Our Team

Debbi Brown, CVPM, FFCP

Hospital Administrator, Fear-Free Certified Professional

Debbi has been an integral part of our team since 2003, starting as the assistant practice manager and eventually moving into the role of Hospital Administrator. Her journey began in Hagerstown, where she moved at the age of 13 and later graduated from North Hagerstown High. Seeking new experiences, she relocated to Florida, where she lived for 11 years before returning to her roots and joining our clinic. Debbi's academic achievements include a Certificate in Veterinary Hospital Management from St. Petersburg College, and successfully earned her CVPM in 2008.

At home, Debbi’s life is filled with the antics of her delightful furry family. She shares her heart with Finley, a gentle Great Dane who is cautious by nature; Murphy, a spoiled German wire-haired pointer mix who is utterly devoted to her; Luna, a regal long-haired Dachshund mix who rules the roost; and Jaxon, a Flemish giant rabbit with a personality as large as his breed suggests.

When not managing our busy practice, Debbi spends her time with her husband and two children. She is an avid reader with a particular fondness for science fiction and the suspenseful worlds of Stephen King. Her balanced dedication to both her family and professional life makes her a beloved member of our team and community.

Erin Mills, RVT, Elite FFCP

Practice Manager, Elite Fear-Free Certified Professional

Since joining our team in 1998, Erin has been a integral part of our practice. She graduated from Frostburg State University with a degree in Biology and soon became a Registered Veterinary Technician. Erin's career trajectory saw her excel as our Lead Surgery Technician before she ventured into management, initially taking on the role of Marketing Manager and eventually Practice Manager.

At home, Erin is a devoted mom to her two dogs, Canon, a lively boxer mix, and Kensi, a gentle mixed breed. The trio enjoys embarking on adventures, from scenic hikes to leisurely car rides, embracing the great outdoors whenever possible.

Outside the office, Erin pursues her passions for photography and a genuine enthusiasm for gardening. Whether she's behind the camera or tending to her garden, Erin's love for the outdoors is evident. 

Linda Nichols, FFCP

Customer Service Representative, Fear-Free Certified Professional

Hailing from Kensington, Linda has brought a wealth of joy and fun to our team since joining us in 2000. Growing up, she has always shared her life with dogs, a tradition she continues with the newest member of her family a golden retriever named Cooper. When Linda isn't assisting pet parents as a CSR, she finds joy in her hobbies of gardening, cooking delicious meals, and taking walks with Cooper. With her compassionate nature and unwavering dedication, Linda embodies the spirit of care and kindness that defines our clinic's mission.

Denise McConnell, FFCP

Pharmacy Specialist, Fear-Free Certified Professional

Hailing from York, Pennsylvania, Denise became a part of our team in 2015, starting as a Customer Service Representative and evolving into our esteemed pharmacy specialist. Her journey with animals began with her first dog, Hagen, a German short-haired pointer who sparked her enduring love for the breed.

Today, Denise is the proud mom to two German short-hairs, Hemey and Gabby. Hemey is the life of the party, loving his swims and social outings at doggie daycare, while Gabby is the sweetheart of the family, known for her cuddles and quirky aversion to birds.

Away from work, Denise's passions extend to spending quality time with her dogs and family. She also has a knack for uncovering gems at yard sales and flea markets, where she adds unique finds to her collection. Denise's blend of professional expertise and personal warmth makes her a cherished member of our team and community.

Kayla Hawbaker, FFCP

Customer Service Representative, Fear-Free Certified Professional

Kayla became a member of the Animal Health Clinic Clinic Family in 2022, bringing her warmth and dedication to our team. Alongside her role as CSR, Kayla finds immense pride in being a devoted mother of five. Her family also extends to include two beloved canine companions, a Bulldog mix and a Yorkie mix, who enrich her life with their playful antics and unwavering loyalty. As both a caregiver and a pet parent, Kayla exemplifies compassion and commitment in every aspect of her life, making her an invaluable addition to our clinic family.

Lauren Smith, Elite FFCP

Customer Service Representative, Elite Fear-Free Certified Professional

A native of Smithburg, Lauren always knew she wanted to help animals in any way she could. She got her start at a local shelter and in taking every agriculture class she could in high school. Over the years it became clear to her that animal welfare was her passion. This particularly hit home one night when a stray dog came to her house in a snowstorm. Her family adopted the dog and Lauren understood then and there that she would devote her working life to the health and happiness of pets.

She currently cares for four dogs, five peacocks, five ducks, and three chickens. Hoosier is the youngest of the family and loves to be with his humans all the time. Gunner and Roxi are his parents. Roxi enjoys cuddling and all three just have fun playing with toys and each other. Sadie hides in the blankets to get away from her siblings and the birds roam free throughout the day so that when night comes, they’re ready to go in their cage and store energy up for the next day.

In her free time, Lauren likes to spend time with her husband and son. Together, they take the dogs for long walks in parks, battlefields, and abandoned places.

Megan Connors, RVT, FFCP

Lead Surgery Technician, Fear-Free Certified Professional

A native of Clear Spring and a graduate of Pittsburgh’s Vet Tech Institute, Megan did her externship here at our clinic in 2013. She then moved with her husband to South Dakota and worked as a vet tech there for six years. When she returned to Maryland, she rejoined our team in 2018.

