Our Veterinary Team
Our veterinary team is made up of dedicated veterinarians, veterinary technicians, assistants, kennel techs, and receptionists who all strive to give your pet the best care possible. Find out more about us and don’t forget to make an appointment online or by calling 802-773-2779 to meet us in person!
Dr. Rob Macpherson
Medical Director & Veterinarian
Dr. Macpherson is our fearless Medical Director and Veterinarian here at Rutland Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Center—and he’s the kind of vet who truly leads with his heart (and maybe a scalpel or two). A general practitioner with a deep passion for surgery, Dr. Macpherson splits his week between seeing appointments and spending time in the OR, working on everything from orthopedic cases like cranial cruciate ligament disease to more advanced soft tissue surgeries. On top of that, he helps guide hospital policies, mentor staff, and keep the clinic running smoothly.
Dr. Macpherson graduated from Ontario Veterinary College in 1992 and has called Vermont home since 1999. Over the years, he’s built a career grounded in compassion, skill, and the belief that pets are part of the family—because to him, they are. He often says, “I absolutely love what I have the privilege of doing—looking after people and their best friends.” For him, the greatest reward isn’t just the medicine—it’s seeing pets recover and watching the joy it brings to the people who love them.
He’s a big believer in working hard and being kind (words he lives by and shares with his kids), and he credits much of his success to the amazing team around him that shares his passion for excellence in care.
Outside the clinic, life stays full and fun. Dr. Macpherson and his wife Kris have three wonderful kids—Emma, Laura, and Sam—and a furry crew that includes two lovable black Labs, Harper and Stanley, and their cat Luna. He’s a fan of the great outdoors, especially when it includes camping, reading a good book under the stars, or just soaking up family time. Favorite foods? Easy: steak tips, New York style cheesecake, and his wife’s raspberry strudel (which we hear is legendary). As for vacations—he’ll tell you any spot is perfect as long as he’s with his Macpherson crew.
With his positive energy, surgical skills, and deep care for people and pets alike, Dr. Macpherson is the heart of RVCSC—and we’re so lucky to have him.
Dr. Michaela Wozniakewicz
Veterinarian
Dr. Michaela Wozniakewicz is a graduate of Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, and she received her undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont. She grew up in Massachusetts but fell in love with Vermont during her time at UVM and joined the Rutland Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Center team in 2014 after completing veterinary school. Dr. Woz’s areas of special interest include internal medicine, neurology, dermatology and dentistry . She enjoys providing the best possible care to both animals and people, as well as developing strong relationships with her clients and their pets. She also thrives on the challenges of practicing veterinary medicine – no day is the same as the next!
In addition to her two sons and husband, Dr. Woz’s family includes two dogs, Rhaegar and Lyanna, and a cat named Scotty. In her free time, Dr. Woz enjoys cooking, baking, gardening, hiking, skiing, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Dr. Jessie Bachmann
Veterinarian
Dr. Jessie Bachmann is a graduate of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and received her B.S. from the University of Vermont. She was born and raised in Vermont and has actually been working at the Rutland Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Center in a variety of roles since she was in high school.
Dr. Bachmann enjoys many aspects of veterinary medicine and is particularly interested in preventative care, dermatology, behavior, and hospice/end of life care. She also enjoys soft tissue surgery and dentistry. Dr. Bachmann really values being able to be a part of the bond that clients and their pets share, and especially enjoys being able to watch her patients grow from puppies and kittens into adulthood.
Jessie and her husband live on a small farm with their horses, their cat, Ava, and their dogs Maisy and Silo. In her free time, Jessie enjoys training and trialing her dogs in a variety of sports (particularly Scentwork), donating her time to help run the Vermont state 4H horse program, and traveling the world with her sister.
