Our Veterinary Team
Meet Our Veterinary Team
Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Shelton Veterinary Center! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!
Get to know our veterinary team!
Dr. Patricia Prior
Medical Director
Dr. Patricia Prior graduated from Rutgers University in 2010 with a BS in Veterinary and Laboratory Animal Science and a minor in Psychology. She continued her education at St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 2015 after completing a one-year clinical rotation at the Ohio State University.
Before joining the team at Shelton Veterinary Center, Dr. Prior spent eight years practicing general medicine, surgery, and emergency medicine in New Jersey and central Connecticut. She has practiced alongside board-specialized veterinary surgeons, internists, and criticalists and continues to use the knowledge she gained in her current clinical practice. She has advanced the veterinary industry by training veterinary nurses and spearheading the Fear Free program at multiple veterinary facilities. Her special interests include soft tissue surgery, ultrasound imaging, behavioral medicine, and emergency medicine.
Dr. Prior enjoys reading, rock climbing, baking, and traveling the world. She adopted her pot hound Olive from the island of Grenada in 2014 and has happily shared her home with her ever since.
Dr. Stefanie Kreiger
Veterinarian
Dr. Stefanie Kreiger has wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as she can remember. She attended the University of Vermont and received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. She then attended Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and received her DVM in 1994.
After graduation, Dr. Kreiger was accepted to an internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, a world-renowned referral hospital. After completing her training, she moved back to Connecticut and went into private practice.
Dr. Kreiger is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association, and the Fairfield County Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Kreiger has since pursued her dream of being a veterinarian and owning her practice. She has two rescue dogs, French Bulldogs named Mimi and Mr. Pancake.
Dr. kelly damon
Veterinarian
Dr. Kelly Damon is a CT native born and raised in Milford, CT. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of CT in 2009 and graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 2015.
After graduation, she completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery, followed by a specialty internship in internal medicine. She has been certified in small animal veterinary acupuncture and is intensely interested in ultrasound, reproduction, and pediatric care.
Outside work, she chases around her two kids, has adventures with her husband, and occasionally bakes a loaf or two of bread.
Victoria Arms
Practice Manager
Vickie was born and raised on a farm in Orange. She studied Equine Studies at Delaware Valley College. She decided she wanted to work in the veterinary industry and started as a veterinary technician in 2010.
In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, baking, helping with fundraisers for the Orange Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, and anything Harry Potter. When it’s nice weather outside, you can find her and her husband riding in their 1912 Model T.
She has 2 degus at home, Scabbers and Crookshanks. She also has a 13-year-old collie, King, and a 1-year-old collie, Phenix.
Anita
Veterinary Assistant
Anita is a lifelong Connecticut resident and began working in 1995 as a veterinary assistant.
She currently “wears many hats” here at SVC: She is a Veterinary Assistant but often helps with administrative duties at the front desk.
She also keeps busy with her private pet lodging business. She has two beautiful dogs, Cassie and Stella. We are so pleased to have her as a member of our veterinary team.
Brianna
Veterinary Technician
Brianna is your typical animal lover. She has worked in the pet industry from pet stores, kennels, and doggie daycare, making her way to veterinary medicine. Brianna has done online and in-person training to better herself in veterinary medicine. She has worked in both GP and Emergency. She also enjoys working with pocket pets and exotics, from bunnies, rats, and hamsters to snakes and spiders. Brianna has her own fur babies: a cat, Cooper, a German Shepherd, Riley, and a Pitbull, Blaze, and she can’t forget her goldfish, Jerry! She loves her job and all the animals she encounters.
Selena
Veterinary Technician
As a young girl, Selena knew she wanted to work with animals. From watching animal ER live TV shows in elementary school, to doing volunteer work at her local animal clinic in middle school, she stayed committed to her passion for animals and medicine.
Over the years she has built her way to becoming a technician by starting a position as a kennel attendant back in 2018. From there she went on to a position at a vet hospital where she was able to learn skills hands on, while attending continuing education courses. Selena has also worked at an emergency vet hospital, and even spent some time in the surgery department watching and assisting in orthopedic surgical procedures.
Selena has a pitty named Cali, who means the absolute world to her. She also has 2 rescue kitties, Elton and Aspen, who don’t fall too far behind.
Selena enjoys going anywhere tropical, going for bike rides, self-care like shopping, and especially spending time with her animals.
AJ
Veterinary Technician
AJ found his love for veterinary medicine when he became a kennel attendant in 2008 in Stratford, CT. He worked his way up to veterinary assistant and then to veterinary technician. Taking a brief stint away from the field in 2017 to obtain a degree in Manufacturing Engineering, he has recently rejoined the field to keep up with his true passion as a Veterinary Technician. He enjoys expanding his knowledge base by attending Veterinary conferences and continuing education meetings whenever possible to obtain new skills to bring back to the Shelton Veterinary family.
AJ enjoys working on his property with his 40+ chickens, his numerous bee hives collecting honey every year, and working in the large garden, all while spending time with his rescue pitty, Rheia. In his other free time, he is a competitive powerlifter in the state. AJ hopes to start his certification courses soon to become a Certified Veterinary Technician to solidify his passion for his career choice.
Ariel
Client Service Representative
Hi there, my name is Ariel. I’ve been in the administration field for five-plus years and started in the veterinary field going on three years. I’ve always had a love for animals, big and small. In my spare time, I love to travel and create cups and wreaths. I’m a Huge Halloween fanatic (if only every day could be Halloween ). I also take care of my friend’s fur babies while they are away. Always remember that a “ veterinary receptionist” is a person who solves a problem you didn’t know you had in a way you can’t understand. We are superheroes, ninjas, wizards’ magicians, even miracle workers.
Faith
Certified Veterinary Assistant
Faith has had a passion for veterinary medicine since she was a child. She attended Animal Behavior College and received her veterinary assistant certification while working as a manager in a different career. Faith enjoys furthering her knowledge, learning new things every day, and is considering veterinary technician certification.
Faith loves motivating the SVC team by writing inspirational quotes on our staff whiteboard and decorating the hospital for Holidays. Faith enjoys going to the beach and spending time with friends and family in her spare time. She has a snake named Noodle and a leopard gecko.
Gary
Groomer
Hi, my name is Gary! I’m the groomer for Shelton Veterinary Center, and I’ve been a groomer for about 14 years. I was trained by the number one toy poodle shower at AKC Dog shows in the world. I’m trained in many aspects of the dog world, from dog training and kennel work to CPR and Fear Free Training. My greatest concern about dog grooming is your dog’s safety and well-being. My second priority is to deliver the perfect product for bathing, brushing, and haircuts. I aim to provide a 100% perfect experience when your pet is in my care. Gary owns two rescue pitties.
Shannon
Client Service Representative
Hello, my name is Shannon. I’ve been in the administrative field for fourteen years now. I have been a CSR at Shelton Veterinary Center for five years. I have a passion for our fur babies. I love making sure our clients are happy and organized with their appointments, questions, and patient care needs. In my spare time, I love to travel and spend quality time with my family and close friends. I just had a beautiful baby girl named Ambrielle, who is now one year old, and she is the sunshine in my life. I love being a part of this amazing team.
Leza
Client Service Representative
Leza came to us in 2016 to join our client service team. She has resided in Connecticut for over 30 years, and most of that time, she has worked in the veterinary field in some capacity. Leza has one awesome cat Floyd that fills up some of her time. The rest she dedicates to doing kitty sitting for people when they are away!