Dr. Shella Baker

Dr. Shella Baker is the proud owner of Oak Hill Veterinary Care & Pet Resort. Born and raised in Amherst County, Shella lived with pets from an early age and went on to veterinary school at Virginia Tech. After over 16 years of working at other vet clinics, Shella decided it was time to return home to open her own practice—but she saw another need in the community.

 Whenever Shella traveled, she struggled to find an adequate place for her dogs Tucker and Bella as well as her kitty, Pocus. Options in the area didn’t feel enough like home… they weren’t warm and positive enough to feel good about. Local pet parents needed another option—one that their pets would look forward to coming back to—and Oak Hill Pet Resort was created!

 Our resort was designed from the ground-up to be a deluxe pet care facility unmatched in quality and safety. Everything we do is for the pets!

Dr. Jessica Saunders Higginbotham

Dr. Higginbotham is originally from West Virginia and graduated from Marshall University, with a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry in 2016. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Mississippi State University in May 2020. Dr. Higginbotham practiced at a hospital in Lynchburg for almost 3 years before joining Oak Hill in March 2023. Dr. Higginbotham has an interest in preventative medicine, soft tissue surgery, and dentistry. She enjoys hiking, swimming, and exploring new places.

Dr. Mintcy Maxham

Dr. Maxham grew up in Amherst County and worked as an archaeologist before going back to school to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from NC State. In 2023, she became a Certified Companion Animal Rehabilitation Therapist (CCAT) and earned her Fear Free Certification. She joined Oak Hill in October 2024 and is starting a rehab program to help dogs and cats with orthopedic injury, neurologic impairment, and arthritis. She has a special interest in alleviating pain and improving mobility in geriatric pets. When she is not working, Dr. Maxham enjoys running and cycling. She is the director of the Lynchburg Area Bikers youth mountain biking team.

Dr. Robin Hubbard

Dr. Hubbard grew up in rural upstate New York and started out with horses and dairy cattle. She graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Animal Science and from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine with her DVM in 1985. She has practiced in Iowa, New York, and Michigan before moving to Virginia in 2007. Dr. Hubbard is a former practice owner. In veterinary practice, she has a special interest in senior pets. In June 2021 Dr. Hubbard began semi-retirement to spend time with her family and travel with her husband Randy. She is delighted to be a part of the team at Oak Hill Veterinary Care since October 2021.

Dr. Krisha Golla

Dr. Krisha Golla grew up on a family farm in Botetourt County, where her love for animals began at a young age. She earned her undergraduate degree in Animal and Poultry Sciences from Virginia Tech in 2009 and went on to receive her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Virginia Tech in 2013.

Dr. Golla is passionate about preventative medicine, focusing on keeping pets healthy and comfortable throughout their lives.

Outside of veterinary practice, Dr. Golla enjoys raising her four children alongside her husband, Josh, on the farm where she grew up. The family activities and adventures keep her busy! She also shares her home with a variety of pets, including dogs, cats, and a turtle named Shelly.

Cindy Morris

Practice Manager

Cindy is a born and raised small town girl, from Madison Heights, leveraging a two-decade career working in the healthcare field. She joined Oak Hill when it opened in 2021 and has dedicated herself to a well-run and smooth operating facility. As Practice Manager, Cindy leverages her decades of administrative experience and passion for helping others to ensure Oak Hill provides the absolute best care for our clients and most importantly, their beloved pets! When not working she enjoys spending time with her husband, their beloved fur baby Nadia and spending her remaining time with family and friends (A girl must have priorities!). Cindy is a 3x Cancer Survivor, desiring to share her journey in hopes of supporting others who may be going through cancer.

Mary Arrington

Licensed Veterinary Technician, LVT

I’m Mary Arrington, a Licensed Veterinary Technician with a degree from Blue Ridge Community College, where I graduated in 2004. My passion for animals has been a driving force in my life since childhood, guiding me through my career and shaping my everyday adventures. When I’m not caring for critters, you can find me on the hunt for turkey, tending to my vibrant flower garden, or enjoying the simple pleasures of farm life. I have a soft spot for Hereford cattle, especially my new calf Papaya. I share my home with my family, two mischievous dogs, Puddin and Rooster, as well as my sweet cat, Bubba. Whether I’m out in nature or nurturing animals, I embrace every moment with enthusiasm and a deep love for the incredible bond we share with our furry companions.

