Staff
Lona Baker-Harrelle has been our Hospital Administrator since 2008 and a co-owner of All Friends Animal Hospital since July of 2009. She first started with the hospital in 1998 and has a Bachelor of Arts in Business.
“This hospital is my family,” she says. “I started here at age sixteen and have grown up with the business and have fulfilled a dream by becoming a co-owner of the practice.”
Lona’s pets include two English Bulldogs named Walter and Ozcar and two cats named Jack and Ralf. Her interests include gardening, taking her dogs to Bluff Point, golfing and kayaking.
Tara Bolles is our Technician Team Leader and Client Liaison and has been co-owner of All Friends Animal Hospital since 2009, though she started her career here in 1998. She began her career in animal care in 1991 as the Animal Control Officer for the Town of Preston.
Saying she has a strong belief in customer service and community involvement, Tara adds, “I have enjoyed watching this business grow and flourish. I am proud of the progressive, community involved practice we have become.”
At home, she has a Cane Corso named Brinks and a Greyhound named Annie. Tara and her husband Todd are generally busy raising their twin daughters, Ava and Brooke, in Preston, Connecticut, where she and her husband were raised. Additionally, she is a Tim McGraw fanatic and loves country music and spending time with her family and friends.
Office Manager Jean Kobelski has been with All Friends Animal Hospital since January of 2003. In addition to her years of experience she has an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts from Roger William University and studied Psychology at the University of Syracuse and Business at the New London School of Business.
“I’m proud to be part of such a well-respected and well known animal hospital,” she says. “Our staff is knowledgeable, caring and hardworking, but the best part is that we all truly enjoy working with each other.”
At home, Jean has two Pugs named Carol and Olive and two cats named Henry and Rocky. Her interests include going to the beach, reading, gardening, and spending time with her family.
Holly Hawkins-Bourne has been a Veterinary Technician with All Friends Animal Hospital since 2008, but began her career in companion animal care in 2000. In addition to her years of animal care experience she as an Associate’s degree in Web Design and New Media.
Holly is very good at working with challenging and aggressive cats—she says she has one herself—and enjoys helping new pet owners, especially those that have adopted a pet in need. “I work with a fantastic and talented bunch of people,” she says of her time with us.
Her pets include a Greyhound named Kooky and three cats named Mr. Moo, Anakin, and Opaltini. Holly’s interests include watching scary movies, listening to music, reading, art, playing games, learning, and relaxing on her deck with her greyhound.
Julie King is a Certified Veterinary Technician who has been with All Friends Animal Hospital since November of 2007, but began working in the animal care field in 2001. In addition to her years of experience Julie has a Bachelor of Science in Biology.
“I wake up in the morning happy to come to work,” she says. “Our patients and clients are great and it is an amazing staff to work with.”
Julie has a Siamese cat named Moosie and an Abyssinian named Abby. Her interests include spending time with her son Benjamin and husband Dan, going to the beach, reading, watching movies, and cheering for the Red Sox.
Veterinary Technician Gary Mets has been with All Friends Animal Hospital since May of 2010 and began his career in animal care in 2000. Additionally, he has extensive aggressive dog handling training.
Asked what he enjoys most about his work, Gary says, “There is no single aspect of the job, it is the job as a whole that makes it worth doing.” He goes on to add, “The level of care here is better because the people here are more concerned with the animal than with the bottom line.”
At home, he has two Golden Retrievers named Trixie and Buddy, a Lab mix named Dexter and two cats named Max and Mickey. Gary’s interests include flea markets, fishing, hiking, biking, baking and camping.
Alex Snow is a Veterinary Technician who has been with All Friends Animal Hospital since May of 2011. He is also currently enrolled at the University of Rhode Island where he is studying for a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with an Animal Science minor.
“I enjoy working at this veterinary hospital because of the great atmosphere; we are almost like one big family,” he says. “Everyone in this hospital truly cares about every patient that walks through the door.”
Alex has a White German Shepherd named Starr, Albino Red Tail Boa named Silas, Bull Python named Alistair, and many other pets. He spends his free time practicing and studying music theory, playing guitar and piano, playing the drums, longboarding, and cooking.
Certified Veterinary Technician Sarah Sullivan has been with All Friends Animal Hospital since September of 2001, but began her career in animal care in 1990.
“All Friends Animal Hospital is such a fun and friendly place to work in,” she says. “The staff here is more like family than coworkers.”
At home, Sarah has two Pitbulls named Maya and Blue, two Chihuahuas named Scooter and Phyllis, a thoroughbred horse named Clay, an appendix quarter horse named Capone, two miniature horses named Johnny Walker and Hot Stuff, two Alpacas named Bob and Al, and six goats named Max, Brownie, Onyx, Spike, Hansel, and Gretel. Her interests include horseback riding, going to the beach, camping, boating and fishing.
Rebecca Tavares is a Veterinary Technician who has been a member of the All Friends Animal Hospital staff since February of 2007 and began her career in pet care in 2000.
“I like working with animals because it is so rewarding,” Rebecca says. ”They are so loving and playful, even funny and comical. Sometimes just one pet coming in and being excited to see me even though they are at the vet will make your day.”
Rebecca has a Boston Terrier named Whittaker and two cats named Emma and Romeo. She is also an avid horse person and loves to be around them. She spends her free time with her dog Whitty and at the barn with the horses whenever she can. She also loves to read, go to church, listen to music and spend time with her family.
Kim is one of our receptionists and has been with All Friends Animal Hospital since March of 2011. She began working in the companion animal care field in 2002.
“I have found that everyone is friendly here to work with,” she says. “It is a very organized group that understands that the clients’ time is just as important as the doctors’.”
Kim’s interests include yard sales, knitting, quilting, counted cross stitch, singing in the church choir, walking along the ocean, making fudge, canoeing, spending time with her grandson and family, watching birds, listening to music, cheering on UConn men’s and women’s basketball, and dancing.
Customer Care Specialist Leigh Coughlin has been with All Friends Animal Hospital since May of 2006 and is currently enrolled in a Veterinary Assistant program.
Asked what she enjoys most about her work, Leigh says, “Being able to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves.”
Her pets include two Golden Retrievers named Buddy and Trixie, a Yellow Lab named Dexter, two cats named Mickey and Max and a fish tank. Leigh’s interests include dancing, singing, hiking, camping and spending time at the beach.
Joanne Warren has been a Receptionist at All Friends Animal Hospital since 2007 and began working in pet care in 2001.
“Our clinic is a family-oriented company and will provide you with quality care for you and your furry family member,” she says of why she enjoys working with us.
At home, Joanne has a German Shepherd named Kody and a Yorkie named Buddy. Her interests include camping and spending time with family.