Meet our caring and compassionate veterinary team!
We are pleased to provide exceptional veterinary care for your pets!
Please call us at (860) 450-0505 to speak with one of our caring veterinary staff members.
Veterinarians
Dr. Wendy C. Ernst, DVM
Dr. Ernst graduated from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine after graduating locally from Eastern Connecticut State University with a B.S. in Biology, and UCONN with a M.S. in Pathobiology. Following Veterinary School Dr. Ernst completed a Small Animal Medical and Surgical Internship at Veterinary Specialists of CT. She practiced at area hospitals for 10 years prior to founding Kirby Veterinary Hospital in 2012. The hospital received its name in honor of her first dog, whom inspired her to pursue veterinarian medicine. Dr. Ernst lives with her husband, DJ, several Labradors Retrievers and Leroy the cat. In her free time she enjoys training and competing with the Labradors in obedience, conformation and hunt tests.
Dr. Kaitlyn Way, DVM
Dr. Way is graduated from The Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to veterinary school she received her B.S. in Animal Science from the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Way enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine but has a strong interest in surgery and reproduction. She lives with her fiancé Mike, their five dogs and two cats in Killingly, CT. In her spare time she can be found hiking with her dogs, in the garden or at the beach. Some of you may recognize her from working at Kirby as a technician while she was in school.
Dr. Stephen Muir, DVM
Dr. Muir obtained his bachelor of science degree in Microbiology from the University of Iowa in 1978 and his veterinary degree from Iowa State University in 1985. After graduation, he worked 2 years in a mixed animal practice in Iowa, then spent the next 33 years in research, licensing veterinary vaccines for 25 years, and clinical drug development for an additional 8 years, before returning to companion animal veterinary practice starting in 2014, Dr. Muir interests lie in both preventative care and infectious disease of pets. Dr. Muir shares his home with a German Shorthair Pointer named Rumi and a DSH cat named Flounder.
Customer Service Representatives
Ivy
Ivy graduated from The UCONN agriculture school and she has worked in a variety of positions within the veterinary profession since then. Ivy joined us as a Client Service Representative in April 2016. Her favorite aspect of working in the veterinary field is seeing the pet-owner bond. In her free time she keeps busy with her horse Holly Hock, Axel her Siberian husky and family; including 4 grand kids! In addition to her pets, this year Ivy is trying her hand at butterfly gardening.
Natalka
Natalka graduated as an English major Magna Cum Laude from ECSU, but has always had a passion for animals of all kinds. Natalka has always worked with animals and currently has four of her own. Outside of work she keeps busy with her two ferrets and her two dogs, of which she trains and competes with in various canine sports such as lure coursing, rally, barn hunt, top dog, dock diving, and weight pull. Out of all the canine sports she has competed in, her favorite is canine weight pull, which builds a dog’s confidence and the owner-dog bond.
Shyann
Shyann graduated from ECSU with her B.S in Psychology with a concentration in Behavior Analysis. Shyann joined Kirby in September of 2019, and loves meeting people and their pets. In her free time, Shyann enjoys cooking, taking her dogs swimming, and working with giant breed dogs.
Pam
Pam joined our team in 2019, but this was not her start in the veterinary field. She completed her pre-veterinary school requirements at M.S.U, leading to her becoming a Certified Veterinary Technician. From there Pam found a passion for animal shelter work where she managed a local shelter and ultimately created the startup of two nonprofit spay/neuter clinics. A little-known fact about Pam is she is a licensed wildlife rehabber. Pam loves training and competing in agility, dressage riding with her horse, Spirit, and playing the violin with the Eastern CT Symphony. With her human family all grown up, Pam spends her time with her husband, 5 dogs, two goats, 9 cats, and an ever-revolving array of foster kittens and/or wildlife orphans.
Mae
Mae studied Biomedical Science and Entomology at Colorado State University before moving to New England 4 years ago. She now studies Computer Science at Eastern Connecticut State University and hopes to pursue a career in bioinformatics. She joined the Kirby team in July of 2020 and loves meeting clients and their pets as well as helping with the occasional office computer problem. In her free time she trains her Labrador Retriever, Guinness, for hunt tests and field trials
Kristen
Kristen graduated from UCONN with a BS in Animal Science and has worked in the veterinary field for many years since. Kristen joined our team in August of 2022 and enjoys working with people and their pets. When she is not at Kirby, she enjoys cooking, spending time with her family, riding her horse, walking with her bullmastiff, and riding roller coasters. She also has a passion for Great White Sharks and has even dived with them in Mexico.
Veterinary Technicians
Jess
Jess is a Certified Veterinary Technician and enjoys working in general practice, and has interest in reproduction and physical therapy. A longtime volunteer for Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, she has fostered over 14 puppies/dogs and worked as their Veterinary Technician and Animal Husbandry Manager before joining Kirby in June 2015. In her free time, Jess loves hiking, cooking, and training her dogs. Jess happily shares her home with her 4 German shepherds, Belgian Malinois and several cats. It should be no surprise Jess has a sweet spot for our German shepherd patients!
Laura
Laura graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University with a B.S. in Biology and she has been working in the veterinary field since. Laura is also a Certified Veterinary Technician. Laura joined our team in May 2014. At home Laura has several pets including Lily her Golden Retriever, Mabel a Great Pyrenees, Levi, Wrangler, and Hazel her three cats, and 2 turtles. When Laura isn’t working she enjoys being at the beach, cooking, gardening, and spending time with her family.
Bridget
I graduated from ECSU with a B.S. in Communication and a minor in Sustainable Energy Studies in 2018. After a few years off I decided to pursue an associates degree in Veterinary Technology at Middlesex Community College. Animals were always a passion of mine so I decided to make it my career. I have a dog named Amaru, and a Rabbit named Cashew. When I’m not studying or working I enjoy traveling, hiking, photography, painting/drawing, spending time with friends and family, and going to the beach.
Cheryl
Cheryl has been a long time member of the Veterinary field. Cheryl has had a passion for helping animals. When not at work Cheryl enjoys hiking with her husband and 4 legged family.
Scott
Scott’s Bio Coming Soon!
Veterinary Assistants
Katelyn
Image and Bio coming Soon
Emily
Bio Coming Soon!
Natalie
Natalie is currently a student at the University of Connecticut studying Animal Science. She started working at Kirby August 2021. She plans to attend veterinary school and potentially pursue a career in exotic animal veterinary medicine. In her free time, Natalie plays for the club lacrosse team at UCONN and is on the management team for HuskyTHON. At home, she has a hound dog mix named Vinny.
Viktoria
Viktoria is graduating this upcoming spring from UConn with a dual degree in molecular and cell biology and animal science with a minor in bioinformatics. She plans to attend veterinary school after graduation. She started working at Kirby in May 2021. In her spare time she likes to tap dance and read books.
Luc
Luc is currently a student at Connecticut State Community College studying biology. He plans on transferring to Eastern Connecticut State University to obtain his masters degree in biology before attending vet school. In his free time he likes to dog sit and participate in a Labrador retriever club.
Infamous Clinic Cat Craig!
Craig
Craig (appropriately named as he was adopted from an ad on Craigslist) found his way to our hospital as a kitten. When Craig is not checking in on patients, he loves hunting for cat treats and playing in boxes (and getting into everything he shouldn’t and providing comic relief to our staff). A little on the feisty side, he loves to escape out front—watch out- he tends to climb into purses and bags and has been known to steal things!