Danielle Owens

Licensed Veterinary Technician, LVT, VTS (Dentistry)

Hello! I’m one of the licensed veterinary technicians here at Oak Hill. I’ve been in the veterinary field since 2011, and I started at Oak Hill in 2024. In 2020 I obtained my technician specialty certification in dentistry, and I also have a special interest in anesthesia/analgesia. I have lectured on dentistry at multiple veterinary conferences in the US and I also travel to other veterinary hospitals to teach their teams about dentistry radiography, charting, and nerve blocks. In my spare time my husband and I are active in nature. We enjoy scuba diving, skiing, kayaking, camping, and hiking. We also tend to our bee hives and garden at our home. Our babies at home are a Husky (Remy) and a cat (Finley).

Dana Younger

Licensed Veterinary Technician, LVT

I have been a licensed veterinary technician since 2009. I have worked primarily in general practice but also have experience in emergency medicine and as an ICU nurse. I decided to switch careers recently and graduated from ultrasound school in 2023. I now work part-time in a human hospital specializing in abdominal, OB/Gyn and vascular ultrasounds. I missed my animal patients and veterinary medicine, so I also help out at Oak Hill as needed. I am married and have a very busy human son, a sweet pit bull and 3 cats who are all rescues. In my free time I enjoy camping, hiking, and occasionally fostering kittens.

Alissa Bender

Veterinary Assistant

I have always grown up with pets and have loved animals from a very early age. I started working with animals about 3 years ago and haven’t looked back since. I am currently enrolled in Penn Foster to get my vet tech license and look forward to learning and growing more in the field that I love!

Kama Clay

Veterinary Assistant

Hi, I’m Kama. I’ve been working as a veterinary assistant for almost four years, and I absolutely love being in the field, helping animals feel better. I have a degree in Equine Science, which reflects my deep passion for horses. In my personal life, I’m surrounded by animals—I have two horses, three dogs, and two cats, so there’s never a dull moment at home! My experiences with animals, both professionally and personally, have really shaped who I am, and I’m always excited to learn and grow in this field.

Jennifer Elliott

Veterinary Assistant

Hi my name is Jenny Elliott. I started out in my teenage years as a small animal vet assistant. When I finished school, I joined my husband in running a 450-cow dairy herd. After 25 years of dairy farming, my husband and I decided to switch from dairy to raising beef cows. I joined the Oak Hill team in March of 2024 and decided that I wanted to pursue my LVT degree. My passion is working with animals. I’m gaining a lot of valuable experience working with Dr Baker and all the staff at Oak Hill. Each day is especially rewarding when I can take part in helping clients with their pets. My pets include many cows, 4 sphynx cats, and 2 dogs.

Christopher Luther

Veterinary Assistant

Hi, I’m Chris! Joining Oak Hill in late 2024 has been an incredible experience. I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside dedicated doctors, managers, staff, and pet owners who are all deeply committed to animal care. My passion has always aligned with animals, earning my dog training certification in 2022, and having spent over five years working in Animal Welfare. Seeking to expand my knowledge, I transitioned into veterinary medicine to continue making a positive impact on pets and their families. Outside of work, I love exploring the beautiful hiking trails and breweries around Lynchburg with my dog, Jet. I’m excited to be part of the Oak Hill team and look forward to helping pets live happy, healthy lives!

Aleigha Restivo

Veterinary Assistant

I grew up with in Amherst County. I graduated from Penn Foster and received my Veterinary Assistant degree. Ever since I could remember as a child, I’ve always wanted to help any animal that may be in distress, needing shelter, or just needing love and kindness. My hobbies I enjoy doing with my free time are fishing, swimming and drawing.

