Staff
Jennifer, Business Manager
Jennifer, wife of owner Corey Shagensky, has been the business manager at Progressive Animal Wellness (PAW) since its start in 2011. While relatively new to the veterinary field, animals have always been a part of Jennifer's life, both as pets and a part of nature. Prior to the birth of their two children, Jennifer was an environmental educator. In teaching field trips, she helped instill children with a sense of wonder with the natural world and the innate value of both animals and plants.
Additionally, Jennifer has a Bachelor's of Science in Biology from Bates College and a Master of Science in Horticulture from Cornell University. After graduating college, she worked in the infectious disease unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, starting as a technician and working her way up to lab manager. She also was a research assistant studying developmental biology at Brown University in the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry.
Jennifer adds that she looks forward to helping her husband realize his dream of running his own veterinary clinic and seeing more animals and their owners in her everyday life.
When she has a moment to spare from the joys and duties of motherhood, she enjoys the outdoors, reading, yoga, swimming, gardening, and spending time with friends and family. She lives in West Hartford with Dr. Shagensky, their two children, and Gertie the wonder dog.
Kathy, Head Veterinary Technician, CVT
Head technician Kathy joined the Progressive Animal Wellness team in January 2015 as an intern from Northwestern Connecticut Community College veterinary technology program. Kathy had an interest in animals from a young age that led her to pursue a career in marine biology following high school.
Kathy graduated from Southampton College of Long Island University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. While attending college Kathy participated in multiple marine animal care internships. After graduating she spent a couple years as a research assistant for Long Marine Lab in Santa Cruz, California, where she studied marine mammal cognition and sensory systems. In 2010 Kathy attended St. Andrews University in St. Andrews, Scotland where she received a Master of Research in Marine Mammal Science. Soon after Kathy received a position as a marine mammal stranding technician and education coordinator at the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation in Riverhead, New York, where she discovered her passion for veterinary science and decided to go back to school to become a certified Veterinary Technician. She completed Northwestern Connecticut Community College's veterinary technician program and in July 2015 passed the Veterinary Technician National Examination and became a certified veterinary technician.
When Kathy is not busy at PAW she spends her time with her friends and family and her calico cat, Calista.
Jessica, Lead Surgical Technician, CVT
Bio coming soon!
Danielle E., Certified Veterinary Technician
Danielle E. happily joined the PAW team in June 2015. She holds a Bachelor of Science degrees in Respiratory Care and Veterinary Technology from Quinnipiac University. After a 12 year career in human medicine as a Respiratory Therapist at Yale New Haven Hospital, she found her true passion in working with animals. Since becoming a veterinary technician in 2003, she has had some wonderful experiences working with small animals, exotic pets, reptiles, birds and some wildlife. She has even volunteered with a wildlife rehabilitation group.
She currently resides in Torrington with her Daughter Emma. She shares custody of Dutch, a German shorthaired pointer and Callie the cat. Danielle enjoys biking, gardening and spending time with friends and family.
Bea, Certified Veterinary Technician
Bio coming soon!
Kayla, Certified Veterinary Technician
Bio coming soon!
Aly, Certified Veterinary Technician
Bio coming soon!
Cynthia, Certified Veterinary Technician
After a variety of vocational endeavors - arts non-profit development, commercial advertising production and traffic management, pre-press and offset printing project management, etc. - Cynthia found her true calling after rescuing and bottle feeding a litter of feral kittens she found in a wood pile behind her home almost eighteen years ago. Her mom had been a sixth grade science teacher, which means she grew up with all manner of interesting pets: ducks, quail, a rooster, and a couple of tarantulas, in addition to dogs and cats, so animals have always been a part of her life. Her experience with the backyard kittens led her to the veterinary technology program at Northwestern CT Community College. After graduation and passing the Veterinary Technician National Examination in 2001, Cynthia worked as a CVT at a local clinic, specializing in exotic medicine, a reflection of her fascination with and affection for reptiles, birds, rabbits, pocket pets, and calculating incredibly small doses of medication for those amazing creatures!
Cynthia was very excited to join the PAW team in March of 2022, where she has enjoyed being part of an extraordinary group of passionate veterinary professionals who support each other and our clients by offering compassionate, high-quality care to each and every patient. Nutrition is a particular interest of hers, and Cynthia loves helping pet parents maintain their dogs’ and cats’ ideal body condition so they can enjoy a healthy and active life.
Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Michigan State University and a Masters of Music in opera performance from the University of Connecticut. She sings professionally throughout Connecticut as a soloist and with CONCORA - CT Choral Artists.
