Veterinarians & Staff
There are 2 full-time veterinarians and 9 staff members working as a team at the hospital. On Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, Dr. Pappas and Dr. Ramsey work. Weekend hours and emergencies are rotated. Calling the clinic (440)-729-9584 after work hours activates the doctor's cell phones, which also functions as a pager. Wednesday and Friday are one-doctor days, which Dr. Pappas and Ramsey alternate. Luckily, we can read each others writing and share the same practice philosophy!
Dr. Christine E. Pappas
Dr. Pappas is a 1986 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, with an undergraduate degree at OSU in Zoology, summa cum laude, with Honors in Liberal Arts. After graduation she worked at small animal practices in Cleveland and Burton, and co-hosted a pet talk radio site at WWWE. After the birth of her first child she began a house-call practice limited to birds and exotics, and worked as a relief veterinarian at area small animal practices and all-night emergency clinics. In 1991 she purchased the West Geauga Veterinary Hospital from Dr. R.A. Langford, and became the "boss"!
Dr.Pappas enjoys treating dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, pocket pets, and small exotics. Medicine, surgery, pain relief, diagnostics, senior pet care, nutrition, and behavior counseling are all part of a day's work. She treats all pets as if they are her own, and offers estimates for the care she feels best for your pet.
She is an active member of numerous veterinary groups, as well as the Chesterland Chamber of Commerce. Veterinary groups include the Cleveland Academy of Veterinarians, American Animal Hospital Association, Ohio Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians, Association of Avian Veterinarians, and Association of Zoological Veterinarians.
Dr. Pappas is treasurer of the Geauga County Veterinary Medical Society, and organizes their information booth at the Geauga County Fair. She volunteers her time for the rabbit 4-H clubs and local Girl Scouts. Veterinary technician students from Tri-C college gain experience at the hospital at an intenship with Dr. Pappas and staff. High school seniors regularly intern with Dr. Pappas, also.
Her hobbies include perennial flower gardening, swimming, playing classical piano, traveling, and reading Science fiction novels. She lives in South Russell with her husband Mitch, and daughters Stephanie and Kiersten. Her pets include her yellow lab Chip, cats Peanut,Snuggles and Little Muenster,African Grey parrots Buddy and Floyd, cockatiels Nikko,Saffron and Sunshine, 2 English parakeets,Gloster canary, goldfish and Koi , rabbit Buns Oreo, hamster Trapper, and Schneider's skink River.
Dr. Paul M. Ramsey
Dr. Ramsey joined our team the summer of 2005. He earned his DVM from The Ohio State University in June, 2005. He earned his B.S. degraa in Animal Sciences from OSU and graduated Magna cum laude. Concurrently with achieving his DVM degree, he earned a Master's degree for his researach on the reproductive aspects of South American Camelid (llalmas and alpacas) under the suptervision of Dr. David E. Anderson. He has been invited to speak at several camelid conferences for his knowledge in this area, and has earned several awards including grants for summer work and an all expense paid trip to the Western States Veterinary Conference.
Dr. Ramsey's intersts are in small animal medicine and surgery, with an emphasis on exotic medicine. He recently completed an externship at Animal Care Unlimited in Columbus, Ohio, a facility which specializes in wildlife medicine and exotic animals including ferrets, birds, rabbits, and reptiles. Dr. Ramsey and his wife own several ferrets, and before he did his externship, was a client himself there and experienced his animals going through many surgeries, emergency visits, and numerous other medical treatments. He would like to share his knowledge, experience, and compassion with his clients and patients at the West Geauga Veterinary Hospital.
Dr. Ramsey is most proud of serving as president of the Silver Wings organization for 2 years. This programa works closely with the United States Air Force ROTC program and promotes community outreach programs and recognizes the contributions of those in the armed services. During his terms, the organization was awarded the Samuel E. Anderson Trophy, whic i s national award for commnity service.
During his free time, Dr. Ramsey enjoys a multitude of indoor and outdoor activities with his wife. He enjoys lanscaping his yard, repairing cars, and playing football and softball. During Sundays in the fall, you can find him watching the Browns play at home, or if he is lucky at the field. Dr. Ramsey thoroughly enjoys playing with his XBOX. When he was younger, he used to bowl in a league, but now he only bowls recreationally. Finally, he enjoys interacting with a multitude of species that he meets on a daily basis, from birds to snakes to dogs to cats to ferrets!
For as long as he can remember, Dr. Ramsey has wanted to become a veterinarian. He has a great love for all species, is gentle and patient, and he has been recognized for his dedication to working with clients with the goal of imporving the lives of their beloved family member. He is enthusiastic, cheerful, and tolerates the gentle ribbing of his all-female co-workers gracefully!
