in many roles at Valley, and currently enjoys supervising the business office team. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, reading and swimming.
Heidi Thurn, Inventory Controller
Heidi started at Valley Animal Hospital in October of 1997 as a kennel assistant. Shortly after, she was an assistant for Doctors Herrington, Edsall and Stofft. Since December 2005, she has been in charge of hospital supplies and equipment. Heidi is a native of Tucson and as a child, all of her pets came to the original Valley Animal Hospital, which is now Valley Pet Resort. She has been married for 24 years and raised 2 children; she has had numerous pets over the years (rabbits, chickens, cats and birds) and now has 2 dogs.
DvMax Software Coordinator
Alpha Vagnetti, C.V.T.
Alpha joined our hospital in October 1997 as a full time veterinary assistant. She became a certified veterinary technician in 1998. She worked with Dr. Warfield as his surgical technician. Alpha has more than 17 years of experience, in both technical and administrative positions. In February 2003, she also took on the added responsibilty of administrator of Valley Pet Resort. In December of 2006, Alpha retired as a veterinary technician and took on the roll of Software Coordinator for the hospital; in addition to her position of administrator at Valley Pet Resort. In June 2008, Alpha resigned her postion as administrator of Valley Pet Resort to concentrate soley on the task of Software/IT Coordinator for the hospital. Alpha spends her free time camping, diving and skiing with her husband, John and their two dogs; Mortimer and Hano.