Our Team

Meet our veterinarians and the healthcare team of East Side Animal Hospital. We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!

Get to know our team!

We are solely dedicated to your pet’s care! We look forward to getting to know you and hope you’ll take the time to scroll down and get to know us.

Our Veterinarians

Dr. Patrick Marsch with Cricket
Patrick J. Marsch, DVM
D.V.M.

Dr. Patrick J. Marsch is the Owner and Veterinarian at East Side Animal Hospital, where he has been a dedicated member of the team since 2013. Originally from Owensboro, Kentucky, he developed a deep passion for animals while working alongside his family at the hospital. Dr. Marsch earned his Bachelor of Animal Science from the University of Kentucky and went on to receive his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011.

Following his education, he gained valuable experience as an Associate Veterinarian in Lexington, Kentucky. He returned to his hometown to join East Side Animal Hospital, alongside his wife Susan, who works as a speech-language pathologist at Methodist Hospital in Henderson, Kentucky. Together, they are proud parents of two children, Reid and Quinn.

Professionally, Dr. Marsch is committed to delivering the best possible care to pets, focusing particularly on radiology and small animal dentistry. In his personal life, he enjoys a range of hobbies, including playing the guitar, listening to Bluegrass music, tinkering with computers, and cheering for his beloved Kentucky Wildcats.

Dr. Patrick Marsch with Cricket
Laura Sims, DVM
D.V.M.

Dr. Laura Sims was raised in Owensboro, KY, where she attended Daviess County High School and later Kentucky Wesleyan College. She was accepted into Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in Alabama and graduated in 2019. After graduation, she practiced small animal medicine in Kentucky for four years before moving to Massachusetts, where she continued practicing for two more years.

Dr. Sims has always had a deep love for animals, making veterinary medicine her lifelong goal and aspiration. Her fur family includes two cats (Caspian and Lucy), two dogs (Zelda and Fish), a bearded dragon (Alex), and a goldfish (T-Swizz).
Her human family includes her husband, Ian, and their baby girl, Brianna.

In her free time, Dr. Sims enjoys gaming, watching movies, crafting, and exploring local trails. She especially values spending quality time with her family—both human and animal.

Practice Manager

Tracy Dant
Tracy Dant
Practice Manager

Tracy Dant serves as Practice Manager at East Side Animal Hospital, where she enjoys supporting an exceptional team and ensuring outstanding care for every patient and client. She values the relationships built with the families who trust East Side Animal Hospital with their beloved pets and takes pride in fostering a compassionate, welcoming environment.

Outside of work, Tracy enjoys spending time with her family and friends, including her standard poodle, Little Joe. She also loves kayaking, scuba diving, traveling, live music, and making memories with family and friends.

Customer Service

Ashley
Ashley Lucas

CSR

Ashley grew up in State College, Pennsylvania, where she received her Associate Degree as an Administrative Assistant. She moved to Owensboro in 2015 with her Pit Bull, Rocco, and added (foster-failed) Zora to the family in 2019. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, drawing, and cuddling on the couch with her dogs.

Licensed Veterinary Technicians

Tiffany with Scooby and Estella
Tiffany Brown, LVT
LVT

Tiffany is a licensed veterinary technician who graduated from Murray State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. She majored in Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health Technology with a minor in Equine Science. Tiffany has been a valued member of the East Side Animal Hospital team since September 2014. She has four fur babies: Scooby (Chihuahua mix), Estella (pit mix), and Ki-Ki (domestic short-haired cat). When she’s not playing with her critters, Tiffany hangs out with her husband, reads, and kayaks.

Emilee Reeks
Emilee Reeks, LVT
LVT

Emilee joined the East Side Animal Hospital team in May 2023 after graduating from Owensboro Community and Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology. She passed the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) shortly after graduation and became a licensed veterinary technician.

Dedicated to lifelong learning, Emilee is currently continuing her education at Kentucky Wesleyan College in the Pre-Veterinary Program, where she is majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She is passionate about expanding her knowledge and providing compassionate, high-quality care to every patient.

Outside of the hospital and her studies, Emilee enjoys spending time with her Miniature American Shepherd, Rue, who keeps her active and brings plenty of joy to her everyday life. Emilee also enjoys drawing and spending quality time with her friends and family.

Suzanne Matthews
Suzanne Matthews, LVT

LVT

Born and raised in Owensboro, Suzanne graduated from Daviess County High School and joined the Air Force a year later. Animals have always been a passion, but military life made getting an education in veterinary medicine extremely difficult. After retirement in 2014, she moved home to help her aging parents and began volunteering at the Daviess County Animal Shelter fostering minor medical cases and some more unsocialized dogs to give them a second chance at life. Suzanne quickly realized her passion for being the “safe place” animals encounter while receiving medical care, so she enrolled in OCTC’s Veterinary Technician program. In 2023, Suzanne graduated with honors, earning an associate degree in Veterinary Technology, and obtained her License as a Veterinary Technician.

