Marie Bates, BSc, BVMS

My parents have no idea where my love for animals came from. I started telling the world I wanted to be an “Animal Doctor” when I was three. A small fish tank was my parent’s idea of perfect household pets. Yet it seems I was born loving every creature. I relentlessly begged for something more interactive than fish from about the time I declared my intention to be a veterinarian. Eventually my parents gave in, and we rescued Socks, our tabby cat.

My father is a human physician, and all four of my grandparents were in the human medical field. As a child I loved going to the hospital with my father. Science fascinated me; I spent countless hours going through his old medical school texts in his office, where we also had a human skeleton.

My love of science and animals continued to grow, and my decision to pursue veterinary medicine never faltered. I sought out as many opportunities as I could in high school. I attended Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA and double majored in biology and English Literature. I spent summers and breaks working as a technician at a small animal hospital, and all of my experiences fueled my passion for the profession.

I attended veterinary school at Murdoch University in Perth, Australia, and had an amazing 4.5 years not only realizing my goal but also living in another country and making lifelong friends. I returned back home to the states after graduation and have been practicing small animal medicine in Connecticut since.

While in veterinary school I was a member of a chapter of the VBMA (Veterinary Business Management Association) and was fascinated with that aspect of my profession. When I graduated I had a vague idea that one day I would own my own practice. The first few years of my career had a steep learning curve, and the solo owners I knew all seemed consumed and, frankly, overwhelmed by ownership so I reluctantly left the idea of owning behind. I have spent time at three practices as a full time associate, and worked in almost two dozen practices as a relief veterinarian. I learned so much from my colleagues in the field.

Life can be funny. I found a team of people who have enhanced not only my practice of veterinary medicine, but my whole life. Together we are moving toward that dream I had in veterinary school as a well-balanced and mutually supportive group. I am so excited to build a practice in Connecticut, my home, that will serve our clients, our staff and ourselves.

I love preventative medicine. I see veterinary medicine as a team sport, where our goal is to help make and keep our companions as healthy and happy as possible, so we can enjoy their company for as long as we can. Enriching our companions' lives ultimately enriches ours too.

When I’m not working, my life is full! I have four children, one very naughty dog, three cats, and two fresh water fish tanks. I still love reading, and I am developing my gardening skills.

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Biology and English Literature from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA
BSc, BVMS from Murdoch University in Perth, Australia

Fear Free Certified Professional

Sara Dupré, DVM

I’m a Connecticut native, born and raised in Southington where my love for animals began at a young age. My parents supported this love by allowing me to care for any animal I wanted, from newts, crayfish, frogs and fish to cats, dogs and all the pocket pets in between. I gravitated toward the special needs pets. I hand-picked a one-eyed cat with bad hips as my very first one. A tailless gerbil followed and then various injured birds, bunnies and other species joined the household

Upon graduating from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Animal Science, I took my first step into the veterinary field working as a receptionist at a veterinary emergency hospital and a technician at a clinic in Plainville. After gaining several years of experience, I was ready to follow my dream and I enrolled in veterinary school at Iowa State University. After graduation I came back to Connecticut and have worked at different small animal clinics where I discovered that owning a practice is my ultimate goal. Practice ownership is the only way I can fully practice the way I want to: quality medicine that feels good. I have developed special interests in dermatology and dentistry and am looking forward to providing those services along with many others at Pawsome Vet Care.

When I'm not at work, I enjoy spending time with my 2 cats (Raya and Mo), along with my Poodle (Sunny) and my energetic daughter, Ellie. Outside of spending time with my daughter and furbabies, I enjoy time with my nephews and niece, reading, cross stitch, and being outside at parks or the beach.

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from University of Connecticut
DVM from Iowa State University

Fear Free Certified Professional

Courtney Snyder, DVM

When I was five years old, I went to visit my grandparents in Ohio, who lived on a farm in a very rural area. It should have been idyllic, but my uncle’s Labrador, who had always been a sweet dog, attacked me. That event left me with permanent scars on my legs and a deep-seated fear of dogs.

Before that point, I was one of those kids who always answered the age-old, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” question with an enthusiastic, “I want to be a vet!” Afterwards, I thought I was going to have to set that goal aside. But despite my fear, the desire to help animals never left me.

