Meet The Team

Dr. Barry and Kim Strock

Veterinary Owners

Dr. Barry and Kim Strock both attended Clemson University as undergraduates, but did not met until later during veterinary school at Tuskegee University.  Dr. Barry first began practicing in Orangeburg, SC.  While, Dr. Kim started her veterinary career at an emergency clinic in Augusta, GA.

In 2001, they opened Veterinary Healthcare Associates together and have been the proud owners ever since.  The Strocks have two daughters, Lauren and Leighanne, and a Himalayan cat named Pumba.
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Both Dr. Barry and Dr. Kim enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including: fishing, gardening, and all things sports!

Dr. Ray Henley

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Ray Henley was born in New Jersey, but grew up in Orlando Florida.  He received his undergraduate degree from the University Of Central Florida and his veterinary degree from the University Of Florida in 1987.  He began his career at Gainesville Animal Hospital in 1989 and became the managing veterinarian for the newly opened Gainesville Animal Hospital West.

Dr. Henley is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Florida Veterinary Medical Association.  He previously served on the Board of the Alachua County Veterinary Medical Association and the Small Animal Hospital Advisory Board for the University Of Florida College Of Veterinary Medicine.  He was included in the second edition of Who's Who in Veterinary Medicine.  

Dr. Henley was an owner of the Affiliated Pet Emergency Services and has had various roles on the Board of Directors from 2005 until 2015.  Dr. Henley joined the VHA team in May 2015.  Dr. Henley and his wife, Michelle, were married in 1987 and have 3 grown daughters and his furry family member Nikki!

Mrs. Ruth Deep

Practice Manager

Ruth joined the VHA family in June 2019 as a Receptionist and has worked in the veterinary industry for over 16 years.  She is an advocate for animals and likes to see them in safe homes with loving families. 

She has been recently promoted to our Practice Manager position and is looking forward to serving Veterinary Healthcare both up front and behind the scenes! 

​Ruth shares her home with her three dogs, two cats and other human family members.  She enjoys flower gardening, traveling, and spending time with old friends!

Mrs. Raya Leopard

Lead Receptionist

Raya (or Rachel), our head receptionist, joined VHA in 2015, bringing along her 3 dogs (Starr, Sydney, and Sire) and 2 cats (C.A.T and Sigyn). She is originally from West Virginia, but has been a resident of the CSRA for over 10 years now.

Away from the office, Raya is a certified doula and birth nerd, and aspires to become a midwife someday! She enjoys old world studies, collecting rocks and crystal gridding, yoga, kayaking and adventuring with her husband, Jordan, and "the boy" John! 

Mrs. Shellie Robinson, LVT

Licenced Veterinary Technician

Shellie grew up in Aiken, SC and attended Trident Technical College for veterinary technology, obtaining her Veterinary Technician License in 2014.

She joined VHA in February 2016 and serves as our Head Technician.  Shellie shares her home with her husband, and son, and their three dogs Buster, Ysera, and Neville. She enjoys hanging out with her friends, spending time with her family, and swimming with her dogs whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Shellie also enjoys watching anime and playing World of Warcraft with her husband!

Ms. Jessica Newman

Veterinary Assistant

Jessica joined the VHA team in 2014 and has recently graduated from Penn Foster College to become a certified technician.

She has a Chihuahua/Jack Russell mix named Hazely, a cat named Pearl, and her Great Pyrenees rescue, Jesben. She enjoys taking Hazely and Jesben for walks and doing outdoor activities.
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Jessica has always enjoyed working with animals and being able to see them go home happy and healthy. 

Ms. Dee Milam

Veterinary Assistant

​Dee (Denise) joined the VHA team in August 2017 after she moved to South Carolina from California. She formerly worked at a human hospital, but has found great joy in the veterinary field!

She has a house and barn full of animals, including cats, dogs, goats, chickens, rabbits, horses, snakes, mice, and rats! Oh My! 
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In her spare time Dee enjoys reading, writing fantasy, making jewelry, and woodworking. Her favorite TV shows are Doctor Who and Supernatural. 

Mrs. Jess Jones, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Jess is one of our licensed technicians and joined the VHA family in March 2018!  She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Coker College in 2008 and her Veterinary Technology Degree in 2013 from St. Petersburg College in Florida.  She then obtained her Veterinary Technology License a few months later.

Jess moved with her husband to Aiken, SC from Cayce, SC after working 9.5 years at her previous veterinary practice to be closer to family and friends.  She and her husband share their home with their mix breed fur baby, Elly, and her younger sister, and Akita named MoMo!  

Jess enjoys reading, writing, video games, anime, and going to metal concerts in her down time.  Veterinary medicine is her passion and she hopes to help every patient have the best visit possible.

Ms. Dessy Paulus

Veterinary Assistant

Dessy(Deserra) joined the VHA crew in February 2018. She grew up in Dumas, TX and moved to Augusta, SC in 2015.

Dessy completed her veterinary assistant certification courses at Penn Foster in 2017.  She hopes to start a veterinary technology program in the near future to become a licensed technician.

She shares her home with her favorite Chihuahua, Dino, and her gray tabby, Rex. Dessy enjoys spending time with her friends and co-workers. She also enjoys painting/restoring and DIY projects. 

Mr. Jacob Lowe

Veterinary Assistant/Kennel Assistant

Jacob joined the VHA crew in late 2017. He grew up in the Evans, GA area after moving here from Germany in 1997.

He graduated from Greenbrier Highschool and has found his new calling in the veterinary world.

Jacob and his wife are in the process of remodeling their new home, that they share with quite a few furry babies including 2 dogs, 4 cats, and 2 guinea pigs. 

Mrs. Tina Trice-Cockcroft

Kennel Assistant

Tina joined our veterinary family in November 2019.  She moved to the CSRA area from Florida and brought her 3 lovely dogs; Selene, Apollo, and Nova! 

She has been working in animal care for over 10 years and is currently making progress on completing her Psychology degree at Florida Tech! 

Tina is a self proclaimed life long animal lover!  She also enjoys art, music, and spending time with her family (furry and otherwise)!   

Ms. Brittany Pritchett

Veterinary Assistant/Kennel Assistant

Brittany joined the Veterinary Healthcare family in April 2021 shortly after Master's Week! She was born and raised just down the road in Grovetown, GA, and is currently pursuing her veterinary technician degree at Penn Foster College!

She hopes to achieve her LVT certification in the near future and join our team of Licensed Technicians.  Brittany spends her free time tending to her horse, Peanut, and teaching kids the basics of proper riding technique!  She also enjoys time with her boyfriend when she can squeeze him in.

Mrs. Brenda Murray

Kennel Assistant

Brenda joined the VHA family in April 2022. She has been a life long animal lover and shares her home with her 4 dogs, her cat, and a bearded dragon. 
Brenda was born and raised in Aiken, SC and enjoys spending her off hours with her husband and son! Some of her hobbies include music, video games, and, of course, some R&R.

Mrs. Coral Ramos

Veterinary Assistant/Kennel Assistant

Coral joined the VHA team in November 2022.  She was born and raised in Puerto Rico and shares her home with her husband and two fur babies, Leia and Spot.  Coral has been working in veterinary medicine for a little over two years and has a Veterinary Assistant Certification, Fear Free Certification, Dogs Play For Life Certification, and a CPR Certification. She is also bilingual which has helped out more than once already! 

In her free time, Coral enjoys singing, playing guitar, painting, and anything involving art.  She's always ready and willing to help and would love to met your fur babies!