A Team Committed to You & Your Pet
The entire staff here at Duck Creek Animal Hospital is dedicated to providing you and your pet with the greatest experience possible. Going to the vet shouldn’t be something you dread. We go the extra mile to ensure your pet’s comfort and do everything we can to help your furry friend lead a happy and healthy life. We are pet people committed to quality service, so stop by our office in Smyrna, DE, today and see why we so many pet owners entrust us to care for their pet!
Come see why Duck Creek Animal Hospital has become a trusted source for your pet care
Meet Our Staff

Dr. Jennifer Shonts
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Interests: Surgery, Radiology, Internal Medicine
Dr. Jennifer Shonts is originally from West Virginia and moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland in 2014. After switching careers from nursing, she obtained her degree from Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Her veterinary interests include soft tissue surgery, emergency medicine, and ultrasound. She prefers to spend her free time with her son and daughter, enjoying the many adventures life has to offer.

Dr. Patricia Lazik
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT)
Interests: Rehabilitation, Dermatology, Geriatric Medicine
Dr. Lazik has been a long-time resident of Maryland, living on the Eastern shore since 2001. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Animal Science. Prior to going to Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia, she worked for the Department of Agriculture in the reproductive physiology department. Her special interests include Dermatology, Geriatrics, and Pocket Pets, including ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, and rodents. In 2008, she obtained her certification as a Canine Rehabilitation Therapist and advanced training in laser therapies. Her personal interests include yoga, kayaking, and traveling to new and exotic places. However, most of her free time is spent with her three dogs, three horses, two cats, and her two beautiful daughters.

Dr. Elizabeth Crook
Veterinarian
Dr. Crook earned her doctorate from the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, as well as a Masters in Parasitology from Delaware State University. She is currently a Captain in the United States Army Veterinary Corps. In her “spare” time, she enjoys horseback riding and being out on the Chesapeake Bay.

Melissa Hill
Practice Manager
I reside in Felton Delaware with my husband 3 dogs, 1 cat and a turtle. I have 2 children a daughter a son and two grandsons. I enjoy spending time with my family, camping, swimming, and just hanging out.
Ever since I was a little girl, I always knew I wanted to work with animals. I started at a young age nursing abandoned puppies, kittens, bunnies, and birds. At the age of 16 I started working at the Kent County Spca. I worked in the puppy room then advanced my way up to assistant office manager. In 1996 I was hired by All Pets Medical Center as the office manager. During my employment there I attended Delaware Technical Community College working toward my degree in business management. In September of 2017 the practice was purchased by Duck Creek Animal Hospital and they kept me on staff as the front office manager. In March of 2018 I was advanced to Hospital Manager. I am currently working towards becoming a Certified Practice Manager.

Caitlin Ramsburg
Lead Surgical Nurse
Caitlin is our Lead Surgical Technician here at Duck Creek Animal Hospital and has been with the hospital since its acquisition. Caitlin’s love for animals started from a young age on her family’s farm on the Eastern Shore of Maryland where she was surrounded by an assortment of animals. This love of animals fueled Caitlin’s desire for an upper education at McDaniel College where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology with an environmental focus. Currently, Caitlin is finishing her first year towards her Veterinary Technician degree through the Penn Foster program. In her free time, Caitlin enjoys spending her time outside, traveling, and reading as much as she can!

Bailey Stafford
Assistant Manager

Taylor Pleasant
Kennel Manager/Assistant

Amber Rainer
Veterinary Assistant
Hobbies/Interests: Creative Writing, Bowling, Playing a Musical Instrument (Percussion)
Bio: Amber has been in the veterinary field as a veterinary assistant/technician for 5 years. She plans to move forward in furthering her education to become a licensed veterinary technician. She has three dogs- Bumper (Pomeranian Mix), Lucky (Beagle Mix), and Diamond (Maltese Mix).

Norisa Jones
Client Service Representative

Madelyne Finnerty
Client Service Representative

Samantha Schimer
Kennel Assistant
Kayla Geddes

Makayla Hargett
Veterinary Technician Student
Hobbies: I like photography, drawing, reading, and traveling.
I have been working in the Vet field for 2 years now, with the majority of that time working for Duck Creek. I have been with Duck Creek since the day they have been open. I started as part of the kennel staff but now I’m part of the technician, reception, and kennel teams. I am looking forward to continuing my education and working with Duck Creek Animal Hospital.

Faith Morris
Veterinary Technician Student

Claudia Marchione
Veterinary Assistant
Education:
- Graduated High School in 2016
- Currently a Junior working on getting my Bachelor’s degree as a Pre-Veterinary Sciences Major at the University of Delaware
- Planning on continuing my education through a DVM program within the next year to eventually receive a Doctorate’s degree
Interests:
- I enjoy spending time with my family, friends and most of all my fur-babies.
- Taking the time to help a local rescue, “It Takes a Village Animal Rescue” with fundraisers, adoption events or medical treatments.
- Exploring nature through kayaking or site seeing
- Turtles
My name is Claudia Marchione. Since the age of two years old when I got my first dog, I have always held a strong passion for animals and their well-being. I started my first job working in a veterinary hospital by the age of 17 and have been here ever since. Coming to work is not a chore nor a burden but instead, something I look forward to everyday. Being able to be with, care for and maybe even safe the lives of the one thing you love the most, is priceless. Through all the new knowledge and exciting experiences, my job reassures me every day, that this is exactly what I want to do with my life. I cherish my ability to be able to help the lives of not only animals, but the people who love them and will continue to follow my dream of becoming a Veterinarian someday.

Israel Colon
Veterinary Assistant

Elizabeth Green
Veterinary Assistant
Education: Veterinary Technicians Assistant program at Cecil College
Animals: Crystal (Labrador), Bogo and Kissy (Ferrets), Uri, Tiger, Shadow, & Floof (Cats), Katana (Bearded Dragon)
Liz has been a Veterinary Technician for four years. Liz grew up in rural Maryland, and from a young age loved all animals. She lived in a farm house with a menagerie of animals and was constantly rescuing more. Her family raised a cockatiel from a hatchling, took care chinchillas, a ferret, a rabbit, kittens that were left abandoned, and some dogs too. Her love of animals did not turn into a career until after she had volunteered at the local animal shelter and loved it so much that she started training as a Veterinary Technician. She soon left the shelter world to work at veterinary hospitals and has since trained to be a surgery tech, and a dental tech. She is happy to now work full time at Duck Creek Animal Hospital as a Veterinary Technician. She went from rescuing animals and now feels that they have rescued her.
Now that you have met our team, come stop in and say hi! We would love to meet you and your pet and are ready to answer any questions and address any concerns you may have. Give us a call today at 302-653-2300.

Address
10 Artisan Dr
Smyrna, DE 19977
Contact
Hours
Monday - Friday
7:30 AM - 12:00 PM,
1:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday
Closed