Patrice Klein, MS, VMD, DACPV, DACVPM - Team Commander
Patty is originally from Long Island, New York. She serves as the Team Leader for VMAT 2 and has served in VMAT since 2001. She has been performing veterinary medicine 1988. Patty’s pets include Russian Tortoise named Turltle, Macaw named Trooper, cats Eclipse, Tux and Taz. Eclipse is 21 years old and Trooper is 25 years old!! Patty also works full time for the USDA/APHIS as a veterinary avian disease specialist. She attended the University of PA, St Johns University, UC Davis and St John Hopkins School of Medicine and earned the degrees of Masters of Science in Toxicology, and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. She also earned the additional professional designations of Diplomat in the American College of Avian Pathology and Diplomat in the American College of Veterinary Preventative Medicine. Patty’s hobbies include wildlife rehabilitation, operas, hiking, canoeing, and sleeping! She also speaks Spanish. She loves to sing but according to her cannot carry a tune! She is most proud of learning how to “dry-wall” and is most proud of the VMAT 2 team.
Karen is originally from Smithtown on Long Island. She serves as a Deputy Team Leader and has served in VMAT since August of 2001. She has been performing veterinary medicine since 1993. Karen’s pets include horses Joshua and Gulliver; dogs Mona, Wednesday and Yarah; and cats Tina and Tutti Fruiti. Karen is single and lives in a log cabin in Bluemont, Virginia. She attended Wilson College and Ross University and graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Karen’s hobbies include horseback riding, hiking with the dogs and gardening. One thing the team would be surprised to hear is that she considers herself an introvert!
Rhonda is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she resides today. She serves as Administrative Officer for VMAT 2 and has served in VMAT since 2005. Rhonda’s pets include dogs Chunky, Annie and Buddy as well as her cat Schmeow. Rhonda works full time in a safety department for a transportation carrier managing their workers compensation program. She specializes in injury prevention. Rhonda has worked in veterinary medicine since 1998 starting out in emergency medicine. She graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a BS in Public Policy & Management in 1989 and The Median School of Allied Health Careers in 1998. Her hobbies include pet sitting, cross stitch, camping, hiking and travel to national parks in the US. Rhonda is most proud of being accepted on the VMAT 2 team. The team would be most surprised to hear that she still works part time for a small animal clinic, pet sits and VMAT would technically be her fourth job. However, Rhonda does not consider her veterinary positions as work but is a passion!
Christine is originally from Freiburg, Germany. She serves as a Logistics Officer and has served in VMAT since 1999. She has been performing veterinary medicine 1989 and has been a licensed veterinary technician since 1992. Christine is married to David. Christine’s pets include horses Angelica and Fat Bob the Singing Plumber; German Shepherd Max, cats Paco, Spunky and Clementine. Christine specializes in small animals and equine healthcare (but NO reptiles!). She attended high school in Germany and received her Veterinary Technician Degree at Northern Virginia Community College. Christine’s hobbies include horseback riding, snow skiing, and swimming. She is most proud of the re-organization of the VMAT 2 cache.
Jim was raised in Rockville Centre, New York and currently resides in Southwest Ranches, Florida with his wife, Lori Meacham, DVM, and their menagerie. The menagerie consists of three children, Katie, Mike, and Clare and in addition four horses, seven dogs, ten cats, and one parrot. He did not want to bore you with all the four-legged family members’ names. Jim earned his Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Miami and Florida International University. His many hobbies include kayaking, white water rafting, hiking, motorcycle touring, and analyzing the stock market. He recently joined VMAT-2, but has many years as a fire fighter and extensive emergency and safety training. He is proud of anything in life he has done that made someone else’s life a little better.
Bob is originally from Northwest, Indiana. He serves as Safety Officer for VMAT 2 and has served in VMAT since 2004. Bob’s specialty is safety and security and went to the Indiana University of Business and Communications as well as the Ivy Tech Fire Science School. Bob’s pets include cats Smokey, Lucky and a rescued stray that does not have a name yet. He has a daughter Jennifer and son Steven. Bob’s hobbies include glass etching and emergency work. He even went to New Mexico for classes in glass etching! Bob is most proud of his membership to VMAT 2 especially since he is not involved in the veterinary industry.
Denise was born in Tacoma Park, Maryland and now resides in Laurel, Maryland. She has been in veterinary medicine for 23 years and with VMAT since 2001. Denise obtained her BS in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland & Baltimore County. Her current occupation is Practice Manager for Olney Sandy Springs Veterinary Hospital. Her pets are Keeshond Casanova, Chihuahua/Jack Russell stray from Mississippi named Grady and 2 cats- Chelsea and Kelly. Denise is proud of the fact that she can drink beer with no hands. (You’ll have to see it to believe it!) Her hobbies are needlepoint, puzzles, bowling and fly ball with her dog Casanova. The team would be most surprised to learn that she considers herself a “home body” but in the same breath recalls her Jello wrestling days in college! (It was green and red jello and, yes she did have her clothes on!)
Kathleen is originally from Louisville, Kentucky but currently resides in Floyd, Virginia. Kathleen serves as the Communication Officer for VMAT 2. She had been in veterinary medicine for 20 years and specialized in equine care and rescue. Kathleen has been a member of VMAT for 2 years. Kathleen’s pets include 3 cats, Scout, Dill and Spazzy. Kathleen’s picture of Spazzy won a photography award a few years ago. Her beloved horse Majestic passed away but lived 26 years. Kathleen has both a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Engineering degrees from University of Louisville and a DVM from Auburn University Her hobbies and interests are TNTC! (Too numerous to count) Kathleen participates in general and large animal rescue but was a proud member of TRACER, Technical Rope & Cave Emergency Response. This elite group specializes in swift water rescue, cave rescues and “high angle” rescues such as on high ledges. It is no surprise that she passed all the individual tests within one day! Her other hobbies include disaster and emergency preparedness, videography and communications. It probably comes at no surprise to know that Kathleen is an avid ham radio operator (call sign WK4AB).