Dr. Amy Hurd, DVM

Veterinarian, Practice Owner

Dr. Amy Hurd founded the Bristol County Veterinary Hospital in 1988. After receiving her B.S degree in Animal Sciences from Cornell University in 1982, Dr Amy Hurd continued her studies at Cornell and received her DVM degree in 1985 from The New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell. As a veterinary student, Dr. Hurd was the recipient of several academic awards. Some of these awards included the Colonel Floyd C. Sager Equine Obstetrics and Pediatrics Award and the New York State Veterinary Medical Society Award for the Best Senior Seminar. She has served on the board for the New England Veterinary Medical Association, is a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association, and has been on the Board of Directors for Greenlock Therapeutic Riding Center.

Outside of building and helping to manage her successful practice, Dr. Hurd likes to hike, take long walks, volunteer at Greenlock Therapeutic Riding Center and is an active member of her church community. You can often see her accompanied by her furry companion, Johnny.

Dr. Aurora Richards, DVM

Managing Veterinarian/Assistant Medical Director

Dr. Aurora Richards joined Bristol County Veterinary Hospital in February 2007. Prior to that, she did an internship in internal medicine, worked as an emergency veterinarian for 2 years and did some relief veterinary work on the side. She is originally from Texas and received her B.A. from Tufts University in 1994 in International Relations with a minor in Spanish and worked in the business management field for 6 years before she decided on a career change. She received her DVM from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. She has particular interests in emergency medicine, feline medicine, oncology, internal medicine and ultrasound.

Outside of her busy work schedule, Dr. Richards likes to spend her time hiking and spending time with her son, Alex, who is in middle school, her daughter, Karen, who is now in college, her husband Steve, and with her 2 dogs Nala and Belle, her cats, Zebra and Whitey Bulger. She also spends a lot of time helping out a non-profit she helped to found, The Coalition Against Pediatric Pain, that deals with rare and misunderstood chronic pain conditions such as Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and their associated co-morbidities. Because both her children are genetically affected by Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, she understands the stressors brought on by raising kids with health issues and understanding the bond and comfort our furry family members bring to the family unit as a whole and their importance in the family unit.

Dr. Shara Ripp, DVM

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Shara Ripp has been a full-time practitioner at BCVH since 2006. She received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2004 from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, after graduating magna cum laude from Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with a B.S. in Biology in 2000. Dr. Ripp grew up in Westchester County, NY after moving from Hungary where she was born. In addition to practicing general medicine, Dr. Ripp has particular interests in surgery and behavior and training.

Dr. Ripp has one cat, Zserbo (named after a Hungarian pastry!) two dogs, Monty and Pemi, and two kids. Oh, and a husband, too. She spends her spare time with her family, outdoors whenever possible, and is an active volunteer Ski Patroller in the wintertime.

Dr. Claire McCaffrey, DVM

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Claire McCaffrey received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014 after completing her undergraduate studies in Art, Art History and Biology at Colgate University. She did a one year rotating internship just outside of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. Dr. McCaffrey joined the staff at Bristol County Veterinary Hospital in September of 2015. Dr. McCaffrey has a special interest in dermatology and has spent extra-time outside of her work schedule shadowing and working with boarded Dermatologists to hone her skills. She also has special interests in behavior and nutrition.

Outside of work, Dr. McCaffrey likes to spend her spare time as an artist and enjoys running, camping, and other outdoor activities with her dog, Rowan, a rescued mixed breed red Australian Shepherd.

Abby, CVT

Technician Supervisor

Abby graduated from New England Tech in 2015 as a certified veterinary technician. During an internship at Bristol County Veterinary Hospital her technical skills and winning personality did not go unnoticed, and she quickly became a valued member of our team. Patients and clients alike receive only the best care from Abby, a wonderfully dedicated care professional.

Abby enjoys spending quality time with her dog Patch, a blue merle Mini-Australian Shepard, and her cat Luna, a black domestic short hair. She enjoys binge watching tv shows, reading thrilling novels, and spending time with her friends and family.

Michelle, CVT

Assistant Technician Manager/Inventory Manager

Michelle started with Bristol County in April of 2013, and almost immediately became the go-to technician on how things should be done. She earned her Associates of Science in Veterinary Technology in December of 2009, and her Bachelors of Science in Veterinary Science in May of 2011. In July of 2013 Michelle become a Certified Veterinary Technician.

Michelle enjoys baking, though it’s arguable that the staff enjoys Michelle’s baking even more. She delights in creating amazing cakes and other delicious treats, and spends the rest of her time gardening and relaxing with her family and friends. Three cats run her life, going by the names Lovey, Whiney, and Bubba.