Suzanne and her husband, Jeremy, married in 2018 and currently have a small zoo of animals while continuing to foster for the shelter and volunteer in various capacities.

Suzanne’s professional goals are to provide a Fear Free experience for both pets and owners as well as quality veterinary care.

Veterinary Assistant

Morgan Stewart
Morgan Stewart
Veterinary Assistant

Morgan joined the East Side Animal Hospital team in 2024. With hands-on experience in veterinary assisting, she is dedicated to ensuring each pet receives exceptional care and attention. Morgan’s goal is to make every visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible for pets and their families.

When she’s not at work, Morgan enjoys spending time on her farm, caring for her own animals, and exploring the outdoors. She also loves homemaking and spending time with her family. Morgan is proud to be part of the East Side Animal Hospital team and looks forward to building lasting relationships with clients and their furry companions.

Veterinary Assistant

Coming soon logo
Charity Short
Veterinary Assistant

Charity joined the East Side Animal Hospital team in May 2024 and graduated from the Owensboro Community and Technical College Veterinary Technology Program in 2025. She is passionate about providing compassionate, high-quality care and is dedicated to helping every patient have a positive experience during their visit.

Originally from outside the Owensboro area, Charity recently made Owensboro her home. She especially enjoys helping patients feel safe, comfortable, and cared for, believing that a gentle, compassionate approach helps reduce stress for both pets and their families.

Outside of the hospital, Charity loves spending time with her three sweet fur babies—Sadie, Darcy, and Rowdy. She also enjoys attending concerts and making memories with her family and friends.

Hospital Assistant

Robin and her family
Robin McReynolds
Robin joined ESAH as a Hospital Assistant in July 2022 after 30 years in the medical field/nursing.

Robin is a proud “fur momma” to Delilah (a Shepherd/Rott mix) and Otis, a rescued Maine Coon cat who joined the family in 2025. Delilah has been part of Robin’s family since her adoption in 2015.

Outside of work, Robin spends most of her time with her husband, Zach, and their three children: Jade, Harper, and Cortland. Robin also enjoys being outdoors, especially working in her flower gardens.

In Memoriam

Dr. Walter and Reid
Walter Marsch, DVM

D.V.M.

Dr. Walter H. Marsch and his wife, Brenda Marsch, opened East Side Animal Hospital in the spring of 1982. Born in Owensboro and raised in Hancock County with his nine siblings, he was proud to have always called the Ohio River Valley of Kentucky his home. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from Western Kentucky University, Dr. Walter Marsch received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University, College of Veterinary Medicine, in 1979, where he first met his wife, an Alabama native. His two sons, Michael and Patrick Marsch, were both raised in Daviess County. Michael attended law school at the University of Kentucky, College of Law, and is now a practicing attorney and is married to Amanda Fleming Marsch. Following his father’s footsteps, Patrick attended veterinary school at Auburn and practiced alongside his father until Dr. Walter Marsch’s passing in July 2020.

Dr. Walter Marsch was an avid hiker and enjoyed yearly sectional hikes on the Appalachian Trail each spring. On his farm in Philpot, Kentucky, he raised goats, horses, rabbits, and an overgrown Vietnamese potbellied pig named Calvin. With the canine companionship of the family dog, Dylan, he also raised Angus cattle and shared his rafters and stables with an increasing pride of errant barn cats. He was an active member of the Daviess County Lions Club, served as their president, and held office on their fair board. He volunteered at the Daviess County Animal Shelter and served on both the Daviess County and Green River Valley District Board of Health. Dr. Walter Marsch was an active member of the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association. He served as president of the West Central Kentucky Veterinary Association. He was the organizing chairperson for both the Twin Lakes Veterinary Conference and the Pennyrile Veterinary Medicine Conference, and he acted as past chairperson for the Food Animal Committee for the Kentucky Veterinary Association. He also served on the Davies County Animal Control Board for the Fiscal Court of Daviess County.

Yoda
Yoda

Clinic Overlord

Yoda, a hairless Sphinx, was the clinic overlord until she passed away in the spring of 2022. She had been holding down the front printer since December of 2007. Yoda’s favorite activities were sleeping anywhere warm, hiding in any blanket she could find, standing on people’s shoulders, and begging for food at all hours. We deeply miss our sweet Yoda.