Our Team

Veterinarians


Eric D. Pugh, DVM

Founder & Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Pugh was born and raised in Stark County, Ohio. 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.

​​​​​​​Dr. Pugh was born and raised in Stark County, Ohio. 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 together they founded Hometown Veterinary Services, Inc. in the fall of 1997. He has greatly enjoyed practicing in his home town for the past twenty-three years. He and his wife have three daughters and a son ranging from 21 to 26 years old. He enjoys his three dogs and two cats as well as caring for their horses, cattle, and livestock. In his spare time Dr. Pugh enjoys attending his children’s activities/events, going to church, cheering on the Buckeyes, and managing his farming operation - Pugh Family Farms!

James S. Dittoe, DVM

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Dittoe is a 1980 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He was a partner in a mixed animal veterinary practice in Wooster, Ohio for a number of years before coming to Hometown Veterinary Services.

​​​​​​​Dr. Dittoe is a 1980 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He was a partner in a mixed animal veterinary practice in Wooster, Ohio for a number of years before coming to Hometown Veterinary Services. 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. Together, he and his wife have three children and six 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!

Dr. Pugh performed an internship under Dr. Dittoe prior to graduation from OSU while he was in Wooster!

Michael J. Estock, DVM

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Estock graduated in 2016 with a B.S in Animal Science from The Ohio State University. Following his undergraduate degree, he attended Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2020.

​​​​​​​Dr. Estock graduated in 2016 with a B.S in Animal Science from The Ohio State University. Following his undergraduate degree, he attended Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. Before working at Hometown Veterinary Services, he worked at a mixed animal veterinary practice in Texas. Michael has three fur children; an English Springer Spaniel named Huck, a Labrador Mix named Louie, and a cat named Tippy. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his girlfriend Kyla, exploring the outdoors, hiking, 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 4 children: Taylor, Brooklyn, Morgan, & Austin!

Management


Catherine Pugh

Practice Manager

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Brooklyn Pugh

Office Manager/HR

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Veterinary Technicians

Erica McCauley

Veterinary Technician Head Team Lead

Erica has been with Hometown Veterinary Services since 2001! Erica is the Head Veterinary Technician with 22 years of experience in Veterinary Medicine.

​​​​​​​She has many duties that include assisting with surgery’s, performing dental procedures, helping the Doctors in appointments, running various tests such as bloodwork, x-rays, and cytology's, as well as patient education. Erica is also the person that the other technical staff come to for guidance. She has a large fur family made up of two dogs, a Cane Corso named Cami and a Boston Terrier named Wiggles, three cats named Persia, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, and Chuck Norris, and a Uromastyx (lizard) named Debo. She currently lives in Louisville, OH with her husband and two children. Erica's hobbies include running, working out, reading, and enjoying various activities with her family!

Traci Young

Veterinary Technician Team Lead

Traci has worked in the Veterinary field for over 20 years! She joined Hometown Veterinary Services in July of 2017. 

​​​​​​​She grew up in East Sparta, Ohio on a farm working with horses and doing 4-H projects. She has always had a special connection with animals and working with the public. Traci currently lives in Perry Township, Ohio with her two children. In her free time, she enjoys camping, vacationing on the beach, and spending time with her children!

Sarah Furlow

Veterinary Technician Team Lead

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Abigail Furlow

Veterinary Technician & Rvt Student

Abigail has been with Hometown Veterinary Services since April of 2016. With over 6 years of experience in Veterinary Medicine at our clinic, she serves our team as a Veterinary Assistant.

​​​​​​​Abigail has been with Hometown Veterinary Services since April of 2016. With over 6 years of experience in Veterinary Medicine at our clinic, she serves our team as a Veterinary Assistant.

Abigail graduated in 2018 from Kent State University with her Associates Degree in Applied Science and is currently working towards gaining her Registered Veterinary Technician license. She has a sweet Corgi named Dennis. In her spare time, Abigail enjoys doing pyrography art, going to the lake, biking, being outdoors, and spending time with her family and friends!

