Meet The Team
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Office Staff
Office Manager
Melissa Martin
Melissa is an Indiana Dental Assisting Graduate and married Tom Martin in 1984 (go Big Red!). She started part-time at FWPH in 1986 and went full time in 1990 and fondly remembers being the only staff member in a busy family practice!
Melissa feels blessed to enjoy and be a part of all the wonderful families in our practice. She misses being at the desk all the time but loves her new office space and working with our growing staff. As a the mother of 3 and married to Tom Martin (oldest son of Dr. Lynn Martin and the oldest brother of Dr. Marcus), she loves being a part of the family business! Her hobbies include family time on the deck, reading, crafting, service, being a leader for the St. Vincent's American Heritage Girls, ST Vincent's Venture Crew 2802 & Troop 2, helping 4-H when needed, and mudding in the woods with her Jeep!!
Angie started working with us early 2017 and is another cheerfully serving person that will check you in and out, also known as the chart goddess! She and her husband Todd have 4 children amongst them and 8 grandchildren. They travel all over the world and, like Sharon, enjoy beer tasting events. Angie is a Polynesian dancer, loves having cookouts, and enjoys grandbaby time! Other hobbies include golfing, & jeeping with Todd, Missy, Tom, & Dr. Marcus (in his Hummer). Angie manages our prescription foods department and do their best to keep your food needs current and available.
Client Services & Prescription Food Specialist
Angie Schmidt
Client Services Specialist
Keighlea Martin
Keighlea is the eldest of Melissa and Tom Martin's 3 children and has worked at the family practice since 7th grade. She is a graduate of Bishop Dwenger High School and has achieved a Photography, Journalism, & Video, Liberal Arts degree at Columbia College in Chicago.
She began working in the kennel room in high school and worked with us again full time after graduation. You will see Keighlea at the front desk check out. She free-lances in her photography, blogging, podcasts, video documentaries , pet sitting and loves bicycling with her nieces and nephews!
She, along with her grandfather, were actively involved in 4-H earning several awards for her woodworking and for poultry. She won Silver Key for her Photography work at Bishop Dwenger. Keighlea was active in Girl Scouts and earned her Gold Award working with Black Pine Sanctuary.
Client Services & Prescription Food Specialist
Sharon Shie
Sharon joined our practice in August 2015 following a fun lunch interview with Dr. Marcus. Her family of 4 humans, her shelty Kato, along with the feral cat menagerie, have been with the FWPH family since that day in 2015. Her hobbies post Luers / Purdue graduation include lake life with her extended family, hanging out with the amazing FWPH staff, landscape management, and finding new craft beers with fellow staff members! When she is not working, she enjoys spending with her husband watching her kids grow up, Including marching band, high school, and college football.
Practice Maintenance Manager
Cindy Hess
Cindy joined our practice after the expansion to assist with overall maintenance our property. Her son-in-law, Dr. Marcus has always appreciated her attention to cleanliness and overall property care. On any given day you will see her outside handling lawn care, cleaning inside and out, assisting with daily supply run requests, and always available for a chit chat! As a grandmother of 13 she is always up for some fun and snuggles. She and her husband Dan are active and love spending time in the pool or at the lake with friends.
Client Services Specialist
Roby Kaufman
Roby is a versatile staffer. Some days you may talk to her on the phone, see her working at the front desk, or an assistant in the rooms. Roby joined us when her youngest started school. She and her husband are avid runners and she is very involved with her kids at school and within her church. Her family loves everything Purdue and being active! They have an awesome cat- Felix, who is very tolerant of being dressed up by her kids. He is occasionally at work with Roby sleeping under the checkout desk or under the prescription food rack.
Client Services Specialist
Cody Zimmerman
Cody joined our practice in 2021. Before he came to the practice he worked for the local Boy Scout Council, Anthony Wayne Area Council. He graduate from Homestead High School in Fort Wayne. He was apart of Homestead Spartan Alliance Marching Band for four years was the 2011 ISSMA State Champion his senior year. Cody is an Eagle Scout, which he earned in 2012, and has been involved for 21 years in Scouts and the Anthony Wayne Area Council. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs from IU at IPFW. When he's not working he loves to hang out with friends around the campfire, play games and cards. He is a huge Wisconsin Badgers fan (GO BADGERS), but IU is growing on him, and you might find me at an IU football game once in a while. He has three dogs (who occasionally hang out at the front counter with him, so say high when you check in) a Fox Terrier Lucy, a Toy Poodle Buddie, a Lab/Shephard mix Dixie, and a rescue cat Jewels.