Outside of work, Cynthia enjoys painting, crafting, gardening, and Legos. She loves to bike ride and walk with her husband Rick and their rescue hound mix Chili. Rick and Cynthia also have three cats - Toffee, Jinx and Corazon, a bearded dragon, an albino ring-necked dove, and six snakes. She is also very active in her church in New Britain as a Deacon, section leader/soloist in the Chancel Choir, and a Stephen Minister.
Marjorie, Veterinary Technician
Marjorie happily joined the PAW family in 2019. She has loved working with animals her entire life. She has been a veterinary technician for over 20 years and has a broad background in veterinary medicine. She spent the first 16 years of her career working with reptiles, pocket pets, birds, and small mammals which she greatly enjoyed and still holds a soft spot in her heart. She has also worked in both emergency medicine as well as general practice hospitals. She was even an animal control officer in her hometown.
When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and of course her own four-legged furry kids at home.
Michaela, Veterinary Technician
Bio coming soon!
Riley, Veterinary Assistant
A proud graduate of the University of South Carolina in 2023, Riley has spent years working with animals, supporting both their well-being and the people they impact. Shortly after graduating, she began working as a vet assistant here at PAW. In addition to her work with PAW, she coordinates an animal rescue in South Carolina where she focuses on rehabilitation and rehoming animals in need. Riley is pursuing graduate studies in school psychology, where she is focused on utilizing the therapeutic potential of animals in school settings.
Riley has developed a deep understanding of animal behavior and the profound emotional bonds between animals and humans. This, combined with her growing expertise in school psychology, fuels her passion for incorporating therapy animals into educational environments. Her ultimate goal is to help students manage emotional and psychological challenges by integrating animal-assisted therapy into schools, creating a nurturing, supportive space where students can thrive.
Riley’s work with PAW and her academic pursuits reflect her dedication to improving the emotional well-being of both animals and students, with the belief that therapy animals can play a transformative role in supporting mental health and personal growth.
Wendy, Veterinary Assistant
Wendy, a dedicated Veterinary Assistant with over 25 years experience, joined the PAW team in 2024. She started her career volunteering at North Smithfield Animal Control in Rhode Island. When a position working at an animal hospital was offered to her she eagerly embraced the opportunity to work in veterinary medicine. Since then, Wendy has worked in veterinary hospitals across Rhode Island, Maryland, and now Connecticut, gaining extensive hands-on experience in animal care. She has also been deeply involved in rescue work, fostering over 150 kittens and preparing them for loving homes.
She has a special interest in caring for senior pets, particularly those with mobility challenges. Her personal experience with her own dog, Miles—who underwent a front limb amputation and knee surgeries—has given her valuable insight into supporting pet owners facing similar situations. Wendy holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Montserrat College of Art and is committed to continuous learning, regularly taking courses to expand her knowledge in veterinary medicine.
Outside of work, she enjoys painting, gardening, crafting, and baking. She also loves hiking in the woods with her two dogs, Ripley and Bruin. At home, she shares her life with three cats—Roxy, Freddy, and Barney.
Wendy is passionate about providing compassionate, high-quality care to every patient and looks forward to meeting new clients and their pets at PAW.
Emily, Veterinary Assistant
Bio coming soon!
Kelsey, Veterinary Assistant
Bio coming soon!
Danielle G., Receptionist
Danielle G. joined the PAW team as a receptionist in 2019. Her love of animals developed at an early age, when in elementary school, her family adopted a Pit Bull mix named Guiness. Danielle has been working with animals since 2005, and thoroughly enjoys being a part of ensuring that all pets live their healthiest lives.
Outside of work, Danielle enjoys reading, riding her motorcycle, and spending time with her son, and dog, Diamond, a Pit Bull mix whom she affectionately refers to as Chubs.
Amy, Receptionist
Amy joined the PAW team in July 2017. Amy’s passion for animal emerged early. She started her amateur career at a young age as the neighborhood pet sitter, caring for the neighborhood dogs, cats, guinea pig and even chickens.
Although Amy studied mathematics at UVM and UConn, her love of animals drove her to pursue a career in the veterinary field. In 2003, Amy turned her first amateur career professional working as an assistant in a clinic in Western MA.
When life brought her back to Connecticut, she found PAW to be the right fit geographically and professionally. Amy now resides in Torrington with her husband and their 3 dogs – Charlie, Lola and Maggie and one kitty named Linus.
Outside of work Amy enjoys live music, canoeing and travel.
Brianna, Receptionist
Bio coming soon!
Amber, Receptionist
Bio coming soon!