Kimberly Peters, C.V.T – Certified Veterinary Technician
Patient Care Supervisor

Kim joined the Animal Medical Center in June of 2005.  She previously worked as a veterinary technician for a small animal clinic and a standard bred horse racetrack in Pittsburgh, PA.  Kim was promoted to Patient Care Supervisor because of her exceptional training in surgical and patient care skills.

Kim received a B.S. degree in Animal Sciences and Equine Sciences from the Pennsylvania State University in 2003.  She also received an Associates degree in Specialized Technology – Veterinary Technician from The Median School of Allied Health Careers in 2005.

Kim lives with her DSH cat Tessie.  In her free time, she enjoys swimming, hiking, traveling, jet skiing and spending time with family and friends.

Shirley Thompson, CPDT, Veterinary Assistant and Animal Behavior Coordinator
 
Shirley joined the Animal Medical Center staff in 1992.  She recently celebrated her 15 year anniversary on our staff.

In 2002, Shirley attended the 5-day DOGS course at Purdue University.  This intensive course focused on Behavior Modification techniques and the importance of pre-pet selection counseling and puppy socialization.  Seeing the importance of these services, Shirley started our First Steps Puppy Socialization Classes at AMC as well as offering Pre-Pet Selection Counseling.  We have also started offering Puppy Parties to our clients and their new pups -- just one more way AMC is helping to ensure all new puppies are getting off to a good start.

Shirley is a member of the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians (SVBT) and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT).  In addition, she is certified with the Council of Pet Dog Trainers (CPDT). Shirley and her husband are owned by their cat Oliver, and their two Labrador Retrievers, Velvet and Mason.  She spends her free time training and competing with Velvet and Mason in agility, obedience and rally obedience.  Shirley and her dogs also enjoy trying other dog sports, such as dock diving, free style dancing with music, tracking and frisbee.

If you are considering adding a new puppy, our Pre-pet Selection Counseling can help you decide which breed would be best fit for your family, as well as what to expect in the important first year.  To learn more about our First Steps Puppy Socialization classes, please click the Puppy Classes link on our web page.

Denise Ruser, Patient Care Supervisor

Denise joined the Animal Medical Center in November of 2006.  She majored in Veterinary Technology at Manor College and is currently working on completing her veterinary technician certification.  Denise has worked in various assistant roles in area veterinary hospitals.

Denise lives with her husband, Dave and their dog, Joey.  When she's not at AMC, Denise enjoys exercising, cooking and watching movies.

Joanna Konstantinidis, Patient Care Supervisor

Joanna joined the Animal Medical Center patient care team in July of 2007.  She has a B.S. in small animal science from Delaware Valley College.  Joanna spent several years working in Philadelphia area veterinary hospitals and other management positions before joining AMC.

Joanna lives with her mom, grandmother, sister and 2 cats Phoebe and Eclipse.

When she's not taking care of patients at AMC, Joanna enjoys traveling (especially to Greece), reading, cooking and spending time with family and friends.

Jennifer Lee, C.V.T – Certified Veterinary Technician

Jennifer joined the Animal Medical Center in October of 2006.  She grew up in the area and recently moved back from the Colorado area.  She previously worked as a veterinary technician for a small animal clinic in Breckenridge, CO for six years. 

Jennifer received a B.S. degree from the Pennsylvania State University.  She also earned an Associates degree in Applied Science – Veterinary Technology from Colorado Mt. College.

Jennifer lives with her husband, son and three Golden Retrievers, Orion, Bella and Eri.  In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors with her family, hiking, camping, boating and skiing.

Jamie Rocco, Veterinary Assistant 

Jamie joined the AMC team in August 2007.  She is a graduate of Penn State University and is currently pursuing her Veterinary Technician Certification from Penn Foster College.

Jamie lives with her daughter, Olivia; Dusty and Chai, who are 2 CFA Grand Champion Bicolor Persians; a ball python named Kaa and Keira, a pitbull she rescued from abuse.

In her free time, Jamie loves spending time with her family, be they 2-legged, 4-legged, or no-legged!  She enjoys reading a good book, going to concerts, indy films and being active outdoors.

Emily Tiwana, Veterinary Assistant

Emily became an Animal Medical Center team member in March of 2007.  She is currently majoring in Veterinary Technology at Manor College.  Emily spent several years working in Philadelphia area veterinary hospitals before joining AMC.

Emily resides with her husband and their cat, Cody.  She has 3 other cats living with her parents: Clyde, Loki and Felene.  Felene is a 20-year old Siamese mix while Clyde and Loki are both under 3 years and like to spend time teasing their house-mate Labrador Retrievers: Samantha and Colby.

In her spare time, Emily enjoys going for hikes in the woods, cooking Asian food (especially Pakistani), and spending time with family and friends.  She loves to travel and Australia is her favorite destination so far.

