MEET OUR TECHNICIANS
A veterinary technician is considered to be a nurse in animal healthcare, but we play an even broader role than that of a human medicine nurse. We have either a 2 or 4 year college degree in veterinary technology and we are the veterinarian’s surgical nurse, anesthetist, laboratory technician, radiography technician and dental technician. We work directly with you, communicating patient health, providing education and taking diagnostics. Basically, we do anything that the patient, you and the veterinarian needs or assigns.
MELISSA SASU, RVT
I joined the KAH crew in August of 2004. Originally from Ohio, I moved here where I now live with my family after graduating from tech school.
I received my Bachelor of Science degree in biology at Marietta College in Ohio, but I found my true calling after working as a veterinary assistant in a small animal hospital. It was then that I decided that I wanted to be a veterinary technician. I attended Columbus State Community College in Columbus, Ohio for 2 years to receive my license.
Part of my training included working with students at The Ohio State University who were studying to become doctors of veterinary medicine. I also had the pleasure of spending 5 weeks at the Ohio State Chimp Center, which was an awesome experience. I was lucky enough to be there at a time when the 2 youngest chimps, Emma & Harper, were small enough that we could interact with them. I spent many days with them in their playroom – chimpsitting. I also got to meet Keely and Ivy, who have been on the Discovery Channel.
I enjoy spending my free time playing with my family and laughing with my friends.
JULIE FULGHUM, RVT
I grew up in Pennsylvania and received a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Shippensburg University in 2003. In my last year of college, I hand raised a litter of orphaned kittens. From then on, I was hooked! I kept one of the kittens and named him Calvin. I loved caring for him so much that a year and a half after graduation, I decided to pursue my love of animals and enrolled at Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA.
While at Wilson, I fell in love with sighthounds. When I saw Stewart, a white and brindle Whippet, it was love at first “sight”. He quickly became my best friend and heart dog and we were able to spend 11 years together. Also during my time at Wilson, I was fortunate enough to intern here at Kingsbrook!
I graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medical Technology. Throughout college, I worked at a mixed animal practice in Shippensburg, PA followed by a small animal practice in Gettysburg, PA until I re-joined the Kingsbrook Team.
I have Buckley, a Galgo (Spanish Greyhound), Burley, a Bernese Mountain dog, Sasha Fierce and Sullivan, whippet mixes, and cats- BenjaminFranklin (all one word) and Rhonda. They are all rescues!
I am very fortunate to have found my way back to such a progressive hospital with a compassionate and hardworking team.
TIFFANIE THAYER, RVT
I have always had a love for all creatures and always knew I wanted to work with animals for as long as I can remember. I’m a military brat and have lived all over the world. I started officially working with animals in Yokosuka, Japan in 1998 where I volunteered as the Vice President of the local animal shelter and assisted local veterinarians at the Veterinary Treatment Facility.
I truly love my job, and live for what I do. I’ve taken a special interest in diagnostic imaging, pain management, and rehabilitation. I’m also a certified canine massage therapist.
I currently have 3 dogs, Ethel, Hubert, and Barrett. Ethel is a Chihuahua/Dachshund mix, Hubert is a boxer, and Barrett is a labrador. I also have 4 cats (Carlisle, Pismo, Eliza, and Lil), a bunch of chickens, 3 goats (Charlotte, Heidi, and Gretchen), a bunny (BunBun), and 2 mice (Agnes & Oblina). In addition to my lovely pets, I currently live with my husband, two daughters, and son (Sean, Monika, Bronson, & Kynlee), who share the same love for animals as I do. In my free time I enjoy spending time outdoors: camping, hiking, bird watching, gardening and scuba diving. I love spending time with my family and friends.
I joined the Kingsbrook team in August of 2011 and feel very fortunate to be here. I’m proud to be a part of such a loving, compassionate group and look forward to years to come.
LAINEY ANDERSON, RVT
I have been working in the animal field since I was 17 years old. I grew up loving animals (especially dogs and cats) and knew that I wanted to work with them as a career. Growing up, I came from a family that always had at least one cat in the house. I have also owned a mixed breed dog in the past. I hold a special place in my heart for rescues and geriatric pets.
I graduated from Penn Foster College with an Associate Degree in Animal Science in 2010. In the beginning of 2011, I became a Registered Veterinary Technician in the state of Maryland. I have previously worked as a kennel attendant/receptionist, grooming assistant and veterinary assistant before becoming registered.