LAY STAFF MEMBERS
Pam Chioromonte
is our head receptionist and office manager. She brings years of experience in people and management skills from a varied background in waitressing and factory work. She has a great memory, is a whiz with our computers, and can fix anything that breaks! Special duties include inventory and ordering premium and prescription foods, scheduling, and assorted office management duties. Pam's hobbies include home improvement projects, woodworking, puzzles, and reading non-fiction. She lives in Chesterland with her daughter Nicole, and cats Lizzie and Soda. and 2 hermit crabs.Kathy Ehrhart
is our certified master dog trainer. She is great at animal restraint, practical advise, and humor! She offers group training/obedience classes at the clinic, and is also available one-on-one for training in your home through her own training and behavioral service, "Diamonds in the Ruff". You can reach her at her home, (440) 636-5306. Her hobbies include catering, woodworking, gardening, horses, and anything relating to German Shepherds or the color orange! She live in Huntsburg with her husband Bud, German Shepherds Liberty and Justice and beagle Alex.
Darlene Haluska
is our newest full-time receptionist . She is no novice, however, with 13 years of experience with the public working at retail drug stores and corporatioons. Her warmth, attention to detail, and love of pets and the bond we have with them shine through. Special duties include maintaining office inventory. She dotes on her beagles, cat, children and grandchildren when she isn't dancing or working! She is especially enchanted with Dalmatians. She lives with her husband John in Willoughby.
Barbara Foster
is our experienced veterinary receptionist. She brings years of pet experience from past employment at a pet store, and small animal/avian veterinary hospital. She is skilled in assisting in lab tests, dentistry, surgery, and patient care, as well as compassion for owners too. Special duties include maintaining the X-ray machine, and safety. She is active in the show circuit with her Doberman, Windsor's High Expectations, who is now a finished champion. Her hobbies include Muscle cars. She lives in Chesterland with her husband Mark, and Dobermans Katie, Taboo, and Spike!!
Audrey Lariccia
is our full time veterinary assistant, who is also skilled in front desk work. She has worked in veterinary hospitals since she was a teenager, working her way up from the kennel position. Special duties include organization of the supplies, and the control drug paperwork. Hobbies include crafts, bowling, cooking, and rescuing wildlife. She lives in Kirtland with her husband Dave, son little Dave, daughter Angela, German Shepherd Caesar, cats, box turtle, fish, tarantula , fire-bellied toads, finches, frogs, cockatiel, ducks, rabbits, and many parakeets. Audrey has taken college courses in wildlife rehabilitation and raises orphaned rabbits and birds every spring! She enjoys gardening, making crafts, cooking, entertaining, and activities with her children.
Kelly McGurer
is skilled at veterinary assisting, and front desk work. Special duties include ordering and inventory of drugs and surgical supplies, laser safety monitor, and control drug books. Special abilities include getting everything done even when the going gets tough! She is an experienced horsewoman, training and riding, and an active 4-H advisor and Geauga Horse and Pony Club member. She enjoys birds and exotics, as well, and lives in Orwell. Her numerous pets include her iguana, Iggy, dog Red, cats Bingo, Crusty, Frosty, and Pumpkin, and horses Spirit, Robin, Keebler, Nadine and pony Betty. She owns a home in Orwell.
Daniel Apthorp
is our full-time veterinary assistant. She graduated from Chardon High School. She has a green iguanas Grinch and Oxcar, a pair of chinchillas, sugar gliders. pet rats, hamsters, golden retriever Sandy and Laborador Duke, and cats Phoebe, Tami, and Angel.. She has been with us since August 2001, she is such a fast learner that it seems like she has been on the team for decades! She is attending Tri-C college part-time, with her eye on technician school. Fridays find her at garage sales, scouting for bargains. During the winter, she is often snowboarding at Alpine Valley. She especially excels on client instructions on care of exotics.
Nicole Toth
is our parttime veterinary assistant. She is intensely involved in Geauga Junior Fair activities and her church groups. She has a lab, Grunt, and many barn cats she dotes on, and rabbits, as well as a horse at her home in Thompson. She began with us as a student intern before she was hired. Special duties include being safety monitor for the practice. Future goals include veterinary technician school. She is currently working on her undergraduate degree in Biology at Kent.June Sivaram
is our newest addition to the front office staff. We stole her away from customer care specialist positions at Drug Market and bank teller. She brings along her excellent communication and financial skills to her new position. She lives in Chesterland with her husband, 2 children, happy, furry Sheltie and sweet bunny.