About Us
At the Animal Hospital at Thorndale, our professional staff members participate in all aspects of your pet’s care. Our staff is comprised of highly trained and qualified individuals who work as a team with the doctors to provide excellent care for our patients. Our state licensed Veterinary Technicians (CVT’s) perform such duties as monitoring anesthesia, taking radiographs, wound care and bandaging, blood collections, and in-house laboratory testing. These specially licensed team members have completed a degree program, passed the certifying board examination, and attend yearly continuing education courses to maintain their licensing. Through additional training, several of our technicians have also earned a Veterinary Dental Technician certificate (VDT) and Veterinary Technician Specialty board certification (VTS).
Our veterinary assistants are trained by our technicians and doctors to assist as needed in the care of your pet and provide comfort for you and your pet during your visit to our hospital. Our friendly front desk staff is here to provide you and your pet with helpful and efficient service, answer your telephone calls, and assist you before, during and after your visit.
We are proud of all of our staff members. Everyone receives on-going in-house training and continuing education offered by professional veterinary organizations. Our entire staff is here to provide you and your pet with the most up-to-date service and professional, compassionate care.
Meet Our Veterinary Team
Melissa Java VMD, DACVECC
Dr. Melissa Java has lived in Chester County for over 20 years. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. She pursued an internship at The Animal Medical Center (AMC) in Manhattan following graduation. She then completed a three-year residency in Emergency and Critical Care at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She became board certified as a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (DACVECC) in 2009. She worked as a staff criticalist at some of the local emergency and specialty hospitals in the Philadelphia area before taking over the Animal Hospital at Thorndale in January 2021.
She brings her higher level of expertise to general practice. She loves what she does and it shows in her patient care. Although Dr. Java’s heart lies at the center of caring for critically ill pets, she enjoys treating healthy pets and helping owners understand the importance of preventative care. Dr. Java loves all animals and has rescued a number of pets including a pit bull terrier, Merc, a bull terrier, Coupe, a pot belly pig, Chester (who is top dog), a cat, Oldz, an African grey parrot, Thunderbird, a pigeon, Ricky Spanish, a love bird, Stumpy and two ducks, Rod and Piston.
Melissa Hobday VMD, DACVS
Dr. Melissa Hobday is a board-certified veterinary surgeon with a specific interest in gastrointestinal, orthopedics and upper airway procedures. She graduated from University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. Dr. Hobday practiced for nearly a decade in emergency medicine before completing her surgery residency at Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center.
Dr. Hobday has dedicated her career to providing exceptional patient treatment, staying up-to-date with new procedures and best practices in her field of specialization. As a caring and skilled professional, Dr. Hobday is dedicated to providing thorough case management and working closely with her clients to provide individualized follow-up care.
Dr. Hobday finds beauty in both fine art and in animals. She has a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and studied sculpture in Italy before pursuing her dream of helping animals. She has a cat named Taters and a Boykin Spaniel named Hug.
Renee Simpler VMD, DACVR
Dr. Renee Simpler is a board-certified veterinary radiologist who provides specialty diagnostic imaging services to our patients. In more simpler terms, what she brings to the table is critical for accurate patient treatment and elevates our services at The Animal Hospital at Thorndale.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1999, Dr. Simpler worked as an emergency clinician at some of the local specialty hospitals before pursuing further radiology training. She went on to complete a three-year residency in diagnostic imaging at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and became board-certified in radiology in 2015.
Dr. Simpler lives in the Greater Philadelphia Region with her family which includes her three cats and dog. She enjoys spending time with her family, pets and friends, traveling, and hiking.
Meet Our Professional Staff
Mannie
Mannie lies within the heart of the practice. He’s a sweet 15 year old rescue who was living at a shelter after his owner passed away. He just needed some medical attention, love and a safe place to live.
After a procedure to repair his entropion, a full dental, a nutritious diet and lots of love, Maniie is now thriving.
With his quiet resolve and calm demeanor, Mannie joined The Animal Hospital at Thorndale as a full time custodian of love. When staff needs a quiet minute or a quick reprieve, he’s got us.
