Our Care Team At Barker Animal Hospital

Megan likes to say that her passion for animals began before she could even talk. She’s felt an indescribable connection with the earth’s creatures ever since she was a little girl, and she’s always wanted to do everything in her power to help others in need—four- and two-legged alike. For Megan, bettering the lives of not only pets but their loving owners as well is a dream come true!

Megan is a Virginia Beach native and attended Old Dominion University to study biology. She launched her career in the animal-care world as a Veterinary Assistant after college and has been helping pets and animal parents ever since. Now, she’s the Office Manager here at Barker Animal Hospital and loves to keep things running smoothly day in and day out. Megan especially likes to help educate the public on the best ways to care for their pets, including with Fear-Free techniques that pet owners can use at home! She received her CVPM certification in April 2021.

When she’s not at work, Megan likes spending time outdoors and loves to relax at the beach, go wakeboarding, and play Frisbee golf. She has one pet: Scooter, a miniature Schnauzer.

Lauren used to work in early childhood education, but she knew that she wanted a change of pace while still getting to put her nurturing instincts to good use. When the opportunity arose for her to join the veterinary field, she knew it was too good of a chance to pass up! Lauren has been helping pets professionally ever since. She’s a part of Barker Animal Hospital’s talented Veterinary Assistant team.

Lauren grew up in Yorktown and moved to Norfolk to begin her journey in veterinary care. She worked at a number of practices in the area before joining the Barker Animal Hospital family in February 2020. As an Assistant, she’s particularly fond of dermatology and the way that a change in diet can help with skin issues. Lauren also enjoys radiology and the way it can help give her inside insight into what’s going on with a patient.

One of Lauren’s main hobbies outside of work is fostering cats and puppies—she loves to find forever homes for all the pets she possibly can! She also loves to spend time with her own animal companions at home. She shares her life with three cats named Onyx, Stink Bug, and Pooper, as well as a trio of loveable guinea pigs named Biscuit, Gravy, and Mashy.

Kelly always knew that she wasn’t suited for a desk job, and she had adored animals ever since her earliest days. That’s why she decided to become a veterinary professional. Now, Kelly is kept on her toes at all times and gets to learn new things on a daily basis, all while helping the area’s pets and animal owners live happier, healthier lives! She’s a proud member of Barker Animal Hospital’s Veterinary Technician team.

Kelly is originally from the Indianapolis area and received her Bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in animal behavior from Indiana University. She completed several internships for her schooling, including one spent helping to rehabilitate wildlife, and decided to return to school to become a Veterinary Technician. The rest is history!

Kelly moved from San Diego to the Chesapeake area in the summer of 2019 for her husband’s military career, and it wasn’t long before she signed on here at Barker Animal Hospital. She particularly enjoys radiology work and the way it can help her determine what’s going on with a patient internally. Above all, Kelly loves meeting and greeting new pet owners and helping their animal companions to feel comfortable and welcome here at the clinic.

Kelly’s interests away from work include reading great books, visiting National Parks, and swimming—she even obtained a few scuba-diving certifications during college. At home, she and her husband share their lives with two cats: Luke, who acts more like a dog and follows Kelly around everywhere she goes, and Leia, who is the best at cuddling once she warms up to someone.

She prides herself on a high level of veterinary knowledge, with special interests in emergency and critical care, advanced vascular access, RECOVER CPR techniques, and critical anesthesia. Cindy also has a passion for reproductive medicine and enjoys counseling clients on timing testing, intravenous support, and newborn puppy care. Her interests also include training and behavior, particularly with problem dogs—especially large breeds—helping clients work through challenges to create a better bond with their pets.

In her free time, Cindy trains, shows, and breeds Great Danes under the name Coleridge Great Danes, a passion she’s pursued since 2000. She also sings soprano in her church choir and plays the clarinet and oboe as needed. An avid Major League Baseball superfan and genealogy enthusiast, Cindy will be joining the VMCVM Class of 2029 starting this August.

She holds a BA in Journalism and Biology from Old Dominion University, along with an Associate degree in Veterinary Technology from Northern Virginia Community College. Kat takes pride in delivering attentive patient care and clear, thoughtful communication with clients.

Outside of work, Kat enjoys reading, swimming, spinning, and spending time outdoors with her dog, Lilly. She has a passion for plants—especially growing them from seeds—and is a devoted Taylor Swift fan who keeps the music playing 24/7.

