Meet our Team

Dr. Fraker is a Nantucket native. She received her undergraduate degree in animal science from the University of Vermont in 2000. She spent the next three years working in the animal field– first as a keeper at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago and then as a veterinary technician. Dr. Fraker graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 2007 and spent her first year at Florida Veterinary Specialists, where she completed a small animal rotating medicine and surgery internship. Her next two years were spent working as a general practitioner and emergency doctor at Sumner Veterinary Hospital in Sumner, Washington. She returned to Nantucket to practice here in 2010. When not in the hospital, Dr. Fraker enjoys spending time with her son, Jackson, daughters, Abigail & Sophie, husband, Greg, her dogs, Minnow, Sushi, and Guppy and her cats, Chester and Charles Vane.

Dr. Howard received her undergraduate degree in animal sciences at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2003. After graduating, she worked for 2 years as a veterinary assistant at a cat-only hospital in Arlington, Massachusetts. She completed her doctorate of veterinary medicine at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in 2009. Dr. Howard then pursued a small animal internship at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston and moved to Nantucket in 2010. Her veterinary interests are surgery, acupuncture and herbal medicine, and chronic pain management. She received her certification in acupuncture from the Chi Institute in 2013. On her days off Dr. Howard goes for walks in the woods with her husband Tom, son Kai, daughter Rei, and her four dogs Jubilee, Gus, Winston, and Lincoln. Her cat Dennis sometimes comes along on walks as well.

Dr. Minior received her bachelor of science in Environmental Chemistry from Clark University in 2000 and followed with a Masters in Business Administration in 2001. The following years were spent working in start-up companies and in the Research Planning department at Massachusetts General Hospital. She completed a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Tufts University in 2009 and then a small animal medicine emergency and surgery rotating internship at Angell Animal Medical Center before finding her way to Nantucket in 2010. When she is not working, you can find Shanna jogging along the Miacomet trails or enjoying the local cuisine with her husband Todd and two boys Finn and Forest. She also shares her home with her beloved dachshunds Moby McBarker and Edison as well as her cats Bunny, Alfredo and Aphrodite.

Dr. Vigneau recently joined the Offshore Animal Hospital team as an Associate Veterinarian. Veterinary medicine is her second career, having completed her studies at St. George’s University and Iowa State University. During her first career in the human health arena, she worked with a major insurer to develop and influence national health policy and went on to develop the managed care programs for ConnectiCare, a Connecticut based HMO. A native New Englander, she earned her undergraduate degree in biology from Newton College/Boston College, a Master’s degree in Biobehavioral Science from the University of Connecticut, and a Master’s degree in Health Policy and Management from Harvard University School of Public Health.

As a lifelong learner and a lifelong lover of animals, Dr. Vigneau is passionate about preventive care and seeks to integrate the needs of the client with the medical, nutritional, and social needs of their furry companions. She has a special interest in animal welfare issues of all species.

Dr. Vigneau has been a frequent visitor to Nantucket and is transitioning to make her home here, where her heart is. She spends part-time with her adult daughter in Connecticut and has a son and daughter-in-law in NYC. She dotes on her furry children, a Samoyed named Mishka, a Standard Poodle named Colbert, two Cavapoos, Heidi and Marigold and two Siamese lynx named Giorgi and Abbey. Her many interests include cooking, music, and swimming. She can totally unwind sitting by a lake or the seashore and is learning to unwind at the piano.

Dr. St. Pierre retired at the end of 2018 after a long successful career in veterinary medicine. He graduated from Cornell University in 1970. He established his own practice in Glastonbury, CT in 1973. After 33 years he sold the practice to his associate and then continued to work until 2008. As a long time, but infrequent, summer resident of Nantucket he and his wife Pam decided they wanted to spend more time on the island. His idea of working part-time for the MSPCA turned into a full-time position beginning in 2008. He was instrumental in the formation of Offshore Animal Hospital in January of 2012 and will be missed terribly as we continue to serve the island of Nantucket. Dr. St. Pierre will now have time to fully enjoy the island and more time with his family. We wish Dr. St. Pierre a happy and relaxing retirement

Julie was born and raised in Endwell, a beautiful suburb in central New York State/ She received her BA/BS from Union College and her Juris Doctor from University at Buffalo School of Law. In her previous life Julie practiced criminal defense law for twenty years as a Public Defender in Binghamton, NY. The clients here have proven to be a lot cuter, kinder, and cuddlier. Julie made the permanent move to Nantucket in October of 2017 to finally be with her now husband, Bob and to start this exciting new chapter of her life. Julie prides herself on being a "people person" as well as an animal lover. To complete their family, Julie and Bob adopted their little girl, Sweet Annie, from NISHA in November of 2019. In her free time Julie enjoys reading, watching movies, binge-watching shows, theater, travel and spending time with friends and family. Julie is looking forward to meeting all of the clients of offshore - both furry and non-furry.