I started working at Kingsbrook Animal Hospital in July 2013. I love how the doctors and staff at KAH truly care about the animals and want what is best for them and their owners. I feel fortunate to be part of the team and I am lucky enough to call my coworkers my friends. I am continuing to learn from everyone here daily, and I want to strive to be the best technician that I can be.
I currently live in Frederick, MD with my senior rescue cat, Beemer.
KATIE BRUNER, RVT
From a young age, I have always known that I wanted a career in the veterinary field. Growing up, I convinced my parents to adopt several stray cats that were wandering our neighborhood. I got my first horse when I was 10, and worked to foster, rehabilitate, and rehome over a dozen horses rescued from slaughter pens during my teenage years, until I adopted a wild Mustang mare and foal from the Bureau of Land Management. During and after high school, I worked in a small animal clinic in Hagerstown and then worked for the Humane Society of Washington County, where I also fostered countless animals. Since graduating from Wilson College in 2014, I have been blessed to work with such a compassionate and progressive hospital. I look forward to many more years to come.
Currently, I live in Martinsburg, WV with my husband, Jason, and our boys: Nick, Gage, and Tristan. We are privileged to share our home with our our dogs: Madeline and Surge, our cats: Esme and Johnny Blaze; and my Mustang, Dancer, and occasional stray “foster” kittens from our neighborhood. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking with our dogs, and riding.
SAMANTHA SNYDER, RVT
For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to work in veterinary medicine. My dream finally came true when I was accepted into Wilson College during my sophomore year of high school. In May of 2014, I graduated from Wilson College with a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology and a minor in Small Business Management. Right after my graduation, I joined the team at Kingsbrook Animal Hospital. In November of 2014, I took my Veterinary Technician National Exam and became a registered veterinary technician!
Every day is a different adventure and my teammates (and friends!) have helped me grow and become a better technician and human. I have a special interest in exotic veterinary medicine, especially after the losses of my boys Roderick and Hawke (my guinea pigs).
Currently, I live in Hagerstown with my boyfriend, Joey, our mixed pup Emmalyn, cat Oakley, Speckled Kingsnake Benedict, and Chinese water dragon, Spyro. In my free time, I enjoy photography, crochet, craft projects, hiking, camping and really anything that gets me outside!
MORGAN WALDRON, RVT
Ever since I was little I’ve had a love and curiosity for all animals. I was more of a tom-boy so I had frogs and lizards and I was always picking things up outside and trying to convince my mom to keep everything I found. My first job, at 13 years old, was working at a kennel, walking dogs and cleaning. I loved it! I later started working at a veterinary hospital near my home when I was a Junior in high school and I have been working in the veterinary field ever since. I was fortunate enough to travel to Africa for three months in 2011 on a humanitarian mission. It opened my eyes to many things. Of course I was trying to feed and pet all of the stray cats and dogs, but I was able to experience a lot of Africa’s nature, which varies greatly from Pennsylvania and Maryland. I knew when I was there that when I got home I would apply to college to pursue my dream of working with animals.
I graduated from Wilson College in May of 2016 with a BS degree in Veterinary Medical Technology. I passed my board exams in July 2016 and am a registered veterinary technician. I’ve been a part of the Kingsbrook family since October of 2014. At Kingsbrook, I am fortunate enough to work with so many awesome people who share the same passion and goals as I do.
I currently reside in Gettysburg Pa with my husband, along with our two rats, Feta and Curd, our cat, Brie, and our Basset hound/Pitbull mix, Bleu. I enjoy spending my time with my family and friends. And when I’m not working you can find me enjoying the outdoors, traveling, or riding my motorcycle!
JENNIFER CAIL, RVT
I am originally from the suburbs of Chicago and growing up I loved animals, especially the small furry ones. I knew that just having a few pets to myself was never going to be enough and I wanted to spend my time with animals all day every day! I ended up on the East Coast for school attending Wilson College earning my degree in Veterinary Medical Technology and playing softball. I spent my internship with Kingsbrook Animal Hospital and from the first week I knew this was the place for me. The staff were so eager to teach me, and I was amazed at what high quality medicine and care they provide their patients and clients.
