staff in back yard 2008 |
3 friends 2008 |
Halloween 2007 |
picture from www.vettechjournal.com
Congratulations Trisha McLaughlin!!
Trisha McLaughlin, C.V.T. our Practice
Manager is on the October 2006 cover of Veterinary
Technician. There is also an article about her on pages
644-646, along with an The Moment I Knew also on
page 646.
She's on the cover with her Pit Bull Roadie
Makenna Elizabeth |
I was born and raised in Newtown, PA . I now live in Warminster,
PA with my husband Patrick and our 4-legged children. Well, actually one only has 3 legs... Roadie, Kira and Madison
(all saved/rescued) and our 4 cats.. Jimmy, Belly, Killian and Mr. Mowgli (also all rescued). Our first child was born
in December 2004, Samantha Shea. She is the
LOVE of my life!!
I graduated from Harcum
College with my AS in Veterinary
Technology in 1997 and sat for my state
certification the same year to become a
C.V.T. (certified veterinary
technician). I also have taken classes at
Delaware Valley College to finish by BS
and my pre-requisites for Veterinary
school. I, however, started my career
with animals here at Newtown Veterinary
Hospital 16yrs ago when Dr. Guenther was
still the practice owner. I started in
kennels and was then trained as a
technician. I decided to attend college
and become certified as a veterinary
technician in 1996.
Immediately
after my externship I worked in the
emergency room at the University Of
Pennsylvania Veterinary School. After a
few years on the busy overnight shift I
took a job at Veterinary Specialty and
Emergency Center (V.S.E.C.) in Langhorne. It
was there that my passion for pain
management and physical therapy emerged.
In 2001 I spoke with Dr. Ireland about
returning to my roots at Newtown
Veterinary Hospital. I started back and became Head Technician 6 months after
returning. After 5 years as Head
Technician the position of practice
manager became available in March of
this year. I accepted the position in
April and have enjoyed the transition to
Practice Manager. I do miss the nursing
aspect of my job, but I am happy to give
back to the hospital that gave me my
start 16years ago!!!
Congratulations Trish
on the birth of your new baby!
Makenna Elizabeth
Born on March 14th, 2008
7 lbs, 2 oz
19 inches long |
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I have been
with Newtown Veterinary Hospital since
1999. I have been the Office Manager since 2006.
In the past, I was the Head Receptionist
and the computer trainer of new
employees. I am in charge of all the
community relations projects at the
hospital. Some of these projects include coordinating
the Annual Pet Fair and all our community
outreach programs (such as career fairs,
dog walks, girl scout tours and business
association events). I also edit the
monthly newsletter, update our
hospital's website, create advertisements for the
hospital and create all door prizes and
sponsorships used at local school events. I love talking to clients and playing
with the dogs (I say hi to cats from a distance, as I am allergic to them), and hope to work here for a long time to come.
I have a Heinz 57 Mutt named
Bridget born in 2005 and a Cockapoo
named Maggie born in 2004, both were rescued
through NVH. I love to spend time with them. I relax by reading books, drawing, watching
movies, and gardening. |
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In January 2008 Riki received the 2007 NBPA
Unsung Hero Award. The Newtown Business and
Professional Association awards this in
recognition of an NBPA member or nonmember who,
without seeking personal gain or attention,
exemplifies the highest levels of community
spirit through selfless acts of giving.
Congratulations Riki!
For more information on the NBPA go to
www.newtownbpa.org |
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Barb Pacitti,
C.V.T.
Head Technician
I started at NVH in September 2003 as a
Senior Technician and was promoted to Head
Technician in the Spring of 2006. As a
Senior Technician, my responsibilities include
calculating drugs, inducing anesthesia,
intubation of patients, monitoring EKG Pulse
oximiter, blood pressure, IV catheter placement
and overall animal care. Along with these
duties, my duties as the Head Technician include
the hiring, training, discipline and scheduling
of the 15 technicians on staff. I am also
in charge of the Manor Tech Program. As
part of this program technicians from Manor
College rotate through the facility to learn
hands-on techniques and how to apply what they
have acquired being in technical school to
everyday teching duties. I also took part
in assisting to teach a semester at Manor
College. I enjoyed this very much, but
have not had the time to be able to accomplish
this again. I look forward to trying to
fit it into my busy schedule for future
semesters if needed.