Danielle grew up in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. She moved to Nantucket in July 2010. Danielle has worked as a veterinary technician since 2000 and is very happy to be a member of the Offshore Animal Hospital Team. In her free time she enjoys photographing the Nantucket landscape, travelling, making masterpieces in her kitchen and walking her dog Glory

Silvia is an Italian New Yorker at heart with a passion for traveling, learning about different cultures, geographic locations, and meeting new people. She spent 15 years as a literary translator, proof reader, and editor for both the English and Italian languages. She originally moved to Nantucket to learn about organic and sustainable agriculture. Her love for animals, especially dogs and farm animals, brought her to Offshore Animal Hospital. Her own pet, Bentley, is her adventure companion and joins her on many trips.

Maddie is from Buffalo, New York and grew up spending summers on Nantucket with her on-island family members. Maddie earned a bachelor of science in veterinary technology at Medaille College and is a certified veterinary technician. She loves working with all pets and wildlife, it’s her true passion. When Maddie is not at work, you can find her on the beach, sunbathing and swimming in the ocean.

Christy, originally from Orlando, Florida, joined our team in May 2015. She received her bachelor of science in biology from the University of Florida in 2011 and received a master of science in biomedical science in 2013 from Barry University. Christy comes to us with over 10 years of experience with special training in emergency medicine. In her free time, you can find Christy exploring the endless beaches of Nantucket with her wolf pack: Max the boyfriend, Penny the ridgeback, Bel the mutt from Belize and Mushu the bearded dragon.

Nikki is originally from Manchester, a small town in Vermont and moved to Nantucket where she graduated high school in 2008. Nikki joined the Offshore Team in the summer of 2015 where she found her passion for the medical side of the Veterinary field as well as building relationships with clients and their pets. When Nikki is not working she enjoys spending time with her Shih Tzu puppy Chippy and her husband, Kevin.

Amy is orginally from Granville, OH and decided to move to Nantucket in August of 2017. She graduated with her bachelors in Zoology with a concentration in Animal Behavior from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2016. She worked at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium as a seasonal keeper working with primates, apes and other exotics and as a kennel technician at the Granville Veterinary Clinic. Amy has traveled to many places, one including Tanzania where she was able to witness amazing events such as the wildebeest migration. Amy is very excited to learn more about the medical aspect of animal care here at Offshore.

Priscilla grew up on Cape Cod and spent most of her free time out on the water sailing. She attended Mass. Maritime Academy where she sailed for and captained the varsity sailing team. Priscilla graduated in 2016 with a degree in International Maritime Business then moved to Nantucket where her love for animals brought her to work for Offshore. She loves caring for the animals of Nantucket and working alongside the amazing team at Offshore. When not working she enjoys spending time at the beach, teaching sailing, and nature walks with Myles the Pug!

Dixie, from Orange County California, joined our team in May 2018. Dixie went to Carrington College to become a veterinary technician. In March 2018 Dixie married her husband Sam who is in the coast guard She arrived on Nantucket in April 2018 when he got stationed here. Dixie has been working in the veterinary field for 3 years as a technician assistant in an emergency hospital in California. She enjoys travelling, hiking, camping with Sam and her dog Chief.

Kellie is originally from Ashland, Massachusetts. She received her B.A. from Worcester State University in business management and accounting. She moved to Nantucket in 2010, loving life on the Grey Lady ever since. In her free time Kellie enjoys going to the beach with her dog Paddington the G.O.A.T, traveling, chasing sunsets and cheering on The New England Patriots, Boston Bruins and Red Sox. She adores caring for animals and cannot wait to meet you and your furry pals. ​

Emma joined our team as a high school senior the fall of 2017 after a stint as a school to career student. She has since expanded her involvement and is now a receptionist. When not working Emma enjoys playing with her pups, Gypsy and Arlo and cuddling with her cats, Cysco and Harley and her bunny, Peanut. She has lived on Nantucket her whole life with her mom, dog, cats, rabbit and two horses.​

Hudson is a freshman at UMass Amherst who has spent his whole life on island and has always had a passion for animal care. When he comes home to the island for holidays and summers he joins our boarding team. He hopes to become a veterinarian. In his free time, Hudson enjoys going to the beach!

Tia has lived on Nantucket for the majority of her life. She studied architecture at Roger Williams University and is still in the midst of getting her degree. Last year, she traded the ocean for the mountains and moved to Colorado where she adopted Millington, her spunky pup! She returned to the island for the summer to work and just never left! She is compassionate with others and approach each day with optimism. Tia loves working at Offshore Animal Hospital, because she gets to interact with the beings I️ love most: animals!