Veterinary Assistant
Chris (Christine) joined Aurora Animal Care Community as a veterinary assistant in April of 2019. Previously involved with AACC, Chris had already been shadowing Dr. Kartley since the summer of 2010. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology (2018) and University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine with a Master's in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, with a focus in veterinary medicine, in December 2024. She is currently working on her second Master's degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine set to graduate spring 2027.
Chris will be applying to veterinary school after having transferred from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, West Indies in 2022. She holds special interests in Internal Medicine, Emergency & Critical Care, and research. Chris enjoys mentoring other pre-veterinary students since she has had a unique but insightful vet-med journey thus far!
Chris is also our digital content coordinator, staff writer, and website manager. She creates content including original blogs, videos, Reels/Shorts, and the monthly newsletter for the practice.
Outside the clinic, Chris has two flat-coated retrievers Reese and Pepper as well as two tuxedo cats Nook (pictured above) and Moo Moo, who she brought back with her from St. Kitts. All are great study companions and cuddle bugs. In her down time, she enjoys reading, gardening, hiking with her dogs and leash trained cat Nook, kayaking, camping, training her cats and dogs, and traveling the world.
Chris is Fear Free Certified.
Check out some of Chris' favorite nationally published articles she has written for the practice:
Filter Failure: What Happens When A Pet's Kidneys Can't Keep Up
Understanding Osteoarthritis: Minimizing Pain, Maximizing Quality of Life
Food for Thought: Dog and Cat Enrichment
The Crucial Role of Anesthesia in Veterinary Dental Care
What is a COHAT? More than a standard teeth cleaning
Itch Itch Go Away: A dog dermatology discussion
A Veterinarian's Role in the One Health Perspective
Establishing Truths Regarding Feline Heartworm Disease