Ayanna
Ayanna doubles as a receptionist and technician at The Animal Hospital at Thorndale. She is currently pursuing her CVT degree. When not at the hospital, she can either be found working out or baking. She also studies for her certification with her two cats “Titan,” a domestic short hair and “Ajax,” a Maine Coon and her dog “Zeus” all competing for her attention.
Brittany
Since Brittany joined The Animal Hospital of Thorndale in 2021 as a veterinary assistant, she has been learning and absorbing everything. Her love of animals took root during her primitive years when she volunteered at various animal rescues. Despite her young age, Brittany has worked with animals her entire life.
Brittany was born with a genuine love for animals and she now lives with a menagerie of dogs, cats, horses and exotics. When not at work, Brittany spends time caring for and riding her horse and spending time at home with her pets. She is currently enrolled in the Penn Foster Veterinary Technician Program, where upon completing her studies, she will be a certified veterinary technician (CVT). We have all the confidence she will be successful.
Brittany
Crystal
Crystal is a Downingtown native who joined our hospital more than a decade ago. She enjoys the diversity of working in the veterinary field, advancing her skills, and interacting with people and their pets. She is enthusiastic, caring and always goes the extra mile to provide the best care for our patients. Crystal spends her free time with her children, Alexa, Jaiden, and Valkyrie, who are her entire world and is part of the motocross racing family. She also enjoys time with her three dogs “Ariya,” “Jade” and “Rocco.”
Hanh
Hanh has been working in veterinary medicine as a CVT since 2012. She has also undergone rigorous training to achieve a veterinary technician specialist certification in emergency and critical care, or VTS-ECC. Hanh also has extensive experience in anesthesia for a variety of complex orthopedic and soft tissue surgical procedures. This is Hanh’s passion. Through years of commitment, she’s exceptional at closely monitoring pets under her care.
In what little spare time she has, Hanh enjoys studying for her graduate degrees, spending time with her family and her personal small zoo of animals. Hanh is CPR-certified from the RECOVER Initiative as well as Fear Free. She’s also an accredited member of AVECCTN, VECCS and NAVTA.
Lindsey
Lindsey has been our veterinary assistant since September 2020 and has brought her warm personality to our hospital as a Florida-to-Pennsylvania transplant. Lindsey has lived in Chester County for nearly a decade and is currently enrolled in the Penn Foster Veterinary Technician Program to earn her CVT. In her personal time, she enjoys being with family who affectionately calls her the “Crazy Cat Lady” as she answers to the whims of her very demanding cats, “Kingston” and “Sampson.”
Megan
For nearly two decades, Megan has continually worked as a CVT primarily in emergency and critical care and providing anesthesia for emergency surgical procedures. Megan’s primary skillset and interest is in all aspects of urgent care and providing the utmost bedside watchful eye and care. With her proven history of which we are proud of, she teaches our veterinary assistants valuable and practical nursing skills.
Should the opportunity to travel arise, Megan nabs it. She enjoys traveling the world and experiencing new cultures and their local lore.
Morgan
Morgan is one of our client service representatives and has been working in the veterinary field since 2019. Her passion for caring for animals started at a young age with riding horses and quickly grew into a career path. While in college, she discovered her love for small animal medicine and began working as a receptionist/veterinary assistant to not only gain experience but to have the pleasure of working with animals every day. This Florida-to-Pennsylvania transplant lives in Chester County with her two wonderful dogs, “Avalanche” also known as “Ava,” a Collie/Husky mix and “Hera,” a Dutch Shepherd. Her hobbies include finding new parks and nature preserves to explore with her dogs as well as teaching them new tricks.
Pam
Pam is one of our client service representative who is always upbeat and ready to help. Pam likes to interact with our feline patients, but don’t tell her pet cats, “Shermy” and “Clara.” Pam also has a Norfolk terrier “Schroder,” with whom she enjoys hiking with. Pam enjoys fitness training and immersing herself in home improvement projects.