Our Team
Dr. Renee Risaliti
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Renee Risaliti joined West Friendship Animal Hospital in February 2023. Originally from Ebensburg, PA, she graduated from Bloomsburg University with a B.S. in Biology. She then moved south to go to veterinary school at Auburn University. After graduating in 2018, she practiced for several years outside of Savannah, GA before moving to Maryland. Her interests in veterinary medicine include soft tissue surgery, preventative care, and internal medicine. She loves to spend her time outside the clinic baking, crocheting, playing volleyball, and traveling with her friends. Dr. Risaliti resides with her four rescue cats, Sherlock, Watson, Luna, and Marvin Crush. She is looking forward to living closer to family and experiencing seasons again.
Veterinary Technician
Haileigh joined WFAH in July 2016 as our Crazy Pug Lady. She is enrolled in a Veterinary Technician program in hopes of becoming an RVT in the future and is also Fear Free Certified. Her favorite part of being a Veterinary Technician is building trust and strong relationships with not only the pets to ensure they have the least stressful visits possible, but their families as well. She enjoys being able to comfort and educate families while treating each pet as if they were her very own. Outside of work, Haileigh enjoys being a dog mom to Pugsley the Pug and Fiona the Boxer, being with friends and family, going to the gym, and being at the beach.
Haileigh
Sean
Veterinary Assistant
Sean joined WFAH in 2021. He’s a junior in high school and loves his exotic pet animals, like Leeroy, the White’s tree frog, shown. He has 3 tree frogs, a Saharan sand boa, a 35 gallon fish tank and a giant pink footed millipede.
Bella
Kennel Assistant
Bella joined WFAH in September 2019 as an intern and became an assistant in June 2021. She is currently attending University of Maryland, College Park studying Animal Science, and hopes to attend veterinary school. She enjoys spending time with her cats, Ember and Pixie, while at home and working with horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs while at school
Kate
Kennel Assistant
Kate joined WFAH in December 2022, having recently graduated from McDaniel College as a Biology major. She has always loved animals and has been petsitting for many years. Outside of work, she enjoys volunteering at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore and the Baltimore Humane Society. She also enjoys music and theatre.
Sara Jane
Kennel Assistant
SaraJane joined WFAH in September of 2023. She lives on campus at UMBC where she is studying as a biology major, on the pre-vet track. She has always loved animals and plans on continuing school to become a vet tech and possibly a veterinarian. Outside of work and school, she enjoys spending time with friends, playing video games, doing various artsy activities, and taking care of her animals. She has a cat and a parrot of her own with two more cats, a dog, and three fish as family pets back home.
Zoey
Kennel Assistant
Zoey is a high school senior who is dual enrolled at the Community College of Baltimore County. She plans to apply to their veterinary technician program following graduation. Zoey has grown up in the midst of farm life currently sharing her home with 5 horses, 2 dogs, 3 cats and 2 chickens.
Christine
Receptionist
Christine came onboard WFAH in Sept 2022. She lives in Carroll County with her husband, Jaime, daughter Madison and 2 dogs, Riley and Zoe. In her free time she likes to read and build Legos with her daughter.
Valerie
Receptionist
Valerie started at WFAH as a second career after working many years as a librarian. She has a sweet kitty, Lily and 2 Bernese Mountain dogs, Ellie and Elsa. When she’s not working, she spends her free time painting cat and dog portaits.
Kelli
Receptionist
Kelli is our newest addition to the receptionist staff. She loves spending time with her Hound Mix, Maya and her German Shepherd, Ruger. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her niece Lennyn, spending time with her fiancé, watching volleyball, and going outside on walks around my neighborhood.
Bess
Receptionist
Bess joined WFAH in June 2023. She had previously discovered her role as a veterinary receptionist in May 2007 at a veterinary specialty and emergency hospital in MD. Her earlier career was a combined 14 years as a library paraprofessional and bookseller/special orders clerk, matching her love of books and client service. Thus, as a veterinary receptionist, she found a new field in which to bring her own combination of compassion and excellence. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her cats Eddie and Holly, reading, watching movies, solving Wordle puzzles, and playing Words With Friends.
Chrissy
Receptionist
Chrissy joined WFAH in March of 2024. She received her veterinary assistant certification in 1999, and has worked with cats and dogs ever since. She prefers the customer service side of veterinary medicine and enjoys making clients and their pets feel as welcome as possible. In her free time, she likes watching movies, hiking, running, camping, and spending time with her 2 German Shepherds, Bull Mastiff, cat, son, and husband.