Our Team

Kelly Wilson

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 live in the North End of Rhode Island with my husband, Matthew, our two beautiful sons, Theodore and Henry, and our Teacup Chihuahua, Gynger. My family and I are Disney Fanatics, so we travel to Disneyland and Disney World as often as possible. 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

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 and our 4 teenage mutant ninja cats Buttons, Shea, 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!

Adrienne O'Rourke

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 Mendon with her husband, Tim, and her two sons, Chris and Dan. Adrienne recently opened up her home to rescue tri-pawd Triple – a spunky 1 year old mix breed. 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.

Travis Benoit

Hello everyone! My name is Travis Benoit and I am from Worcester, Massachusetts. I just recently received my Masters from the Manhattan School of Music in classical vocal performance. When I started working at PawSteps I was given a warm welcome by our amazing staff and taken quickly under their wing! I love animals and I am grateful to be working for such a great place like this. They really treat everyone here with respect and care and it shows in the way they treat your pets. A fun fact about me is that I played Varsity Collegiate Baseball in my undergrad. I look forward to meeting all of you and getting to know your pets!

Molly Riordan

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 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 two cats, Dallas and Moxxi. In my free time I enjoy CrossFit, hiking, motorcycle rides with Jay, and Caribbean cruises with my family whenever we get the chance.

Emily Mancini

Hi I’m Emily, and I joined the Pawsteps team officially in March 2020. However, I had previously interned at Pawsteps in 2019 as well as interning at an emergency hospital. Animals have always been my passion so I went to an agricultural high school and majored in vet studies. I then went on to gain my degree at New England Institute of Technology in Veterinary Technology. I truly enjoy working with anything with fur, feathers, or scales. I have worked at a couple doggy daycares so if I had to pick a favorite species to work with, it would be dogs. At home I have a very goofy dog of my own named Sunny whom I love spoiling in my free time. My goal at Pawsteps is to create a positive experience for our patients and help them to feel their best!

Ericka Mardirosian

Hello! My name is Ericka and I recently 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.

Kristen Nguyen

I joined the PawSteps family in August of 2018 and becoming part of this team has definitely changed my perspective of the veterinary field. Working at PawSteps hardly feels like “work” most days, but rather a daily opportunity to fuel my passion for veterinary medicine. I have been fascinated with animals since I was a child and it’s always been a dream to be able to help all animals in need. Over the past three years, I've had the privilege to work with many animal organizations and I hope in the near future to complete my education in veterinary school. My dream is to someday venture out and have the opportunity to work alongside exotic jungle animals. I now reside in Massachusetts with my boyfriend and our two goober dogs; my pitbull Kaiya, & my rottweiler Bubba. In our downtime when they are not roughhousing they snuggle right up with me like two little burritos.

Jonathan Goff

Hi! My name is Jonathan and I recently joined the amazing PawSteps team in June 2020. Although starting at PawSteps during the pandemic was quite a challenge, my fellow staff here has been nothing but kind and supportive in helping me pursue my passion of caring for animals. Previously, I received my bachelor’s degree in pre-veterinary science at UMass Amherst. Now, I currently attend Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and plan to receive my DVM in 2023. Although I absolutely love our furry friends at home, I also love wildlife of all shapes and sizes, (especially birds)! In the future, my ultimate goal is to become a veterinarian in both a small animal hospital and a wildlife hospital. Aside from school and work, I am a huge fan of hiking, swimming, singing, spending time with friends, photographing wildlife, and going to the beach. My pets at home are always there to keep me company after a long day, too. I have a sweet Rhodesian ridgeback named Sookie, a sassy quaker parrot named Larry, and two stunning poison dart frogs named Lani and Kai.

Ben Wasik

I joined PawSteps in July 2017 after graduating with a bachelor's degree in Biology from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. Originally from Chicago, I came to Massachusetts with a mix of past animal experience, including raptor and wildlife rehabilitation and working with hoof stock at a zoo. I am now enrolled in veterinary school at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and am set to graduate in 2023.

Currently I live in the Worcester area with my girlfriend, and have fallen in love with her family's adorably awkward cockapoo, Luna, and their sneaky orange kitten, Juno. When I'm not working at the clinic or studying, I enjoy whipping up new recipes, and as a self-identified bird-nerd, I love birding and exploring the outdoors!