MeetThe Team

Calvin

Bio Coming Soon

Kelly

(pronounced KELL-ee, rhymes with “smelly” and “jelly”)
Pronouns: She/Her

Hi, this is Kelly! I wrote everyone else’s bio, but it felt weird writing my own. So I’m handing the keyboard to my husband. Take it away, Brandon!

Being born in California and raised near Pittsburgh, Kelly may be the least “homegrown” of anyone at North King. But after living in the Pioneer Valley since 2009, this area is truly her home now. She’s been our Practice Manager since 2010, and honestly? She’s the linchpin that holds this place together.

A lot of what she does happens behind the scenes: managing the schedule, ordering supplies, handling payroll, keeping us compliant with regulations, and putting out the hundred small fires that pop up every week. You won’t always see her doing it, but you’d notice immediately if she stopped. Clients will often see her up front, answering tough questions, helping out her amazing team, jumping on the phones when things get busy, or making sure we snap a photo of your new pet. Oh, and administering lots of love and attention to our patients!

Longtime clients may remember when Kelly was always at the front with the love of her life, Max. He was a fluffy little white dog who took his job as “counter dog” and greeter very, very seriously. He is still deeply missed.

Kelly graduated from Edinboro University with a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design. Not the usual path to Practice Manager, but she uses her art every day. Our logo? That’s Kelly. Almost every nice change you’ve seen around here over the last fifteen years? Also Kelly.

At home, she’s a devoted mom to Madeline, Barley, Teddy, and Shrimp. She loves pocket pets too (we currently have four lovely lady mice living at the clinic). And if you need fish tank advice, she’s your person. At her peak, she had twelve tanks running, from 5 gallons to 90 gallons.

When she’s not working, Kelly is a powerhouse of creativity, ambition, and optimism. She’s usually in the middle of a creative project: drawing, digital painting, sewing historically accurate costumes or modern clothing, woodworking, quilting, embroidery, needlefelting, perler beads, crochet, polymer clay — you name it, she has ADHD and has tried it. She also loves to cook and bake. Kelly is a huge fantasy nerd at heart; she plays Dungeons & Dragons and enjoys a good fantasy novel or movie.

If the weather’s nice, she’s camping, hiking, kayaking, boating, or chasing waterfalls. She’s a devoted birdwatcher and nature lover, with a special obsession for newts. (She really, really loves newts.)

Favorite treat: Brownie fudge sundae (she even had an ice cream sundae bar at her wedding instead of cake!)
Fun fact: She used to breed show-quality fancy mice
One piece of advice Kelly wants to share with pet owners: Get pet insurance! And take lots and lots of pictures of your babies. Every day!

Matthew

(pronounced MATH-yoo, rhymes with ah-CHOO. Gesundheit.)
Pronouns: He/Him

Matthew was born and raised in Northampton, and if he has it his way, he’ll never leave. He really thinks the Paradise City is just that—paradise. Especially the Amanouz Café, where he has gone 1 to 2 times daily, 7 days a week (no exaggeration) for the last 30 years. It’s also where he met the love of his life, Nancy and where he stayed home to raise their son, Brandon.

Since the eighties, and even when he was a busy homemaker, Matthew has found the time to volunteer with Bright Spots Therapy Dogs. From his first trained therapy dog Luther the German Shepherd to his current pair—Liam the French bulldog and Lorelei the Chesapeake Bay retriever—he’s spent countless hours at the VA Hospital in Northampton, the psychiatric ward at Cooley Dickinson Hospital and at several local nursing homes, spreading love, joy and comfort to those who need it most. He really is the sweetest, most compassionate person you will ever meet.

Many of you will remember the days that Matthew assisted Dr. Owen in her appointments, though these days he’s around the clinic less and less. When he’s not busy with volunteer work or helping out around the clinic, he’s training at the YMCA as a lifelong fan of bodybuilding (or totally at the Amanouz, as per above).

We’re so grateful to have had Matthew by Dr. Owen’s side all these years; without him, North King Animal Clinic wouldn’t be what it is today.

Favorite Food: …you know the answer here.
Fun Fact: He can guess anyone’s height and weight nearly perfectly
One piece of advice Matthew wants to share with pet owners: “Love and hug your companion animal every day!”

Christina

(pronounced krihs-TEE-nuh, rhymes with “Thumbalina”… sort of)
Pronouns: She/Her

Christina has wanted to work with animals since she was six years old. As a kid, she’d attend her own pets’ vet appointments just to badger the staff with questions, so really, she’s been training for this her whole life! Her love of animals brought her to the pre-veterinary program at the University of Maine and later to Becker College’s veterinary technician program, gaining a combined four years of valuable education despite health challenges that ultimately paused her degree path. We’re just glad she found her way to us!

