Support Staff
Terri
Terri began her medical career nearly 30 years ago. Steve and Terri Escobar married in 1986 and spent their first years together in Blacksburg, Virginia as Steve attended The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
The 90’s were a decade of change for the Escobar’s; Richmond became home once more. After 10 years in veterinary medicine, Terri and Steve began to pursue their own entrepreneurial endeavor. The Springfield Veterinary Center opened it’s doors in 2000.
Terri has been an integral part of the Vet Center since it’s inception; managing the practice, establishing front desk protocols and engaging with clients. The practice has grown significantly and so has the Escobar clan….Terri is mother to 3 children, 7 horses, 4 goats, 2 cats and 3 dogs. When Terri is not working at the Vet Center you can find her busy managing the Escobar household and stables, www.springfieldfarmstables.com.
Gail
Office Manager
Gail completed her undergraduate work at Virginia Tech and moved to Richmond attaining a Masters in Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University in 1980. Following years of social work, Gail started to become an active volunteer at a veterinary practice. A love for animals and for “their people” led her to a position with Springfield Veterinary Center in June of 2001.
Gail has served in several capacities since joining the Springfield team. In her current role as Office Manager Gail is the “oil that keeps the wheels turning.” She facilitates behind the scenes activities to ensure that the Center runs smoothly, allowing the doctors and staff to focus on providing quality care for their patients. Life outside of the Vet Center revolves around her husband, daughter, son, dog “Nickie” and cat “Morning Mist.”
Rachel
Administrative Staff
Rachel has been on staff with Springfield Vet Center since the Fall of 2007.
Soon after she joined the Springfield team, Rachel acquired an associate’s degree in business administration from J. Sergeant Reynolds.
At home Rachel manages a house full of animals:
3 Boston Terriers (Bree, Chloe, and Domino), 1 horse named Dazz and 1 husband.
Andrea
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Andrea joined the Springfield Vet Center after graduating from Blue Ridge Community College where she earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology and became licensed in 1997. Andrea is very well versed in canine behavior and canine reproduction. She specializes in educating new puppy owners.
Andrea and her husband Chris (also a veterinary technician) share their home with 3 cats (Skittles, Cruiser, and Gilby) and 3 dogs (Chance, Barkley, and Josie- all Bernese Mountain Dogs). Andrea is an active member of the Potomac Valley Bernese Mountain Dog Club, the BMD Club of Central Virginia and the BMD Club of America. During her spare time, Andrea enjoys preparing and showing her dogs at the American Kennel Club conformation dog shows and training them in obedience, carting (drafting), rally obedience and agility.
Francine
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Francine’s involvement in the veterinary field began in 1997 when she started working as an assistant for Dr. Escobar and Dr. Scotti at Broad Street Veterinary Hospital transitioning to Springfield Veterinary Center as it opened in 2000. Francine’s passion for animals became a catalyst for furthering her education.
After graduating from Blue Ridge Community College where she earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology in 2002, Francine explored veterinary emergency medicine. Springfield Veterinary Center was the launch pad for Francine’s veterinary career and it is her home once more. Her primary fields of interests are rally, obedience, and veterinary dentistry.
After a busy day of working with your animals, Francine returns home every night to her Labrador Retriever, Franklin.
Gina Louise
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Gina Louise graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelors in Science and began her career with animals in 2001 as a volunteer for Operation Catnip. Gina Louise joined the Springfield Veterinary Center in the Fall of 2001.
After several years of veterinary experience under her belt, Gina Louise decided to attend the Blue Ridge Community College where she became a licensed veterinary technician in May of 2005.
Gina Louise spends her free time with her husband Mark and son Landis. As a family, they enjoy the outdoors; sports events, running, and cycling.
Chrissie
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Chrissie started her career working with small animals and exotics in 1989 in Northern Virginia at the Companion Animal Hospital. After graduating in 1997 from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Arts in English, she returned to a veterinary assistant position in Northern Virginia where she resided until moving to Richmond in 2000.
The next step in Chrissie’s veterinary career was with the Virginia Equine Clinic. Although she enjoyed her experience with horses, Chrissie’s love for small animals motivated her to attend the Blue Ridge Community College where she became a Licensed Veterinary Technician. Chrissie has been part of the Springfield Veterinary Center team since 2003.
Outside of work, Chrissie likes to spend quality time with her family: Brittany Spaniel Nita and Cat Oliver.
Laurence
Veterinary Assistant
A native of Richmond, Laurence spent 15 years working in the advertising industry. In 2004 he began volunteering with the Richmond SPCA and soon converted his career from advertising to animals.
Laurence currently works as a veterinary assistant at Springfield Veterinary Center. His title will soon change to Veterinary Technician as he is working towards his degree and license.
At home Laurence and his wife Mary are the proud parents of 3 four-legged children, a cat (named Turtle), a Great Dane (Ellwood), and a Chihuahua (Sabrina). They often share their home with foster animals also.
Mona
Veterinary Assistant
Mona started working for Springfield Veterinary Center in September 2005 as an Administrative Assistant. Two years later she moved into her current role as Veterinary Assistant. Mona is currently working towards her degree and license through the Blue Ridge Veterinary Technician Distance program.
Mona is the proud Mother of three: Kyah (dog), Bug (cat), and Fluffy her Cockatoo.
Julia
Veterinary Assistant
Julia became passionate about animals at an early age, volunteering for the Richmond Animal League since she was 12.
Currently Julia attends Virginia Commonwealth University where she is seeking a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Julia has aspirations to attend Veterinary School after receiving her undergraduate degree.
Julia spends most of her free time focused on her studies.
Laura
Veterinary Assistant
Laura began working at Springfield Veterinary Center in July, 2006. She joined the Springfield team with prior experience as a Veterinary Assistant in Virginia and Colorado.
Laura shares her life with her husband, two dogs and two cats. When she is not working Laura enjoys live music, books and travel.
Alex Kilgore
Veterinary Assistant
Alex is currently an undergraduate at Virginia Tech graduating in May of 2010 with Honors degrees in Biology and Animal and Poultry Sciences. Alex plans to pursue a career in Veterinary Medicine and has a strong interests in reproductive physiology and zoological medicine.
In his free time Alex enjoys traveling the East Coast playing Rugby for the Virginia Tech Men’s Rugby Football Club. He volunteers as a “Peer Educator” with the Virginia Tech Center for Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Education.
When Alex is home, he enjoys playing with his parents’ 2 year old Scottish Terrier named Molly.
Kathryn Forrest
Administrative Assistant
Kathryn has been on staff with Springfield Veterinary Center since August of ‘08. Originially from North Carolina, Kathryn and her husband Harry now live in Varina with their four legged children; 2 lovable dogs and 5 fantastic cats. She spends her free time outside enjoying “the simple things in life”, working in the yard, fishing and spending time on the river.
