Sylvan Veterinary Hospital Team

 President, Veterinarian 

 Growing up in Altoona, Dr. Kissell graduated from the Altoona Area High School in 2002.  He attended Juniata College where he majored in Biology and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2006.  He went on to obtain his doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania in 2010.  

Associate Veterinarian 

Dr. Barefoot grew up in Hollidaysburg, graduating from Hollidaysburg Area High School in 2004. She attended Thiel College and graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. She attended The Ohio State University, where she obtained her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2012.

Associate Veterinarian 

Dr. Litzinger is originally from Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, graduating from Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School in 2005.  She then attended The Pennsylvania State University, where she obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Animal Biosciences in 2014.  From there, she went on to attend The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2019. 

Associate Veterinarian 

Dr. Weikert grew up in Huntingdon, PA where he graduated from Juniata Valley High School in 2006. He attended the Pennsylvania State University, University Park campus where he obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Sciences, Science Option in 2010. From there he earned his DVM from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA in 2014. 

Office Manager, Technician 

 Raelle graduated from Moshannon Valley High School in 2009, and from there attended the Vet Tech Institute in Pittsburgh, PA.  She completed her internship at Metzger Animal Hospital of State College and upon graduating passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam to become certified.  She worked as a certified veterinary technician for four and half years before joining Dr. Kissell to help with the opening of Sylvan Veterinary Hospital. 

Technician, Auto-Ship Coordinator 

 Growing up in Altoona, Ashley graduated from Bishop Guilfoyle in 2008. She has always had a passion for animals so in the fall of 2008 she attended The Pennsylvania State University where she graduated with dual majors in Animal Sciences, Science and Business options and a Minor in Agricultural Business Management.  She worked for 2 years at Ebensburg Animal Hospital prior to joining Dr. Kissell and the opening of his new practice.

Technician 

Heather graduated from Bellwood-Antis High School in 1997, she then attended Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, PA where she received her Associates Degree in Animal Science in 2000. Following graduation she completed her internship at University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital and New Bolton Center Large Animal Hospital. When she finished her internship she passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam to become a CVT.   Heather has worked as a certified veterinary technician for 15 years, 13 of those years she worked at Blair Animal Hospital then eventually became the head technician.  

Technician 

Abby was born and raised in Altoona, PA. Upon graduation from Altoona Area High School Abby attended the Vet Tech Institute in Pittsburgh. Abby graduated from the Vet Tech Institute in 2012.  She has worked as a Veterinary Technician for 7 years, and about 4 of those have been at Sylvan Veterinary Hospital.  Abby obtained her Veterinary Technician license in July of 2018, making her a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT).  

Technician 

 Born and raised in Altoona, PA, Rebecca attended Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School and graduated in 2011. From there she continued her education at Penn State where she received her Associate Degree in Letters, Arts and Sciences. After college, Rebecca worked to become certified as both a Phlebotomist and as a Veterinary Assistant. 

Technician 

 Dani graduated from Hollidaysburg Area High School in 2010. Shortly after high school, she moved to Pittsburgh to attend Vet Tech Institute and graduated with an Associate’s Degree. During her externship at Metzger Animal Hospital she accepted a full time position where she spent the last 6 years of her career working in emergency medicine, orthopedics, and internal medicine. Dani passed her Veterinary Technician National Exam and became certified in 2012.  

Technician 

 Emily graduated from Altoona Area High School in 2011. Following graduation Emily moved to Pittsburgh to attend the Vet Tech Institute where she graduated with an Associates Degree. She passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam in 2013. Emily has experience in shelter medicine and emergency critical care. 

Technician 

 
Kristin graduated from Chestnut Ridge High School in 2014.  Following graduation she pursued a career working with animals as a kennel technician at the Bedford County Humane Society.  She then worked as a groomer for just shy of three years at the former location of AlleyRatz Doggy Daycare right next door! She happily joined the Sylvan Veterinary Hospital to continue following her dreams of working with animals. 

Technician 

Sarah graduated from PA Cyber Charter High School in 2017.  At a very young age, she knew that she wanted to focus on a career with animals.  Sarah has been riding horses since she was 4 years old.  She has enjoyed assisting Equine Veterinarians throughout her life on the farm she grew up on while caring for her horses.   This experience sparked her love of veterinary medicine. She was an active member of the United States Pony Club for many years.  Prior to starting her career at Sylvan Veterinary Hospital, Sarah studied Equine Massage Therapy and earned her certification at the Equissage School in Leesburg, VA. 