Christina joined North King in early 2022 as a veterinary technician. Recently, she’s spearheaded mastering our new dental radiograph unit and has a real passion for monitoring anesthesia, keeping a close eye on patients while they’re under so their owners can breathe easy.

When asked what she loves about working here, Christina said we’re “easily the most positive and supportive people she’s ever worked with.” (She’s the fourth staff member to say that, which tells you something about this place.) The most rewarding part of her job? Watching her patients feel better.

Christina grew up in Ipswich and now lives in West Warren with her husband Tom. She loves us so much that she makes the commute all the way to Northampton, and we love her right back for it. At home, Christina runs a full household. There’s Yui, the plump kitty queen who rules with an iron paw. Merlin, whose magical talent is escaping from absolutely anywhere. And Alex, her beautiful black and tan mutt who basically grew up at North King. He is an angel most days (except for when he’s chewing something he shouldn’t).

Outside of work, Christina stays busy in the best ways. She knits, cooks, loves tending her garden and learning about herbs and their uses and has recently gotten into diamond painting. She’s a member of the St. Stanislaus Polish Lyceum and volunteers as a lighting tech at Workshop 13 in Ware, a community arts non-profit.

Favorite Treat: Pumpkin Pie
Fun Fact: Christina used to breed and show rabbits and guinea pigs
One piece of advice Christina wants to share with pet owners: You know your pets best, so if you’re worried, say something!

Nancy L. Owen, VMD

Founder and Owner

A long-time resident of Northampton, Dr. Owen moved here as a teenager and then completed her undergraduate studies at Smith College. Her passion for animals took her to the University of Pennsylvania where she earned her doctorate in veterinary medicine.

Fun Fact: UPenn is the only vet school that grants a Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris — that’s where the VMD comes from. All others award a DVM, but it’s the same degree!

After graduating, she returned to Northampton and took over the “Animal Aid Hospital” from Dr. Downhill in 1976, changing the name to who we are today: North King Animal Clinic. Fifty years later, she’s still here practicing the highest quality, modern medicine, always learning new things to keep current with the ever-evolving landscape of veterinary medicine. Clients love her calm, soft-spoken demeanor and kind but matter-of-fact delivery.

If she’s not here working, she’s at her Shorin-Ryu karate dojo, where she has recently earned her fifth-degree black belt and answers to “Sensei Owen.” Work and exercise aside, she has dabbled in woodworking and likes to wind down with a good Sudoku puzzle book or British comedy on the telly.

Dr. Owen and her husband Matthew currently have Liam Michael the French Bulldog and Lorelei the Chesapeake Bay Retriever (her favorite breed), but through the years have had a veritable army of beautiful and wonderful cats, guinea pigs, German Shepherds, more Chesapeakes, and even a Miniature Schnauzer. Oh! And they also had Brandon, their son and star veterinary assistant.

As we move beyond our fiftieth year, Dr. Owen looks forward to continuing to provide the same level of care as always. Retirement is not in the cards for someone who likes to keep as busy as she does!

Favorite Treat: Peanut butter cups
Fun Fact: Her husband Matthew was a client first, and then worked up the courage to ask her out!
One piece of advice Dr. Owen wants to share with pet owners: If you think something is wrong with your pet, don’t ignore it. They can’t speak, so you need to be their advocate!

Brandon

(pronounced BRAN-dun, doesn’t rhyme with squat)
Pronouns: He/Him

Brandon was born and basically raised in North King Animal Clinic. Seriously. There’s a picture of baby Brandon in a cage and everything! Dr. Owen and her loving husband Matthew really raised a dream veterinary employee who lives and breathes for dogs and cats (and guinea pigs, mice, newts and squirrels, but not moths).

These days, Brandon is a huge part of what makes North King so special. He’s a ball of energy and enthusiasm. He’s the person who remembers every pet’s name (but maybe not the human names), sits on the floor with the anxious dogs until they feel safe or calmly talks to the scaredy-cats. He always volunteers for the messy jobs without being asked and when he’s not assisting the doctors and technicians in appointments, Brandon monitors anesthesia, helps our patients recover safely, and attends to their needs while in our care. Basically, if you can’t find him, check the kennel area, he’s probably administering some prescribed belly rubs or skipping his lunch to nap with a recovering patient.

A graduate of Westfield State University with a Bachelor degree in Economics, Brandon is a number whiz who loves playing video games and Dungeons & Dragons. At home, he’s the loving papa of two little white dogs: John Barleycorn the punk of a Bichon frisé and Madeline “Maddie” Groves the Havanese as well as two fine felines: Teddy (the rude-but-sweet orange boy) and angelic Shrimp (the not-so-Shrimpy 18lb calico).

When he’s not at the clinic, you’ll find Brandon at Canal Lanes in Southampton, the local candlepin bowling alley. And we mean that literally. He’s in three leagues, bowls with his grandpa Larry’s balls and will talk your ear off about his average if you let him. Deeply, truly addicted. Don’t even try to bring up tenpin bowling.

Go-to Coffee Order: Large Iced Dunkin Coffee, 9 cream, 4 French vanilla swirl
Fun Fact: Met his wife Kelly on World of Warcraft in 2007

Sam

(short for Samantha, rhymes with “jam” and “jamantha”)
Pronouns: She/Her

Sam graduated from Holyoke Community College with her associate degree in veterinary and animal science in 2012 and North King has been graced with her hard work and dazzling personality ever since (let’s hope this doesn’t go to her head).

As our lead veterinary technician for over 14 years, Sam is basically the glue that holds this place together. From drawing blood, placing IV catheters, and monitoring anesthesia, to running lab samples, flagging anything concerning for the doctors, and educating clients on how to follow through with their pet’s care plan, and even moonlighting as a CSR when needed, there’s genuinely nothing she can’t do. She also keeps our machines running, our treatment area clean, and our sanity (somewhat) intact.

Every year, Sam stays on top of her profession by attending a variety of veterinary continuing education courses, really enjoying the wide variety of topics she gets to learn about in general practice. Her favorite topic to discuss with clients is how important Fear Free is, including ways to make their pet’s visit as smooth as possible.

Aside from the fact that we promised her a Maine Coon kitten at the twenty-year mark, Sam really likes working here because she loves building relationships with clients and since she’s been here so long, she loves having been able to care for many of her patients for their whole lives, to be there for them through the entire aging process.

Born and raised here in the Pioneer Valley, she now calls Northampton home. She and her partner Rachelle share their life with their three cats who are proud members of the Gray Cat Coalition: Isbobel, Bernie and Demse. Gizmo, her adorable dog (a 6lb ball of fluff and attitude), has been by her side for fifteen years.

When she’s not at the clinic, Sam loves being outdoors hiking, kayaking, geocaching, and camping. She’s also an avid boxer, a huge true-crime enthusiast, and an incredible cook who learned her skills from the best: her mom! (Sam is proudly a total mama’s girl.)

Favorite Snack: Salt & Vinegar Chips
Fun Fact: Won’t stop making up songs at work (We love it)
One piece of advice Sam wants to share with pet owners: They’re not here for a long time, so make it a great time!

Shivani

(pronounced shuh-VAH-nee, rhymes with “Dasani” and “Chobani”)
Pronouns: She/Her

Shivani graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 2025 with a Bachelor in Pre-Veterinary Science. Before that, she obtained an Associate degree from Holyoke Community College in Biology. She hopes to be a Veterinarian some day and we’re glad she found her way here shortly after graduating to find out what the field is like!

As one of our outstanding Client Service Representatives, Shivani says that she always enjoys being able to make clients feel comfortable supported and loves when they reciprocate that positive energy. Her fellow team members are what makes working here extra special.

A perfect day off for Shivani includes a bowl of delicious ramen, playing video games with her childhood sweetheart, or venturing out to Level99 in Natick. When she’s not working or learning, you can find her staying active with the APA Pool League.

Recently, Shivani said goodbye to her family dog, an adorable yorkipoo named Bambam, after nearly sixteen wonderful years. She hopes to find another little fluffy pup to join her family soon.

Go-To Coffee Order: Iced French Vanilla with Oat Milk
Fun Facts: Plays the guitar and loves horror movies
One piece of advice Shivani wants to share with pet owners: “Give ‘em lots of love and kisses every day!”

Dan

(short for Daniel, rhymes with “pan”, “van”, “can” and “fan”)
Pronouns: He/Him

Dan joined North King Animal Clinic in 2024 as a Client Service Representative. Born and raised in Northampton, he finds great pride in being able to connect with and help members of his home town in this role, especially when they’re experiencing a difficult time. A lifelong animal lover, he is glad to have found his way here, especially enjoying working with the amazing team we have here at North King.

In his free time, Dan loves tabletop gaming, playing vidfeogames, and writing. A bit of a homebody, he loves relaxing with his very handsome cat, Ozymandias, and his wonderful wife, Corinne. Dan has a soft spot for rescuing FIV+ cats, as they have a much harder time finding homes. He thinks their big, blocky heads and rough-and-tumble street-cat origins are the best!

We’re so glad to have Dan’s calm, friendly presence up front. Whether a client is picking up medication or worrying over a sick ept, he meets them with the same steady warmth.

Favorite Food: Anything from La Veracruzana
Fun Fact: Dan has an English degree and is a published author. Ask about his work!
One piece of advice Dan wants to share with pet owners: Get pet insurance!