Meet Our Team

Our ability to deliver outstanding service to our clients and their pets starts with our dedicated team. Here you will find a little info on the receptionists, veterinary nurses and veterinary assistants that help to keep Essex Veterinary Center in tip-top shape. 

Jessica Stuart, CVT,
​Practice Manager

Jess is a Certified Veterinary Nurse who graduated from Vermont Technical college in 2000 and has been working with small animals and exotics since graduation. Her interests include any outdoor activities, playing soccer, running, horses, and participating in obstacle races. Jess joined the Essex Vet family in November 2003, and became our practice manager in 2011.

Carol Mitchell,
​Client Services

Carol lives in Essex, VT with her husband Peter.  She has a full house with her 2 lovely dogs - Harley and Lea.  Carol was a client of Essex Veterinary Center for several years before she joined the team. Carol joined EVC in February 2012.

Stephanie Forando, Client Services

Stephanie is a Vermont native who currently lives in Essex with her husband, Ryan and sons, Liam and Aydan.  They have an adorable bobtail cat named Hank, and a dorkie, Millie.  Stephanie enjoys camping, kayaking, and spending time with her family and friends! Steph joined the practice in December 2013. 

Lindsay Bumps,
​CVT

Kali Bellerose,
CVT
Lindsay graduated in 2006 from Vermont Technical College with an Associate's Degree in Veterinary Technology.  She is a certified technician in Vermont.  Lindsay has experience in small and large animal medicine with special interests in imaging and emergency medicine.  Her hobbies include horseback riding, traveling, shopping, and ice hockey. She works for us part time and does marketing for Ben & Jerry's (yum!). Lindsay joined EVC in January 2010.
Kali graduated with an Associates of Science from the University of New Hampshire's program for Applied Veterinary Technology in May 2020.  Before returning to EVC full time in June 2020, Kali had interned with us in January 2020 for her Associates program. When not at EVC Kali likes to spend time at the beach, as well as time with her family, friends and of course, her black lab, Xena and crested gecko named Norbert!

Skye Elkins, 
​Veterinary Assistant 

Skye graduated from the University of Vermont in December 2017 with a B.S. in Animal and Veterinary Science. Skye has experience in both small and large animal practice, but has a special interest in exotic animal medicine. She has a ball python, Hubble, a terrier-mix Stormy, ​​ a spaniel-mix named Mai and a pair of Budgies. When not at EVC Skye spends her free time hiking with her dogs in the beautiful Green Mountains. Skye joined EVC in January 2016.

​Dina Alter,
​Veterinary Assistant

Dina graduated from University of Vermont  with a B.S. in Neuroscience in 2020, but is originally from New Jersey.  She has worked with animals in a variety of settings from dairy farms to wildlife rehabilitation centers.  She enjoys spending time with her variety of animals.  She also enjoys gardening and spending time with friends (when she isn't studying). Dina joined the Essex Veterinary Center family in November 2016, had a brief venture to Virginia from July 2017 and returned in January 2018. 

Sophie Loughran, 
Veterinary Assistant

Sophie is a senior Animal Science major with a focus on pre-veterinary medicine. In Sophie's free time she enjoys skiing, hiking, riding horses, and hanging with her pups Bentley and Hobbes. Sophie also has two awesome Leopard Geckos, Dennis and Kevin, whom she loves very much! Sophie joined EVC in September 2018. 

Krista Yergeau,
​Veterinary Assistant 

Krista graduated from Lyndon State college in 2013 with a bachelors in business. She then began working with dogs at various daycare, boarding, training, and grooming facilities. After 5 years in the field, she began her education at Penn Foster where she currently majors in veterinary technology. She enjoys working with aggressive dogs and reptiles. Her hobbies include motocross, snowboarding, kayaking, hiking, and visiting the local breweries. Krista also has four dogs, Jada, Otto, Jack, and Ozzy. And two crested geckos, Bartholomew and Ida. 

Clare O'Connor,
​Veterinary Assistant 

Clare graduated from the University of West of England in 2016 with BSc (Hons) in Equine Science. She then went on to certify as an Equine Dental Technician with the International Association of Equine Dentistry and Academy of Equine Dentistry in Idaho, and is currently in her final year of a Masters in Animal Science online at the University of Edinburgh. In her spare time, Clare volunteers to train service dogs with a local charity and enjoys outdoor sports, such as skiing, hiking and horse riding. Clare currently is training a black lab service dog in training called Gem. She joined the EVC family in January 2020. 

Alessandra Michaelides, Veterinary Assistant 

Alessandra is a freshman Animal Science major on the pre-veterinary track at the University of Vermont.  When not at EVC, she enjoys hiking, running, reading, and spending time outside with her chickens.  Alessandra interned at EVC during the spring of 2019, and returned to join the team in February 2020.