Dr. Haley Macomber
Veterinarian
Dr. Haley Macomber’s love for animals was realized at a young age due to growing up on a small beef and horse farm in Fair Haven, VT. She graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2022 and received her B.S. from the University of Vermont in 2017. Dr. Macomber enjoys many different areas of veterinary medicine but her special areas of interest include lameness, palliative care, dental work, and surgery. She became certified in chiropractic care during her fourth year of veterinary school and is excited to share this modality with the Rutland community. She also became certified in acupuncture from the Chi University in early 2023.
She feels privileged to be a part of the relationship clients share with their pets. Whether it be a new puppy or kitten or a senior pet, she loves the opportunity to cater to each individual pet’s specific needs. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, baking, snowmobiling, and riding her horses.
Dr. Tess Alecksynas
Veterinarian
Dr. Tess Alecksynas joined the Rutland Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Center Family in June 2022 as an Urgent Care Veterinarian. Dr. Tess grew up in Washington County, NY on a dairy farm and has worked in Veterinary Medicine since 2010. She graduated from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2020 and has since been practicing Emergency and Preventive medicine in upstate NY. Dr. Tess feels grateful to work in a position where she can help sick and injured animals with the help and dedication of owners and her amazing support staff. Dr. Tess now lives in Granville, NY with her 3 dogs: Ryleigh, Jiminy, and Annie as well as her cats Moo-fasa and Oscar. She enjoys kayaking and hiking and reading.
Dr. Vivien Burnell
Veterinarian
Dr. Vivien Burnell graduated with a BS from the University of New Hampshire and went on to complete her veterinary degree at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating from veterinary school, she moved to New Jersey to complete a rotation in small animal medicine and surgery internship. Dr. Burnell grew up on the seacoast of NH but loves all of New England!
Dr. Burnell enjoys many parts of veterinary medicine, but her main interests are internal medicine, cardiology, emergency, and critical care. Dr. Burnell admires the human-animal bond and is excited to help build that bond with all of her patients and their families.
Vivien shares a home with her Husband, son, three dogs, Layla, Eliska, and Miko, as well as her cat, Lilith. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside hiking, skiing, and swimming, but always loves a good book!
Barbara
If you’ve been to RVCSC in the last 20+ years, chances are you’ve seen Barbara in action. As our associate practice manager and all-around clinic wizard, Barbara wears many hats—and sometimes all of them in one day. From helping clients and supporting staff, to making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes, Barbara does a little bit of everything. No two days are the same, and that’s exactly how she likes it.
Her favorite part of the job? Getting to spend time with all the animals—and their humans—and learning something new every single day. Whether it’s managing a full schedule, finding a creative solution to a surprise situation, or just being the calm in the clinic storm, Barbara keeps us running like a well-oiled machine.
Outside the clinic, Barbara enjoys the finer things in life: knitting up a storm, fly-fishing in peace, and catering to her two Siamese cats who are fully convinced they’re dogs. She also loves visiting her son, daughter-in-law, and two adorable grandkids in Tahoe, California—though she swears those grandkids are the only ones who can outmatch the energy of a full clinic day.
Barbara keeps us grounded, laughing, and on track—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Sarah
Sarah oversees the behind-the-scenes operations and keeps everything running smoothly. From streamlining internal processes to making sure systems are organized and efficient. She is the unofficial queen of color-coded spreadsheets.
With a background in both administration and team leadership, Sarah balances the big-picture planning with the small, important details that keep a practice running efficiently and compassionately.
Outside of work, she recharges by swimming, running, and spending time with her family and four dogs (who definitely think they’re the bosses). She also loves to travel, especially when there’s a chance to unplug and explore somewhere new.
Joann
Joann is a surgery technician here at RVCSC and has been working here for over 40 years!
Joann has three dogs that love to come to work with her. She has opened her home to lots of foster cats, many of whom have made permanent additions to her family over the years. She spends her free time with her children, grandchildren, and her animals.
Ashley
Ashley joined Rutland Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Center in June of 2021, bringing with her over five years of experience in the veterinary field. A proud graduate of Vermont Technical College, Ashley is a Certified Veterinary Technician who has found her niche in surgery—where she plays a key role as a primary surgical technician. One of the things she enjoys most about her job is the variety of cases she gets to be a part of, keeping each day interesting and full of learning opportunities.
