Our Staff

Doctor

Dr. Mark W Richards , DVM

Dr. Mark Richards received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New Hampshire in 1978. After completing his undergraduate studies, Dr. Richards worked as a district sales manager for a bovine artificial insemination company. In 1982, he returned to academia where he earned a Master's (Clemson University, 1984) and PhD in Reproductive Physiology (Oklahoma State University,1987). In 1987, Dr. Richards decided to further his education by becoming a veterinarian. He attended Oklahoma State College of Veterinary Medicine (1991) and earned a doctorate in veterinary medicine.

After completing veterinary school, Dr. Richards moved to New York where he worked in a rural veterinary hospital. In 1992, Dr. Richards returned to New Hampshire and setteled in the seacoast area. For three years he worked at Stratham Veterinary Practice and established an excellent reputation as a diagnostician and surgeon.

Since the Seacoast of New Hampshire was where Dr. Richards' roots were, he began looking for a location of his own. In 1996, after several years of planning, he purchased Greenland Animal Hospital.

Dr. Richards enjoys sports and gardening. He spends much of his free time playing hockey, golf, and riding his Indian motorcyle. Sarah, his daughter and Josh, his son, are also sports enthusiasts. Sarah is a Biology Major and plays Division 1 Field Hockey at Rider University in New Jersey. Josh attends Berwick Academy where he plays Varsity hockey, baseball and golf.

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Dr. Shawna Chag , DVM

Dr. Shawna Chag received her Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science in 2000, and graduated from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in May 2004.

Born in Texas, Dr. Chag grew up among the wide-open plains of the Lone Star State, as well as Georgia and Arizona. Though a Texan heart, she didn't bring a southern drawl with her to NH. Although you may hear an occasional friendly 'y'all' when she greets you at the clinic, perhaps when she asks; "How have y'all been, enjoying your new cat?"

While on an internship at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, Shawna met her soul-mate, Mark, who was a long-time exotic animal keeper. He was a New England native and brought her 'back east' for vacations.

Despite her newfound love for small-town New England, her husband's passion for Red Sox baseball and Patriots football have not swayed Dr. Chag from her own love for the Atlanta Braves and Dallas Cowboys.

Nevertheless, she wholeheartedly embraces all that natural New England has to offer, be it hiking, kayaking, snow-shoeing, or simply exploring locales from the quaint seacoast towns to the towering mountain peaks.

She is now comfortably settled on the Seacoast, with her husband and three cats, Kona, LMM (pronounced ell-emm, AKA: Little Miss Magic), and Hilo Hattie. Jimmy Buffett fans will quickly recognize the inspiration of LMM's name, while Kona's name spurred from their honeymoon to the Big Island of Hawaii. Hilo's name was inspired by her being the opposite (personality and side of the island) as Kona.

Dr. Chag has developed a special interest in pathology (or "lumps 'n bumps") and ophthomology (eyes).

She is a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners (aafp) which strives to further improve care and special needs of feline patients.

A lover of all animals, great and small, Dr. Chag will greet both you and your furry four-legged family member with a smile.

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Technician

Sara A Richards , Practice Manager, Head Veterinary Technician

Sara is a licensed veterinary technician (Vermont Technical College, 1995) and Practice Mangaer at Greenland Animal Hospital. Sara has worked with Dr. Richards since her graduation. She is a caring, compassionate individual and is extremely dedicated to her profession. Sara is responsible for the patient care at Greenland Animal Hospital. She is also accountable for personnel and inventory management.

Sara In her spare time, Sara works as an Accredited Home Stager and operates her business, "Dress It For Sale". She works with home owners and Real Estate Agents to enhance the property for quicker sales.

Sara has a special place in her heart for cats. Mufasa (a Bengal) and Toga (a grey Domestic Short Hair) run her life. She enjoys raising kittens and gets tremendous satisfaction from placing them in good homes

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Kennel

Mary Batts

Mary has lived in the Southern NH area her entire life. She has worked loved and worked with animals since an early age. She has worked at Petco, NHSPCA, and The Barking Dog. Mary is enrolled at the NHCTC in Stratham, NH and is currently studying towards her veterinary technician degree. In her free time, Mary reads, spends time with her family and friends and hikes in the woods. She loves to experience new things and has a desire to learn more every day.

Assistants

Lucie , Veterinary Receptionist and Assistant

Lucie is new to the United States. She originates from the Czech Republic where she attended college and studied Hotel Management and Hospitality. Upon relocating to America, Lucie discovered a love for animals. Her passion for pet care began when she was working at a local grooming facility. She enjoys her work and feels honored to care for the clients and pets at Greenland Animal Hospital. Her dog, Pivo (Czech for beer) keeps her hopping.

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Kristen Allbee , BS - Veternary and Animal Sciences

Kristen was born and raised in Methuen, MA. From the early age of 3, she developed a passion for helping animals. While in high school, she began her career in veterinary medicine in the kennel of a local animal hospital. She slowly worked her way up through the ranks to veterinary assistant.

She graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in May 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary and Animal Sciences. She then moved back home and began working as a Veterinary Technician at a companion animal practice in Hamilton, MA. Kristen joined our team in October 2007 in an effort to expand her knowledge in the veterinary field by gaining a new perspective.

She currently resides in Haverhill, MA where her 3 cats, Isis, Troy, and Butterscotch are a constant source of entertainment. When she isn’t chasing them around or rescuing them from on top of the refrigerator, you can find her spending time with her family and friends, taking an adult hip-hop dance class, singing karaoke, figure skating, or relaxing on the beach when weather permits. Unless, of course, it’s football or baseball season, where you’ll find her firmly planted in front of a TV rooting for her beloved Patriots and Red Sox!