Veterinarians
Debra M. Givin, D.V.M.
Dr. Debra Givin is a graduate of the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine and has been practicing in Maine since 1982. She is a member ofThe American Veterinary Medical Association
AVMA.org
The American Association of Feline Practitioners
CatVets.com
The Maine Veterinary Medical Association
MaineVetMed.org
Dr. Givin designed the logo for The Cat Doctor and then started this feline exclusive practice in 1988. Appreciation for this wonderful species has continued to grow over the years. Her current interests include behavior and individual feline temperament types, environmental enrichment and prevention of obesity, and finally the restoration of cats to the god-like status they held in ancient Egypt.
Dr. Givin has received instruction in the subtle art of Feline communication from Quicken, Bradlee and Fergie with whom she shares her home. She and her man Keith enjoy sea kayaking, golf, and cross country skiing. Watercolor painting, the tarot, tatting, photography, sewing period correct 1860's clothing and renovating their old house fill the remaining daylight hours.
Robert E. Wright, D.V.M.
Dr. Robert Wright is a graduate of the Atlantic Veterinary College, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Dr. Wright worked at The Cat Doctor during the summer of 1997. At that time he got to know the staff and developed a fascination with feline medicine. He joined the staff full time in May of 1998. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association AVMA.org, The American Association of Feline Practitioners CatVets.com, and The Maine Veterinary Medical Association MaineVetMed.org.Dr. Wright and his friend Vicki have discovered the joy of kayaking along the Maine coast. For Dr. Wright, an all-season, outdoor adventurer, this hobby fills much of his leisure time. Other passions include chess, digital photography, music, literature and small appliance repair.
Dr. Wright shares his home with Simon and Zoe, a pair of black and white short hair cats whom he met through work. Each was brought to the Cat Doctor by Animal Control with extensive injuries, and each found his/her way into his heart after extended hospital stays. A gallery of photographs of these special cats can be seen on the walls of his exam room at the hospital.
Deborah Britton, D.V.M.
Dr. Britton joined the staff in the Summer of 2005. She is a 1993 graduate of the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to attending veterinary school, Deborah earned a B.S. degree in Biology and a Masters degree in Molecular Biology. Dr. Britton is also a member of the AVMA, MVMA and AAFP.The Britton family returned to husband Alan's home state of Maine in 2004. Their four boys Ryan, Alex, Jack, and Eric gave up the sunny beaches of southern Florida for the snowy tranquillity of Maine.
Managing a household of 5 men keeps Deborah hopping, but she still finds time to enjoy reading and scrapbooking. She also enjoys getting together with girlfriends from all over the country. Deborah has lived in New York, Michigan, Texas, Florida and now we are all fortunate that she has settled in Maine.
Last but far from least the Britton household is graced by the reign of Kosmo a regal Somali. Kosmo graciously accepted two new family members: Koda, a sheltie, and Pickle, another Somali.
Business Manager
Tammy Bartlett, Business Manager
Tammy joined the staff of The Cat Doctor in 1997. Her educational background, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interior Design from Newbury College in Boston, and her previous work experience in the field of interior design make Tammy uniquely qualified to fullfill the responsibilities of her current position. Attention to detail, organizational skills, and appreciation of beauty and grace (traits with which cats are generously endowed), work well in these seemingly unrelated businesses.Shortly after beginning her employment at the Cat Doctor, Tammy met the two kittens, Methos and Truffle, who as grown cats now manage her home life. A third kitty, Emma joined the household a few years later.
Tammy is responsible for looking after the business side The Cat Doctor. She carries the burden of managing our finances in a manner that will allow us to pay our bills and keep our doors open. Balancing the books, keeping us on a budget, and dealing with all of the official paper work necessary for the management of a small business enterprise require her vigilant attention.
Over the past several years Tammy has spent her free time perfecting her skills in pottery. She now has a studio in her home
samples
Licensed Veterinary Technicians
Michelle L. Scott, L.V.T. Senior Technician
Michelle leads our staff of four Licensed Veterinary Technicians. She joined the staff in January of 1996. She is a 1991 graduate of the University of New Hampshire, receiving a B.A. in Zoology. She is a member of the North American Veterinary Technician Association (NAVTA), the American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians (ASVDT) and has qualified as a Veterinary Dental Technician.Michelle carries the responsibility not only for her technical duties, but also for the smooth running of the hospital. Our entire inventory of pharmaceuticals, surgical supplies, prescription diets, retail items, and maintenance materials are under her control. She also sets a high standard for cleanliness and general care of our facility.
Michelle works tirelessly to ensure that we have what we need when we need it. In addition, she is meticulous in her efforts to provide for accurate, fair billing of supplies and services so that we can give realistic estimates and make sure your cat receives the care he deserves at a cost you can afford.
Married in 1993, Michelle and her husband Jason lived and worked in Florida for 2 years before returning to Maine in 1995. They have two children: Jenna and Cameron; cat: Widget; and a miniature Australian Shepard, Snickers. What little time is left between work and family, Michelle spends riding and training her horse Jake.
Emily Whitehead Hall, L.V.T.
Our Emily graduated from The New Hampshire Community Technical College located in Stratham, N.H. in the spring of 2005. She is now an official licensed veterinary technician.
