Dr. Matthew Holden

Dr. Holden has been providing veterinary care to the animals of South Paris, Norway, Oxford and beyond for over 45 years. He attended the University of Maine at Orono for his undergraduate studies and received a Bachelors of Science in Animal and Veterinary Science with a pre-veterinary concentration. Dr Holden then earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University in 1974. After returning to Maine he purchased the Paris Veterinary Clinic in 1976. The name changed to Oxford Hills Veterinary Hospital in 1991. He enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, including both small and large animal, and wildlife rehabilitation. Dr. Holden resides in West Paris with his wife Colleen, his dog and three cats. When he is not working Dr. Holden enjoys outdoor activities, Red Sox and Patriots games, and spending time with family.

Dr. Kate Holden

Dr. Kate Holden rejoined the practice in the Summer of 2019 in a new role, as veterinarian. Dr. Kate grew up in the practice and worked for many years in various support staff roles before earning her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in 2019. She enjoys working with both small and large animals, and firmly believes in forming a strong working relationship with all pet owners. Dr. Kate enjoys various outdoor activities in her spare time, including hiking with her dogs and riding her horse.

Dr. Samantha Begin

Dr. Samantha Begin joined the practice in 2021 after earning her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the Atlantic Veterinary College. She is also certified to perform acupuncture on both small and large animals by Chi University. Dr. Begin grew up in Jackman, Maine. She is an avid outdoors enthusiast, enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs, and loves animals of all shapes and sizes.

Dr. Jennifer Lehr (per diem Saturdays)

Dr Lehr grew up outside of Kanas City. She attended Kansas State University earning her Bachelors in Animal Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees there. Her current family includes a daughter , three cats, two dogs, a horse , a rabbit and a blue tongue skink

Lisa – LVT

Lisa attended the University of Maine at Orono, and received her Associate’s Degree in Animal Health Technology. Upon graduation, she started working for Dr. Holden and the Oxford Hills Veterinary Hospital. Lisa lives in Auburn with her husband, son, and two cats. She enjoys spending time with her family, camping, reading, and scrapbooking.

Missy – LVT

Missy graduated from College of the Atlantic with a B.A. in Human Ecology. After a summer internship with the hospital she returned full time after graduation. She became a licensed veterinary technician in 1999. Missy lives in Waterford with her husband and a menagerie including dogs, cats, chickens, guinea fowl, geese, and peacocks. In her free time she also enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her animals.

Tonya – Veterinary Assistant

Tonya joined our practice in 2012. She attended the University of Maine, Farmington. She has always had a love for all animals large and small. Tonya resides in Bethel with her husband, John, daughters Lily and Madeline, dogs- Matilda, Moxie, Bolo, and Gryffin, cats- Hagrid and Robcat, goats- Herb and Petunia, and a mix of birds. In her spare time Tonya enjoys reading, music, crafting, and spending time with her family and friends.

Megan – Veterinary Assistant

Megan joined the practice in the spring of 2015. She has had an interest in learning about and working with animals since early childhood.  Eventually, this interest brought her to a position at an Animal Hospital in New Jersey. There she began her training as a veterinary assistant.  Megan now lives on a small farm in Woodstock, Maine with her fiancé, Randy, their son, Noah, two dogs, a bearded dragon, several goats, and many chickens. In her spare time Megan enjoys gardening, hiking, snowboarding, and spending time with her animals and family.

Sarah – Veterinary Assistant

Sarah joined our practice in late September 2019. She grew up on an animal farm and helped her dad with breeding Australian Shepherds. This background gave her a love for animals of all kinds. She went to The University of Maine at Farmington where she decided to work with animals after finding her little troublemaker cat, Hudson, in her neighbors’ backyard. Sarah has two cats Hudson (the tuxedo cat) and Suzie (the calico cat). Sarah spends her spare time hanging out with her family, reading, and being a bed for her needy cats.

Kristene – Veterinary Assistant

Kristene joined the practice in Winter of 2020.  She has had a love of all animals from a young age, but her love of horses has always been the most prominent.  This passion ultimately led her to a career in the field of equine dentistry in 2012.  Kristene lives in Hebron with her partner, Shawn, and their dogs, Greta, Penelope and Farley.  In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her horses and dogs, as well as hiking and kayaking.  

Jill – Veterinary Assistant

Jill is a well-traveled Northern Maine native who joined the practice at the beginning of 2021. Since being back home she has worked professionally in Maine with a large scale goat farm for close to 8 years prior to her job at OHVH. After buying a house in the South Paris area in 2019 with her husband, Austin, where they could expand their ever growing hobby farm; she decided to step away from large scale goat farming to focus more on their small dairy herd. She is excited to expand her large animal knowledge and work with a local team to keep the communities animals healthy and safe, both large and small.

Shannon – Veterinary Assistant

Shannon began her adventure with animals in 1984 as a volunteer at a high volume shelter in Massachusetts. This experience developed her passion for rescue, rehabilitation, and humane education. Shannon has a diverse work background in the animal field having been employed as a veterinary technician at emergency and large and small animal hospitals throughout New England, she also managed an animal shelter in Shaftsbury, Vermont. She has mentored with dog trainers of multiple disciplines, worked with horses at a large training stable, and taken enrichment seminars in animal care. Shannon lives in Woodstock with her husband of 25 years, they have 6 children and share their home with several house pets and farm animals.

Larissa – Receptionist /Veterinary Assistant

Larissa joined the practice in 2021. She is a Massachusetts native who fell in love with the mountains of Maine and transplanted here in 2015. Larissa stumbled into pet grooming in 2018 and never looked back. After exploring many opportunities and interests, she has finally figured out what she wants to be when she grows up and has found nothing to be as rewarding as working with animals. She currently lives in Mechanic Falls with her family and beloved shepherds Aria & Ares

Madison – Receptionist /Veterinary Assistant

Madison recently joined us in late fall of 2021. Madison has always had a strong connection with animals since she was young. She is a proud mother of not one but two beagles, Baxter and Bandit, her 12 chickens and 6 duckies! Madison looks forward to giving all the pets cuddles and love at their vet visits.

Brooke – Receptionist /Veterinary Assistant

Brooke recently joined our practice in winter of 2021. She has had a love of all animals both small and large her entire life, but horses have a special place in her heart. Brooke has spent years working with horses on a daily basis, but recently decided to try and learn more about the veterinary side of working with animals of all sizes. She spends her free time working with her horse, hiking, reading, or spending time with her family.

Andrew – Receptionist /Veterinary Assistant per diem

Andrew has worked as a farm hand for many years for a family owned cow farm. He has been with us since 2014. Andrew lives in the area with his yellow lab, Leslie. In his spare time Andrew enjoys spending time with his family and friends.

Carrie – Receptionist /Veterinary Assistant per diem

Carrie graduated from Trinity College of Vermont in 2000 with a BS in Biology, PreVet. She worked full time at our practice from 2000 to 2001. In 2003 she rejoined us part time. Carrie lives with her husband John, son Caleb, and a daughter Elly. Carrie has a small farm with 3 horses, 2 dogs, 3 cats, and a small flock of mixed bantams. Carrie enjoys horseback riding, snowboarding, hiking, reading, and spending time with her family.