Our Team

Bennett Creek Animal Hospital opened in December 2010 after nearly 8 years of planning, design, and development. We are excited to be part of the northern Montgomery County community and we welcome your continued feedback. We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to our many loyal clients, friends, Clarksburg neighbors, consultants, and families for standing by us year after year as we worked toward our dream of operating a beautiful modern animal hospital. Our goal is to provide the highest quality pet care to our community for generations to come.


OUR DOCTORS


Our Team

Deborah “Debbie” Sigler Deans, DVM

Associate Veterinarian

Deborah “Debbie” Sigler Deans, DVM, received her BS in Biology at UNC-Chapel Hill in 1991 and then attended NCSU-CVM to receive her DVM degree in 1995. She continued her education with an internship at the University of Pennsylvania from 1995-1996. She has practiced in Annapolis, Baltimore, Abingdon, and Brookeville, MD. Dr. Deans’ special interest is in exotic pets (birds, small mammals, and reptiles). She has been working with exotic pets for 22 years and stays up-to-date on the latest medical advancements. She also greatly enjoys caring for dogs and cats, in particular internal medicine, behavior, and pain management. Dr. Deans and her husband, David, and her 2 children live in Olney, MD where David is a pastor at Oakdale Emory UMC. Their extended family includes a dog and two fish. They enjoy outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking, kayaking, and canoeing, as well as a good movie. Dr. Deans enjoys running and exercising and she brings compassion, energy, and knowledge to Bennett Creek Animal Hospital. She spends most of her free time watching and enjoying all of her kids’ activities like lacrosse and theater.

Our Team

Jeff Walcoff, DVM

Owner

Dr. Walcoff grew up in Montgomery County and began working toward opening a new animal hospital in Clarksburg in 2003. He and his family are pleased to offer the greater Clarksburg area the same high-quality veterinary medicine and pet care he has been providing his clients for nearly 20 years.

Dr. Walcoff is a graduate of Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda and Washington University in St. Louis. He earned his doctor of veterinary medicine with honors from the prestigious Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine in New York.

Dr. Walcoff began his career in Miami, Florida at a 24-hour multi-doctor practice where he obtained extensive emergency training as well as quality medical and surgical skills. Dr. Walcoff relocated back to his roots in Maryland to a large multi-doctor hospital in Annapolis where he practiced for 4 years. In September of 2000, he and his wife, Sheila, built and opened Old Farm Veterinary Hospital, a full-service veterinary hospital in Frederick, Maryland. He practiced full time at Old Farm until February 2008 when they sold the hospital. Dr. and Mrs. Walcoff have two young sons, and share their home with a black Labrador “puppy” named Rosie, a Maltese named Nola, and a chocolate Labrador named Biscayne.

Mrs. Walcoff is a health and science lawyer and the Founding Principal of Goldbug Strategies LLC. She is a recognized regulatory policy expert in personalized medicine and genomics. Mrs. Walcoff is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) in Washington DC and encourages friends of Bennett Creek Animal Hospital to support our national zoo and join FONZ.


Our Team

Kelly Hinkle, DVM

Dr. Kelly Hinkle was born and raised in Montgomery County. She attended the University of Delaware and received her Bachelor of Science in animal science. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from St. George’s University in Grenada and got to complete her clinical year at the University of Tennessee.

Dr. Hinkle then started working right away at a busy mixed animal emergency practice in Central Pennsylvania. She saw everything from horses, cows, pigs, dogs, cats, goats, chickens, and even a bobcat. She then moved back to Maryland and worked strictly with companion animals and small mammals for about 2 years. After that she was able to pursue her passion for emergency medicine at a large local hospital. She hopes to continue to pursue that passion with Bennett Creek.

In her off time, Dr. Hinkle loves travelling, skiing, and hiking. She also enjoys hanging out with her two dogs (Maizie and Addie).


Our Team

Matthew Felrice, DVM

Dr. Matthew Felrice grew up in Montgomery Village and graduated from Watkins Mill High School. He attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and graduated with honors in 1998 with a degree in Neurobiology. Dr. Felrice is a 2003 graduate of Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and has worked in Montgomery County as a veterinarian since he graduated veterinary school.

His veterinary interests include medicine and surgery with dogs, cats, small mammals, bird and reptiles. Other areas of specialty include emergency medicine, dentistry and ultrasound.

Dr. Felrice lives nearby in Boyds, MD with his wife Erin and their two boys, Leo and Dylan. He has two dogs, an Australian Cattle Dog/Beagle Mix named Raven and a Shorkie Poo named Sophia. He also has a Uromastyx (African spiny tailed lizard) named Stanley. He enjoys bowling, all word games (words with friends, crossword puzzles, etc.), local team sports (Orioles, Commanders, Capitals and Wizards), going on bike rides and hikes with his family, and playing softball.


