Meet Our Team
A legacy of compassion, expertise, and community.
A legacy of compassion, expertise, and community.
Founder
Dr. Kay W. Gilpin was the Founder of Shenandoah Veterinary Hospital in 1974. He is married to wife, Judy Sweeney Gilpin, and they have three children and eight grandchildren. Sons, Darin L. Gilpin, DVM and Brian D. Gilpin, DVM are the current administrators of SVH, and daughter Julie Stafford serves as a Client Care Specialist. Dr K. Gilpin has one dog, Tillie, two cats, Buddy and Oreo, and two horses, Blaze and Penelope (who is a miniature horse).
Dr. K. Gilpin graduated from St. Marys High School in 1965. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from West Virginia University in 1969. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from The Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1972.
Dr. K. Gilpin has been a past Board Member and a Past President of the West Virginia Veterinary Medical Association. He was also a past Board Member and Past President of The Ohio
State University College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Society. He served on the Board and as a Past President of the West Virginia University Alumni Association. Dr. K. Gilpin was also selected as “Alumnus of the Year” for St. Marys High School, “Veterinarian of the Year” for the WV Veterinary Medical Association, and a “Veterinary Medical Alumni Recognition” recipient from The OSU College of Veterinary Medicine. Currently, he is a Governor appointed member of the WV Board of Veterinary Medicine, a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the West Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, the OSU Alumni Society, and the WVU Alumni Association.
DVM
Dr. Darin Gilpin has been with Shenandoah Veterinary Hospital since June 1994. He is married to wife Corinna and has three daughters and two dogs.
Dr. Darin Gilpin graduated from Martinsburg High School in 1986. He received a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from West Virginia University in 1990. He earned his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1994.
Dr. Darin Gilpin has had the honor of serving as the moderator at the American Veterinary Medical Association leadership Conference. He is a past Board Member of the West Virginia Veterinary Medical Association. He is currently a member of the West Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, and Martinsburg Sunrise Rotary Club. He is a past President of the Martinsburg Sunrise Rotary Club, WVU Eastern Panhandle Alumni Association and the WV Veterinary Medical Association. He is on the WVU Alumni Association Board of Directors and is a past Board Member for the Boys and Girls Club Eastern Panhandle. He currently serves on the Board of Education for Berkeley County.
DVM
Dr. Brian Gilpin joined Shenandoah Veterinary Hospital in 1998. He is married to wife Laura Jeane and has two sons. They have three dogs, Ellie, Owen and Max, two cats, Sammy and Sophie, one horse and two goats.
Dr. Brian Gilpin graduated from Martinsburg High School in 1990. He received a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science for West Virginia University in 1994. He earned his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998.
Dr. Brian Gilpin is a member of the West Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Medicine Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, and the WVU Alumni Association. He is a Board Member of The West Virginia Veterinary Medical Association and sits on the Board of Directors at MVB Bank. He serves o the Board of directors for the Martinsburg/Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce and serves on the executive committee. He is a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church and is a Lay Leader at the Annual Conference. He also actively coaches both Little League baseball and Rec League basketball.
DVM
Dr. Tori Shamblin Lefevers is a native of Martinsburg, WV. She started as an assistant, joined the SVH team in 2018 as an associate and has since become a partner. She is our human resources manager.
She graduated with honors from Lincoln Memorial University-College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her undergraduate degree in our wild and wonderful state at West Virginia University, GO MOUNTAINEERS! Her high school years were spent at Martinsburg High School. Her interests include preventative and internal medicine, geriatric care, ultrasonography, and surgery. Dr. Shamblin loves people just as much as their pets and looks forward to getting to know our clients at SVH. In her free time, she enjoys practicing hot yoga, travelling the world, spending time with family, and cooking gourmet meals.
Tori is married to Jackson Lefevers. Together they have a son. They have an Old English Sheepdog named Noelle, a Tennessee Special Mixed Breed named Krue, an orange tabby named Doug, and an irresistible French Bulldog named Sonny.
Dr. Shamblin is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, West Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, and is an advisory member for the Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Veterinary Technician program. She has a passion for teaching and welcomes externs to the practice.
DVM
Dr. Sarah O’Donnell has been with Shenandoah Veterinary Hospital since July 1988.
A native West Virginian, she graduated from Magnolia High School in New Martinsville WV and earned a bachelor’s degree in Animal and Veterinary Science from West Virginia University in 1986. She received her doctorate in veterinary medicine from The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 1988.
Dr. O’Donnell is a past board member of the West Virginia Veterinary Medical Association. She is a current member of the West Virginia Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr O’Donnell is married to husband Michael. They have three children and are the proud grandparents of one grandchild, After a household of pets that have included dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, lizards and fish, they currently have one rescue dog and one foundling cat.
