Meet Our Team!
Meet the veterinarians and team at Compassionate Care Animal Hospital! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!
Get to Know Our Team!
We are solely dedicated to your pet’s care! We look forward to getting to know you, and we hope you’ll take the time to scroll down and get to know us.
Veterinarians
Dr. Julie Miles
Medical Director
Dr. Miles grew up in Pickerington. She graduated from Pickerington High School in 1991 and went on to pursue a degree in Psychology at Ohio University, which she received in 1996. She then obtained her Masters in Social Work at Ohio State in 1998 and worked as a social worker at The Ohio State University Medical Center and Grant Medical Center for several years. However, Dr. Miles never lost sight of her childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian.
She decided to make a career change and graduated from Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. It was also during her time in veterinary school that she met her husband, Dale, who works with small two-legged creatures at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Her professional interests include dentistry, feline medicine, and client communications. She understands the importance of helping clients understand the diagnosis and treatment options for their pets while taking into account their family’s circumstances. As a former social worker, Dr. Miles is sensitive to the emotional needs of her clients and their pets, and she is passionate about providing compassionate care to both.
Dr. Miles resides in Granville with her husband and two sons. She is a proud owner of a small zoo at home, which includes three dogs, two cats, multiple snakes, two tortoises, two turtles, numerous fish tanks, and many tarantulas (which belong to her husband, and she doesn’t really want to know how many there are).
Dr. Cassie Horvath
Veterinarian
Dr. Cassie is a highly experienced veterinarian who graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. She has been providing exceptional small animal medicine in the Columbus area since then and has worked in the field for over 20 years. Dr. Cassie takes great pride in ensuring that her patients feel comfortable during their visits, and as a Fear Free-Elite Certified vet, she has demonstrated her commitment to this cause. Dr. Cassie enjoys behavioral medicine, dentistry, and internal medicine. She takes great pleasure in getting to know her patients and their families, and she believes providing individualized care is essential to ensuring the best possible outcomes for her patients. Dr. Cassie is a firm believer in the human-animal bond and is passionate about supporting this unique and special relationship through her work as a veterinarian.
Dr. Michelle Garcia-Marrero
Veterinarian
Dr. Michelle is originally from Puerto Rico; she is bilingual and fluent in both Spanish and English. After completing her studies at Ross University, she completed a year of clinics at Iowa State before relocating to Ohio. With a passion for animal training and behavior, as well as integrative medicine, she has extensive experience in primary care, emergency, surgery, and rehabilitation. She is certified in low-stress handling and is committed to making every visit to the vet a positive experience for pets and their owners. In addition to her traditional training, she has also completed courses in integrative medicine and acupuncture, which allows her to offer a range of treatment options that may not be available through modern medicine. When she isn’t working, Dr. Michelle enjoys cooking, exploring nature, traveling, practicing photography, and spending time with her beloved dogs.
Dr. Robert Guinan
Veterinarian
Dr. Guinian is a highly qualified veterinarian who joined Compassionate Care in 2020. He graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984 and began practicing in Beckley, West Virginia. He joined a practice in Lancaster, Ohio, two years later, where he worked for many years. Dr. Guinan has a wealth of experience, and his expertise and dedication to his work have earned him an excellent reputation in the community. He is passionate about providing high-quality patient care and has a special interest in internal medicine and surgery. Outside of work, Dr. Guinan enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife, Debbie, have three children and four grandchildren. They also share their home with two dogs who are a part of their family.
Dr. Sarah Mull
Dr. Sarah Mull earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ohio State University and has several years of experience in small animal general practice. She has additional training in veterinary nutrition, dermatology, and internal medicine.
Dr. Mull strives to practice gold-standard care while thoughtfully aligning recommendations with each family’s goals. She hopes clients feel comfortable asking questions at any point and values open communication as an essential part of a pet’s care.
Outside of the hospital, Dr. Mull enjoys exploring new restaurants, watching Ohio State football, and taking her Dalmatian on walks through local parks and trails.
Veterinary Assistants
Brittany Kern
Veterinary Assistant
Brittany is a valued member of the CCAH team, joining as a veterinary assistant in 2019. Her passion for animals started with obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Animal Behavior in 2013. Afterward, she worked at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium as an animal keeper, trainer, and performer in the Animals on Safari/Surfin Safari Show. She is currently working towards earning a Veterinary Technology degree to become a licensed vet tech. When she’s not working or studying, Brittany spends most of her free time caring for her own fur babies. Her animal family includes dogs, cats, ferrets, bunnies and goats. She dreams of one day having her own little farm filled with animals!