I attended Manor College, the veterinary technology program, and
graduated in 2003 with my Associate's Degree.
I sat for and passed my certification exam that
summer and have been in this field every since.
I really enjoy working with animals and trying
to help them under the guidance of a doctor.
It is a very satisfying feeling when you are
able to help a being that is unable to speak and
tell you what is happening to make them feel the
way they do.
In my spare time, I like to spend time with my family,
close friends and, of course, my dogs. I
also enjoy the behavior training aspect of
veterinary medicine and like to help in this
area as much as I can in my spare time. I
have helped re-home some dogs and also taken
some dogs in to place them in homes. It is
amazing what a little redirection, retraining
and exercise can do for a dog that is labeled as
destructive or untrainable! It is very
satisfying to me to be able to modify some
unwanted behaviors with positive reinforcement
and placing them in the proper home where they
will receive the attention that they need to
keep them in a healthy state of mind.
I have been married since September 2006 and live with
my very understanding and tolerant husband Frank
and our dogs Molson and Stella. Molson was
rescued and Stella was actually born in our
facility here at the hospital. I have had
her since she was 8 weeks old. We are also
expecting a new addition to our human side of
the family in early November. |
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John Groth
Front Desk Supervisor
In
November of 2005, I started working at the Front
Desk at NVH. I moved to Newtown in 1993 from New
York (hence the accent), and was also a previous
client. Having the opportunity to have been on
both sides of the fence, I was always extremely
satisfied with the medical care my cat Muffin
received. She was the sweetest cat in the world
at home, but unfortunately had the reputation of
being one of the meanest patients. The proof of
the wonderful care she received was that she
lived until almost 22 years. When I started
working here, I was actually in awe of the love
and devotion that the doctors and staff have for
the patients that they treat. They always try
and go the extra distance, and I am proud to be
on their team. Before coming to NVH, I worked in
the fashion/textile industry, but when the
industry dried up here and went offshore, it was
impossible to find work. I love travel (favorite
cities London, Paris and of course my hometown
of New York), music (favorites still being the
Beatles and Motown), movies (Star Wars, Harry
Potter and vintage movies), reading, collecting
(vintage Star Wars and Barbie), designing and
cooking. |
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Leah Braun
Senior Surgical Technician
I was
born in Fort Worth, Texas and lived most of my
life in the Philadelphia suburbs. I began my
work in the veterinary field up in the Lehigh
Valley in 2005. I worked for several different
clinics that dealt with a wide variety of
animals including birds, reptiles, rodents and
even farm animals. I spent about a year
volunteering and working closely with Animals In
Distress in Coopersburg where I found my true
passion to be rescue and care of unwanted or
abandoned animals. In March of 2007 I moved back
to the Bucks County area and in December of 2007 I started at NVH.
My furry family includes three cats (Phoenix, Baby
Kitty and Harvey) and a Pekingese named Sushi.
Phoenix and Harvey were both stray kitties that
I adopted and Baby Kitty is a Persian that I
have had for the past 17 years. I've been an
avid aquarist since I was 11 years old and have
had various fish tanks up to and including a 150
gallon African Cichlid setup. I also have a
female leopard gecko named Gex that has been
with me since high school.