She enjoys reading, hiking, camping and kayaking. She and husband Michael are active members of St Joseph’s Church, where they participate in the handbell choir and music ministries.
DVM
Dr. Susan Niamatali joined the staff of Shenandoah Veterinary Hospital in September of 1995. She is married to husband Stanley and they have one son.
Dr. Niamatali earned a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from West Virginia University in 1985. She received her doctorate in veterinary medicine for the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1989.
Dr. Niamatali is a member of the West Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association.
DVM
Dr Aaryn M. Wietz has been employed with Shenandoah Veterinary Hospital since June 2008. She previously practiced at Sprayberry Animal Hospital in Marietta, GA from July 2000-November 2007.
Dr. Wietz graduated valedictorian from Martinsburg High School in 1992. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from West Virginia University in 1996, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She received her doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000, graduating Cum Laude.
Dr. Wietz is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the West Virginia Veterinary Medical Association.
DVM
Dr Jeff Mitchell joined the Shenandoah team in July 2023. Originally from upstate New York, he attended Binghamton University and graduated in 2002. He is a 2008 graduate of Ross Veterinary School, attending Oklahoma State for his clinical year.
Dr Mitchell spent much of his career in Northern Virginia practicing emergency medicine. He and his wife (Dr Ashby, DVM) have two children, two dogs, and two cats.
DVM
Dr. Chris Edwards is a 2024 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and joined the SVH team in June of 2024.
Dr. Edwards went to the University of Maryland for undergraduate studies and received a B.S. in Animal Sciences. He worked at small animal hospitals on the weekends and worked at the UMD campus farm during the week. He then went to Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine to gain a DVM with the intent of pursuing small animal medicine. Dr. Edwards worked in Colorado for multiple summers gaining experience in surgery and wildlife medicine. His favorite patient to date is a 100lb male Timberwolf.
Dr. Edwards grew up on the Chesapeake Bay in southern Maryland. He enjoys kayaking, going to the beach, and hiking. He looks forward to hiking in WV, improving his horseback riding skills through lessons, and dedicating time to practicing yoga. He has a long haired German Shepherd named Cyrus that is his service dog. Cyrus attended classes and walked with him at graduation!
Dr. Edwards has a particular interest in dental surgery and preventative medicine.
DVM
Dr. Nicole Beard recently graduated with honors from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and joined the SVH team in June of 2024. She received her bachelor’s degree in Animal and Poultry Sciences with a minor in Biology from Virginia Tech. After eight years of living in southwest Virginia she is excited to start this next chapter with her new West Virginia family!
Dr. Beard grew up on a small farm in Purcellville, Virginia where she cared for llamas, horses, chickens, ducks, rabbits, cats, dogs, and a parakeet. Growing up it wasn’t easy for her family to find a veterinarian that would treat pet farm animals, so Dr. Beard decided to pursue a mixed animal track in veterinary school. She is excited to offer veterinary care to all your fur (or feathered) animal babies at Shenandoah Veterinary Hospital!
DVM
Dr. Dominique Cincinnati is a lifelong native of Martinsburg, WV. She grew up watching her family take their pets to SVH and boldly decided at 4-years-old that she would become a veterinarian one day. She later shadowed the veterinarians at SVH during her undergraduate studies and joined the team as a veterinarian in July 2024.
Dr. Cincinnati graduated from Martinsburg High School in 2017. After making the Dean’s List every semester, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Shepherd University in 2020. She later received a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 2024.
During her undergraduate studies, she had the unique opportunity to spend a month in Hawaii working with exotic animals. In veterinary school, she returned to Hawaii and spent three weeks with Dr. Nicole Beard studying dolphins. Dr. Cincinnati’s interests lie in small animal ultrasonography and surgery.
Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Cincinnati is engaged to her fiancé, Tyler, and enjoys spending time with her two beagles, Lulu and Buddy. Her hobbies include traveling, playing tennis, hiking, and photography. She also takes pride in being a stem cell donor through Be The Match.
Sandra Stephens has been employed at the hospital since June 1983 as a Registered Veterinary Technician and Practice Manager. She is married to husband Carl and has 2 cats, “Violula” and “Ophelia”. Also, a Corgi-Poo named “Dollie” Sandra graduated from Frankfort High School in Short Gap, WV in 1981. She received an Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology from Fairmont State College in 1983. Sandra was on the Dean’s List and was awarded Outstanding Veterinary Technician Student in 1983. She is a member and past President of the WV Association of Veterinary Technicians and is a member of the Shenandoah Valley Veterinary Manager’s group. She previously served on the WVAVT scholarship committee and on the AVMA Evaluation Board for Fairmont State University. Sandra is an active member and Board Member of Crider’s United Brethren Church in Chambersburg, PA. She is also on the Auxiliary Board for Crystal Spring Camp Meeting in Crystal Spring, PA where she has attended her entire life. Outside of work, Sandra and her sister are thrift store “junkies”. They never miss a thrift store in a new town. She is active in her church and spends a lot of time with family.