Grace Hardy
Grace started her journey at Compassionate Care as a veterinary assistant in 2022, and she is actively pursuing her goal of becoming a licensed veterinary technician. Drawing on her extensive experience with dogs, she has honed her skills in basic dog handling and behavioral modification. Grace is passionate about advocating for animal and takes pride in being their voice in times of need.
Beyond her work in veterinary medicine, Grace values her time spent with her family, friends, and her two dogs, Thea and Ruger. Alongside her Australian Shepherd, Ruger, she is an engaged member of the Central Ohio Rescue and Recovery K9 Unit, where they train in tracking. Grace’s dedication and expertise reflect her commitment to making a meaningful impact in the lives of animals and their owners.
Kaelyn LaBelle
Veterinary Assistant/Inventory Manager
Kaelyn joined CCAH in 2023 as a Veterinary Assistant, and since then she has started working towards obtaining a Veterinary Technician degree, and has also become our Inventory Manager. She is passionate about helping animals and their owners in their time of need. She finds great satisfaction in being able to make a positive difference in both pets and owners lives. When she’s not studying, she enjoys spending time outdoors. She loves taking her two dogs, Harley and CJ, to the park and enjoying quality time with her family and husband.
Anna Kitchen
Anna is a Veterinary Assistant, currently working towards a technician degree to further her career in animal healthcare. Anna has been working with animals for 10 years now and has specifically grown to love veterinary medicine. Anna is particularly drawn to the medical side of veterinary care and enjoys being able to connect with and establish relationships with clients and her patients. She believes in the importance of maintaining good relationships and providing a high standard of care. At home, Anna has a golden retriever named Kodi, who is a perfect example of his breed. He is very sweet, but not very bright. One of her favorite things to do is to spend time outdoors with him, whether that be long hikes or fishing in the warm weather.
Aryn Daniels
Veterinary Assistant/Receptionist
Aryn joined Compassionate Care in 2024 as a veterinary assistant. With previous experience at a small animal hospital in South Carolina, she brings a strong foundation in dog and cat handling and behavioral skills. Aryn is currently enrolled in Penn Foster to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinary technician. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones and her dog, Bernie. Aryn’s passion for animal and dedication to their well-being make her a valuable member of the Compassionate Care team.
Abby Jones
Abby came to us in August of 2024 looking for a place where she could grow her relationship with both human and animal clients. Her professional animal experience before coming to us was split between spay/neuter clinics and a rural shelter in Kentucky, where she worked on rehabilitating and finding good homes for the strays that were brought in. Before that, she used her degree in Gerontology working in nursing homes and senior home care in Chicago. Because of this experience, she is very passionate about end of life care in animals; she feels privileged to be able to help animals get a better end of life than many of the people that she has worked with in the past.
Abby doesn’t consider herself a dog or a cat person, but an animal person. Having completed a year long continuing education Animal-Assisted Therapy program, she is very invested in the Human-Animal bond and her favorite thing about working at CCAH is bonding with patients and their owners, and educating clients on the many ways they can strengthen their bond and their pets’ quality of life.
Abby and her husband have a German Shepherd/Australian Cattle dog, Vigo, a Maine Coon/Siberian Mix cat, Thor, and a three-legged cat named Taza. In her free time, Abby loves reading and researching new veterinary medicine studies and spending time outside with her pup.
Taylor Canter
Taylor joined CCAH in 2025 as a Veterinary Assistant. Although she has only been with us for a short amount of time, her Veterinary Medicine career started when she was 16. Taylor worked at a boarding facility inside an animal hospital which allowed her to gain experience at a young age. She attended the Fairfield Career Center Animal Management program for 2 years. While she was there, she worked with different types of reptiles and rodents. During her high school years, she would volunteer at local shelters helping animals in need. She plans to become a Registered Veterinary Technician in the future. Her goal is to advocate for animals and inform owners how to care for their furry family members to the best of their abilities. Taylor and her partner Sophia have 4 pets named Beetle, Juice, Brutus, and Scooby. Outside of work, you can find her at the gym, the pickleball courts, or with her friends and family.
