Our Veterinary Team

We have an outstanding team of cat lovers here at our veterinary hospital in the Oxford area who are committed to the lifelong care of your feline companion. If you’re new to our practice, get to know us by reading our team bios below!

Dr. Erika Ball, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Ball has been a practicing veterinarian since her graduation from Virginia Tech in 1997. She worked as an associate for 5 years before becoming a “relief” veterinarian, which allowed her to work in multiple hospital settings. This provided a unique experience and learning opportunity, as no two hospitals are operated in the same way. She had dreamed of opening an all-feline veterinary hospital for years. Dr. Ball also held a teaching position at Northwestern Connecticut Community College for 10 years prior to opening Cat’s Corner, working with future veterinary technicians in the subjects of parasitology, surgery, and anesthesia.

Dr. Ball feels a strong connection to her feline patients and strives to provide them with a less stressful environment in which to recuperate and thrive. Her favorite part of feline practice is dentistry. She has many years of experience and advanced training in this area. Treatment of dental disease, when performed properly, leads to tremendous pain relief and other health benefits. Dental disease is the most common ailment seen in her patients of all ages. Outside of work she has a fantastic husband and two wonderful stepdaughters. Dr. Ball also sings in an amateur garage band, “Ed Zeppelin” with her husband, the lead guitarist. Due to allergies in the family Dr. Ball cannot have pets, but she gets plenty of kitty lovin’ at work!

Dr BurkeDr. Patricia Burke, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Burke graduated from Quinnipiac University with a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology. She received her veterinary degree from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. Since graduating from veterinary school, Dr. Patty has been practicing small animal medicine at various veterinary hospitals in CT. At Cat’s Corner Veterinary Hospital, she is eager to expand upon her knowledge of feline medicine and continue to provide professional and compassionate care to her patients and clients.

She shares her life with her husband and their prince of a cat, Ernie. Dr. Burke’s interests outside of work include hiking, biking, yoga, quilting, baking, and searching for field trip locations.

Linda, Office Manager, CVPM

Linda joined the Cat’s Corner team in August 2017 from Bonita Springs, Florida. Linda has been a Veterinary Technician for over 12 years, and was promoted to Office Manager of her last practice, all while completing her degree in Business Management. In April of 2022, Linda passed her exam to become a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) through the Veterinary Hospital Manager Association.

As the daughter of a career Veterinary Technician, Linda practically grew up in a veterinarian’s office. She always gravitated towards animals in need, and closely observed and admired how the veterinary staff took care of them. The majority of her career has been devoted to Veterinary Orthopedic Surgery, Emergency Veterinary Medicine, and General Practice.

In her spare time, Linda enjoys spending time with her son, playing guitar, enjoying the outdoors, reading, and listening to music (she loves Bruce Springsteen!).

Patricia, Certified Veterinary Technician

Patty has worked in the veterinary medical field since 2000, and became a Certified Technician when she passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam in 2005. She has worked in ICU/Emergency animal care and alongside a Neurology Specialist. She joined Cat’s Corner Veterinary in 2011, and continues to dedicate herself to our feline patients with intense nursing and rehabilitation skills. Patty’s extensive experience and diligent patient care makes her a fundamental part of our team.

“I found Cat’s Corner upon moving back to the state, looking for employment. Cat’s Corner was appealing to me because it was an AAHA-accredited practice and cats only! I have enjoyed working with many types of animals in emergency and critical care, but cats have always been above all my favorite. Having previously worked at an accredited practice, I longed for my next job to have the same standards of excellence that AAHA encourages. Within a short time of working at Cat’s Corner I knew that I wanted to stay. The quality of medicine was top notch and the respect among staff made it feel like home away from home. I knew this was a place that I would feel comfortable, my education encouraged and the standards of practice A+.”

Patty’s favorite hobby is riding horses, and spending time with her cat Meeka.

Lorena, Technician Assistant

Lorena joined our team in 2020, excited to expand her knowledge on cats. She felt that cats were always overlooked compared to dogs. She is currently studying to earn her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology degree at Mercy College. She enjoys learning not only from the technicians and doctors at Cat’s Corner, but the receptionists and other assistants as well. Lorena is excited to continue to learn and grow into a knowledgeable Veterinary Technician during her time here. You can often find Lorena sneaking in some cuddles with patients in boarding in between appointments. She has a special place in her heart for our older patients.

While Lorena spends most of her time outside of work trying to stop her 20 year old cat Nikki from stealing everyone’s food, She enjoys spending time with loved ones and her four legged family members. She enjoys going on walks with her dogs, Luna and Flea, and reading with Nikki napping by her side.

JessJess, Veterinary Assistant

Jess joined Cat’s Corner in September of 2021 looking to expand her knowledge of the veterinary medical field. She has spent the last 3 years as a Technician Assistant, Kennel Technician, and Receptionist, honing her skills as a well-rounded veterinary staff member. During that time, she fell in love with helping pet owners keep their furry family members happy and healthy. When the opportunity arose to work at an all feline facility, she knew this was just the place to create and cultivate the career she’d been working towards. While she loves all things fluffy, there is a special place in her heart for the senior citizens of the animal kingdom! Jess’ cheerful and dynamic personality has been an outstanding addition to our Cat’s Corner team.

Jess shares her home with her dog, Zen, and her 3 cats Stark, Sir, and Captain. She enjoys spending her time outside of work hiking, trying different cuisines, and floating on the lake in the sun!

Dawn, Receptionist/Veterinary Assistant

A lifelong lover of cats, Dawn graduated from Northwestern CT Community College in 2010 with an Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology. After college, she worked for 3 years as a Veterinary Technician at an animal hospital before deciding to pursue a career with her sewing skills as a self-employed Seamstress and Tailor, making Renaissance and Fantasy style costumes. She also worked as a Cattery Manager at a shelter before coming to Cat’s Corner.

She likes spending her spare time with her fiancé, their adopted cat Moonlight, and their 2 guinea pigs. While she still enjoys working on the occasional sewing project, her other hobbies include video gaming, cooking, cross-stitch, and watching funny cat videos.

Melanie, Receptionist/Veterinary Assistant

Melanie came to Cat’s Corner Veterinary Hospital with 4 years of experience working with dogs at a daycare and boarding facility. Excited for a change, and elated with the calm yet busy environment, she is eager to grow and learn from the team. She has always had various pets growing up, and that affection turned into a passion to be involved in the animal care field. With her multifaceted and resourceful nature, Melanie has become a cherished member of our team.

Melanie is the mom of 4 fur babies and can often be found snuggled in bed with a book or out on a hike.

KatieKatie, Veterinary Assistant

As a pre-vet undergraduate student at the University of Connecticut, Katie came to Cat’s Corner in April 2021 in hopes of gaining more experience in the veterinary field. She hopes to go on to veterinary school after receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. At UConn, she is also a necropsy technician, dairy animal care technician, and livestock research assistant.

Katie loves being able to assist in surgeries and appointments as well as take care of the kitties in boarding! She also loves spending time with her cats Meeko and Tigger, as well as hiking, working out, and practicing yoga!

“Cat’s Corner Veterinary Hospital has provided me with an enriching learning environment as I embark on my pre-vet journey. This team is full of supportive mentors that I could not be more grateful for!”

Robyn

Robyn, Receptionist

Robyn is a lover of every type of animal. But cats are at the top of the list. She has two cats of her own, along with some bats that hang out in her breezeway. She has worked in fundraising for special needs children and at a conservation center for wolves, respectively. Robyn made the jump into the veterinary world a few years ago and never looked back. Cats or bust!

In Loving Memory of Tiki