PRACTICE MANAGER


Our Team

Tiffany B.

Tiffany attended UNC-Charlotte, and moved to MD in 1994. She worked many years in the financial and medical fields for companies such as Chase Bank and JPMorgan Chase. Tiffany previously worked for Industrial Distribution Group in Accounts Receivable, then transitioned to Wellspan Medical Group in York, PA.

After relocating back to MD with her husband James, a Diagnostic Specialist and Master Technician for Lexus since 1994, 2 daughters and Boxer “Roman”, she became, as she so passionately puts it, the CEO of Bazel enterprises! Four years later she and her family moved from Urbana to Clarksburg. It was then that Tiffany decided that since both of her girls had graduated it was time to get back into the workforce. Her daughter Taylor is the Kennel staff manager here and has often spoken to her about how much she loves Bennett Creek. Seeing how much her daughter loves her job, Tiffany wanted to join the team. She brings her knowledge of customer service, friendly smile, love of animals, and eagerness to learn new things to work every day! Tiffany and her husband James have been married since 1996 and have 2 daughters Maiya 24 and Taylor 21, grand dogs Bodhi and Willow and grand turtle Shelby.


ADMIN MANAGER


Our Team

Joanna W.

Joanna graduated from the University of California, Davis with a Bachelors degree in Bacteriology. Upon graduation, she spent the next 17 years working full time in the Biotech and pharmaceutical Industry. When her husband’s job moved the family to Liverpool, England, she decided to become a full-time mother. Upon repatriating into the US, she continued to be a stay-home mom and chauffer her two daughters to their various school and sports activities.

Joanna began working at Bennett Creek June 2017 as a part-time receptionist. She continues to keep busy at home taking care of her daughters’ dogs while they are working or away at college.

In her spare, she enjoys traveling, cooking, binge-watching, and playing games on her iPad.


KENNEL MANAGER


Our Team

Miluska A.

Miluska graduated from Clarksburg high school in 2020 and currently attends Montgomery College majoring in Biological Science. Ever since she was younger, she had the dream of becoming a vet. She has a Pomeranian named Winter, a Shih Tzu named King, a Hamster named Teddy, and 2 Hermit Crabs named Sandy & Cash. Miluska’s hobbies include spending time with friends and family, painting, traveling and listening to music.


OUR STAFF


Our Team

Taylor B.

Taylor is a graduate of Urbana HS and is currently a college student studying Biology at Arizona State University. She plans to continue her education and obtain her DVM. Taylor has known since the age of 5 that she’s wanted to be a veterinarian! Over the years she has owned several dogs, fish, guinea pigs, and currently a turtle named Shelby and her 2 dogs who are rescues named Bodhi and Willow. Her love of animals has brought her here to Bennett Creek where she has worked in the kennel since 2017 and is now the Kennel manager. Taylor is also a tech and helps in treatment when she is needed. She has also volunteered at Frederick County Animal Control and bakes treats and makes blankets for the animals each year for Christmas! In her spare time, Taylor is a competitive cheerleader, so she can be found at the gym practicing several hours a week! She also loves spending time with family and hanging out with Bodhi and Willow.


Our Team

Avien L.

Avien grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland. A graduate of Clarksburg High school, she is currently finishing up her Bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising and minoring in business administration at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, Pa. Avien has one dog, an adorable Shihpoo Max who is 4 years old. Her hobbies are spending time with her dog, family, and friends.


Our Team

Blair F.

Blair was born and raised in Maryland. She has worked with animals for 8 years now doing an internship at Frederick County animal control during her senior year of high school. She has also enjoyed babysitting/ walking dogs/ and working as a kennel tech + groomer.

While obtaining her degree in veterinary technology to become a licensed veterinary technician she worked as a vet tech for several years. Blair has always had a love and passion for animals since being a toddler in diapers. She was going to pursue becoming a veterinarian until she had her daughter in college. She has two beautiful children, and a Pitbull named Lola.

In her spare time, she is spending time with her family, working on cars or going to meets/ car shows, at the horse barn, binge-watching anime, or at the gym.


Our Team

Brittany G.

Brittany went through a veterinary technician program in Pittsburgh, where she found Colbi, her first cat. She then returned to Maryland where she worked at a local ER vet clinic, becoming ER department lead. Along the way, she met her heart dog, Oogie Boogie, a Siberian husky, then Bearbo baggins or “Bear”, a loveable black lab, and her first bottle-fed kitten, Tigger. Always keeping a love for guinea pigs (and other rodents) since college, she also has guinea pigs; Tater Tot, Swiffer Sweeper, Hot Fudge Sundae, and Jonah (aka Boston creme pie), as well as rats, Basil and Dawson. In her free time, Brittany also enjoys riding her horse, Corona, named after the beer of course!


