Our Team
Driven by compassion and purpose, here is the team who will work to make a difference in your pet’s life. Every single visit.
Dr. Melissa Birken
VeterinarianDr. Melissa Birken
Veterinarian
Dr. Melissa Birken and her family (husband, three children and three dogs) are residents of Damascus.
Patti
Veterinary TechnicianPatti
Veterinary Technician
Patti is a native of Pennsylvania where her love of animals started her on a new career path 21 years ago and she’s never looked back!
Brianna
Veterinary AssistantBrianna
Veterinary Technician
Brianna has been a valued member of the Paws & Claws Animal Hospital team for over two years and is currently applying
Jessie
GroomerJessie
Groomer
Jessie achieved her certificate in grooming in 2021, and loves making pets feel their best through looking their best!
Nickie
GroomerNickie
Groomer
Nickie brings over 25 years of grooming experience to our team, showcasing her passion
Tina
Veterinary TechnicianTina
Veterinary Technician
Meet Tina! Tina always had a great love fro animals. Tina And Dr. Birken actually started working with each at the previous hospital in 2007!
Sophia
Veterinary AssistantSophia
Veterinary Assistant
Sophia grew up in Olney, Maryland, and now lives in Silver Spring with her beloved
Grace
Kennel AssistantGrace
Kennel Assistant
Grace is currently a kennel technician at Paws and Claws Animal Hospital and working toward
Dr. Katie Spaniol
VeterinarianDr. Katie Spaniol
Veterinarian
Dr. Katie Spaniol grew up in Frederick, MD. Her family’s farm style property was home to a wide variety of pets
Dr. Emily Jarvis
VeterinarianDr. Emily Jarvis
Veterinarian
Dr. Emily Jarvis grew up in Carroll County, MD on a horse and donkey farm, forming a passion for veterinary medicine
Sandra
Veterinary TechnicianSandra
Veterinary Technician
Sandra has been a veterinary technician since the young age of 19, bringing a wide range of experience
Amy
ReceptionistAmy
Receptionist
Amy has lived in Montgomery County all her life and has always been surrounded by animals.
Dr. Eric Dubbin
DVMDr. Eric Dubbin
DVM
Dr. Eric Dubbin is from Florida and graduated from UF in the 80s. The bond between people and their pets
Natalie
Lead Veterinary TechnicianNatalie
Lead Veterinary Technician
Natalie has been an essential part of the Paws & Claws Animal Hospital team since the day our doors opened in 2014.
Maria
Veterinary TechnicianMaria
Veterinary Technician
Maria has been in the veterinary field for almost four years and joined our team just a few months
Kim
ReceptionistKim
Receptionist
Kim is one of our amazing full-time receptionists and the friendly smile that welcomes every client
Our Team
Driven by compassion and purpose, here is the team who will work to make a difference in your pet’s life. Every single visit.
Dr. Melissa Birken
VeterinarianDr. Melissa Birken
Veterinarian
Dr. Melissa Birken and her family (husband, three children and three dogs) are residents of Damascus.
Dr. Katie Spaniol
VeterinarianDr. Katie Spaniol
Veterinarian
Dr. Katie Spaniol grew up in Frederick, MD. Her family’s farm style property was home to a wide variety of pets
Dr. Eric Dubbin
DVMDr. Eric Dubbin
DVM
Dr. Eric Dubbin is from Florida and graduated from UF in the 80s. The bond between people and their pets
Dr. Emily Jarvis
VeterinarianDr. Emily Jarvis
Veterinarian
Dr. Emily Jarvis grew up in Carroll County, MD on a horse and donkey farm, forming a passion for veterinary medicine
Natalie
Lead Veterinary TechnicianNatalie
Lead Veterinary Technician
Natalie has been an essential part of the Paws & Claws Animal Hospital team since the day our doors opened in 2014.
Patti
Veterinary TechnicianPatti
Veterinary Technician
Patti is a native of Pennsylvania where her love of animals started her on a new career path 21 years ago and she’s never looked back!
Tina
Veterinary TechnicianTina
Veterinary Technician
Meet Tina! Tina always had a great love fro animals. Tina And Dr. Birken actually started working with each at the previous hospital in 2007!
Maria
Veterinary TechnicianMaria
Veterinary Technician
Maria has been in the veterinary field for almost four years and joined our team just a few months
Brianna
Veterinary TechnicianBrianna
Veterinary Technician
Brianna has been a valued member of the Paws & Claws Animal Hospital team for over two years and is currently applying
Sophia
Veterinary AssistantSophia
Veterinary Assistant
Sophia grew up in Olney, Maryland, and now lives in Silver Spring with her beloved
Sandra
Veterinary TechnicianSandra
Veterinary Technician
Sandra has been a veterinary technician since the young age of 19, bringing a wide range of experience
Grace
Kennel AssistantGrace
Kennel Assistant
Grace is currently a kennel technician at Paws and Claws Animal Hospital and working toward
Jessie
GroomerJessie
Groomer
Jessie achieved her certificate in grooming in 2021, and loves making pets feel their best through looking their best!
Amy
ReceptionistAmy
Receptionist
Amy has lived in Montgomery County all her life and has always been surrounded by animals.
Kim
ReceptionistKim
Receptionist
Kim is one of our amazing full-time receptionists and the friendly smile that welcomes every client
Nickie
GroomerNickie
Groomer
Nickie brings over 25 years of grooming experience to our team, showcasing her passion