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Animal Hospital of Mt. Pocono

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Our Care Team

Your pet’s emotional and physical well-being is prioritized with every visit. We put patients first!

Kelly

Receptionist

Kelly has always considered herself a people person, and she adores spending time around animals. What better place to work, she thought, than in an animal clinic? She’s been serving the pet owners of the area as one of the Animal Hospital of Mt. Pocono’s veterinary receptionists for nine years.

Kelly is a native of the Poconos and first started working here at the clinic shortly after she’d had her son. Her favorite part of every day is meeting the community’s pet lovers, and she strives to do everything in her power to help pets and their owners feel comfortable. Kelly never passes up the opportunity to hear a fun pet story!

Kelly and her husband, Bill, have four children—Ashlee, Karissa, Kayla, and Zachary—as well as an elderly cat named Roni and a dog named Fergie. As a family, they enjoy spending time outdoors, visiting amusement parks, watching movies, and playing games together. Kelly is also a baseball coach for the local six- to eight-year-old division, and finds that she learns just as much from her team as they do from her!

Hope

Receptionist

Hope became a veterinary professional because not only does she have a love for animals, but she also has a passion for the people who love them. Being able to advocate not only for pets, but also for their owners, is what motivates and inspires Hope every day. Nothing makes her happier than seeing the bond that humans share with their pets and being a part of a team who truly cares for them!

Prior to joining The Animal Hospital of Mt. Pocono team in early 2023, Hope had been working in the sales industry. She knew deep down that this wasn’t what she truly wanted to do, so when she had the opportunity to follow her dream and enter the veterinary field, she didn’t hesitate. Professionally, Hope enjoys meeting our patients and discovering all their little quirks. She is also passionate about learning.

Outside of the clinic, Hope is happily married to her husband, Gage. Their fur family includes a nap-loving beagle named Frank; an energetic corgi mix named Nugget, who always has to have the last word; and a gray kitty named Jenny, who loves to be loved. When she’s not busy manning our front desk, Hope can usually be found watching true crime shows or spending time with her family (two-legged and four).

Maddy

Receptionist

The moment that stayed with Maddie Youngblood did not happen in a clinic, but in a quiet corner of an exotic animal store. A boa had become tightly trapped in a metal shelf, its body caught between the bars with no one nearby to help. Instead of panicking, Maddie slowed down, carefully working to untangle the snake piece by piece until it was safely free. In that moment, she felt something click, a sense of purpose and calm that showed her she was exactly where she needed to be.

That experience stayed with her as she continued growing up in a family that always had animals close by. From dogs in her home to pets at family gatherings, there was never a time when animals were not part of her life. She spent her younger years watching animal documentaries, exploring outside, and finding small creatures in the backyard, always wanting to understand them better.

As she got older, Maddie built strong customer service experience while working in retail, but the desire to work with animals never left her. In January 2026, she followed that path and joined Animal Hospital of Mt. Pocono as a Receptionist. Today, she enjoys helping clients feel comfortable from the moment they walk in, answering questions, and making sure pets receive the care they need. She especially loves getting to know each family and hearing the stories behind their pets.

At home in Wind Gap, Maddie is surrounded by animals once again, including dogs, cats, and her turtle, Mr. Pickles. Each one brings its own personality into her life and keeps things lively. Whether she is crocheting, painting, or spending time with loved ones, she carries that same sense of care into everything she does.

For Maddie, working with animals is not something she chose overnight, but something that has always been part of who she is.

Tara

Veterinary Assistant

Tara’s journey into veterinary medicine began with a kindergarten “Student of the Week” poster and a dream that never diminished. Born and raised in Bethlehem, PA, she was the kind of kid who would check out animal anatomy books from the library for months and dive deep into horse care guides for fun.

With two brothers, a house full of pets, and a love for art and nature, Tara was always curious, compassionate, and eager to learn. Her childhood dog Shelby, a spunky shih tzu, made a lasting impression—not only as Tara’s best friend, but also as the spark behind her empathy for pet owners facing difficult medical decisions.