Erica has been employed at Shenandoah Veterinary Hospital since July 2018 and is working toward becoming a registered veterinary technician through the Penn Foster program. She takes on many roles at SVH, splitting her time as a technician, as well as assisting our Practice Manager with management/inventory. Erica resides in Martinsburg with her husband, Timothy, their daughter Zeppelin, her stepdaughter Paisley, and another daughter on the way. They have two dogs; Leia (Golden Retriever-Border Collie mix) and Lewis (Hound mix); 1 cat, Gil; 4 ducks and 4 chickens. Erica has previously volunteered/fostered through Southern Paws Virginia Animal Rescue. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, specifically kayaking and fishing.
Barb started her career at Paw Spa and Retreat in February 2019! During Covid she moved to Shenandoah Veterinary Hospital! Her position title is Kennel Technician! She enjoys taking care of and loving on all the animals! In her free time she loves to kayak and hang out at her farm!
Sandy Yates has been employed at Shenandoah Veterinary Hospital as a Registered Veterinary Technician since June 1985. She is married to husband David and they have 1 son, Jared, and dog Coty.
Sandy is a graduate of Hedgesville High School. She received an associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology from Fairmont State College in 1985. Sandy was on the Dean’s List in 1985. She is a current member of WVAVT.
Emily has been employed at Shenandoah Veterinary Hospital as a Registered Veterinary Technician since May 2001. She resides in Cross Junction, VA with her husband, Jason, and three children, Jackson, Cody, and Lucy; as well as an energetic black Lab named Willie.
Emily graduated from Hampshire High School in 1996. She received an associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology from Fairmont State College in 2001. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Fairmont State College in 2004. She was on the Dean’s List in 2004. Emily loves spending time camping and hanging with her family on her off days.
Alexandra has been employed at SVH since June of 2017 and is currently working toward becoming a registered veterinary technician through the Penn Foster program. She spent most of her life living in Harpers Ferry. She has two dogs, Marley and Paris, their Bengal cat, Priya, and their ball python, Raja. Alexandra has spent the past 8 years working as a full time nanny and just recently decided to pursue her passion in veterinary medicine. She loves spending time with her family and doing anything that involves animals or outdoors.
Annie has been working in the veterinary field since 2014. She attended Liberty University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree. Once she came back to her rural Northern VA homestead, she realized taking care of animals would always be her biggest passion, and so she started her career in the veterinary industry. Annie’s professional interests include Fear Free techniques and nursing care for ill or special needs patients. Although Annie loves all types of animals, Labrador Retrievers will always hold a special place in Annie’s heart.
Victoria has been with SVH for two years in March.
She has two cats (Kratos and Rhea) and of course Rue, her chihuahua mix pictured.
Victoria graduated from Vet Tech Institute of Pittsburgh and is currently studying for the VTNE, to become RVT! She enjoys spending time with her daughter, especially being a new mom!
Victoria loves all the friends she’s gained from working here and her favorite is dental work!
Bio Coming Soon
Bio Coming Soon
Sierra has worked at Shenandoah Veterinary Hospital since October 2018. She attended James Rumsey Technical Institute while in high school where she got her certification in Veterinary Assisting. Sierra started at Shenandoah as a receptionist where she moved on to a Veterinary Assistant and is now currently working her way to becoming a Veterinary Technician! At home, Sierra has a Shih Tzu mix named Holly and a Bengal named Khaleesi. When not at work, Sierra enjoys spending time out in the sun by the water, hanging out with her family/friends, and working on her Jeep with her husband, Zackary.
Makayla has been working at SVH for almost 4 years. She is currently studying at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College to become an RVT. Her favorite part of the job is being able to help all the animals she can and help owners stay worried free along with their fur babies. She has 2 German Rottweilers (Bella and Axle), 2 cats (Damon and Remi), 2 horses (Lonesum and Blue) and 44 chickens (yes some of them do have names too)! She loves being outdoors, listening to 80/90’s country, working with horses in her free time and spending time with her significant other.
Alexis has been with Shenandoah for 3 years, first starting at PawSpa and then moving over to the hospital. She has a Bachelors in Science and is currently in Penn Foster to become a registered vet tech. She has a strong love for Pit Bulls (photo featuring sweet sugar pie from HSMC) and has two fur babies at home, a Labrador Retriever and Pit Bull-Boxer mix.
