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 4 lovely dogs - Harley, Charlie, Lea, and Lucky.  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

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.

Chelsea DeCaro,
​ CVT

Chelsea grew up in Rye, NY.  She received her Bachelors of Science in Animal Science from the University of Vermont in 2012 and received her degree in Veterinary Technology from Northwestern Connecticut Community College in May 2015.  She enjoys time spent at home with her cat, Simon and in her free time loves to explore and hike in Vermont. Chelsea joined EVC in June 2015.

Jess Shangraw,
​CVT

Jess began working in veterinary medicine in 2008 while attending school. She is a 2010 graduate of Vermont Technical College with an AAS in Veterinary Technology. Her love of the outdoors and the mountains took her to Colorado for a few years of adventure but home will always be the Green Mountains...In her spare time she enjoys hiking, biking camping, traveling and spending time with her adventure buddy and best friend dog Taio.

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, ​​as well as a spaniel-mix named Maisel. 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 is a neuroscience major at the University of Vermont who grew up in 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 sophomore Animal Science major with a focus on pre-veterinary medicine. In Sophie's free time she enjoys skiing, hiking, riding horses,  scuba diving, and hanging with her pups Bentley and Bounce. Sophie also has two awesome Leopard Geckos, Dennis and Kevin, whom she loves very much! Sophie joined EVC in September 2018. 

Alyssa Hilliker,
Veterinary Assistant
Alyssa grew up in Northern Vermont. She is currently a pre-veterinary student at the University of Vermont. In her free time she enjoys playing tennis, hiking and traveling. Alyssa also has an awesome cat named Ozzy, pictured above! Alyssa joined EVC in September 2018.