Phone Receptionist
Kathy Payonk
Kathy is Dr. Lynn's oldest child and began working here as a teenager. After marrying her husband, Robert Payonk, and having her three children, she returned to the practice in 1996 working as a Veterinary Assistant. In 2017 she multitasked phones and inventory oversite. Starting in 2018 she transitioned to full time phones and there is never a dull moment!
She graduated from Purdue University, Fort Wayne in 1987 with an associates degree.
Kathy is the mother of 3 active children, all of which worked in the practice at Fort Wayne Pet Hospital through college. Her hobbies include reading, antiquing, researching genealogy, relaxing at the lake. Kathy is a big fan of the Yorky breed.
Registered Veterinary Technicians
Veterinary Assistant/Purchasing Manager
Kaylyn Thomas
Kaylynn Thomas has been with us since 2019. She has 3 awesome dogs- one of which is Stark - the giant Great Dane that many of you will be welcomed by at the front reception desk.
Lead Registered Veterinary Technologist
Cassie Edwards
Cassie R.V.T., B.S., is our lead Registered Veterinary Technologist. She received her bachelors degree in Veterinary Technology from Purdue University in 2014. Prior to joining our staff as a graduating R.V.T., she was a veterinary assistant her senior year at Carroll High School and during summers & breaks while attending Purdue.
Cassie enjoys her literal farm of animals at home and manages their care and website products for Happy Hooves and Hens. She has Nigerian Dwarf goats, chickens, a mischievous cat, two loving Cocker Spaniels, a crazy Springer Spaniel, 2 Crested Geckos and a rescue Leopard Gecko. Recently her Cocker Spaniel is pursuing Agility Training and Nosework with her mom! Cassie was a 10 year 4-H member and still maintains a strong presence in the Allen County 4-H fair as the executive Poultry Board member. She is active with judging, bloodwork testing, Fair set up & tear down.
In her free time she loves all things Purdue and Disney, road trips to Purdue for continuing education, Purdue games, hanging out with friends, fine wine, board games, being outside and on the water.
Registered Veterinary Technician
Kaylee Brubaker
Kaylee joined te team in late 2022. She graduated from the Vet Tech Institute at IBC in 2019, passed my VTNE, then worked at a clinic in Warsaw followed by one in my hometown of North Manchester, IN until she joined the FWPH Team. I have a cat named Goose, as well as my family's 2 dogs, Cashew & Lily. In my free time I love to hang out with my friends, listen to podcasts, sing, and cuddle with my animals.
Registered Veterinary Technician
Madi Jayne
Madi joined Team FWPH in the beginning of 2022. She graduated with her Associate's degree in Veterinary Technology in 2019 from Vet Tech Institute. Before joining us she was a tech at VetCor Greenville Veterinary Clinic in Greenville Pennsylvania. Madi and her boyfriend moved here in early 2022. When she's not working she enjoys going on hikes with her boyfriend, or any activity that will get them out of the house! She will also take her three dogs on walks, and occasionally will take them on hikes as well. On her down time she likes to read, watch movies, and cuddle with her 2 dogs.
Chrissy joined Team FWPH in the fall of 2021. Before joining us she was a tech for two local clinics prior to her teaching post as a RVT instructor at Brown Mackie College. Chrissy and her spouse married in 2021. He is a huge dog lover and she is a total cat person. Her hobbies include reading, anything outdoors (as long as its warm), cooking, baking, shopping, and watching murder mysteries. And, now that her fellow staff knows she like to bake, they are wondering what she is bringing to the next staff meeting!
