Shari
Practice Manager
Shari joined the PAWS family in July 2015. Her first job after retiring from the USAF was CSR/vet assistant at a small vet practice. She also worked as a shelter manager for about 13 years, before getting back into the vet tech role. From there, she worked her way into the role of practice manager. Shari loves the people she works with each day, and getting to see our patients and clients. Her role is a challenging one, but it is ultimately rewarding and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Outside of work, Shari has a wonderful family, with her daughter, grandson, and 2 granddaughters that she loves spending time with. She also has a Chihuahua named Mr. Glass, and a domestic shorthair named Nightmare. When she isn’t at work, Shari enjoys deck gardening with her granddaughter and playing cards with her friends and family.
Claire
Marketing & Well-Being Coordinator
Franklin
Floor Manager
Franklin entered the veterinary field in 2013. He started at the local humane society where he learned to work in the spay and neuter department, before later helping adoptable dogs and cats find loving homes. Franklin moved on to join the PAWS team as a technician shortly after its inception in 2015 and has enjoyed working here ever since.
As a child, Franklin spent much of his time outdoors, exploring the nearby woods and studying all manner of wildlife. His parents instilled and encouraged in him a love for animals, along with the desire to learn more and care for new and interesting pets. Franklin’s role at PAWS gives him the opportunity to see families reunited with pets that had serious medical journeys, which highlights the impact of his position and provides an emotional reward that makes all the hard work worth it.
Franklin shares his life with a Shih Tzu named Seymour (voted Most Handsome Face by PAWS Monthly). Outside of work, his hobbies include kayaking, hiking, and exploring (he hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2018).
Danielle
Veterinary Technician
Danielle joined the PAWS team in October 2019. Her favorite aspect of working at the practice is helping pets with emergency medical problems, and watching pets grow and enjoy healthy lives with their owners. An especially rewarding part of Danielle’s position is helping first-time pet owners understand the importance of veterinary care and answering their questions to set them up for success with their new family members. Danielle has lots of pets at home, including 25 chickens, 3 turkeys, 3 pot belly pigs, 4 dogs, and one snake. In her free time, she enjoys hunting, fishing, and cooking.
Drew
Veterinary Technician
Drew was working at an animal rescue when he discovered his love for caring for animals, but found his true passion when he began working at an animal hospital. There’s nothing he values more than witnessing the transformation of patients, as they go from discomfort to ease, thanks to the care they receive. The opportunity to support and heal pets, who can’t speak for themselves, is the most rewarding part of his work. Drew is happily married, and lives with his 4 year old son, 9 month old daughter, and many pets including 5 cats, 3 fish, 2 dogs, a rabbit, a turtle, and a frog. In his free time, he loves to spend time with his family and play Nintendo.
Edwin
Veterinary Technician
After growing up around animals on a family farm, developing a passion for animals came naturally to Edwin. After working in the veterinary industry for 16 years and becoming K-Laser certified, he continues to learn and strive to be the best veterinary technician he can be. He’s honored to get to do what he loves every day, which is providing the best possible care to his patients. Outside of work, Edwin lives with his wife and three rescued cats, Gracie, Cat Clawed Van Damme, and Geralt of Rivia. He enjoys playing video games, playing guitar, stargazing, and traveling.
Gwyn
Client Service Representative
When she was little, Gwyneth was told she was better with animals than she was people. Naturally, she gravitated toward veterinary medicine, becoming a veterinary technician in 2003. She has worked with both general and emergency practices and is interested in surgery and pharmaceutical management. She has been with PAWS since 2018. One of her favorite things about being at PAWS is feeling like an essential part of a team with an excellent message. She loves helping to educate our clients and seeing them take what they learn to heart for the benefit of their pets.
Gwyneth and her husband share their home with 5 cats (Sophie, Callie, and Callie’s offspring, Jimmy, Peeler, and Snook), and 2 dogs, Joe Cool (Jack Russell) and Artie (Border Collie mix). Outside of work, Gwyneth enjoys spending time with her family, and playing with her pets.
