Meet Our Team

Dr. Pugh was born and raised in Stark County. He attended Louisville High School and then The Ohio State University. He graduated with a B.S in Agriculture in 1993 and then enrolled in Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. He met his wife, Cathy, at OSU and they founded Hometown Veterinary Services, Inc. in the fall of 1997. He has greatly enjoyed practicing in his home town the past twenty-three years. He and his wife have three daughters and a son ranging from high school to college. He enjoys his three dogs and two cats as well as caring for their horses and livestock. In his spare time Dr. Pugh enjoys attending his children’s activities/events, attending church, and managing his farming operation!

Dr. Dittoe is a 1980 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. James was a partner in a mixed animal practice in Wooster, Ohio for a number of years. Dr. Pugh served an internship under Dr. Dittoe prior to graduation from OSU while he was in Wooster. He has been serving the area as a companion animal relief veterinarian for the past number of years. He has been married to his wife, Marilyn, for 45 years and together they have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. Dr. Dittoe enjoys boating, water skiing, church, woodwork, golf, family and the Buckeyes! James also spends his free time public speaking and is currently authoring his first book check out his website www.jamesdittoedvm.com!

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Dr. Estock graduated with a B.S in Animal Sciences in 2016. Following his undergraduate degree, he attended Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. Michael enjoys spending his free time with his high school  sweetheart Kyla Sharp. He and his girlfriend have three fur children; an English Springer Spaniel named Huck, a Labrador Mix named Louie, and a cat named Tippy. He enjoys spending his free time exploring the outdoors, watching sports (especially the Buckeyes), and working on his family farm. Dr. Pugh has been able to watch Dr. Estock grow up participating in 4-H with his children!

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Erica has been with Hometown Veterinary Services since 2001. She is the head technician with duties that include assisting with surgery’s, performing dental procedures, helping the Dr.’s in appointments, running various tests like bloodwork, xrays, and cytologies, as well as patient education. She’s also the one that the other technical staff come to for guidance. She has 2 dogs, Cami– a cane corso, and Wiggles- a Boston Terrier, and 3 cats- Persia, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, and Chuck Norris, and a uromastyx named Debo. She currently lives in Louisville, OH with her husband and two children. Her hobbies include running, working out reading, and enjoying various activities with her family.

Jennifer has been with Hometown Veterinary Services since February 2010. She attended Stautzenberger College for Veterinary Technology and acquired an associates degree in applied sciences becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician. Jennifer is excellent at offering guidance and engaging in client education. She understands that our pets are fuzzy family and strives to keep that bond strong and healthy. Jennifer’s love for animals started at a young age and paved her career path. She two kitties, Alphonse and Bennie. Jennifer is a big art and yoga enthusiast. She enjoys painting and drawing with different mediums, working out, and spending time with her friends and family.

Abigail has been with Hometown since April of 2016 as a veterinarian assistant. She graduated in 2018 from Kent State with her Associates Degree in Applied Science. Abigail has a Corgi named Dennis. In her spare time, she enjoys doing pyrography art, going to the lake, biking, being outdoors, and spending time with her family and friends!

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Becky has been at Hometown since February 2017. She has a large fur family herself including her 3 dogs; a Golden Labrador named Brodie, two Pit Bull Terrier's named Vader and Blue, 3 cats named Charlie, Tossi, and Kiki, and 7 chickens. Becky enjoys spending her free time with her boyfriend Brin, and two children. She enjoys spending time outside, working out, and traveling with her family. 

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Debbi has been at Hometown since March 2017 and has been in the veterinary field for 20 years. She attended Cuyahoga Community College for her Veterinary Technician License and has been a Registered Technician since May 2005. Debbi grew up on a dairy farm and has always had a love for animals as well as working with harness racing horses in the past. She currently lives in Massillon, OH with her husband, daughter, and pitbull, Skyler. She loves spending time outside exercising, boating, baking, and spending time with friends and family.

