Doctors
Gary Wheeler, DVM
Dr. Wheeler is a graduate of Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. He has owned the practice since 1989. He has a special interest in veterinary dentistry. Dr. Wheeler is a member of the International Veterinary Association for Pain Management (IVAPM), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).
When Dr. Wheeler is not at work he enjoys playing on his computer, spending time with his spouse and two children, cooking and, of course, bonding with his 2 dogs and 5 cats.
Christine Gerardi, DVM
Dr. Christine Gerardi grew up on Long Island, New York where her love for animals began at a young age while volunteering at her local shelter. After graduating from James Madison University in Virginia, she completed the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at St. George’s University in Grenada. Since becoming a DVM, Dr. Gerardi has developed a passion for small animal medicine with a strong interest in oncology and nephrology. In her spare time she, visiting local restaurants, loves watching sports and spending time outdoors with her four adorable dogs, Guinness, Preston, Princess, and Frankie. She also has a rescue cat named Stout.
Practice Manager
Erin
Erin started at BVH in May of 2005, she always had an interest in working with animals, but never pursued it. At least not until she moved to Maine from Connecticut and found an opportunity.
She started as one of the receptionists but as time went on she expanded her horizons by becoming a veterinary assistant and now our practice manager. Erin enjoys hiking with her husband and two children, 3 dogs, canoeing, other outdoor activities, and spending time with friends and family.
Licensed Veterinary Technicians
Emma
Emma joined the BVH team in May of 2021. She is from the Oxford Hill’s region, she graduated from the University of Maine Augusta with a degree in Veterinary Technology and shortly after became a Licensed Veterinary Technician in August of 2021. Emma has two cats and identifies herself as a “cat person”. She always knew that she wanted to work with animals and has an interest in animal advocacy. Her hobbies include hiking and exploring the state of Maine, board games and spending time with her animals and significant other.
Erica
Erica joined BVH on May 8, 2023. Erica also graduated from University of Maine Augusta in early May of 2023, as a licensed vet tech. She moved from Amherst, MA to the Lake Region area but has had ties to the area for her whole life.
Her family has owned a home on the lake for generations which has shaped her recreational time around the water. She loves to go boating and water skiing in her free time. She also enjoys disc golf. She has always loved animals and for years has fostered both kittens and cats. She also has a love for farm animals such horses and cows and initially had hoped to work towards becoming a large animal technician. She currently has a dog and 3 cats.
Veterinary Assistants
Zara
Zara was a certified Nursing Assistant for four years. This year she decided to work more with animals. When Zara was younger she held various positions on her childhood farm in Massachusetts, her favorite was tending to animals.
Zara now has two dogs, two leopard geckos, and a Kitty Kat. Besides working at Bridgton Veterinary Hospital, Zara enjoys camping, traveling, landscaping, music, friends and family.
Melissa
Melissa is from Seattle, Washington and moved to New England in 2009 and had earned her Associates Degree of Arts, Science and Biology at Highline College while still in WA. She has been working in the veterinary field for over 15 years.
During this time she has worked various positions from pet nurse also known as vet assistant, office manager, and as a practice manager.
Her favorite part of veterinary medicine is working on the anesthesia team which she is currently part of as a vet assistant on our surgical team, here at BVH.
She has many hobbies which include knitting, visiting different beaches in New England and exploring the area. She loved softball as a child and played up until college. She enjoys all sports and going to games for both the Celtics and Bruins.
She keeps active at home with 3 kids from age 4 to 11 years old and many beloved fur babies including 2 dogs, 4 cats, 2 guinea pigs and reptiles, a chameleon and tortoise.
Adrienne
Adrienne started volunteering here at Bridgton Veterinary Hospital in 2012. She was hired shortly after volunteering to work in the kennels. She moved to Massachusetts in 2016 and was greatly missed by the BVH team. When she moved back to the area in the spring of 2019, we were thrilled to have Adrienne back. She currently works as a vet assistant. Adrienne loves all animals but has a soft spot for smaller older dogs and rabbits and is thrilled at every opportunity she gets to have in working with them at BVH. She raised rabbits for a period of time including Mini Lops and Netherland Dwarfs.
She currently has 3 animals, two dogs and a three legged cat. She spends her free time painting and drawing animal portraits and does her daily walks with her two dogs. Adrienne spends the remaining of her free time with friends and anything that gets her outside like hiking or reading a book on a sunny day.
Ginny
Ginny is originally from the Biddeford area and moved to the Lake Region area back in 2012, to be with her current husband. They have been married since September of 2013 and together they have two children, a son who is preschool age and a baby girl.
Her first pet is a dog named Abby, who is a mini dachshund. Abby is still a member of Ginny’s family and is now part of a pack of three dogs and currently the boss of the household.
Ginny’s hobbies include enjoying the beach on summer days, reading fiction books and going to the movies with her family. Her favorite time of the year is Christmas. She loves to decorate the house inside and out with Christmas decor each year and enjoys going with her family to pick out a tree.
