Central Veterinary Center Staff
Practice Manager
Melissa Brennan, Practice Manager
Melissa has been a full-time member of our team since July of 2016. As a veterinary technician and trainer, her job responsibilities included drawing blood, monitoring anesthesia, restraining, and placing IV catheters. In 2023, she was promoted to practice manager to help us better serve our clients and their pets!
“We are a very close group, and it makes our long, 12-hour shifts much easier.”
Melissa has three dogs: a 15-year-old pug named Gizmo, an eight-year-old Lab mix named Kaiya, and four-year-old Pitbull named Gunner. In her free time, she loves fishing and spending time with her family.
Veterinary Technicians
Brittany Koenig, Certified Veterinary Technician
Certified Veterinary Technician Brittany Koenig joined the team at Central Veterinary Center in March 2017. Brittany earned her Associate degree in Veterinary Technology and is a certified veterinary technician in the state of Pennsylvania.
At home, Brittany has a 17-year-old beagle/lab mix named Buddy, a 7-year-old boxer named Kayla, a 4-year-old pit bull named Gracie, two 7-year-old cats named Bella and Jacob, and a 3-year-old mutt named Roxy. Outside of the hospital, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, working out, watching movies and listening to music.
Kim Harkins, Veterinary Technician
Veterinary Technician, Kim Harkins, is a contributing force to the community atmosphere here at Central Veterinary Center. Kim’s favorite part about working with us is being able to talk to and interact with our amazing clients and their fantastic pets. Some of her responsibilities as a Veterinary Technician include providing vaccinations to patients, running tests and lab work, aiding with patient evaluation, helping with patient intake, and much more!
Prior to joining our team here at Central Veterinary Center in October of 2018, Kim had been working in the animal related field for over 8 years. She has experience as a Farm Hand, a Veterinary Technician, and as a Large Animal Technician. All animals, big and small, Kim loves to provide care for and be around.
“I like working at Central Veterinary Center because it is a busy practice where there is always something new to learn,” Kim says. “Everyone that comes in is great to talk to.”
Away from the hospital, Kim enjoys spending her time going for hikes, playing softball, and clay shooting. At home, Kim owns a “magical mutt” named Colt, whom she adores deeply.
Madison McAllister, Veterinary Technician
Madison McAllister joined the veterinary technician staff at Central Veterinary Center in January 2017. She earned her Associate degree in Veterinary Technology from Manor College and is currently studying to take the veterinary technician national exam. While at Manor College, she was the captain of the horse care team, as well as a volunteer at Home at Last Dog Rescue.
“I’m really excited to work at Central Veterinary Center given that I’ve taken my pets here for many years and know what a warm, friendly environment with such great staff is here,” Madison says. “I can’t wait to further my knowledge and become a better veterinary technician!”
At home, Madison has two 1-year-old domestic shorthair cats named Penny and Oliver. In her free time, she enjoys road trips to new places, watching the Philadelphia Phillies and going to the beach.
Sue Twitty, Certified Veterinary Technician - Technical Nursing Supervisor/Physical Therapist
Sue has been working part-time with our team at Central Veterinary Center since October of 2021. With an associate degree in Veterinary Nursing and over 30 years in animal-related fields, Sue has prior experience in rehab, generating home exercise plans, underwater treadmill use, laser, pain medications, and supplements. She utilizes her ample skills and experience to provide the best patient care and rehabilitation possible for your furry loved ones!
Sue has three dogs named Lincoln, MN, and Quinn. She also has five cats named Teala, Bella, Lucy, Oliver, and Mia.
Christina Messina, Veterinary Technician
Christine has joined our team in February 2024 as our Veterinary Technician, and we are so grateful to have her! Her responsibilities include client education, medical history attention, patient restraint, fluid collection, injection assistance, and more. Her ability to be calm in stressful situations and helping whenever needed makes her a wonderful asset to our team.
Our friendly staff is one of the many reasons Christine loves working here. "Everyone is easy to talk to and it feels family oriented," she shares.
Christine is a proud homebody and loves spending time with her Blue Nose Pit mix, Storm and listening to music.
Veterinary Assistants
Sabrena Smith, Veterinary Assistant
Her first animal related job, Sabrena Smith began working at Central Veterinary Center as a veterinary assistant in June 2018. She’s currently enrolled in Penn Foster Career School for a veterinary technician degree. At home Sabrena has one dog named Caliber whose an English pointer and two cats, Luna a black cat and Toby a white and black cat. When she’s not helping clients and pets, she enjoys watching football and fishing.
Kylee Lucenti, Veterinary Assistant
Full-time Veterinary Nurse & Assistant Kylee Lucenti joined our team June 29th, 2020. She helps during exams and assists in surgeries. Kylee is so passionate about veterinary care and is wonderful with our patients. She is skilled at communicating with clients and helps to educate them on proper pet care and how to administer medications at home. We truly appreciate her clear communication skills and her patience when working with our furry friends.
Due to her experience working at a shelter previously, Kylee knows how to work with our more anxious or fearful patients. Before joining the team here at Central Veterinary Center, Kylee worked at the Humane Association from June 2017-May 2020, Fix Charleston from June 2017-2020, and Timber Ridge Farm from May 2017-June 2017. She is also currently in school to become a Surgical Technician.