Outside the clinic, Ashley is a busy mom to two wonderful kids (a girl and a boy), and a devoted pet parent to her senior pup Nika (16 years young!) and two cats, Kylo and Alfredo. In her free time, you’ll likely find her enjoying the outdoors—hiking, kayaking, or swimming—or curled up with a good book.
AJ
AJ is a certified veterinary technician, licensed through Vermont Technical College (VTC), and has been with RVCSC since May of 2015. Her favorite part of her job is working with a great group of people who are dedicated to helping the pets in our community.
She has one cat, Cubby and two dogs, Henry and Smitty who like to accompany her while she is adventuring outdoors. She can be found outside all year long hiking, kayaking, and snowmobiling. She also helps her family with sugaring, and they make the best maple syrup in Vermont!
Devin
Devin has an associate degree in animal science from SUNY Delhi and has been an LVT for 20 years, 9 of which she has worked at RVCSC. Her favorite thing about working here is that every day is different, and she is constantly learning new ways to help our patients.
At home, Devin has a full house. She has two dogs, four cats, one rabbit, three goats, nine chickens, three ducks, three daughters, and one husband, all of whom she loves spending her free time with.
Donna
Surgery Technician
Donna is our dedicated Surgery Technician, playing a key role in ensuring each patient receives safe and compassionate care. She assists the veterinarian throughout surgical procedures, supports anesthesia and x-ray processes, and acts as a recovery and comfort nurse for patients waking up from surgery.
She brings not only her skill but also her heart to the job—especially when it comes to shelter animals, which hold a special place in her heart. At home, she’s a proud parent, partner, grandparent, and shares her life with one dog and two cats. Her calm presence, attention to detail, and genuine care make her an invaluable part of our surgical team.
Raechel
Raechel has a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in clinical animal medicine from Becker College. She has had a long-running interest in working with animals and started her career in high school working with the Springfield Humane Society for five years. After graduating, she worked at a local animal hospital for 15 years. She has been with RVCSC since September of 2019. Her favorite things about working at RVCSC are client communication and working with the patients.
Raechel has two Siamese cats named Bad Dog and Loki who she loves more than anything. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family and friends.
Vicki
Veterinary Technician
Vicki came to RVCSC in April of 2021, from a vet clinic in New York. She has a degree in psychology, with a minor in sociology. One of her favorite things about working here is being able to learn new things every single day, and being able to give a little extra love to the humane society puppies and kittens.
Vicki has three cats, Laszlo, Emme, and Leia, and she’s known for fostering kittens when the opportunity arises. When she’s not working with animals, Vicki likes to hike and practice photography.
Maeve
Veterinary Technician
Maeve started at RVCSC at the end of 2023. She attended Becker College, and has worked at mixed animal practices in MA. She has also worked as an emergency technician at Northway Animal Emergency Hospital.
Rescue work and farming is very important to Maeve, which is reflected in the wide variety of pets that she has at home. The list includes 5 dogs (all rescues), 5 cats, 2 birds, 2 turtles, fish, a bunny, and a horse, as well as cows, goats, sheep, pigs, ducks, and chickens. In addition to helping animals, she also helps with disaster relief work. When she’s not taking care of animals or humans, in one form or another, Maeve enjoys hiking and horseback riding.
Georgia
Georgia is a dedicated veterinary technician with a passion for patient care and client connection. She takes pride in getting to know each animal she works with, as well as the people who love them. Her calm, compassionate approach helps ensure that every visit is a positive experience for both pets and their owners.
Outside of work, Georgia enjoys spending her time with her three beloved cats or taking her mare out for a relaxing drive. Her deep love for animals shines through in every aspect of her life, making her a valued member of our team.