Though the path to becoming a veterinarian seemed out of reach after high school, Tara didn’t let that stop her. She dabbled in pet sitting, breeding, and doggy daycare, gaining hands-on experience and building bonds with countless animals. But something was still missing—until she

discovered a veterinary assistant opening. After not hearing back, Tara trusted her gut and showed up in person to follow up. That bold move changed everything. She got the job and has been thriving ever since, finally doing what she was meant to do.

Tara loves working with ears, paws, and all the sensitive areas that make pets squirm—because helping animals feel comfortable and pain-free is a win in her book. She’s also passionate about learning breed-specific traits and medical concerns, and she’s growing her knowledge in dentistry, recognizing the strong link between oral and gut health. Every day is an opportunity to help, connect, and keep growing.

At home, Tara shares life with her partner, her young son, and two charming pups she bred herself: Star, a long-haired Chihuahua, and Miley—Star’s daughter, a sweet little Chiweenie. They’re full of personality and love giving high fives to everyone they meet. In her free time, Tara enjoys exploring the outdoors, creating art, and playing video games competitively. Her future goals include one day hiking the entire Appalachian Trail.

Morgan

Veterinary Assistant

Some of the most meaningful parts of Morgan’s story are found in the everyday acts of caring for others. As a mother of four, she has spent years nurturing, guiding, and supporting her children, learning how much patience, compassion, and consistency matter in helping someone feel safe and loved. That same spirit of care naturally shaped the way she came to work with animals.

For Morgan, becoming a Veterinary Assistant was rooted in a belief that animals deserve someone to advocate for them when they cannot speak for themselves. She understands that pets are far more than companions. They are family, and the bond people share with them is powerful. Seeing that connection made her want to be part of a team that supports not only the health of animals, but also the people who love them.

Her path into veterinary medicine began with a growing interest in animal care and a strong desire to better understand how to help animals live healthier, more comfortable lives. As she gained experience, learned from her team, and spent more time in a clinical setting, that interest grew into something deeper. She found real purpose in being part of the process that helps animals receive the care they need.

At Animal Hospital Mt Pocono, Morgan enjoys helping animals feel calm and comfortable during their visits. She especially values assisting her team during exams and procedures, where she can be directly involved in supporting patient care. Whether she is helping a nervous pet settle in or working alongside her team, she brings a steady, compassionate presence to each day.

For Morgan, this work is deeply meaningful because it brings together the two things she values most: caring for others and making a difference. That combination is what makes veterinary medicine such a natural fit for who she is.

Tom

Veterinary Assistant

Tom’s journey into veterinary medicine began not with textbooks or classrooms, but with a dog who changed the way he saw the world.

Growing up in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, Tom shared his home with a dog many people were afraid of. Labeled “aggressive,” the dog was often met with caution and distance. But Tom saw something others didn’t. Beneath the fear and tension, he recognized an animal that was misunderstood—one that was scared, unheard, and simply needed patience. That realization stayed with him. It sparked a quiet but powerful purpose: to become someone who could advocate for animals who don’t have a voice.

Years later, after graduating from Susquehanna University with a degree in Biology and minors in Ecology and Chemistry, Tom took his first step into the veterinary field by joining Animal Hospital of Mount Pocono in May 2025. From the moment he stepped into the clinic, he knew he had found where he belonged. Each day brought something new—moments of calm, moments of urgency, and countless opportunities to learn.

What Tom values most is connection. He finds meaning in comforting a nervous pet, supporting a worried owner, and offering reassurance in uncertain moments. To him, veterinary care goes far beyond medicine—it’s built on trust. Every patient is an opportunity to make a difference, no matter how small.

Outside the clinic, Tom’s life is just as full. He developed a love for the outdoors during family camping trips to the Finger Lakes, and in college, he discovered a passion for Ultimate Frisbee—eventually becoming team captain and leading his team to an incredible 47–3 season. But his greatest constant has been his wife, Jasmyn, his partner since they were both 15. Married in July 2025, they continue to build a life grounded in shared experiences and unwavering support.

For Tom, veterinary medicine isn’t just a career—it’s a promise he made long ago to every misunderstood animal still waiting to be seen.