My goal is to someday return to my passion for animal
rescue. I would like to either open up my own
sanctuary for abandoned pets or pursue vet
school to volunteer my time and knowledge to
animals who otherwise would go without. |
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Shaunna Craig
Senior Surgical Technician
I
have been a Senior Surgical Technician at NVH
since March of 2007. I started working in the
veterinary field in 1992. Prior to working as a
technicians I was part of a 4H program where I
showed sheep, pigs, cattle and horses. Since
working as a technician, I have worked in small
animal and emergency practices. Furthermore, I
participated in Rodeos from 1995 to 2000. Aside
from my work as a veterinary technician I am
also a firefighter, EMT, and a CPR/First Aid/AED
instructor. In addition, I am certified in
animal training and behavior modification. I was
married in 2005 and have a son named Aidan who
was born in 2006. My extended family includes
three Basset Hounds, a Labrador Retriever Mix, a
Doberman, a cat and a horse. |
Rob Daley
Senior Surgical Technician
I began working at NVH in June 2008. My
duties include monitoring patients under
anesthesia, recovering patients from surgery,
venipuncture, taking radiographs, placing IV
catheters, daily treatments and administering
medications.
I have been working in this field for since
approximately 1994 and I am currently going to
school at Manor College in Jenkintown and will
finish in the summer of 2009. After which I will
become a Certified Veterinary Technician. I love
all types of animals especially exotics (birds
and reptiles).
I got married in June 2008 to my wife Jamila. We have
two dogs named Boog and Shadow, a cat named
Little Man and an African Grey named Noah.
My hobbies include fishing and any outside sport. I
also am a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan. Go
Birds!! |
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Liz Nitzky
Senior Surgical Technician
I began
working at NVH in January 2008 as a senior
technician. My duties include anesthesia
induction and monitoring patients, recovering
animals from surgical procedures, venipuncture
and intravenous catheter placement,
administering medications and daily treatments.
Prior to becoming part of the NVH family, I worked in
Emergency and Specialty Veterinary Medicine from
May 2004 until November 2007. There I learned
the ins and outs of emergency medicine and how
to care for and treat critical patients.
My areas of specialty training were in the
radiology department, performing computed
tomography (CT) studies and 131I treatment
(radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroid cats).
At home, my family is my world! My son, Adin, born in
1998, is amazing in every way. He makes me smile
and warms my heart like no one else can. The
rest of the family is furry... we have 2 dogs,
Sophie who is a 3-legged Pit-mix, CJ who is also
a Pit, and Sambucca the cat.
In my spare time, my hobbies include drag-racing and
modifying my Mustang. In the spring and fall,
you will often find me at the racetrack trying
to improve my times. |
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Neil Simon
Senior Surgical Technician
I began working at NVH in August
2008 as a senior surgical technician. I
graduated from the Richard Stockton College of
New Jersey in 1998, and continued onto graduate
school at Philadelphia University. I have a
passion for surgery and rehabilitation and
attended the University of Tennessee's Canine
Rehabilitation Program in 2007. At home, I spend
the majority of my time with my fiancé and
daughter Edison. We have a small family at home
with two cats, Cholo and Calico Jane and our
wonder dog Broccoli. I feel fortunate to belong
to the great family here at NVH and hope to meet
all of the wonderful clients here! |
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I was born and raised locally in Levittown, PA. I am married to a wonderful man named Jason
whom I married in September 2004. We have four feline children (Lidz, Moppie, Ichi, and Butters) who we adore.
I became part of the NVH family in January 2002. I am one of the senior surgical technicians
and my job includes monitoring anesthesia, administering medications, taking radiographs, occasionally assisting in surgical
procedures, among other things. I also care for pets that are ill that have been hospitalized and need IV fluids, medications,
and just some good old TLC while they are here.
My time thus far at NVH has been great! I can't wait to see what's to come.
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Laura Bond
Technician
My
name is Laura Bond. I started at the
practice in May 2006 as a kennel assistant.
After being there for two months I began
training as a technician. It is my job to
bring you and your pet back for your
appointment, to get your pet's history and
to assist the doctor during the appointment.
I run basic tests, fill prescriptions and
cut nails among other things.
I have two cats and a dog of my own. They are Moses,
Sophia and Lucy. each one of them has a
personality all its own. Something I like
about working at NVH is seeing that each
animal that comes through the door gets the
best care and attention it could receive. I
know that when one of my own pets need care
he will be taken care of by very
compassionate and caring people who see
animals the same way I do....as gifts. |
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Janelle Brofman
Technician
Hello! I have been working at NVH since
1998. I started as a member of the kennel
staff, became kennel supervisor and am now
an exam room technician. I am currently
going back to school to receive a BA in
small animal science.
I have two children Kylie born in 1997 and Tyler born
in 2000. I also have four cats, 6 fish and 2
chinchillas. I love my family and the keep
me very busy! |
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Kim Hansberry
Technician
Hi! I
was born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia.
I've always wanted to work in the veterinary
field. It's my passion. I started working at NVH
on June 9, 2008. Prior to Newtown Veterinary
Hospital, I worked as a technician at Pet's Best
Friend Hospital for three years. I have two
cats, Holly and Leah, and one dog, Jingles. I'm
very proud to be a part of taking care of
animals and at NVH I feel as though they receive
high-quality care. I'm looking forward to my
future in the veterinary field. |
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Erin with her husband
Demetrios |
I was born and
raised in Levittown, PA where I still
live today with my husband Demetrios and
our four cats Pepper, Millie, Raven, and Darby
and our dog Ellie. We were married in October 2005.
After graduating from Neshaminy HS in 1997, I made one of the most difficult decisions of my
life. Being the "homebody" that I am, I chose to go four hours away to college, to the University of Connecticut. It is not
that far, but for me it was a big step. I have a lot of family (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) in Massachusetts which helped
a little, but it wasn't home. I learned a lot about myself in those four years and in the end I graduated in May 2001 with
a BS in Animal Science. Two days after
graduation I started working here at
NVH.
I graduated in
February 2006 from Holy Family
University with a degree in Elementary
Education... a big leap from the animal world but the explanation on this one
would take up about 5 more pages!! I still
work at NVH on weekends and occasionally
during the week if they need me. I am
currently a substitute teacher in the
Bristol Township. |
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Anna Jones
Technician
My
name is Anna Wozniak but some people also call
me Ania. I have been working at Newtown
Veterinary Hospital as a technician since April
2007. I began in the Program of Veterinary
Technology at Manor College in Fall 2006 and
anticipate graduation in Spring 2008. I have a
Pekingese at home named Snoopy and love him
deeply. I have always enjoyed being around
animals and from childhood was determined to
pursue an animal related field. So far this
career has been enjoyable and I look forward to
many more years of working as a Technician. |
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Suzanne Khalafalla
Technician
Hello! I was born and raised in
southern New Jersey, where I currently reside. I
graduated from Susquehanna University in May of
2008 with a B.S. in Biology and I plan on going
back to school in the future. Since 2004 I have
worked at wildlife rehabilitation centers in New
jersey and Ohio and a small zoo in Pennsylvania.
I have a Yorkshire Terrier named Kokomo and a
Russian Tortoise named Oliver. I started at NVH
in May of 2008 and I look forward to learning
and growing with the wonderful staff and clients
here. |
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Ashley Mathiesen
Technician
I was born in New York and raised in
Las Vegas. I've spent most of my childhood
traveling by car back and forth between both
places before I finally landed in Pennsylvania.
I've been an exam room technician here since
2001. My job includes restraining animals for
exams, blood withdraws and x-rays. My interests
are in animal behavior and animal nutrition.
I am a proud owner of a Pit Bull born in 2005, her name
is Layla. She was a rescue dog who went from no
collar to a Coach collar! I own my own home with
my boyfriend Brian since 2006. I do a lot of
pet-sitting on the side for some of our clients.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my
family and friends. I also enjoy photography,
reading and shoe shopping. |
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Jill Schaffling
Technician
I was
born in Langhorne, PA. I attended Delaware
Valley College for a Bachelor of Science in
Animal Biotechnology and Conservation. I am also
hoping to go back to college for my Master's
Degree in Education. I have been with NVH since
May 1, 2008 and have worked at other veterinary
hospitals and a zoo before coming here.
