Melanie B., CVT, Head Technician

Melanie is a Certified Veterinary Technician and an assistant manager. She grew up on a ranch in South Dakota and has loved and cared for many animals since she was very little. She graduated from Eastern Wyoming College with a degree in Veterinary Technology in 2002. She worked as a technician in Laramie before coming to Casper. She loves working as part of a team to help people with their pets, assisting in surgery and with nursing care, and she really enjoys spoiling our clients' puppies.

Melanie is our head technician and ensures great patient care at every visit!  She is full of great tips and pet information- ask her anything!

Melanie is married to a wonderful husband and stays busy with church and family activities. Her family includes two very loved, overfed, and under-worked horses. Sage is a big, fat Morgan who will do anything for a cookie and Beanie Weanie is a cute and very sassy little Quarter Horse.  Her most recent addition (not pictured) is a Bernese Mountain Dog, named Mister Bojangles.  

Karen N., Veterinary Assistant (Almost CVT!)  

Karen has lived her whole in Georgia until Fall of 2014, when she joined the Best Friends family.  She came to Casper on a visit to spend time with her youngest daughter and absolutely loved it!  

Karen has a criminal justice degree and worked as a parole officer in Georgia for several years.  Her true passion of caring for animals brought her into the veterinary field.  Compassion for and nurturing of animals are qualities she has fostered since she was a little girl.   It has been years since she followed her heart and hasn't looked back!  She is currently pursuing a degree in Veterinary Technology.

Talk about all creatures great and small...in her past Karen could be found training and raising quarter horses or working on her beef cow farm. 

When she is not hard at work, Karen tells us she loves to fish and do pretty much anything outdoors...we're teaching her how to fish in Wyoming!  

Karen's family consists of Nick, her poodle, that is in her words "my spoiled baby".  She is married also has two grown daughters with grandchildren that are her "pride and joy".  

Aaron T., Veterinary Assistant (Almost CVT!)

Born and raised here in Casper, Aaron has been caring for animals for most of his life.  In addition to the pets at home growing up, Aaron also worked at his mother’s boarding facility starting at age 7.  Aaron graduated from NCHS then moved on to join the United States Army.

Aaron served as a veterinary technician in the Army for 7 years, helping to treat Military Working Dogs and service members' pets.  Aaron served in: Fort Bragg NC, Camp Lejune NC, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island WA and spent a tour in Iraq. 

Aaron has been working towards a veterinary technology degree in his spare time between work and family. He is looking forward to finishing and combining it with the diverse experiences he has been fortunate enough to already have.

Now that Aaron is back in Casper, he is excited to enjoy the great outdoors of Wyoming, and the hometown feel he grew up with.

 Aaron’s Family consists of two children, his beautiful wife, and two rescues (pictured); Harley a Great Dane and Tucker Beagle.

“They have been amazing to follow me all over the country, it’ll be nice to finally settle down with them in our hometown.” 

Veronica "V" S., Receptionist

Veronica was born and raised here in Casper.  Growing up every weekend and summer was spent on her family's ranch.  She has always had a love of animals which include her 3 fur babies, Skeeter, Bandit (both pictured), and Ubee the cat (Camera shy).

Veronica always has a smile on her face and is excited to greet our pets and clients and help with anything at any time!

 In her free time, she stays busy with her 3 children (2 girls and 1 boy) and husband with school activities, family events, and enjoying the outdoors. The kids have acquired her love of animals, which has been on adventure in itself. Her house is filled with animals of all sorts found outside.    

Kaylee J., Receptionist

Kaylee is a Casper native and was very active in Kennel and Agility Clubs as well as FFA before graduating high school. She is in charge of our Puppy Preschool, starting our puppies with good basic manners.     

Kaylee's face may look familiar as a veterinary assistant, she moved into reception and has been a smiling face and a great help (with lots of extra information too!).  

Kaylee has had a wide variety of pets through her home from dogs and cats to sheep, pigs and horses.  

Her current family consists of Addie and Macie (pictured) and Lakota, a yellow labrador.  She also has cats that are sure they are dogs! 

Anna R., Boarding Manager

Anna was a kennel assistant here at Best Friends for nearly a year, when she moved to the reception desk. Her heart has always been in kennels, so she is back and in charge of our boarding kennels as Boarding Manager.  You can still find her working double duty many days.  She always helps wherever it is needed!  She makes sure that your pets are happy and loved while boarding with us!

She loves to get in the kennel with our pets and give them lots of love and TLC! She loves all kinds of pets, but is particularly fond of dogs and birds (they all really like her too!).

She has quite a family of her own at home; 4 dogs, including Firo (pictured here) who was born at Best Friends. Anna also has one bird, Star the Pigeon who actually used to live at Best Friends! During her spare time, Anna likes to draw, spend time with her dogs, and play video games.

Morgan C., Kennel and Treatment Assistant

Morgan was born in Kaycee, but has lived in Casper since 2007.  

She has always loved animals, and have always wanted to work with them! I have 2 dogs (Bandit pictured), and Rose a lab/mastiff cross.  She also has 2 cats (Baby & Gracie), 2 ferrets (Chip & Max) and a turtle (Sheldon)! Her household has always been filled with animals!  Our patients (especially cats) love her and you will too! 

In her spare time, she likes to play with her house full of animals, hang out with friends and listen to music! She loves being outdoors. 

Shelby F., Kennel Assistant (PICTURE SOON!)

Shelby grew up here in Casper, surrounded by animals!  She is a KWHS graduate, hoping to start in kennels on her way to becoming a veterinarian.  

Shelby is a hard worker, always making sure our boarders are happy. 

Shelby's house is still full of furry and feathered friends.  Her family consists of a Lhasa named Mushu, Murphy, a wheaten terrier and 2 hedgehogs.  She (like Anna) has a pigeon at home along with chicken and ducks.  

Nicole E., Kennel Assistant  (PICTURE SOON!)

Nicole is a Casper native and an NCHS graduate.  

Nicole is looking to study psycology.  

Nicole and her family have 3 dogs; Turner Bane, a big, loveable black lab, Goldie, a cocker mix (who rules the house) and Ayla, a sharpei mix.      

Abbie S., Kennel Assistant

Abbie is a Casper native. She graduated from Star Lane Center.  She is entering her sophomore year at Casper College.  She hopes to major in something like Zoology or animal science, because she loves dogs and cats and pets, but loves wild animals as well.  She is exploring all options and enjoying school.  

Abbie is pictured here with her 2 year old pug/Chihuahua mix named Harlee (she is even cuter in person!).