Our Veterinary Staff
We couldn’t ask for better veterinary staff to be the backbone of our practice in Monongahela. Their compassion, skill, and devotion to helping animals and people are second to none. Get to know their names and faces!
Connie Lusk, Office Manager
Connie has been part of the Monongahela Animal Hospital team since 1996. A long-time lover of animals, she’s worked in the animal care industry for over 35 years and was a dog groomer for 24 years. Connie enjoys working at Monongahela Animal Hospital because she likes being around animals and the wonderful staff and clients. Of course, she also likes working with Dr. Lisa Lusk, the hospital’s owner, and Connie’s daughter, and she likes seeing her grandchildren every day, too!
Connie shares her home with a Welsh Corgi named Teddy and a Pyrenees mix named Tucker. When she’s not working at the hospital, she likes to garden, attend auctions, and make dried floral wreaths. She especially likes to spend time with her 10 grandchildren and her wonderful husband, Bob.
Jayme Palla, Practice Manager
In addition to being Monongahela Animal Hospital’s practice manager, Jayme is also a veterinary technician at the hospital and has worked here since 1997. She likes the pleasant and fun atmosphere and enjoys meeting new people and seeing the many different animals that come through the hospital’s doors.
Jayme has a Frenchie named Bailey and a cat named Luna. When she’s not at work, she likes to spend her time gardening, scrapbooking, baking, fishing, spending time with her husband, Ed, and playing with her daughter, Carly.
Ashley Hazy, Veterinary Technician
A part-time veterinary technician, Ashley has worked at Monongahela Animal Hospital since 2008 and enjoys the hospital’s friendly atmosphere. The owner of two dogs, a Boxer named Geno and a Siberian Husky named Kierra, Ashley also fosters animals and likes to spend her spare time with her husband, Greg, and their daughters, Ailyn and Aubrie. She enjoys gardening, cooking and baking, biking, swimming, blogging, and crafting.
Jacquelyn Thomas, Veterinary Technician
Jacquelyn has been a veterinary technician at Monongahela Animal Hospital since 2007 and holds an associate’s degree in specialized technology. Learning something new every day while at work is something that Jacquelyn genuinely enjoys. She shares her home with her dogs Lillie, Paisley, and Hope; a kitten named Vinnie; and a green-winged macaw named Seth. Jacquelyn enjoys volunteering her time at Washington County Humane Society, fostering animals, and loves spending her free time on her boat and camping. She and her husband have two children, Colton and Camrynn.
Marissa Molnar, Certified Veterinary Technician
Marissa has been with us since April 2014 and enjoys the team she works with and the overall attitude of the practice. “Everyone is here to help animals, to make their lives better,” she says. “We all get along well while achieving the same goal of helping animals.” Marissa graduated from the Vet Tech Institute in December 2010 and has been employed in the animal care field ever since.
Marissa shares her home with four dogs: Diesel the Rottweiler mix, Coalby the Boxer, Pete the Pointer, and Wheeler the Cattle Dog. When she’s not working, Marissa enjoys being outdoors as much as possible—hiking with her dogs, gardening, and riding quads.
Jaime Makrush, Veterinary Technician
Jaime has been a contributing factor to the outstanding services we provide here at Monongahela Animal Hospital. Some of Jaime’s responsibilities involve drawing blood, providing client education, surgery assistance, ordering inventory, and assisting our doctors.
Jaime’s favorite aspect of working with us is being able to work with so many amazing animals. She is currently taking online courses through San Juan College to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. Jaime has prior work experience at a non-profit veterinary clinic in Greene County that helps lower-income families with their pets. She also volunteers at a no-kill animal shelter and rescue for cats.
“I like the family-like atmosphere,” Jaime says. “We are a small group of veterinarians and veterinary technicians, which makes the clients and their pets feel more like part of our family.”
In her spare time, Jaime can be found with her loving husband and their furry babies. They foster and find cats homes, so many felines come in and out of their residence. Jaime especially has a soft spot for cats with disabilities.
Cassidy Ginsburg, Certified Veterinary Technician
Cassidy joined the staff of Monongahela Animal Hospital in July 2019. She graduated from the Vet Tech Institute in 2018. Cassidy started out working with horses, which was a great experience. She enjoys working with small animals because she can connect with them through watching their behavior and she enjoys seeing them at recheck visits after we have helped them feel better. Cassidy enjoys working here because the staff and clients all feel like family. Cassidy shares her home with her boyfriend, Will, and her daughter, Brynnlee. Dozer, a Lab, Diesel, a Lab, and Atlas, a Beagle, also live with them. Cassidy enjoys playing with her dogs and riding her side by side for fun!
Madison Gaydos, Veterinary Technician
Madison has an associate degree from the Vet Tech Institute. Growing up, she always loved being around animals, and wanted the best for them. She got into veterinary technology because she knew it was what she was meant to do. Madison’s favorite thing about working in this field is being able to help animals get better, and being there for their concerned owners. At home, she has a cat named Sadie and two dogs, Jade and Sydney (siblings). When she isn’t at work, Madison enjoys painting and spending time with friends and family.