Megan is proud cat mom to Buttercup, a domestic shorthair tortoiseshell who helped her get through the many challenges of moving 1,000 miles away from her family and friends as well as her husband’s deployment and becoming a mom and so much more. She also has two dogs – a black lab named Gunner who’s basically her shadow and a yellow lab named Gage that she got when her husband was deployed. Being a Mom to two daughters takes up most of her free time, but when she does have some to spare for herself, Megan enjoys hunting, hiking, and crafting. She also loves photography.

Candi Dillman, FFCP

Veterinary Assistant/Team trainer, Fear-Free Certified Professional

Candi grew up primarily in Washington and Frederick counties where she took every ag and animal science class she could. From the young age of 10, she planned to be a veterinarian, but working in a shelter convinced her that she’d rather be a technician, taking care of and loving on as many animals as she possibly can. Candi joined out team in 2014.

At home,  Candi is also mama to quite a few Sulcata tortoises including Hulk (a social butterfly), Tori (friendly but less outgoing than Hulk), and Bebop (shy but loves to eat).

When she’s not working, Candi can be found anywhere animal-related: zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries – really anywhere she can see, feed, pet, and/or admire different kinds of animals. She’s a huge nature lover and could sit outside doing nothing for hours and be perfectly happy. She also likes to go to the beach and swim in her free time.

Terri McGhee, FFCP

Veterinary Assistant, Fear-Free Certified Professional

Terri was born in Virginia but has lived in many places, including Australia, and now calls Martinsburg, WV home.  She grew up with all kinds of animals in the house-snakes, turtles, fish, sugar gliders, cats and dogs.  There was never any doubt that Terri would work with animals in some way or another, and has been doing just that since 2005, and joined our team in 2013.

Terri has 2 cats: Loki who loves food and being on anyone’s lap and Athena, who loves people but can still be shy at times.

When Terri isn’t working, she likes to paint, hike and camp— pretty much anything outdoors with her family.

Alison Dzienis, RVT, FFCP

Registered Veterinary Technician, Fear-Free Certified Professional

Ali’s grew up in Pennsylvania with a diverse array of animals, from dogs and cats to horses and ferrets, fostering her deep love for all creatures great and small. Her passion for animal care led her to the Vet Tech Institute in Pittsburgh, where she not only gained invaluable skills but also met her future husband. After graduating, the couple moved to West Virginia, got married, and have since welcomed a son into their family.

Their household is filled with their beloved pets: two cats, Lego and Oliver; a Bernese Mountain Dog, Goose; and a Labrador Retriever, named Maverick. Ali and her husband cherish their time outdoors, often found waterskiing on the river or simply enjoying nature’s splendor with their family.

Ali joined our team in 2021, and her expertise and passion have been invaluable assets to our clinic. 

Heather Sgaggero, FFCP

Veterinary Assistant, Fear-Free Certified Professional

Heather has been a valued member of our team since her high school days when she started as a kennel assistant. With a deep-rooted passion for animal care, she furthered her education through Texas’s Distance Education Veterinary Technician Program, earning her certification as a Small Animal Veterinary Technician Assistant. Although she once considered a career in veterinary medicine and has experience in management, heather found her true calling in the nursing and patient care aspects of the veterinary field.

Residing in Clear Spring with her husband and son, Heather is the proud pet parent to Kona, a handsome black shepherd/lab mix, and Maggie, a loving Golden Retriever. Outside of work, she enjoys embracing the great outdoors through camping and hiking, cultivating her garden, and cherishing time spent with her family. Heather's commitment to animal welfare and her nurturing approach make her an indispensable part of our tech team.

Katie Holcomb, RVT, FFCP

Registered Veterinary Technician, Fear-Free Certified Professional

Katie, a Frederick County native, has always cherished her connections with animals. Starting her career at a boarding kennel in 2004, her desire to deepen her understanding of animal care led her to become a veterinary assistant and customer service representative, culminating in earning her veterinary technician credentials from Penn Foster. Katie joined our team in 2021 and has been an integral part of our family ever since. At home, she is mom to two mischievous fluffy cats, Fat and Munch, and a spirited Chihuahua named Daisy. Katie’s passions extend to live music, traveling and trying new foods, gardening, and spending time with her son.

Sidney Williams, FFCP

Veterinary Assistant, Fear-Free Certified Professional

Sidney grew up in Northern Virginia (Sterling/Ashburn) and graduated from Martinsburg High School after moving to West Virginia. From a very young age, she loved animals and was fascinated by animal documentaries. She would draw animals or read anything about them. She is studying for a bachelor’s degree in natural science through American Public University and hopes to go to vet school one day. Sidney joined AHCF in 2022 after moving to the Hagerstown, MD, area. She shares her home with a 4-year-old Rottweiler named Layla, who is a cuddle bug and a very sweet baby that carries and sleeps with a little red pig every day.

Kelsey Moore, FFCP

Technician's Assistant, Fear-Free Certified Professional

A Boonsboro native, Kelsey's love for animals has been a lifelong passion. After graduating in 2019, she pursued this interest more formally by enrolling in veterinary assistant courses at HCC in 2020 before joining our team in 2022. Kelsey brings her dedication and love for animal care to her technician's assistant role in our clinic.

When she’s not busy caring for pets at the clinic, Kelsey has a diverse array of hobbies. She enjoys tending to her garden, playing her guitar, delving into a good book, and spending time outside reconnecting with nature.