Melissa Cooper - Practice Manager (PM)

Born and raised in Baltimore MD, Melissa moved to the Outer Banks in 1993 knowing very little about veterinary medicine but having a deep love for all animals.  After being our animal assistant for 5 years, she traveled 4 hours twice weekly for 3 years to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) - and one of the best I’ve ever seen I might add. In 2006 she moved to Charleston, SC where her husband pursued a management position in radio. Two years later, we welcomed her family back to the Outer Banks and she took on the very challenging position of Practice Manager. While becoming a PM is not easy, she enjoys the challenge and constantly is learning and growing in the field. Melissa and her husband Gary have 3 beautiful children (Sophia, Isabella, and Jack), along with 2 dogs (Breeze and Belle), and 2 cats (Marble and Tucker)






Sarah, Diane, and Hilda (left to right) get in a group hug at the 2009 Christmas Party

Sarah's one of our great receptionists and has been with the us for 5 years now. She's got a heart of gold, and endless comp-assion for the animals we treat and their owners, and a memory like a steel trap.
 
Diane is our lead Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVT). She's been with us 4 years, can do anything and has been a huge asset to us and our newer technicians on the team.

Hilda is one of our "Jacks of all Trades". From the kennel to radiography, to restraining any animal, we can always count on her.  With her gentle and steady ways, Hilda has always been a pleasure to have on our team.  Her and hubby John have two great labs, Moose and Chief.

Mandi is another of our "fab four" receptionists. Mandi is a true professional - always with a smile, if she doesn't know the answer, she'll find it for you. Calling her 12 year old Pom a "pet" might be the understatement of the year. Darby is the love of her life and pure love at that. Steeler is a Rottie cross that is blessed also to be in her home. And lets not forget Echo, Mandi's 5 year old female Boston. Oh and by the way, she's married to Ed, who manages to get some attention once in a while.
Oh, and we forgive her for rooting for the wrong football team.

 

Jessica (right) is another of the front staff and one of the fabulous front four. Jessica picked up the profession quickly and not only loves helping our clients, but is also our stickler for organization (she's great at it too!). Being bilingual in spanish really comes in handy sometimes too. Jessica and her electrician hubby Matt, live in Wanchese and have two beautiful daughters Alexis and McKenzie.

Tricia (left), is a receptionist  who completes our "Fab Four" up front.  Tricia is a farm gal who drives over an hour from Creswell to be a part of our team. Trisha has a managere of pets on her farm as well as her three beautiful kids McKenzie, her gorgeous daughter Kaley, and Tyler. Boy do they love their mom!!! 

Many of you know Robyn (right).  Robyn is our professional groomer and has been with the clinic for many years.  She does excellent work and is a true professional in every sense of the word. One day we're going to hear her raise her voice I swear. (-:

Jenny (left) is also one of our licensed veterinary technicians.  She is 100% reliable, skillful, efficient and caring.  She is also totally unflappable. Jenny has been with us full or part time for the past 5 years depending on whether her and her hubby Cooper  are increasing there own family size this year or not. 

 Here she is running bloodwork through our state-of-the-art Laser-Cyte technology blood analyzer.

Jackie (right) is one of our "new-comers". And what a pleasure she's been! Jackie is a licensed veterinary technician from the great state of New York.  With an attitude of a winner, she has been such a great asset to our team. Here she is holding a Green Sea Turtle.  We give veterinary care to sea turtles when they become stunned after getting caught out of the warm Gulf Stream.

    Starr (below) joined the team 6 years ago and is a true Outer Banks local. Starr began as a kennel assistant but has really grown with the clinic and now is quite the talented veterinary assistant. Starr has a natural feel for animals and her compassion for them shows in everything she does.

Katie (below) is the most recent addition to the veterinary technician team.  Katie worked at the clinic several years ago as a kennel support staff. Now, after obtaining her Bacheler's Degree in nursing we welcome her back in her new role.


   

  
                                                                Doreen (right below) joined the clinic in May 2009.  Doreen's positive attitude has a way of rubbing off on everyone. We were blessed when she decided to give up her computer career and take on veterinary medicine.  She quickly picked-up the basics and is currently enrolled in the veterinary technician program at Purdue University to become a liscensed Veterinary Technician.