Trish
Trish is one of our hardworking Veterinary Technicians, always ready to jump in and help—whether that means assisting the doctors or caring for patients. She loves staying busy and being hands-on with the animals, making sure every pet gets the care and attention they deserve.
Outside of work, Trish’s life is just as full of animals! She has 3 horses, 4 dogs, 2 KuneKune pigs, and one lucky cat. Her happy place? Anywhere by the ocean. When she’s not at the clinic, you can often find her barrel racing with her favorite horse—her absolute favorite sport and adrenaline rush.
Trish brings energy, compassion, and a love for animals to everything she does, and we’re so lucky to have her on the team!
Heather
Heather started working at RVCSC in the fall of 2022. She has a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice, with a Digital Forensics certification, but has found her passion working with animals. She spent three years working at the Rutland County Humane Society before coming to work here. She loves the positive interaction with the community members that entrust us with the care of their pets. When she’s not at the clinic, Heather spends her free time with her cats Beanz and Gwen.
Susan
Veterinary Technician
Susan joined Rutland Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Center in October of 2022, bringing with her a wealth of experience from many years in the veterinary field. Over the years, she’s worn a lot of hats—from veterinary technician to practice manager—and her knowledge and passion for animals shine through in everything she does.
Outside of work, Susan enjoys a good book and soaking up time with her four grown kids and four grandchildren, especially during visits to beautiful Cape Cod. She also shares her home with Boo, her sweet 16-year-old calico cat.
Candy
Candy has been with RVCSC since March of 2019. Previously, she attended Volhard Dog Training School and has worked with animals ever since. You may recognize her from the business she owned and operated for over 10 years, Canine to Five. Her favorite things about working at RVCSC are the dedicated staff, the fast-paced environment, and that every day is different.
She owns four dogs (a Great Dane, two Whippets, and a Chihuahua). In her free time, Candy loves reading, gardening, and nature.
Jean
Jean has been working at RVCSC since 1968 – wow! She currently grooms animals at the clinic on Mondays and Tuesdays. Her favorite thing about working here is getting to work with all the different dogs.
At home, she has dogs, birds, ducks, geese, and fish. She loves gardening and spending time with her grandchildren.
Maureen (Mo)
Customer Service Representative
If you’ve been to RVCSC, then you probably know Mo. She’s been a constant, smiling face in reception for going on 23 years! Her favorite thing about working at RVCSC is assisting clients and watching all the dogs and cats grow up.
If you know Mo, then you probably know that she has three beautiful German Shepherds, a cat, and an Amazon parrot. In her free time, Maureen likes competitive obedience shows, dog training, bingo, and cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Michele
Customer Service Representative
Michele has been a cornerstone of Rutland Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Center since 2011, bringing with her decades of experience and a deep-rooted passion for veterinary care. Her journey in the profession began back in 1983, and over the years, she has worn many hats—including a memorable stint as a veterinary nurse in England for three years!
At RVCSC, Michele loves that no two days are ever the same. She thrives on the chance to learn and share something new every day, whether it’s with clients, pets, or teammates.
Outside of work, Michele enjoys quiet moments with a good book or a gripping psychological thriller. She’s also a true-crime fan, a nature lover, and a home cook who cherishes time spent with her animals. Her household includes one loyal dog, four curious cats, and a lively flock of chickens.
Brittany
Brittany has been with RVCSC since September 2020. She has a passion for working with animals and worked as an animal technician and laboratory research technician in Oklahoma, providing care for mice, rats, African clawed frogs, and zebra fish!
She has two chihuahuas at home (Bruno & Biz). Outside of the clinic, she likes music, movies, coloring, and hanging with her pups!
Her favorite thing about working at RVCSC is getting to see animals every day, and always learning new things.
Richard
Customer Service Representative
Richard started at RVCSC in 2023. He has a whopping 30 years of retail management experience from Borders Books & Music, and Bed Bath & Beyond. Books are a clear passion of his, along with playing the guitar, fishing, and spending as much time as possible with his family (preferably at Disney!).
