Meet the Staff

Kristen- Office Manager, Fear Free Certified

Kristen is our Office Manager and has been with Salty Paws since 2008. She works in many capacities in our hospital including veterinary assistant, reception, social media expert and fundraising coordinator. She has a keen interest in behavior, preventative health care and nutrition.

Kris shares her home with her fiancé, their son James, her three dogs Piggie, Boss, and Buster along with 2 snakes Spooky and Daworm.

Her hobbies outside of work include reading, planting, spending time with her family, going to the beach, and traveling.

Carolyn- Receptionist, Fear Free Certified

Carolyn is New York native and has been a Hampton resident since 1989. She worked as an administrative specialist in the US Air Force, traveling the world serving the Inspector General and many other departments in the service. Since retiring from the USAF in 1995, Carolyn has used her administrative skills in various fields, serving the veterinary field since 1999 with a brief break to work for a chiropractic and wellness clinic. Carolyn found that she missed working with the animals too much and returned to her true passion in late 2015 at Salty Paws.

Her hobbies outside of work are watching sports and going to the beach. Another favorite of hers is spending time with her family both two legged and four legged.

Carolyn resides in Hampton with her five canine companions, Dolly, Knoxville, Marleigh, Summer and Pepper. Dolly became a is a certified therapy dog in the fall of 2022. 

 

Jamie- Assistant, Fear Free Certified

Jamie has been in the veterinary field off and on for 16 years, she joined the Salty Paws team in the spring of 2014. Jamie works in reception, lab, and is a veterinary assistant.

She shares her home with her fiancé Charles, her son Tristan, cat Kiwi, and pitbull mix Sandy.

Her hobbies outside of work are baking and designing cakes. She enjoys spending time with her fiancé, son, and family. She loves summer time and relaxing on the beach.

Alyssa- Dental/surgical assistant, Fear Free Certified

Alyssa was born and raised in New York and moved to Virginia in September 2009. She first worked at the Peninsula SPCA for 2 years then joined the Salty Paws team in July 2014.

She works in many areas of our hospital as dental/surgical assistant, veterinary assistant and reception. Her specialty is dentistry. 

She shares her home with her daughter Kassidi and their cat Kiki.

Her hobbies outside of work include cooking, hanging out with family, friends, and going to the beach.

Liz- Veterinary assistant, Fear Free Certified

Liz joined the Salty Paws team in 2020. She started as a kennel attendant and quickly moved to being an assistant. Her interest are preventative health care and behavior.

When she was younger she dreamed about working with animals. Liz currently has two dogs Mac and CiCi along with two cats Willow and Scooter.

Her hobbies outside of work include fishing, family time and cooking.

Her hobbies outside of work include traveling, read, hike, watch movies and play video games.

Nicole- Kennel manager, Fear Free Certified

 

Nikki joined the Salty Paws team in 2021. She has 3 beautiful children and a loving husband that supports her animal recues, fostering and volunteering.

She has always wanted to work in the vet industry due to her unconditional love for all animals. Her goals in veterinary medicine include learning more about behavioral health and preventative care.

Her hobbies outside of work are spending time with her two cats Lee loo, Wednesday, and Pugsley and her two dogs Ash and Olive. She enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, volunteering at her children’s school.

Fun Fact: Nikki is Liz’s older sister!

Katie, Receptionist

Katie grew up in Gloucester, and have been in the Hampton Roads area for over 35 years. She currently live in Newport News with her husband Jason. She graduated from Gloucester High, and attended CNU and TNCC.

For as long as she can remember she has wanted to work in the vet field. As a child she can remember brining home injured animals to nurse. At 14 years old Katie had the opportunity to shadow Dr. Tate are Deer Park Animal Hosp. Katie has always worked in government contracting and human medicine.

Katie has hand numerous dogs, cats, rodents, fish and birds. She loves all animals, but has a special affection for guinea pigs. She currently has Tulip, a spirited 2-year-old teddy; and she hopes to get another piggy soon!

Her hobbies outside of work include spending time with her family in the Outer Banks and helping friends and family care for their fur babies. Most weekends, she relaxes at home or is catching up on the latest movies.

 

Teri Politi, Hospital Director

Hospital Development and Design, 1999-2002.

Hospital director, Business and Financial Manager ,  2003- Present