I am a huge fan of rats and run part of a rattery
in addition to my motley assortment of animals.
At the moment, I am a technician and always
ready to learn more. I am here to assist you and
your pet as well as the doctor and I love
hearing everyone's stories. The best part is
watching a puppy or kitten grow up as a healthy,
happy adult in a loving home! |
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Stefanie Shertzer
Technician
I
started working at Newtown Veterinary Hospital
in August 2007. I previously worked in
veterinary hospitals (1999-2003) until having my
children. I have a son, Ryan born in 2003 and a
daughter, Camryn born in 2006. I live in
Abington with my fiancé Steve, our children and
our pet dog, Logic whom I adopted while living
in Florida in 2002. I plan to go back to school
to further my education. In my free time I love
to ski, cam and go tubing. |
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Alison Wilkinson
Technician, Receptionist and Kennel Assistant
Hello, my name is Alison, but you
can call me Ali. My current position here at
Newtown Veterinary Hospital is kennel assistant,
but I am working toward learning how to become a
technician as well. I was born on May 1, 1984 in
the chestnut Hill area of Philadelphia, I grew
up in Bucks County and always lived with animals
in our house. However, it was not until May 2005
when I worked as a kennel assistant at Sundance
Kennels in Holland, PA that I realized that I
love working with animals. In December 2006, I
graduated from Holy Family University with a
Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts and in
September 2007, I came on board at NVH. When I
am not feeding, cleaning or loving the animals
at the hospital, you can usually find me playing
disc golf at Tyler State Park. I am a very
active member of the Bucks County Disc Golf
Alliance. Whenever I travel, I always bring at
least three discs with me because there is
usually a course nearby. My eventual goal is to
play every course in the world! |
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I have always lived in the Lower Bucks County
area. Animals have always played a huge part in my life, and as a young child I always told everyone that I wanted to be a
Veterinarian. I am a technician here at Newtown Veterinary Hospital, and have been working here since January, 2005. I absolutely
love to greet the pets as they arrive for their appointments. I am currently a student at Purdue University's School of Veterinary
Medicine, studying veterinary technology through their distance learning program.
I live in Croydon with my husband Dan,
son Jacob and my dog Toby. Jacob is the
newest addition to our family, he was
born in February 2006. Jacob and Toby
are the best of friends and you will
always find them together. (Usually with
Toby looking for all the dropped food!)
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Sarah Elmer
Receptionist
I am one
of the receptionists at Newtown Veterinary
Hospital. I started working at NVH in May 2006,
so I am fairly new to the practice. My everyday
duties include greeting the clients at the door,
answering the phones, scheduling appointments
and surgeries, and checking patients out once
their visit is over. I enjoy working for NVH for
many reasons. First, growing up, my family and I
have always loved animals, and have had several
pets over the years. Second, I love helping
people in any way that I can. This job allows me
to both work and help people and animals, two of
my passions.
Currently, I have one dog, Romeo, and one cat, Sissy.
Romeo is a pit-bull mix that my dad rescued. When
my dad found him, he was caught in some bushes
with chains and duck tape wrapped around him. He
appeared to be very much neglected, but with a
little tender, love and care, we patched him
right up. I would like to try and adopt another
cat, but unfortunately Sissy has become queen of
the house and scares off most new animals that
come in to the house. She is very affectionate,
but a little high maintenance. Besides work, I
am a full time nursing student at Holy Family
University. In three years, I hope to graduate
with my BSN, and begin working in a busy city
hospital. |
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Maureen McGill
Receptionist
I was born and raised in Northeast
Philadelphia. I am engaged to a wonderful man
named Bill whom I will marry in October 2008. We
have two cats (Dakota and Gulliver) that are
very mischievous and our Golden Retriever, Elvis. A 2005 graduate of Harcum
College with a degree in Animal Center
Management, I joined the NVH staff with previous
working experience at a 24 hour emergency
veterinary hospital. I started here at Newtown
Vet in May 2007. |
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Mary McHugh
Receptionist |
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Cara McLaughlin
Receptionist
I began working at Newtown Veterinary
Hospital in June of 2008 as a receptionist. I
have always wanted to work with animals, they
have always been a passion of mine.