Our Team

Catie C.

Catie Cloutier has been working with animals since a young age. She started out as a farmer at Frying Pan Farm Park in Fairfax, VA. Catie attended school in Charleston, SC where she first started as a veterinary assistant at VCA Charlestown AH. Upon graduating she moved to Gaithersburg, MD where she pursued a career working with animals. While working Catie is furthering her education and obtaining her veterinary technician license. She currently lives with her father Bob, her Kooikerhundje Shayna, and her two black cats Lucy and Ricky.


Our Team

Damelle M.

Damelle A. Morgan Sr., KPA-CTP has been with Bennett Creek since August 2018. Damelle has over 15 years of experience working with animals and is also a certified positive reinforcement dog trainer. During his spare time, he likes to work out at the gym and spend time with his family which consists of his wife Jessica, 4 boys Deion, Damelle Jr., Dez, and Dominic. Also, all their pets which include Perri the Pitbull, Miss Elizabeth the snake, Al the cockatiel, and Kiki the Leopard Gecko. Damelle really enjoys working and being around all types of animals. He is very happy to be part of our great team!


Our Team

DJ T.

DJ was born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland. He graduated from Wheaton high school and is currently attending Montgomery college to begin pursuing his dream of becoming a veterinarian. Ever since he was little, DJ has loved all kinds of animals and is excited to be working at Bennett Creek animal hospital where he can extend that passion further. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the outdoors, studying, listening to music, and playing video games.


Our Team

Elizabeth C.

Elizabeth grew up in Peru in a farm like environment which is where her love for animals began. She moved to Maryland at age 10 and graduated from Watkins Mill high school in 2012. She worked as a kennel tech for 7 years until an opportunity to work as a veterinary technician became available. Elizabeth has been working as a tech for over a year now and there’s no other job she would rather be doing!


Our Team

Faride A.

Faride, better known as “Ace”, started at Bennett Creek Animal Hospital as an intern but has since graduated and now works full time as a vet tech. She has worked in the veterinary field since 2015, where she first began working at VCA Peachtree Animal Hospital as a Veterinary Assistant. Since then, Faride has worked at 2 different Veterinary Hospitals and has even volunteered at the Great Ape House at the Washington, DC Zoo. She is currently finishing up her degree in Veterinary Technology and hopes to have a long career working with animals. Faride lives in Germantown and occasionally works at Laytonsville Veterinary Practice. She is a proud mother of her 3year old son D’Angelo, and has 4 dogs; Rocky and Cali, who are both Pit bulls, Jazzy, a Lab mix, and Tony, a Maltese. In her free time, Faride enjoys hiking, bicycling, and spending time with her family.


Our Team

Hannah

Hannah is recent graduate of Mount St. Mary’s University where she studied and obtained her marketing degree. She plans on becoming a marketing executive in the future. Hannah has loved animals since she was a young child watching Animal Planet. She worked previously at a zoo but is excited about working more with primarily cats and dogs. Hannah’s best friends have four legs; her two Golden Retrievers Bella and Layla, her Australian Cattle Dog Mix Tucker, her rescue kitty Octavia, her goats, and her Chinchilla Roxie.


Our Team

Jennifer B.

Born in Maryland and raised in Olney, Jen has been in the Veterinary field for over 18 years. She is a mom to 3 amazing kids and several fur babies to also include one shell baby, a red eared slider turtle. She is a huge advocate for Pit Bulls, and tries to stress the importance of spay and neuter, rescue, foster, and adoption to help fight the overwhelming number of homeless pets stuck in shelters every day. Jen loves spending time with family, going to the beach, eating crabs, and playing with her pit bulls. She loves all aspects of being in the Veterinary field, but most of all, being an advocate for those who don’t have a voice and hopefully making whatever they are going through a little easier.


Our Team

John Y.

John has grown up his whole life in Montgomery County and spent the past 11 years in Clarksburg. He had a career in the liquor industry for the past 15 years but due to his love for animals, he decided to make a career change. He is currently studying to become a certified veterinary technician and loves working, helping, and learning from the great team at Bennett Creek and is looking forward to a fulfilling new career and future with animals. He loves to spend his free time with his 20-year-old son Kyle, 10-year-old couch potato Shih Tzu named FeiFei, and a 2-year-old rescued stray tabby cat named Wop. He also enjoys snowboarding and traveling when he has the time.


Our Team

Kristen K.