Once I graduated from Wilson in 2020 with my Bachelors degree in Veterinary medical technology, I joined the KAH team full time and moved to Hagerstown, MD with my cat, Lacey, who I rescued from Wilson’s farm as a tiny kitten. I passed my national veterinary technology exam a few months after graduation and am loving the opportunity to continually learn and grow as a technician at Kingsbrook!
PATRICIA MARI-MARQUEZ, RVT
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a passion for working with animals. Around the age of 4, I would chase around rabbits in my backyard, in hopes of catching a pet. My older brother ended up taking me to a shelter where we adopted our rabbit Steve as a “birthday present for my mom.” She definitely got a kick out of that one. Since then I’ve been surprising my family with all sorts of furry friends from guinea pigs and rabbits to hamsters, fish, and my dog Lila. Currently, the score is two dogs, two cats, two guinea pigs and way too many birds.
Even with all those pets, I kept thinking that I wanted to be an architect until I realized that there’s more to designing houses than drawing on a sheet of paper. It wasn’t until my senior year of high school that I decided to turn my attention to veterinary. I started taking agriculture classes where I got to handle some small animals before following the FFA to their farm shows to hand out ice cream and watch the sheep prance around.
I graduated from Wilson College with a major in Veterinary Medicine. Finding an internship was tough, but I found my way over to Kingsbrook where I quickly fell in love with the atmosphere. Not only were my new coworkers inviting and friendly, but the clients that came through the door just brightened my day. I love getting to meet you guys, and I hope to serve you and your furry pets for years to come!
JEN MEJIA, RVT
I remember when I was in fifth grade and my teachers asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and my answer was always to work with animals. Growing up, I knew that I wanted to work in veterinary medicine, so much that I didn’t even have a back up plan! When I was 17, I started working at my local animal shelter and stayed there for five years. My love and compassion continued to grow as I helped homeless pets and showed them that humans aren’t so scary. It was an amazing experience getting to help find homes for the misunderstood. I was lucky enough to land an internship with Kingsbrook after graduating from Wilson College and ended up working here full time! I could not have asked for a better team that focuses on providing love and compassion to both pets and their owners.
AMANDA LEATHERMAN, RVT
I am originally from Thurmont MD and have always had an overwhelming love for animals – I knew from a very young age that working in the veterinary field was something that I wanted to do. Throughout high school I spent time shadowing at Catoctin Veterinary Hospital while juggling sports. Growing up my family has had our fair share of pets – owning and caring for birds, pocket pets, and of course we always had a couple dogs running around! After graduating from high school, I moved to Chambersburg PA to attend Wilson College. I graduated in May 2021 with my BS in veterinary medical technology.
My journey with Kingsbrook started with my internship and I was so impressed with the compassion and quality of care that is provided – I knew this was the place for me. During my free time, when I am not studying, I am a full-time dog mom to my 1-year-old crazy go lucky lab mix Beau! We love going on hikes, taking beach trips, and having friends over for our annual summer pool days and bonfires.
I am so proud to be part of the KAH team and take great pride in being able to help all of our clients and their fur babies!
Emily Baez, RVT
Like most of us in the veterinary field I knew as a young child I loved animals and wanted to care for them. I began working with animals as part of a high school internship when I was 16 and knew at that point I wanted to make vet med a part of my life permanently. I was born and raised in Illinois and graduated from Parkland College’s veterinary technology program in 2006. Following graduation from tech school and passing the VTNE right after I worked in an exotic animal hospital and developed a love for pocket pets and especially birds. My husband has allowed me to gain technician experience in many different states thanks to military moves. I have worked as a veterinary technician in Illinois, California, Alaska, Colorado and now Maryland. Every state has something new to learn, new experiences to gain and new stories to tell. I was drawn to Kingsbrook Animal Hospital here in Maryland because of the high standard of care provided by the doctors and technicians. I am excited to learn new things from the incredibly professional and knowledgeable team here at Kingsbrook. Maryland is the farthest East I have ever been, I’m enjoying being on the east coast. I am here with my husband Sergio, our two (human) girls Mia and Jordan, and our boys (rescued mixed breed dogs) Roscoe and Wheeler. I plan have a house full of birds and pocket pets when my husband retires from the Space Force (yes, it’s a real thing) and we settle in our final location. In my free time I love to cook (and eat) and craft by myself and with my kiddos.
