Our Veterinary Team Petcare Veterinary Services
Dr. Lauren Mascola, DVM
Dr. Mascola has practiced veterinary medicine for 18 years. After graduating from the University of Connecticut in 1990, she then attended Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 1996. She began her veterinary career at Newport Animal Hospital in Rhode Island before relocating with her family to West Hartford to open her own practice at Petcare in 2005. She lives with her husband, three sons, two dogs, Sally and Shelby, and has cats, Cash and Lanie.
Dr. Mascola is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association, and the Veterinary Information Network and is a proud member of the Advisory Board for Our Companions, Domestic Animal Sanctuary. She attends one weeklong continuing education conference and six evening conferences yearly to keep her veterinary knowledge current.
In her free time, Dr. Mascola enjoys watching all 3 boys play hockey, yoga, and running with her run club.
Dr. Jacqueline Desagun, DVM
We welcomed Dr. deSagun to Petcare in January 2018. She is well-rounded in general medicine and surgery and her knowledge and skills are a tremendous asset to our practice. She has been warmly received by our staff and clients. When asked to comment on her first year and thoughts about Petcare, she notes “Working in a small practice, my colleagues become family. And we project that welcoming family feels to our clients and patients. It is this kinship that can be missing in a larger clinic and makes us unique as a practice.”
Dr. deSagun was born and raised in New York. She attended Saint Anselm College in Manchester NH for her undergraduate degree and majored in Biology. Dr. deSagun felt very lucky to get accepted into vet school right after college and attended Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 1994. After vet school, she was accepted into a private practice small animal internship in New Haven, CT and has been practicing in CT since. Dr. deSagun is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association, and the Veterinary Information Network.
Outside of her work life, Dr. deSagun is an avid tennis player. She is definitely more of a warm-weather gal and enjoys paddle boarding, the beach, and boat fishing with her boyfriend. She also loves Broadway Musicals. 2 cats, Catsby and Simon, round out her family.
Fun Fact: Dr. deSagun took tap lessons for 20 years, performing in recitals with costumes and all!
Kathryn, Office Manager
Kathryn has been at Petcare since 2012. She started out as an assistant and evolved (self-taught) into an office manager who has become a master at keeping the Petcare train on the tracks and running smoothly. We would fall apart without her organization and skill! She is also a daily example of the kind and caring attitude we strive for at Petcare. She comes with the added bonus of having the most contagious laugh ever.
Kathryn notes many favorite things about Petcare, including that “her main favorite is working for someone she truly trusts and admires as a doctor, boss, and friend. Another favorite is being part of a team that feels like a second family. And, the personal relationships we make through our job with our clients and patients as they become family as well.” When not at Petcare, Kathryn is a proud baseball Mom and has been road-tripping to catch as many games as possible for both of her boys for several years. And when not at the field, she loves spending time with her (large) extended family and friends (“there is always a party for something!”). Her pets include a cat named Chadwick (the handsome Black Panther) and a fearless warrior cat, Violet.
Kathryn is a member of the Veterinary Management Council of Connecticut.
Fun Fact: Kathryn worked in the corporate insurance environment for 15 years before being able to fulfill her lifelong dream of working in a veterinary office. And she won a dance contest with her husband (Petcare’s PC guy)!
Ashley, CSR
She lists a few favorite things about Petcare, including “developing relationships with clients and their pets, treating pets like we would our own, having a “second family” and two amazing doctors.” Her outside interests include, with her husband, taking their black lab, Addie, hiking/swimming (even in the winter), cooking and exploring beautiful Connecticut. And they also enjoy mini getaways to Maine when time permits.
Fun Fact: Ashley lived in South Florida for 2 years and she is an AVID Patriots fan!
Lexie, Lead CSR
Bea, BS, CVT
Following college graduation, Bea married her high school sweetheart and continued working as a veterinary assistant in Litchfield County. She and her husband started their family shortly after, and Bea earned her veterinary technician certification in 2006.
Bea and her family moved to Farmington Valley in 2011, and after many years in small animal general practice, she spent 4 years working as a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) in a veterinary emergency hospital. Bea recalls her time in veterinary emergency and critical care as “invaluable; it was a time of tremendous skill and personal growth, and I am grateful for how that enabled me to be a better nurse and advocate for our patients and clients.”
Bea went on to begin her time here at Petcare in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 and became our Lead Technician/Technician Supervisor in 2022. Bea states, “Petcare is a clinic fueled by professionals and support staff who use their varied skills and strengths to collectively ensure the best for every patient and their people, with a love for animals at the forefront.”
Bea is a member of the Connecticut Veterinary Technician Association (CTVTA), the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP). She continues to expand her knowledge and expertise through educational seminars and continuing education programs, with special interest in surgery and anesthesia management, dentistry, laboratory diagnostics, phlebotomy and IV catheterization, nursing care, and feline medicine.
Bea resides in Farmington Valley with her husband and 4 human children, their black lab mix named Korra, and their 3 cats named Coulson, Mira, and Lenore (a.k.a. Lenny). When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, the outdoors, hiking, reading, working on photography, cooking and baking, and the occasional tabletop or video game. Bea also serves as an advocate for neurodiversity, mental health, and the LGBTQIA+ community, with efforts towards making this world a more inclusive one.
Cindy, Veterinary Assistant
Cindy has been practicing for 5.5 years and graduated from Tunxis Community College. She prides herself on her team player attitude, compassionate care with clients and patients, and experience in the specialty surgery/sterilization department.
In her free time, Cindy likes to spend time with her cats, take her dog, Bentley, on scenic trails for walks, and go to the gym.
Jessica, Veterinary Assistant
Jessica has been practicing for 14 years and attended CT K-9 Grooming School. She prides herself on like treating patients as if they were her own and making pet families feel comfortable.
In her free time, Jess likes to be with family and hang out with her feline and canine sons, which includes “Chip” our famous staff model. She also likes listening to music, skiing, boating, and dancing.
Amanda, Veterinary Assistant
Bio coming soon.
Cory, Veterinary Assistant
Bio coming soon!