Julie Balko, Veterinary Assistant

Julie joined the Animal Medical Center in March of 2006.  She is currently an Ursinus College student pursuing a BS in Biology.  Julie plans to attend veterinary school when she graduates.

Julie lives with her mom, dad, three sisters, a black Labrador Retriever mix named Abby and a cat named Bubbles who thinks she's a dog.  When she's not at AMC, Julie likes to design, make and sell handbags.  Her other interests include traveling, cheerleading, bargain shopping and Italy.  

Leslie Hedges, Veterinary Receptionist

Leslie joined AMC in June of 2002 and enjoys caring for animals and interacting with AMC clients.

Leslie, her husband Barry and their daughter Kathryn share their home with their Golden Retriever Lily, Nemo the Jack Russell Terrier, 2 cats Diego and Minnie and their paint horse Dakota.  The newest addition to the Hedges family is their rescued "wild" guinea pig, Chevy.

Leslie stays active when she isn’t at AMC.  She enjoys horseback riding, reading, cooking and being Kathryn's mom.

Claire Kring, Veterinary Receptionist

Claire is one of the original members of the Animal Medical Center staff.  She joined AMC in October of 1989.  Claire has held receptionist positions in corporate America as well as veterinary hospitals.  Claire especially enjoys assisting AMC's clients and patients and seeing their families grow over the years. 

Claire and her husband John live with their Border Collie, Scout and their Beagle puppy, Trixie. 

In her free time, Claire treasures being a grandmother to her grandson, Reece and her granddaughter, Paige.  She also likes doing crossword puzzles and going to the movies. 

Amanda Derr, Veterinary Assistant

Amanda joined the Animal Medical Center patient care team in February, 2008.  She worked as a veterinary assistant and veterinary receptionist in local area veterinary hospitals for more than 10 years before joining our team. Amanda has a BFA from Kutztown University with a concentration in sculpture and print making.

Amanda lives with her son, Gavyn, their nervous terrier Willow and their cat Max (Max and Willow are best friends).  Amanda loves to work with animals and plans to continue to do so as long as possible.

In her spare time, Amanda enjoys collecting and identifying insects, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, photography, playing drums (started in 5th grade and was in an all girl band called the Chick Peas in college), and traveling (she has been to England 3 times and plans to go back this year).

Dawn Bennett, Veterinary Receptionist

Dawn joined the Animal Medical Center patient care team in June of 2007.  Dawn spent 13 years in retail before changing her career path to veterinary medicine.  Dawn worked in another local veterinary hospital as an assistant and receptionist before joining AMC.  She especially enjoys working with AMC's clients and patients. 

Dawn lives with her three cats, Ellie, Charlie and Archie.  She also shares her home with Gabby, a goffin cockatoo.

In her spare time, Dawn likes to vacation at the shore. 

Juliane Evans, Veterinary Assistant

Julie became a part of the Animal Medical Center team in April 2008. Julie's experience has been in medical research and human care giving.  She has a B.S. degree in biology from Messiah College.  Julie enjoys being a member of the Hershey Camera Club and the Frazer Mennonite Church. 

Julie lives with her husband Jared, a parakeet named Quincy, Maple the goldfish, a yellow lab named Lizzy, a half Persian cat named Maria, 4 chickens and Penelope the cat.

Julie spends her free time hiking, horseback riding, running, pole vaulting, canoeing, traveling, reading, gardening and of course, photography!

Mona Chylack, Veterinary Receptionist

Mona Chylack, part-time receptionist at Animal Medical Center since 1995, feels she was born loving dogs.  She shares her barn home with an Otterhound, Tippet; a Scottish Deerhound, Jophus; and Jiggs, a PBGV cross.  The household also includes Timmy the cat.

In her other life, Mona is an Assistant Director of Student Financial Services at Ursinus College and also enjoys her role as grandmother to Catherine and Jeremy.  Over the years, she has participated in many canine activities including pet visits to a geriatric facility; finishing several AKC champions; and now serves as a whipper-in for Skycastle French Hounds, a working pack of French Basset Hounds that hunt in Chester County.

Mona particularly enjoys meeting AMC clients and their pets and strives to give them the attention she likes to receive when her own pets are the patients.

Dawn Rhoads, Veterinary Receptionist

Dawn has years of experience as a veterinary receptionist and assistant in veterinary hospitals.  Dawn's full-time career is as a student accounts assistant at Ursinus College in the financial aid center.

Dawn shares her home with her husband, Bob and their 2 teenagers, Amber and Aaron.  Their animal family includes 2 dogs, Jewels and Kodi, 3 cats, Gandalf, Chloe and Riley, a bird named Taz, 3 ferrets, Manny, Boo and Loco, a red-tailed Boa named King and a horse named Starduster. When not at work, Dawn enjoys  spending time with her family.