At home, Kylee is the pet parent to several adorable animals! Bentley is a 3-year-old Basset/Beagle mix, Taylor is a 3-year-old Basset/Lab mix, Maddie is an 8-year-old Pitbull mix, Piper is a 4-year-old Tortoise Shell, and Stache is a 2-year-old Tuxedo cat. In her free time, Kylee likes to go biking with her dogs, go hiking, paint, and crochet blankets.
Skylar Crowley, Veterinary Assistant
Veterinary Assistant Skylar Crowley joined the team at Central Veterinary Center in September 2021. Her favorite thing about working with us is taking care of all the animals and with an uncanny ability to calm down nervous pets. Skylar is currently going to school to get her certification and has spent nearly a year working with animals.
“...everyone is so lovely and welcoming and more than happy to help teach new things. I’m happy to be able to be part of the family.”
Skylar has three dogs and three cats and enjoys going on long walks with her dogs, going to sports games, and playing softball in her spare time.
Samantha Stopyra, Veterinary Assistant/Technician
Samantha has been a part-time member of our team since September of 2021. Her previous animal-related experience includes emergency assisting at VRC in 2018 and as a Banfield hospital assistant from 2020 to 2021. Personable and funny, her favorite part of the job is working with small dogs!
Samantha has a seven-year-old Maltese/Pomeranian named Cardi and six fish. When she’s not working, she loves focusing on her fitness.
Shannon Hebling, Veterinary Assistant
Shannon joined our team in June of 2023. Since 2020, she has been a kennel technician and veterinary receptionist.
She has a 13-year-old Papillon/Dachshund named Chase, a seven-year-old orange tabby named Junior, and a 20-year-old Domestic Shorthair cat named Precious.
In her free time, Shannon enjoys painting and drawing, baking, being with friends and family, detailing cars, taking her dog on car rides, and playing softball and volleyball.
Customer Service Representatives
Nicole Stewart, Client Services Representative - Manager
Known for her love and quality care of animals, Nicole has become a valued member of our team in June of 2022.
Having worked as a horse trainer for over 15 years previously, she has special knowledge of showing horses and helping people with their horses.
“I have balanced the roles of full-time educator/director in preschool and after 26 years, I’m looking for a new work setting. I would love to help pet families while utilizing the office skills I’ve learned.”
Nicole has a Jack Russell/Fox Terrier mix named Oscar and many other dogs and horses throughout the years. She loves spending her free time with her family and Oscar, enjoying the outdoors and going on walks.
Mackenzie Ridenour, Client Service Rep/Tech Assist
Mackenzie has been working in animal-related fields since she was 10, contributing to her extensive knowledge of large animals and clientele service. As a Client Service Rep who joined us in May of 2023, she represents the practice by greeting clients, answering phones, preparing patient records, and assisting with animals. She is currently enrolled in Delaware Valley University.
Mackenzie has three DSH cats named Shadow, Jasmine, and Whisker, and one dog named Charlie Brown. At home, she also has cattle and used to own a cow.
In her free time, she loves riding horses, showing dairy cattle and horses, reading, music, swimming, and being a pet mom.
Daniel Schwarz, Customer Service Representative
Joining us in October of 2023, Daniel’s previous ownership of a pet company along with his knowledge of computers and technology make him an indispensable part of our team as he handles payment processes, manages our social media accounts, assists with IT, and helps make our patients comfortable. Daniel loves watching our pet patients grow and maintain healthy, happy lives.
He attended Bucks County Community College and was the co-owner of Puppy Therapy and assisted with a teacup puppy store.
“I like this position because it offers growth and utilizes a few of my key strengths, which I enjoy doing for work.”
Danien has a five-year-old long-haired Chihuahua named Mocha and a 17-year-old Cockapoo named Toby. When he isn’t working, you can find him drawing, playing music, watching football, attending concerts and sporting events, seeing family, and playing with his niece and nephews!
Administrators
Bill C. Fikaris, Hospital Administrator
Central Veterinary Center is proud to introduce Bill C. Fikaris! Bill is a full-time Hospital Administrator here at our office. He is responsible for providing business management services and overseeing daily operations to ensure that everything runs smoothly in the clinic. When you and your pet come into our clinic for a visit, you can expect to be greeted by Bill! Bill joined our team in October of 2019 and brings us his 15 years of experience working in the veterinary care field. Before joining our team, Bill earned an Associates degree in Business Management as well as an Associates in Musical Theater.
As a Hospital Administrator, Bill focuses on being prepared when it comes to office planning and efficiency. His motto is that being proactive is always better than being reactive, and that crisis management cannot move a practice forward. We are so grateful for Bill’s ability to prepare for an issue before it becomes an issue.
At home, Bill has several pets of his own, including: Toby, an 11-year-old Chihuahua, Finn, a 9-year-old Bichon Frise, and Phoebe, a 9-month-old Havanese. Bill has also spent time showing Yorkies professionally. When asked why he enjoys working in the veterinary field, Bill said he enjoys working for small local clinics rather than corporate chains. This environment allows the staff to build personal relationships with clients and their pets. It also provides the reward of allowing the staff to see the improvement in the health of pets as treatment progresses. In his free time, Bill enjoys cooking, watching movies, and teaching. He is also a director of musical theater in the Southern NJ area.