Chrissy Nix
Registered Veterinary Technician
Veterinary Assistants
Veterinary Assistant
Beka Badders
Beka started in our practice with her family and pets. Later, as a high school student in the externship program, she continued her love of animals working in our practice while discerning her career choice. Beka, has made the decision to go to veterinary technician school through Purdue University to become a Registered Veterinary Technician! Our lead RVT, Cassie, is excited to be her mentor throughout her studies! Currently she helps out both in the rooms, as an assistant, surgical assistant, as well as a welcoming receptionist for us during the summer, holidays and weekends. Good luck Beka!
Veterinary Assistant
Maleena Arrington
Maleena joined the practice as a high school intern in 2021 to learn more about the vet industry. My love for animals grew over the years and I have made the decision to go to school through Purdue University to become a Registered Veterinary Technician. I have 3 bloodhounds, a snake and a turtle. My hobbies include baking/cooking, taking my dogs to the park, hanging out with my friends and cuddling on the couch watching scary movies.
Veterinary Assistant
Audrey (Hess) Ryan
Audrey started working with us as a student intern from Carroll High School in 2006. After her internship, she decided that her passion was working with animals. Audrey began working as a veterinary assistant full time at Fort Wayne Pet Hospital after her high school graduation in 2007.
In her free time, Audrey enjoys running, swimming, soccer, and has completed a triathalon. She has three cats, Hazel and Mia, and a Labrador mix, Corbin. She is married to her long time friend, Andy Ryan. They have 1 daughter and 2 sons.
Veterinary Assistant
Payton Love
Payton started working with us during the summer of 2022 while a student at Purdue University studying animal science with a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine. He attended Heritage High School where he was active in FFA, track, and cross country. During his spare time he enjoys hiking, camping, and being with his friends. Payton is currently applying to vet school with aspirations of becoming a small and large animal veterinarian. Good luck Payton on all of your future endeavors.
Veterinary Assistant
Taryn Martin
Taryn joined our practice in 2019 as a Bishop Dwenger student interested in the Veterinary field. Taryn is a cousin to Dr. Martin's family and while she is the the youngest in her family, she is a proud Aunt to many little Martins! While she decides if she wants to study to be a vet, she is working as an assistant in the rooms and often helps at the desk.
Veterinary Assistant
Kariee Buchanan
Kariee joined our practice in 2020 and is graduate of IBC Veterinary Tech program. Kariee has love for all things animal. She has many animals, including snakes, birds, spiders, cats, and dogs! Her hobbies include fur time, dabbling in cosmetology, spending time with her boyfriend Keegan, and netflixing with the furbabies. Her joy in the animal field always starts her day off with a smile. She helps out both in the rooms and as a welcoming face up front when you arrive.
Veterinary Assistant
Allyson Duffer
Bio Coming Soon
Veterinary Assistant
Abby Brelage
Abby started interning with us late in her High School career. She was active in 4-H, track at Bishop Dwenger, hiking, and being with her friends. She is currently enrolled in Vet school! Good luck Abby we can't wait to see where the future takes you.
Veterinary Assistant
Bayley Hitzemann
Bayley currently attends Purdue University in the Veterinary Scholars program - where she is planning to become a Veterinarian. She is a graduate of Concordia HS Class and has been with us as a volunteer for many years. She also joined us as an employee where she cares for pets that are kenneling, assists with rooms, and helps in the pharmacy. Bayley is passionate about animals and is working towards being a Purdue trained Veterinarian. She was an attendee at the Boiler Vet Camp in 2017. Her hobbies include sports, the great outdoors, playing with her 2 German Shepherds (Cree and Kaiya), helping on the family farm, and showing her beef calves and pigs in 4-H. Last year Bayley won the top 4-H title for all her hard work, 2016 Dairy Beef Senior Showmanship recipient.
Veterinary Assistant
Lilly Zeidler
Lilly started at our practice as an intern in Carroll Highschool’s internship program in the fall of 2021. She grew up in Huntertown raising and showing Nigerian dwarf goats (Cassie’s grandchildren). She is a ten-year 4h member, just wrapping up her final year, and is newly an executive goat barn member. Lilly will be attending Ancilla College of Marian University this fall and majoring in Veterinary Nursing. On weekends returning home, Lilly enjoys playing with her dogs and traveling in her skoolie bus with friends and family.