THE ANIMAL WELLNESS CENTER TEAM
Our passionate and hardworking team is committed to providing the best service for you and your furry (or feathery) family members! We look forward to meeting you in person, but in the meantime, get to know our team and what we’re about!
Have a question for us?
Lesley Bell // Office Manager
Lesley Bell // Office Manager
Lesley was born and raised in Albemarle County and attended Albemarle High School. After graduating with a BS in psychology from Longwood University in 1996, she moved to Free Union. She still resides in Free Union with her husband, Rich, daughter Lillian, son Phin, 3 dogs, Ruby, Pearl and Munch.
Leah Clark // Inventory Manager
Leah Clark // Inventory Manager
Leah was born and raised in the White Hall/Crozet area and has had a life long passion for animals and nature. Leah received her associates degree in Eco-tourism and Adventure Travel from Hocking College in 2008. After graduating from Hocking College, Leah attended Virginia Tech and graduated in 2013 with her Bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Conservation and Recreation.
Leah lives in White Hall with her dog, Duke, and four cats Turbo, Tigey-Bruce, Buxton, and Frisco.
Shannon Caruana, LVT // Technician
Shannon Caruana, LVT // Veterinary Technician
My love for animals and veterinary medicine started at a young age while going on farm calls with my grandfather. Originally from Maryland, I have had the opportunity to work both in the US and Central England, where I fell in love with Europe and travelled as much as possible. When at home with my kids and husband, we enjoy getting outside to hike, kayak camp and rock climb.
Laura Kibler, LVT // Technician
Laura Kibler, LVT // Veterinary Technician
Laura graduated from Blue Ridge Community College’s veterinary technician program in 2016. With 15 years of experience in veterinary medicine, she has worked as a kennel attendant, groomer, and veterinary assistant before becoming a technician. Passionate about providing high-quality care, Laura loves being part of the team at Animal Wellness Center.
Ella Kuhlman, LVT // Technician
Ella Kuhlman, LVT // Veterinary Technician
Ella graduated from Jefferson College’s Veterinary Technology Program in Hillsboro, Missouri, in May 2025. After earning her degree, she relocated to Charlottesville, Virginia, where she is passionate about providing care to animals.
Outside of work, Ella enjoys paddle boarding, playing pickleball, and spending as much time outdoors as possible.
Ronan Christman, LVT // Technician
Ronan Christman, LVT // Veterinary Technician
Ronan grew up in Massachusetts and spent some years in Wisconsin before moving to Virginia. She spent as much of her childhood around animals as possible - riding horses and bringing home as many pets as her parents would agree to. After Ronan graduated from Lawrence University with a degree in Biology in 2013, she has finally come back to the first field she ever imagined working in - Veterinary Medicine. Ronan currently lives in Waynesboro, VA, with her sister and her dog, Hagrid.
Rebecca Landrum, LVT // Technician
Rebecca Landrum, LVT // Veterinary Technician
Rebecca graduated from Blue Ridge Community College’s Veterinary Technician Program in 2017. She has worked the majority of her career in emergency veterinary medicine, but has found her passion for exotics at Animal Wellness Center. Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys kayaking, hiking, and spending time with family.
Delaney Tysinger // Veterinary Assistant
Delaney Tysinger // Veterinary Assistant
Delaney graduated from the veterinary technician program at Blue Ridge Community College in May of 2020. She worked as a veterinary assistant from 2017 until becoming licensed. She enjoys working with small animals (especially felines) and is most interested in pain management and anesthesia.
In her spare time, Delaney enjoys painting, cooking, and the company of her friends, her four cats, and her dog.
Pamela Cairns // Veterinary Assistant
Pamela Cairns // Veterinary Assistant
Pam grew up in Northern Virginia, but has called Albemarle County home since 2006. She graduated from James Madison University with a bachelor in science in Health Science.
She resides in Crozet with her husband Jamie, son Ben, daughter Ava, dogs Meg and Yeti, bearded dragon Cutie, and leopard gecko Bossk. In her spare time, Pam loves to go on vacation with her family.