Traci has worked in the veterinary field for over 20 years. She joined Hometown in July of 2017.  She grew up in East Sparta on a farm working with horses and doing 4-H projects. She has always had a special connections with animals and working with the public. Traci currently lives in Perry Township, OH with her 2 children. Traci enjoys camping and vacationing on the beach.

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Tiffany has been with Hometown since September of 2018. She graduated from The Ohio State University in 2003. Tiffany has a love for animals, especially horses. She has two horses of her own, Rodeo, and Toni, as well as a donkey named Petunia. Tiffany enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She enjoys horseback riding in her free time.

Katie has been with Hometown since May 2019. She started working in the veterinary field in 2013. She is happily married. Katie has a Pitt Bull Terrier named Nala who is her best friend. Katie enjoys spending her time with family and friends, camping, going to concerts, and enjoying the outdoors.

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Megan attained an Associate Degree in Applied Science from the University of Akron. She has German Shepherd named Nova, and an Australian Shepard named Axel. Megan is expecting a baby boy in June of 2023.

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Annie attended Brown Mackie College and acquired an Associate Degree in Applied Sciences becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician. She has a large fur family with 3 Chihuahua's; Panini, Portia, and TT and 4 parrots. In her free time, she enjoys watching True Crime Documentaries, and crocheting. 

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Abby graduated The Ohio State University in May of 2021 with a Bachelors Degree in Animal Sciences with a specialization in Bio Sciences. Currently, Abby is enrolled in Penn Foster College, gaining her Registered Veterinary Technician License. She plans to apply to Veterinary Medicine School upon graduation. She has 3 cats; Beau, Blu, and Biscuit. She enjoys spending her free time with her church community and studying Veterinary Medicine.

Alexis has been working in the field of Veterinary Medicine for a year now. She loves animals, and has a fur family herself; a Labrador Mix named Renfield, and two kitties named Toby & Moo. She enjoys spending time outdoors and with her fiancé Joshua.

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Sarah has been with Hometown since April 2020. She spends a lot of her time assisting our veterinary technicians in the treatment area as well as running our curbside service. Sarah enjoys shopping, catching up on the latest episodes of her favorite TV shows, and spending time at home with her boyfriend and cat, Louise.

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Piper graduated with her Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology from Ross College. She is currently working towards her goal of gaining her Registered Technician License by the end of the year. She has a horse named Coal, and a  Siberian Husky named Daman. In her free time, Piper enjoys reading, writing, drawing, horseback riding, and spending time with her friends and family.

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Annette is a full time receptionist for Hometown Veterinary Services and has been at our front desk for almost 15 years. Along with checking in pets for their appointments, she answers phones and performs many daily office duties.  Annette "fell into" the field of Veterinary Medicine and truly feels like she found her place. She is a true people person, which you can see as she joyfully attends to clients needs at the front desk. Annette enjoys spending time with her husband, 3 children, and 8 grandchildren. She enjoys walking, cooking, baking, puzzles, and reading.

Gari is one of our receptionists who joined the Hometown team in July, 2017. She came to Hometown with over 17 years of Veterinary experience. Gari enjoys interacting with clients and their furry patients. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time on her Harley-Davidson motorcycle and with her family – especially her 3 grandchildren.

Amber has worked in the veterinary field since 2015 and joined our team after moving to Hartville in September 2021. She loves to travel, go on adventures and cook delicious meals. Spending time with her friends, family, husband and yorkie, Gizmo, means the world to her.

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Aimee graduated with her Associate degree in Medical Assisting from Ross College. She owns a Labrador Rottweiler mix named Bella. In her free time, Aimee enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and family, and riding Side by Sides.

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Amanda has 2 dogs; a Coton Poodle named Bullet, and a Jack Russell Terrier Mix named Gunner. She enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors, and loving on her two sweet pets. Amanda is expecting a baby girl in July of 2023.

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Ashley has been in the Veterinary Field since 2018 and joined Hometown September of 2022. Ashley has 4 kitties; Octavia, Bellamy, Deku, and Kylum and a Boxweiler (Boxer Rottie Mix) named Rico. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her fur family.