Technician

Madelynn graduated in 2012 from Woodstown High School located in New Jersey.  She is a 2017 graduate of  the Vet Tech Institute in Pittsburgh, PA. Following graduation she interned at Ebensburg Animal Hospital. Madelynn has worked as a Veterinary Technician for three years, gaining experience in shelter medicine and emergency through Metzger Animal Hospital.  Madelynn has since joined the Sylvan Veterinary Hospital team.

Technician

Alyssa was born and raised in Chicora, PA with an immense love and compassion for animals. After graduating from Karns City High School in 2018, she attended Vet Tech Institute in Pittsburgh, PA.  Alyssa graduated from VTI in the winter of 2019, and passed her Veterinary Technician National Exam in June of 2020. She completed her externship at Butler Veterinary Associates and Emergency Center before moving to Altoona to join the Sylvan Veterinary Hospital family

Technician 

Kaydi grew up on a small family farm in Williamsburg, PA which peaked an early interest in veterinary medicine. She participated in 4-H and FFA where she raised and showed goats, sheep and dairy beef. Kaydi graduated with honors from Williamsburg High School in 2016 and went on to Wilson College where she majored in Veterinary Medical Technology and minored in Biology. Kaydi completed her internship here at Sylvan and immediately felt at home, which is why she was grateful when Dr.Kissell offered her a position at Sylvan Veterinary Hospital. Kaydi graduated in May of 2021 from Wilson College with a Bachelors of Science. She passed her Veterinary Technologist National Exam in August of 2021 to become a Certified Veterinary Technologist. She is looking forward to many years here at Sylvan Veterinary Hospital!  

Technician

 Bethany was born and raised in Lilly, PA and graduated from Penn Cambria High School in 2003. Following high school Bethany graduated from CLN of Altoona with a degree in massage therapy and loved helping others through massage. Bethany has always had a love for animals this love drew Bethany back to school to become a veterinary technician. She graduated from the Vet Tech Institute of Pittsburgh in 2009. After working at PVSEC a few months following her externship for school, she wanted to be closer to home and worked at a local Altoona Veterinary Clinic for 10 years gaining more experience in general practice. A need for change and growth sent Bethany to Metzger Animal Hospital where she worked weekend Emergency shifts for 2 years. After all these years Bethany decided to take the test to become certified and did just that! Bethany has settled back closer to home at Sylvan and is loving working with this amazing team! 

Ultrasound Technician

 
Lauren graduated from Bishop Guilfoyle High School in 2010. Following graduation she attended the South Hills School of Business and Technology, where she earned a Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography in 2013. She always had a passion for animals, and in 2015 she had the opportunity to start working at AVETS in Monroeville, PA in their Imaging Department and ER. Lauren worked for 6 months directly with a Radiologist to take her ultrasound skills and relate it to animals.  She loves Central PA, so she decided to move back home where she works full time as a Registered Vascular Technologist. She is excited to continue  using her ultrasound skills with animals part-time at Sylvan Veterinary Hospital.

Technician

Takera graduated from Altoona High School in 2019.  She continued her education at Juniata College, majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice.  During this time, Takera devoted herself to volunteering at the Huntingdon County Humane Society.  Takera also held many leadership positions in various animal related clubs on Juniata's campus.  After graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2023, Takera followed her passion for animals and began working at Sylvan Veterinary Hospital.  Takera has also been pet sitting for over two years in our area.

Technician  

 Maddy graduated from Bishop Carroll High School in 2019. She then attended Saint Francis University where she obtained dual Bachelor degrees in Aquarium/Zoo Science and Psychology. While attending she took on work study positions in the marine lab and the vivarium. Maddy had many volunteering opportunities at animal facilities through Saint Francis and completed her internship at Wild World of Animals working with exotics. Following graduation, she realized that she wanted to pursue her love for animals locally and joined the Sylvan Veterinary Team.  

Technician

 Greeter

JoAnn joined the Sylvan Veterinary Hospital Team as a part-time greeter after retiring from the banking world with over 30 years of service.  

Greeter

Sandy attended Portage Area High School, and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fine Arts from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Arts Degree in Human Resources from St. Francis University. She retired as Director of Activities at the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home after 34 years of service. Sandy is the founder and president of Lenny's Legacy, a non profit organization designed to help spay and neuter feral and homeless cats. An animal lover from a young age, she has had numerous pets over the years, including fish, turtles, chickens, dogs, birds, and cats. 

Greeter