Heather
Client Service Representative & Veterinary Technician Assistant
Jessie
Vet Tech Assist / CSR
Jenn
Client Service Representative
Jennifer joined our team in 2020. She grew up working with horses, then moved from California to Maryland in early 2015. Since there were no working horse barns nearby, she applied to PAWS and the rest is history. She enjoys interacting with people and their pets each day, assisting clients to the best of her ability and getting to see our pet regulars.
Jennifer has a four-legged family member of her own, a goofball German Shepherd named Ryker. Her hobbies include AKC scent work training, trailing with Ryker, reading, and watching Marvel movies.
Leea
Client Service Representative
Leea graduated from North Carolina A & T State University with a BS in animal science, and she joined our team in 2021. She has always loved animals, but never had the chance to have a pet of her own. Leea started volunteering at the Humane Society and has been working with animals ever since; she loves greeting people and their pets when they walk in the door and helping to make their experience at PAWS as welcoming as possible.
Outside of work, Leea loves doing makeup, shopping, and traveling inside and outside the country when she has the opportunity.
Lisa
Veterinary Technician
Lisa has a master’s in wildlife rehabilitation and is certified to work with migratory birds, fawns, and other mammals. She enjoys working with a variety of domestic and wild animals, and has grown up with many types of animals since childhood. Lisa appreciates her fellow team members here at PAWS and loves getting to help both people and pets. Every day brings something interesting.
Lisa has 5 children, along with several dogs and cats, a horse, and a pigeon. She continues to be passionate about wildlife and educating others about wildlife, and spends much of her spare time helping at the local nature center, rehabilitating animals. She also trains dogs.
Mariah
Veterinary Technician
Mariah has been with us since 2018. She has always been interested in caring for animals, and enjoyed helping her grandfather on his farm when she was a child. Mariah loves the caring and collaborative environment we have here at PAWS, and particularly enjoys helping senior pets and seeing critical cases make a recovery here at our hospital.
At home, Mariah has 3 pets: a Siberian Husky named Piper, a Golden Retriever named Lucy, and a tabby cat named Preston. Her favorite things to do when she’s not at work include spending time outside, gardening, and rock climbing.
Marilyn
Veterinary Assistant
Marilyn grew up watching “Animal Planet” and became inspired to work in the veterinary field. With a degree in Animal Sciences, she loves getting to help clients with their furry family members. Marilyn has two cats, Neo and Astro, who are yin and yang to each other. In her free time, she plays piano, guitar, and sings in a rock band.
Shylah
Veterinary Technician/Marketing Liaison
Shylah has been with PAWS since March 2015. Her first pet was a snake her dad brought home. After that, she started working at the pet store, where she took care of a variety of exotic animals. While still working at the pet store, Shylah also began working in veterinary medicine. She has been in the veterinary field since 2000. Her favorite aspect of the job is getting to educate our clients on disease prevention so their pets can stay happy and healthy. At home, she has pets of her own: an exotic bully named Destiny, who was rescued by the vets at PAWS and presented with multiple genetic problems, including rectal prolapse, hip dysplasia and brachycephalic syndrome, and 2 rescued bearded dragons. Destiny has undergone several surgical procedures to improve her quality of life. Shylah also fosters kittens through St. Mary’s Animal Welfare League, and dogs through the Humane Society of Charles County.
In her spare time, Shylah loves going to the local parks with her 2 sons, and visiting the Humane Society to take pictures of adoptable pets to help them find homes.
Amber
Veterinary Technician
Growing up I always enjoyed caring for animals. My dad encouraged me to follow my passion and move forward in the veterinary Industry. In honor of my dad, I enrolled in college courses to become a licensed technician. I am proud to say I passed the VTNE and am a licensed technician.
One of my favorite things at PAWS is patient care. I love being a part of nursing a patient back to health, and ensuring they leave better than they came. I also enjoy educating and sharing my knowledge with pet parents as well as the technician assistants. I have really enjoyed increasing my knowledge in exotic pet care, as well as farm animal medicine.
I have 2 well behaved goof balls at home, they are Australian Shepherd girls named Sakura and Hanami. When not at work or playing with my dogs, I enjoy crocheting, painting nails, and trying out new places in the DMV area. I also enjoy watching all Ghibli films, but primarily Howls moving castle