Maureen "Moe" Ewing // Veterinary Assistant
Maureen "Moe" Ewing // Veterinary Assistant
Moe is originally from Rome, Georgia but considers herself a transplant local. She recently decided to change her career and work with animals which has always been a long-term passion of hers. In her spare time Moe works as a pyrotechnician and has helped put on the 4th of July firework show in Charlottesville for the past 14 years.
Moe has 2 pit mixes, Emma and Luna, as well as a tortoise, Jet. She also has one cat named Dat because he acts more like a dog than a cat.
Jade Herring // Veterinary Assistant
Jade Herring // Veterinary Assistant
Born and raised in the Crozet community, Jade joined the AWC family after graduating from Western Albemarle High School. She has always had a deep love for animals and a passion for caring for others. Even as a kindergartner, Jade's affection for animals shone through—she performed tricks with her beloved puppy, Jinx, at the school talent show to demonstrate why dogs are better than brothers.
Jade now lives in the White Hall area with her family and her beloved beagle, Diesel.
Shani Alexander // Veterinary Assistant
Shani Alexander // Veterinary Assistant
Born and raised in Charlottesville, Shani has always held a strong passion surrounding the care for animals. From having dogs and cats, to guinea pigs, rats, mice and rabbits, there is not a species that she doesn't admire.
After graduating from Virginia Tech in 2021 with a major in Animal Science Pre-Vet and minor in psychology, she pursued a career in veterinary medicine as a veterinary assistant and has plans to further her education and become a licensed veterinary technician. In her free time, she enjoys reading, video games, outdoor activities and spending time with her cat, BW, and her Goldendoodle, Kylah.
Kylee Davis // Veterinary Assistant
Kylee Davis // Veterinary Assistant
Kylee has been passionate about animals from a young age and always knew she was destined for a career in veterinary medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from James Madison University in December 2024. Outside of work, Kylee enjoys playing video games and working on cars, especially her beloved Integra, which she proudly showcases at car shows. She currently resides in Verona with her two cats, a dog, a bearded dragon, and a rabbit.
Claire Kehoe // Veterinary Assistant
Claire Kehoe // Veterinary Assistant
Originally from Richmond, Claire is a lifelong animal lover and has wanted to work in the veterinary field since middle school. She currently attends the University of Virginia where she is majoring in mathematics with a biology minor on the pre-vet track. After finishing her degree, Claire aspires to attend veterinary school. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, volunteering with horses, and anything in the outdoors.
Hannah Parrish // Veterinary Assistant
Hannah Parrish // Veterinary Assistant
Hannah was born and raised in the small town of Staunton, Virginia. Animals have always had an impact on her life and a huge spot in her heart. Her beloved rescue cat, Jinx, has inspired her to help out with the stray cat population in surrounding areas around her, leaving her with 4 kitties of her own. She plans on pursuing her career in veterinary medicine and furthering education to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) in the future. Besides spending time with furry friends, Hannah enjoys trying new restaurants with friends and traveling as much as possible.
Alexandra Gross // Veterinary Assistant
Alexandra Gross // Veterinary Assistant
A Floridian at heart, Alexa joined the AWC family in October of 2023 after moving to Charlottesville in Fall '22. She is currently a student at the University of Virginia and is pursuing a Bachelor's of Science in Biology with a concentration in Ecological Conservation on the pre-veterinary track. Back home in Tampa, Alexa annually attended zoo summer camp which is where her love for animals blossomed. She has aspirations of becoming an exotics veterinarian and hopes to care for creatures great and small.
Lisa McEwan // Receptionist
Lisa McEwan // Receptionist
Lisa chose to stay in Charlottesville after completing a degree in economics at UVA. She ran her own business, HotCakes, for many years but is now happy to be among the warm, caring staff at Animal Wellness Center and seeing some of her former customers herE with their animal family.
Ayana Alexander // Receptionist
Page Smith // Receptionist
Page Smith // Receptionist
Page is our receptionist who joined the AWC team in 2013. She is originally from Norfolk, Virginia and relocated to the Charlottesville area in 2006.
Page is a retired Licensed Practical Nurse living in Crozet with her husband, Bud, and their three rescued pups, Benny, Pixie and Stella. Other than spending time with family, friends, and her dogs, Page enjoys horseback riding, garden design, and reading.