Kristen is a veterinary technician who grew up in Montgomery County and graduated from Gaithersburg high school. She grew up with many pets ranging from dogs and cats to bearded dragons and horses. Now, she lives in Frederick with her boyfriend Christian, her 3-year-old Pitbull (Xena) and her 4 cats (Burton, Binx, Zelda, and Thor). Kristen has always had a love for all animals and knew she would work with them one day. Kristen has 14 years’ experience working as veterinary technician. She got her start at Quince orchard veterinary hospital in 2008. She is working towards to becoming a licensed technician. Kristen is excited to start a new chapter and to be working at Bennett Creek Animal Hospital.
In her spare time, she likes to spend time with family, take Xena for long walks, and watch scary movies!


Our Team

Kylie Z.

I’m Kylie, I graduated from Salisbury University in May of 2020 with a communications and marketing degree. I have grown up with lots of pets and have always loved being around animals and have recently adopted a kitten named Mila! Working at BCAH has been so fun and rewarding, and it’s so special to me that I can combine my career with a passion!


Our Team

Laura S.

Laura was born and raised in Montgomery County where she graduated from Clarksburg high school in 2020. She has loved animals her whole life and is interested in pursuing a career with animals in the future. She is currently attending Montgomery College and is planning on transferring to UMGC in fall of 2022. In her spare time, she enjoys pottery, gardening and music.


Our Team

Leah F.

Leah has been working at Bennett Creek since September 2021, working as both an urgent care and general practice technician. Leah grew up in Montgomery County and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in May 2021. She plans to start veterinary school in Fall 2022 and hopes to be a
zoo veterinarian.


Our Team

Ligia F.

Gia was born in El Salvador but has been a Maryland resident since 2 years of age. You know she’s a true Marylander because she can’t live without Maryland crabs and Old Bay! Gia obtained her bachelor’s in Biological Sciences in 2010 and acquired her master’s in Public Health Practice & Policy in December 2019. Gia has 15 years of prior veterinary practice experience and she was a federal contractor in a Microbiology laboratory for 8 years. She’s always loved animals and taking care of them has always been second nature to her. Gia also owns her own pet care company and has been pet sitting since 2002. Gia currently also works full-time as an Allstate insurance agent and servicer. Gia has no kids of her own but has 3 nieces, one which was just born in December 2020. She definitely has her hands full! As far as furry critters Gia has 3 cats: PJ (16), Oliver (10), and Bruno (9).


Our Team

Shirley H.

Client Services Manager

Shirley is a part-time receptionist at Bennett Creek, she is a graduate from Wheaton HS, and is currently studying sonography and plans to become an OBGYN. Shirley loves animals and previously worked at a pet resort but is excited to finally be working in a veterinary environment. She is ambitious to learn more about animals, and looks forward to giving tons of love to all our patients! She has 3 dogs of her own and 1 cat, Kahlah her rambunctious Shepherd mix, her 2 crazy Jack Russell mixes Kai and Kora, and her bossy kitty Rosie. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her dogs, spending time with family, and learning new recipes with her boyfriend.


Our Team

Simrin G.

Sim is a Maryland-native, has a bachelor’s in Communication from UMD-CP and has been working as a vet tech since 2017. She has 2 orange tabby cats and a yellow lab at home. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and exploring the area’s many parks. She also likes to travel when she can and has had the opportunity to visit over 21 different countries.


Our Team

Stephanie G.

Stephanie Gomez was born in Montreal, Quebec in Canada but was raised in Maryland. Since she was young, she has been an animal lover and knew she wanted to work with animals. She has 7 years in this field as a Vet Tech and loves working with animals. She is working on getting her Vet Tech License to further her knowledge. In her spare time, she loves to play tennis with her sister and loves to play with her dog whose name is Jonathan. He is a 13 years old Cairn terrier and American pit bull mix with full of energy still. She loves to watch horror movies with her sister and loves to play video games when she has free time.


Our Team

Tatiana S.

Hi, I’m Tatiana! I graduated from Watkins Mill High School in 2018, and am now pursuing Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Montgomery College. I love to dance and am currently on a DC Salsa team. Frankly, I’m not home enough to have any pets of my own so because of that, I am grateful to be able to see all of the cute animals at work!


SUPPORT STAFF


Our Team

Madison R.

Madison (Madi) is a graduate of Poolesville High School and is a current undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park, pursuing a degree in animal science on a pre-veterinary track. Madi has worked at Bennett Creek for 2.5 years in between her semesters at college and loves the experience of working in a veterinary field, as well as caring for patients and boarders. She has grown up surrounded by dogs, cats, fish, reptiles, cows, and pigs, and currently has two pit-mixes named Tucker and Nala, three rescue cats named Blu, Ellie, and Maizee, and a young leopard gecko named Ivy (pictured). Madi loves to meet people and get involved on campus whether it’s in her philanthropic sorority, Sigma Kappa, or in the club Fidos for Freedom, where she volunteers to raise service animals for veterans. In her spare time, Madi loves hiking, baking, reading, or watching movies!


Tarini T.