No longer a "Rover", her primary duties now take her to the treatment and laboratory areas of the hospital. You are still likely to have contact with Emily. If not in person, you will notice her hand in the many printed documents she composes and edits to provide clear concise information for you to take home from your visit. Emily has been employed by the Cat Doctor in one way or another since 2000. We are pleased that she has decided to continue her career in veterinary medicine caring for cats.
Four cats make their home with Emily. Silas whom you may have met a few years back when he briefly lived at the clinic, Taj, a rambunctious brown tabby, Clem, a short hair grey mackeral tabby and Maulie a short haired black and white. Maulie and Clem brought their friend Brett (now Emily's husband - married February 20, 2010) along with them. Maera a dog adds diversity and completes the family. Bean and dog Bently live with Emily's sister.
Emily a.k.a."Emma" Robinson Head, L.V.T.
Emily graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1998, receiving a B.A. in Zoology. She studied in Kenya while an undergrad and then moved to L.A. (the one in California ;-) It was there that she met her future fiance Michael and discovered her love of veterinary medicine. She decided to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician. Emily and Michael relocated to Maine in 2007.Emily joined us in April 2008. We needed someone to replace Katie and to help as Kacy began to balance professional life with motherhood. Emily wanted a shorter commute and as we all know working with cats is a special kind of veterinary career. She graciously agreed to let us call her "Emma" because our resident Emily had prior claim to the name.
Michael and Emma thoroughly enjoyed their wedding which was celebrated on June 13, 2009. They have purchased a house in Westbrook Maine and are settling into wedded bliss. At present they share their home with Cats - Luna, Kelly, and Ra. Dog - Buddy rounds out the family.
Reception Staff
Parks McKinney
Parks joined our staff September 28, 2006. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from the University of Colorado. Parks is also an Honors Graduate of the Aveda Institute having completed the 600 hour curriculum in Esthiology.Her prior work experience in a variety of client care and service oriented positions has enhanced her people skills . At the Cat Doctor you can rely upon Parks to see that you and your cat receive the care and attention you are seeking.
Parks married David in August of 2007. They postponed the honeymoon to have time to learn Spanish and plan the perfect adventure to a surfing camp in Costa Rica this February. Besides, who in their right mind wants to leave Maine in the summer and who doesn't want to leave Maine in February. Parks and David purchased a house in Portland which is provides an ideal venue for Halloween gathering. Some inventive and aesthetically pleasing window trim renovations have gotten two thumbs up from the cats. You can ask Parks about this when you next visit the Cat Doctor.
Her zest for life and charming eccentricities entertain us and brighten our days.
Holly Sanders
When Holly joined our staff in October 2006 she had been working in the food service and hospitality industry while attending Southern Maine Community College. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and is a 2004 National Dean's List honoree.As a volunteer with the Marine Animal Lifeline, Holly gained experience in animal care and record keeping. These skills have served her well in her position here. Empathy, attention to detail, and a keen intellect create a quiet compassion focused on making your cat's visit as comfortable as possible start to finish.
In a world where digital photography has replaced the use of film for the majority, Holly still follows her artistic muse into the darkroom. She has built her own darkroom in her home. Holly would like to continue her education studying photography at the SALT institute in Portland
Photography may just remain a much loved hobby as Holly has begun a course of study which will allow her to become a licenced Veterinary Technician. We are very happy to encourage her in this pursuit.
Where are They Now . . .
Kacy Chapman Passalaqua, L.V.T.
Kacy began her relationship with The Cat Doctor as a client and cat owner. We had not seen her for a few years. She had moved "south" to attend The New Hampshire Community Technical College. Kacy and Emily ended up being classmates, so she also graduated in May 2005. We were very pleased to have Kacy join our staff as our third licensed veterinary technician in October 2005.Kacy and Tony Passalaqua are enjoying daughter, Olive who arrived April 9, 2008. Kacy's three kitties, Sammy, Shadow,and Summer, (posing when she was a kitten with Kacy for her photo) have decided that life with Olive is good! Summer liked the idea of warm diapers in the dryer just a bit too much. She survived but not without putting her family through a few anxious days.
The Passalaqua family moved household making the commute to Portland impractical. Kacy will be missed and we hope that when and if life brings her back to the Greater Portland area that she will rejoin our staff.
Sarah Hyman
Sarah was a student at the University of Southern Maine. She will continue her educational journey and become a veterinarian with a special interest in Avian medicine.Sarah came to work at The Cat Doctor in February of 2006 at a time when we needed someone capable of filling in wherever there was a need. Since then she has become a valued member of the team ready and able to perform a wide variety of tasks from the technical to the janitorial. Her knowlege of all aspects of our service allow Sarah to effectively address the needs of you and your cat.
We bid Sarah a fond farewell when she graduated, married (sarahandkeegan.com), and headed west to California to follow her dreams in the summer of 2008.
Katie Selva, L.V.T.
Katie joined us in August 2007 as our fourth Licensed Veterinary Technician. She is also a graduate of The New Hampshire Community Technical College. Katie holds a Bachelor of arts degree in liberal studies with an English writing minor from Humboldt State University, Arcata, California.In addition to her work as a Veterinary Technician at The Cat Doctor, Katie is an accomplished wedding photographer and photo lab technician. You can see examples of her photography at her website: Katie Selva Photography.com
Katie left us to tour Europe and then devote all of her time and attention to her photography. She has returned to the greater Portland area. Be sure to check out her work if you are looking for a fine photographer for your wedding or other family event.