Caitlin, CVT

Veterinary Technician

Joining the practice in 2013, Caitlin contributes a cornucopia of veterinary skills and care and a bottomless passion for our patients. With her emergency care expertise and technical knowledge Caitlin helps to keep our furry patients happy and healthy, and our equipment hardy and humming.

Her pastimes include equestrianism, riding her Clydesdale Cross Ari, playing with her dog Val and her cat Boo, and caring for her herd of dairy cows Moogaret, Moolissa, Moochelle, and UdderDisbelief. Caitlin does not fare too badly in competitive dodgeball.

Laura, CVT

Veterinary Technician

I have a bachelor’s of science degree in biology/pre veterinary science from Roger Williams University. I have been a technician for 12 years in primarily a clinic setting but I have worked recently at the ER also. I decided to go back to school last summer to broaden my horizons. I’m taking classes at CCRI within their clinical lab science program as it’s a field that interests me and it’s also knowledge I can use in this field. I enjoy what I’m studying very much! It’s so interesting to learn about what you’re seeing and it’s so useful! Between school and work I do not have much spare time at all but when I do I like anything outdoorsy particularly going for hikes in the woods with my pups! I have 3 pups (2 poodles and a black lab) but the house is run by the 3 cats, with help from the rabbit (who lives like he’s one of the cats) and the parrot (who puts up with no shenanigans from anyone 2 or 4 legged). I’m an avid Bruins fan. I love hockey and lived in my skates when I was younger (and still would if I could).

Tabitha

Veterinary Technician

Tabitha joined our team in 2017 to continue growing in her original passion, the field of veterinary medicine. She previously earned a bachelor’s degree in theatre and is now enrolled as a biology/pre-vet student at Rhode Island College. With four years of skill and experience, Tabitha provides excellent care for her patients – often while singing them a calming tune! When not busy studying for her next exam, Tabitha enjoys spending her free time with her senior dachshund mix, Baxter, and her parrot, Poppins. She is fueled primarily by puppy kisses and coffee, and has a particular interest in avian medicine and behavior.

Stephanie

Veterinary Technician

After receiving her undergraduate degree from Northeastern University in Philosophy and Physics and continuing on to study Applied Behavioral Analysis in UMass Lowell’s graduate program, Stephanie decided to return to her first love: veterinary medicine. While most of her experience has primarily been in the ER setting, that has not deterred her from trying her hand in general practice. Always compassionate, especially when it comes to the very ill or elderly, she has special interests in critical care and geriatrics.

Stephanie shares her home with her very patient and loving husband Stephen, soon to be born baby girl, two dogs (Bella and Flippy) four cats (Draelov, Squeakums, Sonestra, and Evgeni Plushenko), a bunny (Wiggles), and four hens. When not working or taking courses, Stephanie enjoys spending time riding her two dressage horses (Bravita and Chito), reading, playing poker, baking cheesecakes, and hiking.

Alison

Veterinary Technician

Alison grew up in Rhode Island and graduated from The University of New Hamshire with a degree in Animal Sciences: Bioscience and Technology. She started in the Veterinary field in 2002. In 2006 Alison attended the Canine Rehabilitation Institue and started working with cats and dogs in a physical therapy hospital. She joined the staff at the Bristol County Veterinary Hospital in March of 2019.

Alison lives in East Providence, Rhode Island with her dog Snoop, three cats Jezebel, Peg and Pia, and a turtle Eziekel.

Megan

Veterinary Technician

I am currently a pre-vet major at Rhode Island College and conducting research on biomechanics and locomotion on Narragansett Bay fish species. I enjoy hiking with my dogs Lola and Bear, both lab mixes, cuddling up on the couch to watch horror movies with my cat Loki, or playing with my chinchillas Poko and Lei.

Jayde

Customer Service Representative/Veterinary Assistant

Jayde joined our team back in October of 2018. Before she joined us here at BCVH she volunteered for Paws Watch and Save a Lab, taking care of cats and dogs before going to their forever homes. Today, Jayde is currently enrolled at New England Institute of Technology working towards achieving her associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology and becoming a Certified Veterinary Technician.

On her free time, Jayde enjoys going to the beach, shopping, painting, and traveling. Jayde also loves to stay home and relax with her Family, her dog Mason, and her cat Sabrina.

TeddiAnn

Customer Service Representative/Veterinary Assistant

Teddi graduated from U.C. Davis with a Bachelors of Science in Zoology, and from Naval Postgraduate School with a Masters of Science in Information Technology Management. She has worked as a veterinary technician for seven years since retiring from twenty years of naval service. Teddi is happily married to her husband Matt and has a daughter named Codie, and a stepson named Mario. Incredibly passionate about her work, she is unrivaled in her reliability, answering in the affirmative before the favor has even been asked.