Tammy Shumaker - Head Technician
Tammy Shumaker is our head technician. Her duties cross a vast area of skill sets from inventory to surgery and animal preparation to laboratory analysis and in-patient care. Tammy is a native of Buckingham, Va and now resides in Farmville. She received both her undergraduate degree in Biology and her Masters degree in Environmental Studies from Longwood College. Tammy worked with Dr. Carr in Appomattox during her college years and they were reunited to open Blackstone Animal Clinic. Her hobbies include softball, bowling, jewelry crafting and stained glass designing. She has 7 cats and many dogs but the most rotten one comes to work with her. She is a boxer mix named Little Girl.
Miranda Gravitte - Kennel & Technician Assitant
Miranda is a 2009 graduate of Central High School and currently attends SVCC. Her family raises and shows Jack Russell Terriers. They compete in bench classes and Trials. Miranda especially enjoys competing at the Jack Russell Trials. Along with her varied animal care duties, Miranda also helps Tammy, our head technician, with everything from preparing vaccinations, entering patient history into the computer to assisting with the taking and developing of radiographs. Miranda has also proved to be a helpful addition to the "Rabies Clinic" team which is the support staff at the Rabies Vaccination Clinic hosted annually by Dr. Carr at Nottoway Courthouse.
Karissa Kyzer - Kennel & Technician Assistant
Karissa is our most junior staff member. She attends Central High School. She and her family are avid animal lovers. Her personal pal is Bear, a most handsome pomeranian. Between school, work and her pets, she still finds time to particate in school sports, too. A busy young lady, indeed. She lives in Victoria.
Ann Ingram - Kennel & Technician Assistant
Ann joined the Blackstone Animal Clinic team in the Fall of 2009. After retiring from a long and fulfilling teaching career, she just was not ready to "fully" retire. She finds her new charges to be just as tractable as her former students. They do shed more, though. Ann and her husband, Dickie, reside in Crewe. She is an avid birder and member of the Margaret Watson Bird Club.Tina Chavis - Kennel & Technician Assistant
Tina has been working with animals and in the veterinary field for many years. She currently divides her work hours between our clinic and Hoofbeats Equine Veterinary Services. An avid horsewoman, Tina has participated in many equestrian events, including trail rides and not one, but two Inaugural Parades. She resides in Amelia county.Kristin Barnaby - Kennel & Technician Assistant
Kristin is our newest staff member, becoming a welcome addition in December 2009. She is a 2008 graduate from Central High School. Along with her time here, Kristin also does farm and pet sitting. Besides working with animals, Kristin also enjoys photography. She resides in Kenbridge.
Karen Wilson - Clinic Manager
Karen has been working in the customer service field for many years, and no, she's not telling how many. Her duties around the clinic are many and varied. A typical day may include receptionist duties, business and social correspondence, customer service, food inventory and ordering, staff scheduling, accounts receivable and cleaning the litter box!Karen and her husband, Tony, are both avid horse enthusiasts. A former competitor in Western & Hunter Pleasure and Trail Class, her favorite "event" now is trail riding. Karen and Tony reside in Victoria where they share a small farm with 4 dogs, 1 cat, an ever growing herd of goats and 6 horses.