Our Veterinary Team

Ellen Rawlings, DVM

Dr. Rawlings grew up near Chicago with a houseful of pets. After studying Biology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, she moved to Ithaca, NY to work at a veterinary clinic and took classes at Cornel University. She went on to veterinary school at Ross University of St. Kitts in the Caribbean. She followed that with clinical training at University of Wisconsin-Madison and an internship at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists. She loved veterinary school and enjoyed her time in the Caribbean- when she wasn’t in the library, she could be found at the beach, scuba diving, or hiking the volcano. Today Dr. Rawlings lives in Providence with her 2 cats – Herbert and Pickles – and enjoys yoga, hiking, reading, and board games.

Dr. Kardon, VMD

Dr. Kardon is a 1985 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Before joining the staff at Providence River Animal Hospital, he owned his own practice in Ashland Massachusetts for over 30 years. He brings 38 years of experience to the practice including medicine, surgery, and ultrasound. He enjoys mentoring new graduates and collaborating with his colleagues at PRAH. Outside of work, Dr. Kardon enjoys sailing and spending time with family on the water.

Dr. Lenk, DVM

Dr. Lenk completed her veterinary degree at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. Following graduation, she entered private practice. In 2002 Dr. Lenk completed a one-year small animal internship at The Animal Medical Center in NYC. Wanting more experience in emergency medicine, she then worked for three years at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists as an emergency veterinarian, and thereafter as a small animal practitioner here in Rhode Island. Having grown up in Providence, Dr. Lenk is native to the area. In her spare time, she loves to read books and hike with her black lab mix whom she adopted as a rescue from Louisiana.

Dr. Steiner, DVM

Dr. Steiner obtained a B.S. in exercise physiology at the University of Miami prior to going to University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, originally planning to become an equine sports medicine specialist. After her years of clinical rotations, she pivoted to the small animal realm and ultimately completed a rotating small animal medicine & surgery internship at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Florida. What Dr. Steiner enjoys most in her work are the gnarly dermatologic cases and fostering relationships with her patients’ families. She comes to Rhode Island following her partner who is completing medical training locally. When not in the hospital, you can find Dr. Steiner in the barn working with horses or strolling around town with her menace of a French Bulldog.

Kerrie

Kerrie has been with PRAH since 2015, when she joined the team as Office Manager. Kerrie works mostly behind the scenes, helping with financials, HR, IT, CSR team management, and inventory management (her true love!). She loves a good spreadsheet and helping the team with any problems that may arise during the day.

Kerrie graduated from URI in 2001 with a degree in Fine Arts with a concentration in art history. She worked has previously worked as an innkeeper in Camden Maine, and then for many years in non-profits in Rhode Island.

When not at work Kerrie loves spending time with her husband and 5 cats. She loves world traveling, painting landscapes and pet portraits, and gardening.

Audrey

Audrey graduated from New England Institute of Technology in 2014 with a degree in Veterinary Technology. Shortly after that time, she began working at PRAH. Throughout the years, Audrey has spent time volunteering for a variety of rescues, including PARL and West Place Animal Sanctuary. Recently she became a Certified Veterinary Technician and is PennHip certified.

Audrey has strong interests in anesthesia and surgical monitoring, as well as helping with scared/stressed pets.

In her free time, Audrey stays busy raising her 2 year old son Aiden and enjoys spending time out in nature.

Amy

Amy is a Certified Veterinary Technician who graduated from New England Institute of Technology in March of 2016. Amy was an intern with us during her time at NEIT, and later officially joined our team in April of 2016. We like to call her the “cat whisperer” of the clinic. Amy is Cat Friendly Certified and PennHIP certified.

When not at work, Amy enjoys spending time with her family and her cat, Milly. She loves the beach and singing.

Arielle

Arielle received her Associates of Science in Veterinary Technology in 2016 at New England Institute of Technology. In the same year, she sat for the VTNE and became a Certified Veterinary Technician.

Arielle has recently developed a strong passion in Veterinary nutrition. To her, it is a rewarding feeling helping owners help their pets lose weight to improve their overall quality of life, especially when weight loss has been an ongoing problem. She also really loves surgery and anesthesia!

When not at work, Arielle is usually hanging out with her 2 dogs, Gansett and Ellie as well as her kitty, Barley! She also loves the beach and just being by the ocean (hence the name Gansett!)

Kelly

Kelly is a certified veterinary technician who graduated from Mount Ida College with a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology. She worked for many years as a large animal sports medicine and surgery technician at Tufts before coming to PRAH and has a strong love for horses. Her professional interests are surgery, anesthesia, and radiology, but also just getting to interact with different dogs, cats, and clients on a daily basis.

When not at work, Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. Some of her interests are camping, hiking, and golfing. She also has a dog named Rudy and a cat named Honey!

Jess

Jess always loved animals as a kid and wanted to work with them anyway she could- her first job was a kennel tech at a family friends boarding facility. Jess got into the vet field in 2014 when she moved to Rhode Island and became a OTJ trained tech. She recently transitioned into lead CSR at the front desk.

Jess is happily married and lives with 2 pibbles, 2 cats. She loves hanging at the beach (preferably in Florida!), visiting lake george, camping, and spending time with friends & family. She’s also a book nerd!

Karen

Karen graduated with a zoology degree from University of New Hampshire. She began her Veterinary Technician career in 200 at a local 24/7 animal hospital. In 2009, Karen returned to school to study occupational therapy. She was a licensed certified occupational therapy assistant for 6 years. She returned to the field of veterinary medicine in 2018, combining her love of animals and rehab at Healing Paws. Karen started at PRAH in 2020. She particularly enjoys educating clients about all the various health care options and loves building relationships with owners and pets. Karen is married and has 2 handsome young men and shares her home with her cat, Amber. In her free time Karen enjoys camping, going to the beach, attending country music concerts, reading, traveling, and simply spending time with family and friends. She is also constantly searching for social, emotional, educational and life supports for her Autistic son, which is a full time job in itself.

Nayara

Nayara joined PRAH in October of 2022 and has been working in the veterinary field since 2011. In her free time, Nayara enjoys spending time with her family and friends and her two doggos, Audie and Jax, and two kitties, Lola and Tully.

Rose

Rose has been working as a veterinary technician for the past three years. She joined the PRAH team in October of 2022.

Rose enjoys hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her dog Duke and her cats Parsnip and Fauna.