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Our Team

Our caring and compassionate veterinary care team!

Meet the Veterinarians & Team of PawSteps Veterinary Center in Whitinsville, MA! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!

Please call us at 508-234-9987 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members!

Practice Managers

Kelly Wilson

Hospital Administrator

Hello! My name is Kelly and I joined PawSteps Family in May 2016. I started volunteering at my local animal shelter in South Carolina, as a kennel assistant, at the age of 15 years old. I gained enough experience to get my first job at a local animal clinic, that opportunity led me on this incredible journey into Veterinary Medicine. I had the honor of being trained by South Carolina and Georgia's top Veterinarians and Technicians. After many years of training, hard work, and dedication, I became lead technician at a 24/7 Emergency Hospital in Johns Creek Georgia. Going on to become Head Surgical Technician and Manager for two other hospitals in Atlanta, Georgia.
After being a Veterinarian Technician for 15 years, I elected to focus on Practice Management for my next adventure in my career. I am grateful to Jeanne Pennell, who took me under her wing and showed me how to be the best Practice Manager for PawSteps Veterinary Center.

I split my time between New England and Florida with my husband, Matthew and our two beautiful sons, Theodore and Henry. My family and I are Disney Fanatics, so much so that we bought a home 15 minutes from Disney. When we aren't jet setting around Disney, we spend our time going to consignment/antique shops and traveling to our vacation home in the Bahamas.

Jillian Jaena, CVT

Clinical Services Director

Jillian's my name, veterinary medicine and crafting are my games. I fell down the rabbit hole into the wondrous world of PawSteps while attending the New England Institute of technology for my technician degree. Through my superhero Vet Tech training at school I was able to defeat the national vet tech exam and become a certified vet tech in 2015. With lots of hard work and my newly acquired superpowers in caring, head rubbing and healing, I was promoted to Lead Vet Tech. From there I perfected these skills even further, enhancing and focusing my power while helping and leading my fellow avengers. I was able to earn the title of Clinical Services Manager along with Kelly to bask in all things technician and patient related. I also occasionally venture into the world of exotic medicine where I can to play with scaly and feathery friends.
I return to my lair covered in hair in Bellingham to power up with my side kick John, our beautiful daughter and our 4 teenage mutant ninja cats Oscar, Rosco, Sansa and Mickey Moo Mantle Mellon. We recently added two new superheros in training – canine siblings Jack jack and Lucy – lou. When I'm not donning my surgical mask and my ick-resistant suit of arms I can be found immersed in the world of crafting. There I revitalize my mind and spirit crafting goods for my lair and for my fellow superheros. Or you may find John and I incognito relaxing on our boat or cruising on the bike!

Administration

Adrienne O'Rourke

Customer Service Supervisor

We welcomed Adrienne to PawSteps in November, 2014 as a customer service representative who brought to this position extensive experience in the health care environment. She lives in Northbridge with her dog Triple and cat Pearl. She has two sons, Chris and Dan. Adrienne is an avid runner and has completed 4 Boston Marathons. She is also active in Cross-Fit where she loves to participate in competitions for fundraisers for local charitable organizations. Adrienne consistently receives recognition for the most punctual and professionally attired member of the staff.

Lisa Ahern

Client Service Representative

HI, I'm Lisa. I joined PawSteps in 2022. I am very happy to serve the community that I love and raised my two sons in. I currently live in Uxbridge with my husband. I grew up in Bellingham, MA where I met my husband of almost 30 years. I have always been involved in my community from PTO, Boy Scouts of America and helping out at the local food pantry. I am excited to be here at PawSteps to be actively involved in your pets health care program.
When I am not working you can find me hiking in the White mountains in New Hampshire or running off to NYC to enjoy a Broadway show. I am excited to be a member of the PawSteps family and look forward to serving you and your pets needs.

Jeanne Pennell

Customer Service Representative

I have returned! I rejoined PawSteps Veterinary Center in January 2023 after a few years of working in veterinary emergency medicine and another small animal practice in South Carolina. As many of you will recall, I was a fixture at PawSteps for 11 years, after which I accepted a position with Tufts V.E.T.S. in Walpole as an Emergency and Critical Care Client Liaison. In the spring of 2021 my husband Bob and I made the decision to leave the cold and snow behind and build a home in North Carolina, which was completed in January 2022. At the request of the wonderful Practice Manager, Kelly, I was happy to rejoin PawSteps Veterinary Center and become a remote Customer Service Representative. I graduated from Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration a very long time ago and have been working in various roles in veterinary medicine since 2004. In my new role, I love helping the front desk with all forms of communication with our wonderful clients, including callbacks, confirmation calls, and troubleshooting any concerns that arise.