Alyssa Simmons

Veterinary Assistant

Hi, I’m Alyssa Simmons! I’m a dedicated vet assistant with a deep love for animals. At home, I’m lucky to share my life with my husband and two wonderful dogs, Boone, my lovable Chocolate Lab, and Darwin, my fun and quirky Basset Hound. They bring so much joy and love to my days!

My favorite animal has always been the shark. There’s something about their strength and grace that fascinates me. Whether I’m working with pets or daydreaming about the ocean, I’m always thinking about how we can better care for all kinds of creatures. I’m passionate about my work in the veterinary field and love helping animals feel their best!

Angel King

Groomer

Hi, my name is Angel, and I am the pet groomer at Oak Hill! Helping your fur babies look their best and getting to know each one are my favorite parts of grooming. I earned my grooming certificate through Penn Foster and have worked in the grooming industry on and off for the past 7 years. A few of my favorite breeds to groom are poodles, doodles, and King Charles Cavaliers, although I enjoy grooming all sizes and breeds. I don’t mind working with fur babies that need a little extra time or patience, my goal is to make their grooming experience as comfortable and stress free as possible. I am married and have two daughters, two dogs and two Guinea pigs and in my free time I enjoy spending time with my family. I look forward to meeting your fur babies and pampering them.

Kylee Hise

Team Lead, Lodging/Daycare

Hey there! I’m Kylee, a lifelong good ole Amherst County resident with a passion for all furry critters (just not the eight-legged ones)! I’ve been with this amazing team since the doors opened and am grateful for all the learning opportunities to expand on my veterinary interest. In my downtime I enjoy spending it with my own pups, Piper and Willow, or trying to convince my husband that Star Wars in 100x better than Star Trek (he’ll accept it one day)…. I can’t wait to meet your fluffy companions!

Alexus Carroll

Lodging/Daycare

Hello! My name is Alexus Carroll, and I have 3 years’ experience in animal caregiving. I am currently working towards furthering my education for vet technology. My goal for our clients is to ensure good quality care and at home love for your pet! Outside of Oak Hill, I’m competing for the next pageant title or feeding the cows with my own dogs!

Keelie Ogden

Lodging/Daycare

Penny Austin

Receptionist

I was born and raised in Gladstone, Virginia and graduated from Amherst County High School. I have 16 years of experience in Early Childhood Learning and 14 years of experience in Customer Service. I spend my time with my 3 fur babies, Copper (a Cockapoo), Angel (a cat), and Cheesie (the rat I rescued). When I am not working, I enjoy the country life and making memories with my two sons. In my spare time I love going to ATV parks, camping, fishing and kayaking. I am definitely a boy mom. I am very blessed to be part of the Oak Hill team because I love working with the public and loving on fur babies all day.

Lea Evans

Receptionist

Born and raised a Jersey girl with mountains in my soul, I’ve spent 25+ years in veterinary medicine. My couple of years here at Oak Hill have been a heartfelt experience! Where Storm the practice cat is my ride-or-die, the staff is like family and the doctors are amazing. When I’m off the clock, you’ll find me camping or chilling with my wild crew!

Kendall O’Neill

Receptionist

Hi, my name is Kendall, and I am from Amherst County where I have lived most of my life. I have over 23 years of combined experience in customer service, human medicine, and animal care. I joined Oak Hill Veterinary Care in September 2024 and take joy in meeting new pets, providing them with loving care, and continuing to learn along the way. I look forward to meeting you and your beloved pets and ensuring they feel welcomed and well cared for during every visit.

I am married with two children, along with a dog and a cat, and I have had the privilege of owning a wide range of pets, including rabbits, parakeets, chickens, ducks, fish, cats, and dogs. I am an active member of my local church community and enjoy spending my free time walking, fishing, going to the beach, hitting the pool, and participating in CrossFit.

Kelsi Shepherd

Receptionist

I am new to the veterinary field. I spent most of my life in Virginia and love my daughters, my two elderly dogs, and spending time outdoors. I am passionate about learning, communication, and facilitating a safe and comforting environment for both pets and people.