Blue Mountain Veterinary Care Team

Dr. Michelle Nelson

Owner, Veterinarian

Hello and welcome! My name is Dr. Michelle Nelson and I am the owner and veterinarian at Blue Mountain Veterinary Care. I was born and raised in Harrisburg and love serving my community. I am a graduate of Juniata College and The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. I’ve been practicing small animal general and emergency medicine for more than 10 years in the Harrisburg area. I treat my patients as if they were my own pets and I LOVE witnessing the bond between my patients and their owners. I enjoy being a part of all aspects of my patient’s care from nutrition and preventative care to diagnostics and surgery. In my free time, I like to play board games, crafts, and enjoy family and friends.

Dr. Joanne Koch

Associate Veterinarian

My name is Joanne Koch and I’m an associate veterinarian at Blue Mountain Veterinary Care. I grew up in Hershey but have lived in different areas. I graduated from Juniata College and after discovering my love for working with dogs and cats, I decided to attend the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. I have a special interest in acupuncture and ultrasound and have a fondness for exotic species. I have 2 cats and a bunny currently. In my free time I enjoy biking, arts and travel.

Kylie

Certified Veterinary Technician

Kylie was born and raised in Harrisburg Pennsylvania and has been working as a veterinary technician since 2015. Kylie graduated from Wilson College in Chambersburg PA in 2019 with her bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medical Technology and is a Certified Veterinary Technician. Kylie currently lives in Harrisburg with her husband and is close to her family. In her free time, Kylie enjoys riding her horses,spoiling her two dogs, reading, and spending time with her family.

Kaitlyn

Certified Veterinary Technician

Kaitlyn grew up across the river in Camp Hill, PA.  She graduated from Juniata with a degree in Zoology and then went back to Wilson College for her Veterinary Medical Technology degree.  She has been a certified veterinary technician since 2017, although she has been working in the veterinary field since 2015.  When she’s not working, she enjoys reading, riding her bike and hiking.  She eventually wants to travel more and get her pilot’s license.

Melissa

Veterinary Technician

Melissa was born and raised in Harrisburg. She has been in the veterinary industry for 20+ years. Her favorite part of her job is interacting with clients and helping to educate them about the health and wellness of their furry friends. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, taking her boys on adventures, traveling, and spending time outdoors.

Kristen

Veterinary Technician

Kristen was born and raised in Maine. She has been working as a veterinary technician since 2019 and has her Associates Degree in Applied Animal Sciences. Her favorite part of her job is interacting with clients and patients and giving them the best care possible. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her friends and family.

Dorty

Veterinary Technician

or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, her love of animals has also kept her working part time in the veterinary field for over 26 years.  Her favorite parts of the job are, of course, interacting with the patients and striving to provide a great customer experience but especially the close lifelong friendships she’s grown over the years working alongside some of the bravest, most thoughtful and caring people in the veterinary field.

Dorty lives a blessed life in Harrisburg with her husband, daughter, and brood of three and four-legged furry critters.  During her time away from work Dorty enjoys volunteering at the Salvation Army, watching Niners football, cooking, and spending time with family and friends in the finger lakes region of New York.

Alyssa

Receptionist/Veterinary Technician

Alyssa has worked as a veterinary technician for the past 13 years. Here at Blue Mountain, she is mostly at the front desk but continues to assist with technician duties as well. Alyssa enjoys helping wherever she is needed in the hospital whether that be in the front or back of the house, her favorite thing being venipuncture. Alyssa is a huge pit bull lover and has a pittie of her own named Jade who is the love of her life! When she isn’t spending time with Jade she enjoys yoga, reading, being outdoors & watching weird documentaries.  

Samani

Veterinary Assistant

Samani was born and raised in Harrisburg PA. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S in Agriculture December 2022 and has aspirations to be a mixed animal veterinarian. Samani’s favorite part about the job is educating clients and discussing innovative ways to better take care of their pet.

Scott aka “Pappy”

Client Care Specialist

Scott retired in December 2022 from Cleveland Cliffs Steelton after 42+ years of service, 14 years in the Industrial Engineering Department, 17 years in the Metallurgical and Quality Assurance Department, and 11 years in Plant Operations. At the time of his retirement, Scott was Manager of Manufacturing Planning for the steel plant. Scott, along with colleagues, holds a patent for the manufacture of high strength, wear resistant crane rail. Scott thoroughly enjoyed teaching statistical quality methods to co-workers across North America and at Penn State – York Campus. Personally, Scott enjoys reading fiction and non-fiction, going to concerts, watching Steelers football, recycling, walking, and spending time with family and friends.

Alice

Client Care Specialist

Alice was born and raised in Willow Grove, PA. After high school, she worked as a supervisor for a cable television franchise. During that time, she met a man with two dogs and fell in love with all three of them. In 1996, they moved to Chester County where she started working as a receptionist in the veterinary field. Eight years ago, Alice, her husband and their pets moved to the Harrisburg area where she continues sharing her love for pets at her job.

Alice enjoys greeting clients and their pets, and assisting in any way she can.

In her free time, she enjoys exploring parks with her husband and dog, kayaking, cooking, thrift store shopping and spending time with family and friends.

PJ & Junebug

PJ & Junebug are our clinic kitties. There job duties include laying on top of boxes, knocking things off of the shelves, stealing treats and providing comic relief and emotional support to the staff. You may see them sticking their paws under the exam room doors or sneaking in to say hello. They live at the clinic but often have sleepovers on the weekends at staff member’s houses.