Meet the Team at Newark Veterinary Hospital
At Newark Veterinary Hospital, we believe that exceptional care begins with an exceptional team. Located in Newark, Ohio, our compassionate professionals are dedicated to providing high-quality, personalized veterinary medicine with warmth, integrity, and expertise. From experienced veterinarians to skilled technicians and client service representatives, our team shares a deep commitment to the health and happiness of your pets — because we understand they’re family.
Our Veterinarians
We proudly serve pet families throughout Newark and the surrounding communities of Licking County.
Dr. Jodi Houser, Head Veterinarian / Medical Director
Dr. Jodi Houser has been serving the Newark community since 2006 and brings a broad scope of experience in companion, exotic, equine, and farm animal medicine. A proud graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, she’s also a long-standing advocate for client education and compassionate decision-making. Her clinical interests include internal medicine, dermatology, ultrasound, and soft tissue surgery.
Beyond the clinic, Dr. Houser enjoys Ohio State football, waterskiing, golfing, and spending time with her family — including her dog, Molly, and her three cats: Oliver, Axl, and Petunia. She is USDA-accredited and affiliated with leading organizations such as the AVMA, OVMA, and more.
Dr. Marlena McCarty, Resident Veterinarian
A Licking County native, Dr. McCarty combines her passion for both large and small animal medicine with a love for feline care, soft tissue surgery, and end-of-life support. After earning her DVM from The Ohio State University, she spent five years practicing swine medicine in Nebraska before returning to her Ohio roots.
Dr. McCarty lives in her grandparents’ renovated home with her husband, two sons, and a lively group of pets — including Tucker the dog and cats Kipo, Mandu, and CeCe.
Dr. Alexandria Roehrenbeck, Resident Veterinarian
Known affectionately as Dr. Allie, she brings a diverse medical background from exotics to traditional pets. After completing her clinical training at the University of Missouri, she returned home to Central Ohio to provide thoughtful, comprehensive care in internal medicine, dermatology, dentistry, and surgery.
Dr. Allie shares her life with her daughter, four cats, two dogs, fish, and an aquatic turtle — all of whom fuel her passion for veterinary care.
Our Registered Veterinary Technician
Lisa
RVT
Lisa is an integral part of our technical team and loves the collaborative, supportive atmosphere at Newark Veterinary Hospital. When she’s not assisting in surgical and diagnostic care, she enjoys gardening, baking, watching apocalyptic thrillers, and spending time with her fiancé, three kids, and three dogs.
Our Veterinary Assistants
Ally
Lead Veterinary Assistant
Ally has always has a passion for working with animals, demonstrated since childhood. She is currently pursuing her education to become a Registered Veterinary Technician. She sought out a clinic that would foster growth and leaning within and positive atmosphere, and Newark Veterinary Hospital met all of her requirements.
She is the proud owner of four dogs: a Black Lab named Maverick, a Beagle mix named Goose, a Chihuahua mix named Jax, and a Chocolate Lab named Fern. In her Leisure time, she enjoys streaming shows and taking her dogs on various adventures. She looks forward to meeting you and your pets!
Tristen
Veterinary Assistant
Tristen initially worked at NVH in 2019 and returned in 2024, driven by her passion for animals and the people she works with. She possesses extensive experience in imaging, including radiography, MRI, and CT scans, and intends to further her education in this field.
She owns a boxer named Myla, a beagle named Venus, and an orange cat named Butterscotch. Recently, she adopted another cat, Lenny, to join the family. In her free time, she enjoys reading and cycling with her family.
Kenzie
Veterinary Assistant
Kenzie was accepted into a veterinary assisting program at a young age and recognized, upon commencing the program, that it would become her life’s passion. She sought an opportunity to expand her knowledge and experience, and thus joined us at NVH to pursue her greatest interests. In her free time, Kenzie enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, cat, and Saint Bernard. She also enjoys movies and was previously a dancer.
Aubrey
Veterinary Assistant
Aubrey began her career at C-Tec and sought us out to enhance her expertise and gain further experience. She is from Saint Louisville and values spending time with her family. She owns two dogs, Bella and Ollie, as well as two cats. In her leisure time, she enjoys singing and dancing. She is a fan of the television series “Grey’s Anatomy” and her favorite book is “Death Behind Every Door.”
Riley
Veterinary Assistant
Riley is passionate about building connections with clients and their pets, ensuring they feel at ease in what can be a stressful environment. She is actively involved in fostering both kittens and adult cats. She resides with her husband, Tucker, and their dog, Piper. Their household also includes four cats named Zeb, Palli, Kate, and Bug. Riley enjoys a diverse range of musical genres and consumes approximately 200-300 hours of audiobooks monthly. In her leisure time, she pursues activities such as painting, crocheting, hiking, and motorcycle riding.
Mackenzie
Veterinary Assistant
Mackenzie comes from Bedford, VA, and recently relocated to Ohio to join our team. She is dedicated to ensuring our clients and patients receive the highest quality of care. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to audiobooks and podcasts, and she has a fondness for “The Grinch” and “Monsters, Inc.” She also has a horse named Sugar back in Virginia, along with two tortoises, a dog named Koda, and four snakes.
Our Practice Manager
Sarah
Practice Manager
Sarah joined NVH in 2019, bringing warmth, empathy, and leadership to her role. She began as a veterinary assistant and rose through the ranks thanks to her dedication and strong client relationships. In her free time, she enjoys live music, Hulu marathons, and life with her husband, two dogs, two cats, and two tarantulas.
Our Client Service Representatives
Shawndra
Lead CSR
Shawndra joined in 2024 to work in a clinic that values personal connections. With experience in rescue work and a house full of animals, she brings heart and creativity to her role. Her hobbies include hiking, sculpting, soap making, and enjoying ‘80s and ‘90s movies.
Madison
Client Service Representative
A lifelong Licking Valley local, Madison has worked in veterinary care for over two years. She’s known for her kindness and commitment to client service. She loves fishing, spending time outdoors, and doting on her beloved Husky, Koda.
Meet the MEOWnagers
Wilson
In Loving Memory
Wilson was the original clinic mascot, remembered fondly for his friendly chair-side naps and comforting presence. Though he passed in 2018, his legacy lives on at NVH.
Tux & Tom
This mischievous duo brought endless joy and a bit of chaos to our clinic. While Tom continues his hallway strolls and snack thievery, we lovingly remember Tux, who recently crossed the rainbow bridge. His gentle spirit and playful antics are deeply missed, but his memory continues to warm our hearts every day.
Autumn
Rescued with severe injuries, Autumn captured the hearts of the entire team. She now lives happily in retirement with a former team member, but she’ll always be part of our NVH family.
Toothless
Toothless was unfortunately thrown from a car window, but one of our clients fortunately intervened and brought her to us. We had to amputate the top of her tail, which is how she received her name!
Thorn
Thorn was brought to us by a client who discovered her in his garage alongside her deceased siblings. Our practice manager bottle-fed her, and now she is a permanent member of our family! She is named after a member of the band from the Scooby-Doo television series.
Your Partners in Veterinary Excellence
Whether you’re here for a routine wellness visit or a more complex medical need, our team at Newark Veterinary Hospital is here to deliver expert care in a welcoming, family-like environment. We’re proud to serve the pets and people of Newark, OH, with a team that puts compassion and quality at the heart of everything we do.
