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Dr. Rufus Sparks

Veterinarian

Dr. Rufus A. Sparks, a lifelong area resident, attended Warren Public Schools for 12 years, graduating from Warren G. Harding High Schools in 1961.

He combined his fascination with animals and his interest in medicine (from his M.D. father) into a career in veterinary medicine. Graduation from the Ohio State University came in 1968 with a degree in Animal Science from the College of Agriculture and a DVM from the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Kathleen Mack, a Vienna High School graduate, became his bride in 1967. They have three children and eight grandchildren. "Kathy" is a retired speech pathologist from the Warren City Board of Education.

The Sparks family is the proud companion of their cat Baby (15 years old).

Dr. Sparks's veterinary interests include pet behavior and internal medicine.

In addition to being a member of the Trumbull County Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Sparks is also a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Ohio Veterinary Association, and Treasurer of the Animal Welfare League for 35 years

Dr. Sparks opened the Town and Country Veterinary Hospital in July 1976 in partnership with Dr. Richard T. Bell (now deceased). Dr. Sparks is presently semi-retired and volunteer staff veterinarian at the Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County.

Outside Interests are the outdoors, including gardening, fishing, canoeing, camping, and bird-watching.

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Dr. Samuel Costello

Veterinarian

Dr. Sam Costello Grew up in the Youngstown area and was a 1984 graduate of Ursuline High School. He attended Youngstown State University and graduated with a B. S. in biology in 1988. He then attended Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine from 1988 to 1992. He has received the Distinguished Veterinarian Service Award in 2006, and the national Bustad Award in 2007. He and his dog Bear are a member of Delta Society Partner Program, and K-9's for Compassion.

He has a special interest in cardiology, ultrasonography, and wildlife rehabilitation.

His personal interests include gardening, running, hiking, birding, photography, and SCUBA diving.

He lives with his wife, Katie, daughter Anastiya, 8 dogs and 7 cats in Hubbard, Ohio.

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Dr. Wendy Jenkins-DeLuca

Veterinarian

Dr. Wendy Jenkins-DeLuca grew up in Marietta, Ohio and attended Ohio University for her Pre-Veterinary Medicine degree. She then attended the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 2002.

Since her graduation she has worked for several veterinary practices in northeastern Ohio until joining Town and Country in September, 2008.

She enjoys fishing, camping, and gardening.

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Dr. Charlene Arendas

Veterinarian

Dr. Arendas came to Town and Country in 2009 from her hometown of Lowellville, Ohio. She graduated as Salutatorian from Lowellville High School in 2000. Dr. Arendas earned her Honors B.S. in Biology from Youngstown State University in 2004, and her DVM degree from the Ohio State University in 2008.

She and her parents have raised llamas since 1995 and their current herd includes 63 llamas and alpacas. She is a former 4-H member and has been an advisor for a local 4-H llama club since 2002. Her other pets include dogs, birds, rats, cats, chickens, crabs, fish, a peacock, an iguana, and a horse.

In her spare time she plays the trumpet in the Lowellville Mt. Carmel Band, enjoys kayaking, camping, running, needle felting, and home improvement projects. She serves on the board as the Vice-President for the Ohio River Valley Llama Association and volunteers at the Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County on a regular basis. Dr. Arendas is an avid Ohio State Buckeyes and Steelers football fan!

Her special areas of interest include exotics, flexible endoscopy of the gastrointestinal and upper respiratory tracts, and abdominal ultrasound. She is currently developing her skills in rigid endoscopy/laparoscopy and hopes to learn thoracic ultrasonography in the future.

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Dr. Lindsay Drotar

Veterinarian

Dr. Drotar was raised in northeastern Ohio.  She earned her B.S. in Biology and minor in Chemistry with Honors from Youngstown State University in 2010.  She then earned a Graduate Minor in Business in Health Sciences from the Ohio State University in 2014, and she earned her DVM from the Ohio State University in 2016.

She has been involved with Town and Country Veterinary Hospital since 2008 shadowing and working as a veterinary assistant. 

She enjoys the outdoors, fishing, running, and spending time with family and her pets.

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Dr. Pam Fritsch

Veterinarian

Dr. Fritsch  is a life long resident of the Warren, Ohio area and graduated from Champion High School in 1980. She attended the Ohio State University where she completed her bachelors degree in animal science. Dr. Fritsch then went on to attend the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 1989. After graduation, she returned to the Warren, Ohio area to start her own small animal practice and continued in that practice for over 25 years. Dr. Fritsch has a particular passion for feline medicine and promoting overall feline wellness.

She closed her practice in late 2017 and joined the Town & Country team in January of 2018.  In her free time Dr. Fritsch enjoys her home library and tending to her landscaping.

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Julie Banicki

Office Manager

Looking for a career change Julie gave up 15 plus years of management in the hospitality industry and explored her love for animals at Town and Country Veterinary Hospital. She applied for a part time receptionist position in 1992. Her performance eventually led to her becoming Town and Country's office manager. She loves gardening, NFL football, baking, and spending time with her family. She recently welcomed a new puppy named Rudy to her family.

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Joyce Stizza

RVT; Assistant Office Manager

Ms. Stizza began full time employment with Town & Country Veterinary Hospital in 2002 as a technician’s assistant. In 2010 she graduated valedictorian from The Vet Tech Institute in Pittsburgh, PA and shortly thereafter became a credentialed veterinary technician in the state of Ohio. In 2012 she began her position as Assistant Office Manager. Ms. Stizza and her family share their home with Annabelle a collie mix, 2 felines Emma and Tia and 2 Paso Fino horses Rojas and Viento.

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Technicians

Support & Diagnostic Staff

In order to increase our efficiency and decrease waiting times, we are utilizing the skills of our animal health technicians. The people are licensed and certified by the state of Ohio to perform various tasks under the supervision of a veterinarian. Their educational requirements are strict to assure their competence. Annual continuing educational courses are required to broaden and update their knowledge and to maintain their license. During peak activity months, our technicians may assist you in routine vaccinations, fecal exams, heart worm diagnostic and prevention procedures, behavior counseling, and follow up medical care.

We feature a staff of 6 registered technicians and 8 tech assistants.

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Support Staff

Support & Office Staff

In order to keep Town and Country Veterinary Hospital running smoothly and efficiently, we also have a staff of:

6 Receptionists
1 Full time secretary
7 Kennel assistants
1 Purchasing manager
1 Human resource manager

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