Ginny’s love for animals started at a young age. She grew up always having family dogs. As a child she felt drawn to animals and has been working with animals since 2007. Her first job with animals was at a dog care day in Portland. During that time, she fell in love with one of her frequent clients, a large mastiff weighing in at 180lbs named Inu. She knew that she wanted to continue to work with animals when she moved to the Lake Region Area and found a job working at another local animal hospital. Ginny joined the BVH team in the fall of 2017.
Sierra
Sierra started at BVH in October of 2023. She is a recent graduate of Lake Region High School, class of 2022. She is doing on the job training to be a vet assistant here at BVH.
She was inspired to work with animals by her Grandmother, who is a retired vet tech. Sierra has always been around animals even as a child. Her parents took her on travels across the country visiting renaissance fairs. At these fairs, Sierra was exposed to all kinds of unique animals such as elephants, tigers and horses.
She enjoys reading and drawing in her freetime. She also enjoys observing her Aunt’s horse in action. Her cousin does barrel racing and she appreciates her occasional visits there.
Sierra was born in Dartmouth, Massachusetts but moved to Maine several years ago. She appreciates the change in pace here and the scenary. Another favorite pastime of hers is hiking the local trails and exploring the area.
Kennel Assistant
Clinical Supervisor and Community Outreach
Leah
Leah was destined for a career in the pet care industry. When she was a young teen, she became the local pet sitter. She came to work at BVH in early 2005 as a Kennel Attendant. She has a special interest in nutrition.
Leah has 2 dogs, 4 horses, and one cat and a flock of ducks.
Front Desk/Bookkeeper
Jenny
I joined the BVH team in the spring of 2017 and I am from Bridgton and currently reside in the Oxford Hills Region. I live with my daughter and two animals, a dog named Henry and cat named Soni.
I have always had a love for animals and growing up, I was grateful to have many family pets including a range of small animals brought home by my sister. I also grew up living next to, two farms on a dead end road which introduced me to farm animals including a horse and pony, sheep and chickens.
My hobbies include; gardening, hiking and spending time with the family.
Boarding Representatives
Ashlie W.
Ashlie started working here immediately after graduating High School in the summer of 2018, as a part-time seasonal kennel attendant. She then came back in July in 2019 and started working as a full-time kennel attendant. She has always known she wanted to work with animals. Her favorite part about her job is the opportunity to give affection to both the cats and dogs that come and stay with us for boarding.
Her hobbies include spending time with her cat, Jeffrey. When she is not with her cat, you can find Ashlie reading, baking or out on a hike on one of the local trails.
Ashley K.
Ashley joined the BVH team in 2016 as a kennel attendant. Her favorite part about the job is taking care of our clients’ animals while they are away. She finds so much joy in making pets feel safe and loved during their stay with us. She works hard to make pets feel like they have a home away from home.
She has two cats at home but describes herself as an animal person extending to big and small animals of any kind. Her hobbies include drawing, painting and anything artistic. She also enjoys camping in the area at local sites from time to time.
Libby
Libby joined the boarding team here at BVH on 12/15/23. She is a current student in the vet tech program at UMA. She enjoys the large breed dogs the most but has always had smaller Yorkie/ Maltese breeds at home.
She has always loved animals but thanks to her grandfather and family, she has grown up around horses. Her family raises and breeds Percheron horses, a type of draft horse. Her grandfather has been very persistent for Libby to be comfortable with them and learn how to handle them without fear. It is Libby’s job to work with the babies and to desensitize them in the first four months of life, until they’re weaned from their mother. She enjoys keeping the babies busy and teaches them to be handled, groomed and how to play with toy balls.
Customer Service Representative
Lisa
Lisa joined BVH staff in the fall of 2022. She is a Harrison native where she grew up on her family farm. She’s been surrounded by animals her whole life from draft horses to cats, from dairy cows to sheep. She loves them all.
She has worked as a medical receptionist for most of her adult life. She loves greeting clients and patients with a smile and helping them feel welcome and safe.
When not at work Lisa can be found spending her time at the farm with her granddaughter, reading or spinning wool from her sheep.
Robyn
Robyn was originally a native of Obetz, Ohio and moved to Maine during the Ice Storm of 1998. She joined the BVH family in September of 2021. She is the mother of two amazing young women, Lauren and Maegan, and of course cannot leave out her wonderful son in law Alec.
Although Robyn has had many pets all of her life, she currently has three Grand Fur Babies. Lucy the energetic English Springer Spaniel, Jaeger a polydactyl Calico and last but not least, Tuna a feisty short haired kitty. She enjoys volunteering, karaoke, crafting, camping and the outdoors. Most of all spending time with her family and friends. “You know it’s the best job ever, when you get free kisses all day!”-Robyn
Jamie
Jamie started in May of 2024 as a CSR. This is her first time having the opportunity to work with animals but it has always been something she had hoped to do. She would describe herself as a “Dog Person.” Her favorite animal she has ever had would be her current dog, Shelby, an adorable Puggle.
Jamie appreciates the change of pace and scenery here in Maine, as a former New Yorker. Her home in Brownfield,ME is so rural, peaceful and quiet. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, painting ceramics and photography.