Rich loves interacting with the clients, many of whom he knows from his previous jobs, and being able to interact with the animals is the cherry on top. He has gained a great respect for what our staff does here on a daily basis, and is excited to be a part of the team for a long time to come.
Beth
Customer Service Representative
Beth is one of the friendly faces (and voices!) at the clinic. Her journey into veterinary medicine began after working in animal welfare at the humane society—an experience that sparked her passion for helping animals and supporting the people who love them. She quickly found that the veterinary field was a perfect fit.
Outside of the clinic, Beth is always on the move and happiest outdoors. She enjoys running, biking, hiking, kayaking, and paddleboarding—basically anything that gets her outside and exploring. She shares her adventures with her partner Bruce and their six beloved dogs: Breezy, Harper, YooHoo, Tildy, Piper, and Bumble.
With a calm, compassionate presence and a deep love for animals, Beth is dedicated to making every visit to the clinic a positive experience—for both pets and their people.
Rylee
Rylee is one of our hardworking kennel attendants, helping keep things clean, organized, and running smoothly behind the scenes. She’s also always ready to lend a hand to the technicians whenever they need an extra set of hands.
Rylee grew up surrounded by horses and other large animals, which sparked her early love for animals. Her passion for science in school made the veterinary field a natural fit. When she’s not at the clinic, you can probably find her barrel racing, snowboarding, or getting in a good workout.
She brings great energy, dedication, and a love for animals into everything she does!
Kevin
Nancy
Veterinary Technician
Nancy’s journey to veterinary medicine wasn’t a straight line—it was more of a scenic route! After exploring careers in everything from carpentry to library supervision (and even a stint working at zoos and research labs), she eventually found her way back to where her heart has always been: working with animals.
Originally from New York, Nancy made the move to Vermont when her partner’s backyard got the official stamp of approval from their dogs. These days, she shares her home with three pups—Rev, Katahdin, and Drax—each with their own big personalities, plus fond memories of Wicket, the sweetest orange cat she adopted from her first vet clinic. She knows it’s only a matter of time before another cat finds their way into her heart and home.
She’s completed a grad-school externship in Australia (a three-month adventure she’ll never forget) and spent two seasons doing conservation work with her boys Rev and Drax, both trained conservation canines. Together, they worked on environmental consulting projects, searching for bat and bird fatalities at wind farms.
When she’s not at the clinic or letting the dogs romp through the woods , Nancy can be found digging in her garden, baking up something sweet, or lending a hand at large events like weddings and retirement parties for her former bosses.
Nancy brings a deep passion for animals, a love for learning, and a wonderfully unique perspective to her role—and we’re so glad her path led her here.
Kringle
Clinic Cat
Kringle joined the team in December of 2022, during an extended stay here while he recovered from a leg amputation. No one could resist his silly personality or his great big blue crossed-eyes. All of our clients helped pick his name, and everyone was happy to welcome him into our family. Kringle is a sweet, lovable cuddlebug and an avid heat seeker. Even with three legs, he’s got a knack for getting into places he doesn’t belong, both high and low, and he has a proclivity for busting into bags of food (much like his predecessor, Jingles…). Regardless of his trouble-making tendencies, he still graduated top of his class at the Acatemy in Safety and Security, and plays the role of hall monitor frequently.
Mooches
Clinic Cat
Mooches came to us from the Rutland County Humane Society due to severe eye issues that left him unable to see much of the world around him. He has had a series of eye surgeries that have successfully corrected most of this issue. While here, staff fell in love with him, and we couldn’t bear to part with him. He’s not scared of much, and loves to greet clients in the lobby. His favorite snack is paper, and he apologizes in advance for any shredded discharge papers clients may get. He is a goofy cat that makes us smile every day, and we are proud to say we think he’s earned an advanced degree in Emotional Support from the Acatemy.
In loving memory of Jingles
Clinic Cat & Honorary CEO, 2008-2022