Ana Toribio
Ana came to us in October of 2024 to continue her experience/education in veterinary medicine, as her previous experience consisted of shelters and non-profit clinics. In 2022, Ana graduated with a Bachelor’s in Zoology from OSU. Beyond veterinary medicine, Ana has worked closely with nature as a horticulturalist. She has a deep desire to help nature and all its inhabitants. She is passionate about wildlife and ecosystem conservation. She has a goal of pursuing a career involving animals, whether it be as a biologist or veterinarian.
In her life outside of work, Ana loves to spend time outdoors. She loves to garden, bike, paddle board, travel, and hike. At home, Ana has a lively crew of pets consisting of 3 dogs,1 cat, 1 snake, and an aquarium with freshwater shrimp!
Receptionists
Christel Montgomery
Receptionist
Christel is a seasoned customer service professional with over 20 years of experience. She started working in the veterinary field five years ago and has become a valuable member of the CCAH team. Christel is married with two children and shares her home with three dogs and two cats. Christel’s passion for serving others is evident in her work, and she strives to provide the best possible customer service to every client she interacts with.
Robin Harding
Receptionist
Robin is a friendly and helpful receptionist. She enjoys being the first point of contact for clients. Robin was a stay-at-home mom for many years before making the decision to begin working in the veterinary field. Her experience as a mom has also made her a compassionate and nurturing team member. Robin loves sneaking treats to all the animals that come in, making their visit a little more enjoyable. When she is not at work, Robin is a devoted fur mom to her long-haired dachshund, Millie. She loves spending time with her husband and going on road trips. She also enjoys watching TV and movies, and on sunny days, she can be found outside reading.
Adrienne Gonzalez
Receptionist
Adrienne joined the CCAH family in 2024 as a Customer Service Representative. Adrienne has always had a passion for animals and started her career in the veterinary field in 2019. She currently enjoys snuggling with her 3 cats, reading a good book and spending time with family. She is very excited to be adding a baby girl to her family in 2025.
Manager
Jenifer Kemper
Hospital Manager/LVT
Jen has been a part of the CCAH family since 2018. Her love for animals brought her to the veterinary field in 1998. During her veterinary career, she discovered she has a passion for surgery, both routine and emergency. She also loves to assist during medical emergencies and with the patient’s recovery. Her desire to offer more care to animals lead her to become a Registered Veterinary Technician in 2010.
Jen is not only passionate about animal care but is also passionate about the veterinary field in general. She had been a lead technician for years, training and mentoring fellow coworkers. In 2024, Jen moved from lead RVT to the Hospital Manager at Compassionate Care Animal Hospital. She is very proud to work at a veterinary hospital that not only provides excellent veterinary care, but also strives to provide a healthy work environment for staff.
When Jen is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Her husband, daughter, dogs, cats, fish, chickens and ducks always provide lots of entertainment and love. Her favorite activities include spending time in nature, going to the beach, gardening and swimming.
Registered Veterinary Technicians
Megan Distelzweig
Registered Veterinary Technician
Megan is a dedicated Registered Veterinary Technician with over a decade of experience in various veterinary practices across multiple states. Her expertise spans a range of disciplines, from general practice to emergency medicine, and she is always seeking to expand her knowledge. Megan is passionate about sharing her expertise and believes there is always more to learn. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and young son and exploring the outdoors through biking and hiking.
Nikki Chritensen
Registered Veterinary Technician
Nikki is a valued member of the CCAH team, bringing her passion for animal care and a wealth of experience to her role. She joined our team in January 2024 and has quickly become an integral part of our practice. Nikki’s journey in animal care began during her childhood, when she played a crucial role in caring for her family’s dog, who had suffered strokes. This early experience sparked her love for helping animals and set her on a path to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. She graduated from Alred State College in New York, where she gained practical experience working at a mixed practice. In 2010, Nikki relocated to Ohio and took a break from her professional career to focus on raising her four children as a full-time stay-at-home mom. One of her favorite parts of her job is witnessing positive outcomes for
complicated cases and seeing the happy faces of pet owners and their beloved animals. Outside of work, Nikki cherishes quality time with her family. They enjoy camping, gathering around bonfires, and engaging in outdoor activities. Nikki’s dedication, experience, and compassionate nature make her an invaluable asset to our team.
Skyler Heischman
Registered Veterinary Technician
Bio coming soon!