The Golden Paws Veterinary Service and Housecalls Staff

Madison, LVT in Training

Originally from Maine, Madison moved to Virginia 13 years ago and fell in love with veterinary medicine. She has worked in many different clinical settings: specialty, emergency, shelter medicine, and high volume spay/neuter. Her strengths include wound management, anesthesia, and surgery, but her heart lies with keeping pets in their homes through access to affordable vet care. When not at work you can find her running her own 501c3 nonprofit dog rescue, or caring for one of her many farm animals. You may get lucky enough to see her teeny rescue puppies!

Melissa Halstead, LVT

Melissa has been in the veterinary field for over 22yrs and is a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) since 2003, where she graduated from The Blue Ridge Veterinary Technology Program. Surgery, critical care and wound management are her passions in veterinary medicine. She has a husband and two amazing little girls with multiple, happy animals. She especially loves her chickens and pigs. Her lab Moby is the sweetest boy ever. She also has the most patient and gentle senior cat named Wonder. In her limited spare time she loves to garden and spend time with her family on the water.

Marcie, LVT

My name is Marcie and I am a licensed veterinary technician. I have been in the veterinary field since 1998, working in practically every area of veterinary medicine.  Since earning my LVT, I have worked in general practice, high-volume surgery/shelter medicine and done relief at multiple ERs and urgent care facilities in the area. I’m excited to continue to learn and evolve, within an everchanging field, to benefit our furry patients. I enjoy bonding with my patients to become an ally to them to reduce stress and promote a positive experience in the veterinary setting.

I am married, to my high school sweetheart, for 20 years. We have one child and a menagerie of pets but I’m obsessed with pugs!  I enjoy crafting, reading, doing puzzles and traveling.

Dana Harris

Dana has over 30 years experience working in general practice veterinary facilities as well as emergency veterinary care facilities. Her vast experience has taken her from working as a kennel attendant in high school, to working towards veterinary technician school as a veterinary assistant, to hospital manager. Her specific interests lie in client education and communication, patient care, fortifying the human/animal bond, and canine therapy. She enjoys working her therapy dogs in an effort to further enrich the lives of other’s in need. She firmly believes a dog’s unconditional love and understanding is sometimes the best medicine one can find. Currently her newest addition, a 15 month old Boerboel named Boone, is in training for his therapy dog certification. Adding to the menagerie, she has a 9 year old Mountain Cur rescue named Willow, and a 9 year old orange tabby named Phillip-Johnny-Bob who rules the entire household.