Bob and I live in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, a mere 10 minutes away from two beautiful beaches and we share our home with our beautiful cat Sophie, who was rescued from a hoarding situation but is now thriving. We are the proud parents of a daughter Erin, who resides in Massachusetts with her fiance Nick, along with our very vocal hound mix Mitzi. When not working, we enjoy hiking some of the local trails, trying out new restaurants, and going to the beach as often as we can to read our books and admire the calming waves.

Technical Staff

Molly Riordan

Lead CVT

I joined the Pawsteps team in August 2016 to pursue further training in the veterinary field. I earned my Bachelor's degree in Biology from Clark University in Worcester, MA spending that time shadowing both veterinarians and technicians trying to decide which path I wanted to take. I decided that becoming a tech was the right move and continued my education at New England Institute of Technology. I enrolled in their Associates degree program in October 2016 and completed the program in March 2018. After a long summer with my head buried in studies, I officially became a certified tech in July 2018
I currently live in West Boylston, MA with my husband, Jay, and our three cats, Moxxi, Fluff and Gus-Gus. In my free time I enjoy CrossFit, hiking, motorcycle rides with Jay, running Marathons, and Caribbean cruises with my family whenever we get the chance.

Molly Burgess

CVT

Hi! My name is Molly and I joined the PawSteps team in November 2021. I've had a passion for animals since I was a kid. When I was 18 I started working as a kennel attendant in a veterinary hospital and grew to love the role of the veterinary technician. From there I decided to pursue a career in the veterinary field. I earned my degree at Massasoit Community College in 2019 and became a certified technician later that year. I live in Burriville, RI with my husband, James, and At home one sweet pup named Charlotte who is a rescue from Alabama and is now the most spoiled dog. When I'm not working I can be found photographing weddings, hiking with my dog, and camping.

Lindsey Baron

Veterinary Technician Assistant

Hi! I'm Lindsey! I joined the PawSteps family in September 2021. I have always had a passion for animals. When I was 18 I decided to start volunteering at my local animal rescue and since then I've worked as a kennel attendant, dog trainer and vet assistant. For a year I worked at an Emergency veterinary clinic until I had my son in April. I decided to go to private practice and that's where I found PawSteps. I have three fur babies Marnie, Harper and Nala. When I am not working I like to go hiking, do yoga and spend time with my family.

Ericka Mardirosian

CVT

Hello! My name is Ericka and I joined PawSteps in July 2021. I have been
studying at the University of Massachusetts Amherst for a Bachelor’s Degree in
Veterinary Technology and will be graduating in 2023. I have had a big passion for
animals ever since I was a little girl. I love working with small animals as well as
horses and cows. So far I have loved my time at PawSteps as everyone has been so
welcoming and I enjoy being able to help animals. When I’m not working, I love
to go horseback riding! I own two amazing cats, Snicker and Rocky, two adorable
dogs, Briggs and Penny, and my new horse, Remi, who I recently bought after the
loss of my horse, Whim. She was a big part of my life growing up and is actually
why I decided to pursue a career in veterinary technology.

Olivia Wilson

CVT

Hi! My name is Olivia, I joined the PawSteps team in July 2021. I am currently working towards my Bachelor’s degree at University of Massachusetts Amherst and will be graduating in 2023 with a major in Veterinary Technology. I’ve had a major passion for animals ever since I was a child, owning pets ranging from leopard geckos to hamsters. I currently have three dogs whom I love - named Luna, Ruby, and Finnegan. When I’m not working I like to spend my time fishing, grabbing food with friends, and snowboarding during the winter months. I’m very excited to be a part of the PawSteps team, and cannot wait to further my career in the veterinary field once I graduate!

Stephanie Massey

Veterinary Technician Assistant

Hello! My name is Stephanie and I joined the PawSteps team in June 2021. I currently go to school at the University of Rhode Island and have been studying Animal Science and PreVet. I will be graduating in the class of 2024 and hope to further my education and pursue a career in veterinary medicine. I have a big passion for animals and have since I was a child. Through working at PawSteps I have learned so much more about working with animals. In my free time I enjoy traveling to new places with my friends, along with going on hikes with my dog Mya. I rescued Mya from Aruba; she is an Aruban Cunucu. I am so glad to be a part of the PawSteps team!

Alison Sawyer

Veterinary Technician Assistant

Hi, I’m Alison! I’ve officially worked with PawSteps since September 2022. Like many of my coworkers, I’ve grown up with an affinity to animals big and small - from dreaming of working with elephants to saving the earthworms after a storm. I’ve been fortunate to grow up taking care of dogs, guinea pigs, my beloved college betta fish named Chandler, and my current sweet kitty companion, Merlot.
Having always had an interest in science and medicine, I applied to and attended a vocational high school, BVT. After becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant my junior year, I went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Biomedical Science at Quinnipiac University. After working as a CNA throughout college and the pandemic, I was excited to learn about veterinary medicine! It is wonderful working alongside a team of individuals equally passionate and incredibly dedicated to the wellbeing of both pets and their owners.