Tiffany has been employed with Shenandoah Veterinary Hospital since May of 2021. She has had a strong attraction to animals since a young age and in high-school, she was a competitor in the Animal Science classes of the agriculture department. Tiffany is currently enrolled in the Penn Foster Veterinary Technician Program to become a Registered Vet Tech. Tiffany has an 8yr old Siberian Husky-Wolf Hybrid named Chance, 3yr old Pit/Lab mix named Luna, 6yr old Maine Coon mix named Tom, 3yr old Domestic Short-hair named Bean and 20 chickens. Tiffany’s goal is to become a Registered Technician for not only small animal but also large animal/livestock.
Madison has been an employee at Shenandoah since April 2022. Madison is enrolled in Penn Foster and working towards obtaining her Technician Certifications. Madison enjoys spending her time off from the clinic with her own animals; 3 dogs, 3 cats, pigeons, chickens, and fish at home. She enjoys traveling and training with her dogs, reading and attending car events with her significant other Corey.
**Pictured is two of three of her dogs, Rosie Joe (Great Pyrenees) and Azena (Catahoula-Black Mouth Curr)**
Kaylee has been employed at Shenandoah since July 2023. She has lived in the eastern panhandle of WV her whole life, and graduated from Hedgesville High School in 2022. Kaylee is currently attending Shepherd University, where she is majoring in Biology. In the future, she plans on attending vet school.
Kaylee has been a WV 4-H member since she was 8 years old. She was also a member of the Hedgesville FFA, through which she earned her State Degree. Through these organizations, Kaylee has enjoyed showing livestock, participating in community service, attending camps, and running for Miss Berkeley County Youth Fair. Kaylee has a goat named Goose, but also enjoys her parents dogs, Bella (German Shepherd Mix), Macy (Great Pyrenees), Oakley (Miniature Pinscher), MJ (Corgi), and Roxy (Boxer Mix). In her free time, Kaylee enjoys traveling, kayaking, and spending time with her friends and family.
Stephanie joined SVH in October of 2023 as an assistant. Currently, she is Fear Free certified and working towards becoming a registered veterinary technician. She has two Italian greyhounds, Indie and Ellie. Her favorite breeds are Sighthounds and American Staffordshire Terriers. Stephanie also runs our social media, helps train new assistants, and deals with international health certificates.
Bio Coming Soon
Avonna has been working at Shenandoah Vet clinic since November, 2023. At home she has 1 cat,1 dog ,2 lizards and a frog! She enjoys helping all the animals she can. In her free time, she enjoy spending time with her animals and family. Avonna plans on becoming a Certified Veterinary Technician through Blueridge CTC.
Amanda has been with Shenandoah since February 2024 as a veterinary assistant. She previously worked at a dog daycare in Maryland and now lives in West Virginia with her husband.
Bio Coming Soon
Bio Coming Soon
Bio Coming Soon
Aly has been with Shenandoah since September 2024. She is originally from Washington County, MD. She has two PitBulls- Sadie and Smokey. In her free time she enjoys hiking and spending time working on her Jeep. Aly is looking forward to becoming a registered veterinary technician.
Gina has been employed at Shenandoah Veterinary Hospital since June 2009. She moved to West Virginia in 2008 after living in Florida most of her life. Prior to working in the veterinary field, she co-owned and operated a swimming pool construction and service company and also sold real estate. She has four sons and one dog, who are her life! When not working, Gina likes to fish or just relax by the water and spend time with her fiance Jamie. She LOVES cookbooks and recipes and may actually be a recipe hoarder!
Julie Gilpin Stafford was born and raised in Martinsburg, and in the veterinary profession, with her father and two brothers as veterinarians. Julie graduated from Martinsburg High School (where she was a cheerleader for two years and participated in track). She graduated from The Art Institute of Atlanta with a degree in Interior Design. She received the Disney Training Program in Orlando, Florida, and worked for Planet Hollywood on Disney property. Julie resumed her connection to animal medicine when she worked as a Pharmaceutical Representative for Fort Dodge Veterinary Products. She is the customer service manager currently at Shenandoah Veterinary Hospital. Julie is married to Bryan Stafford and they have two children, Will and Claire. They also have fur kids, Bo, Trapper, Mack and Bentley.
Krista has been employed at Shenandoah Veterinary Hospital since October 2014. She has two sons and two dogs, Soco, a Dutch Shepherd and Captain a Shiloh Shepherd. She graduated from Hedgesville High School in 2008, then attended Potomac State College and West Virginia University.
Kathleen has been employed at Shenandoah Veterinary Hospital since April 2019. She graduated Berkeley Springs High School in 2018. Kathleen has two rescue dogs, a 4 year old Red Tick Coonhound named Ruger and an 8 year old Australian Kelpie mix named Murray, along with a cat named Walker. When Kathleen isn’t at work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as being outdoors, hiking, kayaking, and working on her yard at home.