Debbi Schlernitzauer, RVT

Registered Veterinary Technician

Debbi has been at Hometown Veterinary Services since March of 2017 and has been in the Veterinary field for over 20 years!

​​​​​​​She attended Cuyahoga Community College for her Veterinary Technician License and has been a Registered Veterinary Technician since May of 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 her friends and family!

Katie Wilkens

Veterinary Technician

Katie has been with Hometown Veterinary Services since May of 2019.

​​​​​​​She started working in the Veterinary field in 2013. Katie is happily married and 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!

Austin Pugh

Veterinary Technician

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Abby Orellana

Veterinary Technician

Abby graduated from The Ohio State University in May of 2021 with a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science with a Biomedical Science Specialization.

​​​​​​​Currently, Abby is enrolled in Penn Foster College, gaining her Registered Veterinary Technician License and plans to apply to Vet School upon graduation. She has three  cats named Beau, Blu, and Biscuit. Abby enjoys spending her free time with her church community and studying Veterinary Medicine.

Piper Ascarrunz

Veterinary Technician

Piper graduated with her Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology from Ross College.

​​​​​​​Piper works on our Curbside Veterinary team to serve our clients and furry patients at our Curbside Drive-Thru! She is currently working towards her goal of gaining her Registered Veterinary 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!

Alexis Zito

Veterinary Technician

Alexis has been working in the Veterinary field for a year now. Her love and passion for animals inspired her pursuits to work as a Veterinary Technician.

​​​​​​​She has a fur family made up of her Labrador Mix named Renfield and her two kitties named Toby and Moo. Alexis enjoys spending time outdoors and with her fiancé Joshua!

Jake Riegler

Veterinary Technician

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Chase Hoffa, RVT

Registered Veterinary Technician

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Nickalena Phillips, RVT

Registered Veterinary Technician

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Michael Johnson

Veterinary Technician

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Nicole Cook

Veterinary Technician

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Krista Diekmann

Veterinary Technician

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Kylee Kranning

Veterinary Technician

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Alex Bluhm

Veterinary Technician

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Communication Team Specialists

Aimee Moore

Communication Team Lead

Aimee works on our Communications Team at Hometown Veterinary Services as the Human Resources Manager. 

​​​​​​​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!

Annette Lehmiller

Communication Team Specialist

Annette is a full-time Head 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, three children, and eight grandchildren. She enjoys walking, cooking, baking, puzzles, and reading!

Gari Burd

Communication Team Specialist

Gari works on our Communications Team at Hometown Veterinary Services as a Receptionist. 

​​​​​​​She joined our team in July of 2017. Gari came to Hometown Veterinary Services with over 17 years of Veterinary experience! She enjoys interacting with our clients and their fur children. Outside of work, Gari enjoys spending time on her Harley-Davidson motorcycle and with her husband, family, and three grandchildren!

Amber Rea

Communication Team Specialist

Amber works on our Communications Team at Hometown Veterinary Services. She has worked in the Veterinary field since 2015 and joined our team after moving to Hartville, Ohio in September of 2021.

​​​​​​​She loves to travel, go on adventures and cook delicious meals. Amber enjoys spending her free time with her friends, family, husband and Yorkie named Gizmo - who means the world to her!

Michelle Smith

Communication Team Specialist

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Ashley Keister

Communication Team Specialist

Ashley works on our Communications Team at Hometown Veterinary Services. 

​​​​​​​She has been in the Veterinary field since 2018 and joined our team at Hometown Veterinary Services in September of 2022. Ashley has four kitties named Octavia, Bellamy, Deku, and Kylum and a Boxweiler (Boxer Rottie Mix) named Rico. In her free time, Ashley enjoys spending time with her sweet fur family!

Hannah Whitted

Communication Team Specialist

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Sanitary Specialists

Heather Morgan

Sanitary Specialists

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Margie Hill

Sanitary Specialists

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Keith Hill

Sanitary Specialists

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