My mother saw my dream being derailed. As she is close friends with Doctors Atz and Babuska, then owners of Manchester Veterinary Clinic, she put in a good word for me. They took a chance and offered me my first job at their hospital when I was sixteen. With their help, I learned how to read animals and work with them, and ultimately that allowed me to overcome my fear.

That summer was the first time my dream seemed like it might be able to become a reality.

My education and life took me on quite a journey after that, I studied chemistry and biology at Trinity college of Vermont and then earned my DVM Degree from Ross University in St. Kitts and Missouri, then back to Massachusetts and Connecticut. I have had the privilege to work with many different types of people and animals and to constantly keep learning. I have now become somewhat of a “cat lady”, sharing my home with four cats: the mischievous Daisy; a brother and sister pair, Walter and Lulu; and my sweet little Millie.

I am so excited to begin my next journey working with 4 amazing colleagues, Erika Collier, Alexis Soutter, Sara Dupre, and Marie Bates. They have all helped me grow both professionally and personally. I am so proud to have them as colleagues and more importantly as friends.

Education:
Bachelor's of Science, Biology and Chemistry, Trinity college of Vermont
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University in St. Kitts and Missouri

Fear Free Certified Professional

Alexis Soutter, DVM

I don’t remember a time when my heart was not owned by animals. First, it was the cats that populated the house when I was born; there are pictures of me as a toddler, sitting with them in the sun. My mother lost me one afternoon when I was maybe two or three and panicked, only to find me at the neighbor’s, petting their horse through the fence. The day I learned in nursery school that there were such things as doctors for animals, I came home and announced to my father that that’s what I was going to do when I grew up, and that determination never wavered.

I have been without a doubt very fortunate that I was able to make that happen. My path has frequently taken me in directions I would not have foreseen, whether that was raising orphaned squirrels for the Roaring Brook Nature Center or training dogs and horses and learning how to reinforce good behavior (and finding the patience to work through the bad). I started my first “real” job as a kennel assistant at Avon Veterinary Clinic the day I turned sixteen, and got to witness close up the incredible work a good veterinarian could do by observing Doctors Feibel and Morganti. They gave me the foundation I needed to get through vet school and beyond.

It hasn’t always been easy. This profession is full of joy and grief, of laughter and challenges, and if you do it right you never stop learning. Finding a community to support you and make you the best person and doctor you can be is vital. While I was working at Manchester Veterinary Clinic, I found that community, and now I am so proud to be establishing Pawsome Vet Care with some of my best friends: Sara Dupre, Marie Bates, Courtney Snyder, and Erika Collier. Together, we are embarking on a mission to provide vet care that feels better for our community, furry and otherwise.

Right now I am lucky enough to share my Willington home with two ridiculous cats, Aelin Catathynius and Pretzel; two dogs with outstanding senses of humor, Fizzgig and Mitra; two beautiful and opinionated horses, Sprite and Mocha; and one incredibly kind and supportive husband, Matt.

Education:
Bachelor's of Science, Animal Science, Michigan State University
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University

Fear Free Certified Professional

Erika Collier, CVT

My journey in veterinary medicine has had many unexpected turns over the last 25 years.

Early on in my working career I would have never predicted the path I’d walk down. I knew I wanted to be around animals, but wasn’t exactly sure how to make that happen. A walk by Manchester Community College’s Career Center led to a placement test that only came back with one field suggestion: veterinary. I have to admit, it wasn’t what I wanted, and I almost didn’t take the leap.

I spent my first couple years in the field as a Customer Service Representative, sticking close to the front desk. Eventually I realized in time I wanted to learn more and become a Certified Veterinary Technician. That brought me to Manchester Veterinary Clinic, where I spent over 22 years working in all non-doctor roles and ultimately becoming their practice manager.

This is where I met some of my favorite people in the world; Courtney Snyder, Alexis Soutter, Sara Dupre and Marie Bates (in the order I met them!). This is where I thought my last job would be.

Things don’t always work out quite like we expect. After a change in ownership, it became clear that it was time for me to move on, but after so many years, it was terrifying to consider. I still have the drive to help make a clinic be the best it can be, for the team, the patients, and the clients, but I didn’t know where I would be able to put my skill to use. What might come next?

The most amazing thing is what! Pawsome Vet Care.

With my favorite people, we have embarked on a journey of building a veterinary practice that feels better for our team, our patients and our clients. I cannot wait for the day we get to welcome our first pet and pet parent through our doors.

Certified Veterinary Technician
Fear Free Certified Professional
Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional