Meet the Mars Hill Animal Hospital Team

Dr. Joey Gross

Doctor

Dr. Joey Gross opened Mars Hill Animal Hospital with his partner Dr. Henry Wall in 1998. Dr. Gross graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984. Soon after graduation he began practicing veterinary medicine at Monroe Veterinary clinic and remained there until moving to Mars Hill Animal Hospital. Dr. Gross desires to bring the best and most compassionate veterinary care possible to the Athens and Oconee County area.

Dr. Gross lives in Monroe with his wife and family, 2 dogs and 1 cat.

Dr. Jo Wellman

Doctor

Dr. Jo Wellman joined the Mars Hill Animal Hospital family in 2007. Dr. Wellman began her education with a Bachelor of Arts honors degree in history from Rollins College. Deciding that veterinary medicine was her calling she began to pursue her career with a further education at Perimeter College and the University of Georgia. She later graduated from the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. Dr. Wellman brings a compassionate love for animals. She especially enjoys the areas of animal behavior, nutrition, and feline medicine and surgery. When she is not at work, Dr. Wellman enjoys taking care of her 4 dogs and 6 cats.

Dr. Dennis Tim Crowe, Jr.

Doctor

Tiffani Adcock

Registered Veterinary Technician

Tiffani has worked with Dr. Gross since 1995 at Monroe Veterinary Clinic and moved with him to help open Mars Hill in 1998. She serves as Mars Hill’s head Veterinary Technician ensuring that the very best care is given to all of our patients. Tiffani graduated from Gwinnett Technical Institute in 1997 and took the National Veterinary Technician Boards in 2004. Her passion for animals is only overshadowed by her love for her family. Tiffani and her husband Brian live in Statham along with Tiffani’s 3 sons Cameron, Braedon and Patrick where they enjoy their 5 dogs and 2 cats.

Liz Briscoe

Registered Veterinary Technician

Liz came to Mars Hill as a second career in 2006. She originally graduated from Berry College with a degree in Early Childhood Education and pursued a teaching career before joining the Mars Hill family. When her passion for the care and well-being of animals grew, Liz attended Athens Technical College where she graduated with an Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology in 2009. Liz enjoys spending her time off with her husband Jason, step-son Bryson, three-legged dog Harlee Rose, one-eyed cat Moses, and her bundle of energy cat CeeCee.

Jessica Wolford

Registered Veterinary Technician

Jessica started working with us in August of 2012. She is a graduate of UGA with a major in Animal Dairy Science and is a Registered Veterinary Technician. She is the youngest of 6 and has three dogs named Joker, Sasha, and Willow. Jessica and her husband recently welcomed their first child Olivia in November. Jessica enjoys spending her time with her family and of course her new baby.

Tanya Johnson

Veterinary Assistant

Tanya started in 1998 as one of our full-time Patient Care Attendant and Veterinary Assistant. She moved to Florida in 2007 and came back in 2011. Through her many years in the veterinary profession she has become skilled in almost every aspect of the hospital, filling in as groomer and receptionist when needed. She lives in Bogart with her two children Peyton and Calissa and their two dogs Tator and Lulu.

Carmen Morris

Veterinary Assistant

Carmen is a native of Oconee County but now lives in Social Circle. She has been with Mars Hill Animal Hospital since October 2004. She came to us as a college student and now works full time as a Veterinary Assistant. Carmen’s heart for animals helps her show great care to all our patients.

Carmen graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Carmen and her husband Rick enjoy family time with their son Noah, camping and playing with their 3 dogs, Gypsy, Felix, and Isabelle.

Megan Shivers

Veterinary Assistant

Teresa Gordon

Patient Care Attendant

There is no one more serious about the condition of the clinic and the compassionate care of our patients than Teresa. Teresa is the head Patient Care Attendant for Mars Hill Animal Hospital. Her presence has made a great difference since 2003. Teresa has two daughters named Heather and Carmen. Teresa has two great sons-in-laws named Chris and Rick, three grandchildren named Landon and Emma as well as her new grand baby named Noah Joe. One of her daughters Carmen is a Veterinary Assistant here at Mars Hill Animal Hospital as well. She has two cute shih tzus named Allie and Rosie.

Mandie Conner

Patient Care Attendant

Natalie Criss

Patient Care Attendant and Veterinary Assistant

Natalie joined the Mars Hill family in June of 2016. Natalie is currently a student at the University of Georgia, majoring in Social Studies Education. She has a Pit bull/Boxer mix dog named Jude who she adopted from Fighting for Dawn Rescue and a Chihuahua pal named Todd. Natalie enjoys spending her free time hanging out around Athens with her friends and family.

Maxine LaFontaine

Patient Care Attendant

Maxine joined the Mars Hill team in 2018. She is pursing a degree in Veterinary medicine. She is Canadian and enjoys visiting Quebec every year. Her hobbies include binge watching Netflix, hanging out with her dogs, reading, and gardening. She has two dogs named Riley & Hank.

Shelby Lewis

Patient Care Attendant

Shelby joined the Mars Hill family in September of 2018. Shelby is a student at Athens Technical College in hopes of becoming a registered Veterinary Technician. She has a Great Pyrenees/Lab mix named Blizzy who she rescued from an unfortunate situation. In her free time, Shelby like to go on long walks with Blizzy and spend time with family and friends.

Cheryl Kinder

Groomer and Receptionist

A desire to make beloved pets look beautiful brought Cheryl to join the Mars Hill Animal Hospital team in 2007. She is an experienced Licensed Groomer who takes the art of her craft very seriously. Her ability to work with animals large and small with equal skill is a great asset to the hospital.

Cheryl and her husband Larry live in Loganville and have three sons and one daughter. Her two Labradors Allie and Abby, and Yorkie, Zane add fun to each day.

LeAnne Charles

Office Manager

LeAnne has been a part of the Mars Hill Animal Hospital family since 2002. She is the head receptionist and office manager for Mars Hill. Client relationships and customer service are LeAnne’s top priorities. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a BSED degree in Dance Education. LeAnne and her husband Brad live in Monroe with their son Cid and their dog Sable.

Rosa Baez

Receptionist, Patient Care Attendant, Veterinary Assistant

Rosa has been a part of the Mars Hill Animal Hospital family since June of 2014. Rosa hopes to become a Registered Veterinary Technician one day. She enjoys taking trips to Mexico as well as hanging out with her family and friends. She has an adorable Chihuahua named Isabella and a terrier mix named Zoey.

Fallon Springer

Receptionist, Patient Care Attendant, Veterinary Assistant

Fallon has been working with us since August of 2013 and is a very important part of the Mars Hill family. She enjoys kayaking, watching football and hanging out at the lake or beach. She has three dogs, Abel, Kane, Remi & two cats named Logan Reese & Willow Jane that help keep life interesting.

Kaitlin Wheeler

Receptionist

Kaitlin is a student at Athens Technical College with hopes of becoming a Dental Hygienist. Kaitlin has been working at Mars Hill Animal Hospital since 2016. She has a sweet terrier mix named Ace and a boxer mix named Riley (Muffin Girl). She enjoys going to the lake, going to Georgia games, and spending time outside.

Ansley Shoemaker

Receptionist

Ansley joined Mars Hill Animal Hospital in August 2018. She is a student at Athens Technical College pursing her Dental Hygiene career. She has a golden retriever named Madden. During her free she enjoys being outside with her dog and going to the lake with her friends.