Meet our team
Meet the Veterinarians and team of Ash Creek Animal Hospital. We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets. At Ash Creek Animal Hospital, we all became veterinary care professionals for one simple reason: we love animals and want to keep them well and happy. You can rest assured that when you bring your pet here for medical care, boarding, or grooming, we treat them like family.
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.
Ask any pet owner in your neighborhood, and chances are they know Ash Creek Animal Hospital by name. We have a proven reputation for providing a safe, loving environment for dogs and cats to achieve health and happiness.
Veterinarians
At Ash Creek Animal Hospital, your pet will be attended to by a team of experts unmatched on the East Coast. Between our three on-staff veterinarians and our veterinary care technicians, we’ll get to the root cause of any problems your pets are experiencing and find the fastest, most affordable solution for you.
Dr. Kristopher Hansen
Dr. Kris Hansen grew up in Stratford, CT. He graduated from Fairfield Prep in 1987 and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from Hobart and William Smith in Geneva, NY, where he majored in Science. Having been passionate about animals since childhood, Dr. Hansen worked as a kennel attendant during high school and followed his calling to become a veterinarian. He received his DVM degree from Ross University with honors. He fulfilled all of his clinical hours at the University of Missouri, where he treated everything from cats and dogs, rabbits, tigers, goats, cows, sheep, llamas, and even the revered Clydesdale horses.
After graduation, Dr. Hansen worked in NY and returned to Connecticut to be closer to his family. It wasn’t long before he decided to open his practice, and he found the perfect location in the historic seaside community of Black Rock, Bridgeport, CT, in 2000.
When Dr. Hansen set out to start his veterinary practice, he was driven by his commitment to deliver excellent medical and surgical services with expertise and compassion. He was determined to ensure that his hospital and its employees shared the same devotion in providing, for clients and patients, a “home away from home” family atmosphere where they receive the highest quality veterinary care.
When “Dr. Kris,” as his clients fondly call him, began his practice, his small staff included himself as sole veterinarian; his Mom, Suellen, acting as both office manager and receptionist; his wife, Donna, a receptionist, and Michelle, owner of “Michelle’s Personal Touch” wore many hats, as a technician, groomer, and kennel attendant.
Today, Ash Creek has grown to meet the needs of the community. In addition to Dr. Kris, we are proud to have two part-time veterinary associates on staff, Dr. Kellie Levin and Dr. Marcus Sminkey. We also have a qualified and engaged staff that shares Dr. Kris’s passion for ensuring the best quality of care and service for you and your pets. Dr. Hansen is a member of the American Veterinary Association, the Connecticut Veterinary Association, and the Fairfield County Veterinary Medical Association. Ash Creek Animal Hospital and kennel has been voted one of the “Best of Fairfield County” for many consecutive years.
Our mission has not changed and never will. We treat your family like our family. Thank you for entrusting your family with ours.
Dr. Hannah Villhauer
Veterinarian
Dr. Hannah Villhauer grew up in Redding, CT. Her passion for animals was sparked by caring for her childhood pets- dogs, parakeets, a rabbit, a bearded dragon, and chickens. She obtained her Bachelor Degree in Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences in 2019 from Penn State. She went on to receive her DVM from Colorado State University in 2023. Dr. Villhauer returned to Connecticut to be closer to family and practice veterinary medicine in her home community. Her medical interests include dermatology, preventative care, and cardiology. Dr. Villhauer is dedicated to compassionate medical care and patient quality-of-life. In her free time, Dr. Villhauer enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with her two cats and two dogs.
Receptionists
Beth
Beth grew up in Stratford, CT, with animals her whole life. She knew from a very young age her career path and has enjoyed working with animals for over eleven years, both as a technician and now as a receptionist. Beth has two beautiful cats, Rani and Cocoa. Her favorite pastime outside work is spending time with them, hiking, and swimming.
Julie
Julie has been passionate about animals her whole life. She has worked in the veterinary field for over twenty years and has enjoyed working with small animals, equines, and wildlife. She has two rescued cats and a Thoroughbred horse that she adopted.
Veterinary Assistants & Technician
Jeff
Veterinarian Assistant
Jeff works with animals because ever since he was a child he has always loved them and wanted to help them. If you ask Jeff what his favorite part of his job is, he will tell you that he loves seeing the relationship between pet and owner. He enjoys making them both feel more comfortable while they are at Ash Creek. Whether scheduled for surgery, a procedure, or simply for boarding, Jeff goes out of his way to ensure that the pets feel safe, secure, and well cared for.
When not at work, Jeff takes care of his grandparents. He enjoys hanging out with his friends and spending time in the outdoors.
Kristina
Veterinarian Technician
Kristina is a knowledgeable and compassionate veterinary technician who has been practicing her profession for the last 14 years. Kristina enjoys spending time with her pets, being outdoors, and traveling.
Destiny
Veterinary Assistant
Destiny was born & raised in Bridgeport CT, she has always loved caring and being around animals since a little girl and has always dreamt of being able to work more closely with them. She has two shih tzu’s of her own named Mikey and Gabby which who she spends a lot of her time with, they enjoy going on long walks and car rides. She also enjoys hanging out with friends & family and being outdoors during her free time.
Ivana
Veterinarian Assistant
Ivana has always had pets growing up and has a passion for all animals and wildlife. She went on to study at the University of Vermont where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, with a minor in Zoology. She completed a summer internship at CT’s Beardsley Zoo in 2022, and during her senior year of college worked at a doggy daycare in Burlington, VT. In the future, Ivana hopes to pursue further education in the veterinary field. During her free time, Ivana plays video games and enjoys the outdoors. She also has a pit bull mix named Bailey, and the two spend time together going on car rides.
Practice Manager
Kristen
Veterinary Technician & Practice Manager
Kristen has been working with animals for over twenty years. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Zoology from Southern Connecticut State University. Kristen has loved all animals big and small for her entire life and currently has many of her own at home. In addition to working at ACAH as the practice manager and a veterinary technician, she also runs her own business, called Jungle Jamboree, in which she provides educational programs with a variety of her own small and exotic animals.