I attend Bloomsburg University and I will graduate with
a BA in Psychology. I want to get my Master's in
the near future.
I live with my parents and brother. When I'm not
working you can usually find me outdoors. I love
playing disk golf, hiking and swimming.
I am looking forward to my career here at NVH! |
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Lori Minch
Receptionist
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I started at Newtown Veterinary Hospital in January of
2007 as a Receptionist and am pleased to
work at such a great practice with some
terrific people! I live in Warminster
with my wonderful husband Ken and our
three "children": Dexter (dog), Vassago
and Dakota (both cats) - I'm proud to
say they are all rescues! Although this
is my first position in a veterinary
hospital, I have been involved in the
pet industry for over 15 years. Most of
my experience has been working with
reptiles and exotic small mammals and I
am currently breeding reptiles as a
hobby.
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Jen Murvine
Receptionist
I was born and raised in Bensalem,
Pennsylvania. I am married to a great man
named Ron. We have three wonderful boys.
Dylan born 1999, Vance born 2002, and Milow
(our four-legged son) born 2000. We
absolutely cherish our boys. I began working
at NVH in September 2006. I enjoy helping
our clients and greeting the pets as they
come in. I love being part of the NVH team! |
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Melissa D'Armiento
Kennel Assistant (seasonal)
I was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey but
moved to Newtown when I was little and have
been living here ever since. I am the person
responsible for taking care of your animals
while you are away and making sure they are
happy and comfortable here at Newtown
Veterinary Hospital.
My love for animals began when I became a volunteer at
Indian Walk Veterinary Hospital. In November
2004, I began working as a Kennel Assistant
for NVH while I was attending Villa Joseph
Marie High School. After graduating, I was
accepted into West Virginia University where
I plan on majoring in Animal Sciences and
becoming a Veterinarian someday.
I have two cats, Princess and Sadie. Princess was a
stray kitten who I took in and nursed back
to health and Sadie was also a stray who I
adopted from NVH. I love them both very
much. |
Mew the cat and Toby her
Husky mix |
I was born in Bristol, PA, but we moved to North Carolina since my dad was in the Army.
After four years, we were transferred to Germany, where my brother was born. After Desert Storm, Dad retired from the Army
and we moved to Levittown.
I started at NVH in the summer of 2003 as a kennel assistant, working part-time until I graduated
from Harry S. Truman HS in 2004. After graduation I began working full-time and was soon promoted to Kennel Supervisor.
This has given me an opportunity to make a difference at the hospital.
I have a Husky mix named Toby, born in 2002, and a cat named Mew, born in 2004, whom I
rescued as a three day old kitten who needed to be bottle fed.
I also have another mix breed dog named
Prince I just adopted from Pet Guardian.
I enjoy shopping, being with my friends, horse back riding, and spending time with my family.
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Michelle Pickron
Kennel Assistant |
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Miriam Wulfsohn
Kennel Assistant
My mother fled Germany to Africa during the war. There
in Africa she met and married my father. I was
born in Zambia and lived there, Zimbabwe and
South Africa. I went to boarding school in the
south of England at St. Mary's then to
Switzerland to learn French. I have traveled
Europe and even had the Mumps in Manchester,
England!
I moved to the United States in 1968 and have
lived in the Philadelphia area ever since.
Miriam is a resident of the Wood's School in
Langhorne, PA, a place that serves individuals
with special needs. She has been with Newtown
Veterinary Hospital since 1996 and helps us
clean up after and walk our dogs. This job
provides her the opportunity to work and
interact with the animals and the public. |
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