Emma, like most who work in the veterinary field, has adored the earth’s creatures ever since she can remember. For her, having the opportunity to help others and their animal companions is a dream come true! She couldn’t be happier to serve as a member of Barker Animal Hospital’s talented Veterinary Assistant team.

Emma has lived in Guam, Washington, D.C., and Virginia Beach, thanks to her father’s career in the United States Navy. After high school, she took a job at a local boarding and daycare facility in Virginia Beach to get her foot in the door of the animal-care world. It wasn’t long before she’d fallen in love with the field! Emma knew she wanted to do even more—soon, she was enrolled in Tidewater Community College’s veterinary assisting program. In the future, she hopes to continue in the school’s Technician program and get her degree in biology.

Emma joined the Barker Animal Hospital family in February of 2021, where she gets to put her training to good use in a hands-on way. She’s particularly passionate about animal behavior and nutrition and loves to see the way a proper diet can improve a pet’s quality of life. Above all, Emma likes meeting pet owners and their adorable companions on a daily basis.

When she has spare time between work and school, Emma enjoys exercising, hiking, visiting the beach, and doting on her own pets at home. She and her family share their lives with three cats: Nola, Zulu, and Beau.

Ithaca has been working in veterinary medicine since 2022 and takes great pride in ensuring that all patients feel comfortable and calm during procedures. Whether it’s through a soothing voice, generous pets, treats, or praise, she is dedicated to providing the best care. She also makes it a point to thoroughly understand treatment plans so she can confidently communicate with clients and ease their concerns. In her free time, Ithaca loves playing with her dog, Onyx, and her cat, Cloud. She also enjoys binge-watching shows, playing the harp, and spending time at the beach. When she travels, she enjoys the opportunity to try new foods and experiences.

Kylie prides herself on being patient with all the animals and ensuring they are comfortable and happy. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, as well as walking and enjoying the outdoors.

Growing up in the rural area of Northern Wisconsin, just a few hours from the Canadian and Michigan borders, Samantha spent most of her youth surrounded by farms and wildlife. She always dreamed of becoming a vet and, as a teenager, was forever bringing home critters of some sort, from the extra rats from her biology class to a feral mama cat and her six kittens to the eight-week-old puppy she smuggled home under her coat on a 30-mile trip. It was inevitable that she’d one day end up in the animal care industry.

As they so often do, life circumstances put Samantha’s career aspirations on hold when she became a mother at a young age. After 25 years of running a household and raising her four children, she was ready to start exploring her career options outside of the home. She landed a job at a doggie daycare and soon moved on to dip her toe into veterinary medicine. As Kennel Manager here at Barker Animal Hospital, Samantha is taking every opportunity to learn and grow as she works toward her next goal of becoming a veterinary technician.

Not surprisingly, Samantha owns a multitude of pets of her own, including four and a half dogs (yes, you read that right), eight cats, a ball python, a hermit crab, and several beta fish. Charlie, who is co-owned with Samantha’s best friend and neighbor, is an amazing amateur anti-anxiety dog. Desmond is an easily-excitable cocker spaniel who loves to howl. Blue is a terrier mutt who believes he’s 100 lbs. Then there’s Opal Marie, a lab mix who was rescued as a feral pup. She still has some stranger danger but is making great progress. The cats all have their own unique personalities and are very social.

When she’s not busy running the kennel or tending to her mini-zoo at home, Samantha enjoys hiking. She recently visited Japan, where she was able to explore much of the breathtaking landscape on foot.

Kim has been in the industry for over 5 years. She attended Great Bridge High. Kim prides herself in making patients and their parents feel like family and whatever their concerns are, I want them to feel like we care and understand. In her free time, when shes not at her son’s soccer games, she will likely be with her family and dogs Callie and Zero.

Bio coming soon!

With 5 years of grooming and 1 year of bathing experience under her belt, Alysa is a dedicated pet care professional. Her educational journey took her through Deep Creek, Tidewater Community College (TCC), and Old Dominion University (ODU), where she cultivated a strong foundation in veterinary medicine.

She takes immense pride in her expertise in crafting Asian fusion faces for pets, ensuring they look and feel their best. Outside of work, you’ll often find her immersed in a good book, enjoying the tranquility of reading in her free time.