Noah’s Ark Veterinary and Boarding Resort began its journey 1998 by the current owner, Mark Boback. After the first three years we were able to add our first kennel building with our indoor/outdoor runs. Soon after in 2005 we added on a second kennel building! Wanting to continue the dream of a “one stop shop” for pet care, the veterinary office was added in 2008. Three short years later we expanded again, adding the second floor to create a full service veterinary hospital. NAVBR has a staff of about 45 animal lovers in combination of the resort and veterinary.
Our team strives to provide excellent service and care to you and your pets.
Mark Boback
Owner
With a degree in business management and administration combined with a passion for animals Mark decided to start Noah’s Ark. The company was established in 1996 and opened for business in 1998. Mark credits the business’ success to all the hard working, passionate, animal loving employees that have made us who we are today. Mark maintains the culture of a family business to attract and retain the best people available to provide optimal care to the pets.
Mark lives local, his home located right in Millersville. He lives with his dog, Cocoa, a chocolate Yorkie. Mark loves to spend his time outdoors. Travelling with his friends and going on fishing trips. He also enjoys maintaining historic cars. But none of that is comparable to the love he has for NAVBR, it’s employees and the pets!
Jenn
Veterinary Practice Manager
Jenn joined the NAVBR team in 2011, with a background in kennel management and the veterinary field. She held numerous positions within the company including being a part of our kennel supervisory team, working as a veterinary technician, and becoming the director of our canine rehabilitation department, before settling in as our practice manager in 2018. A self-described career student, she’s currently working on her next business degree while also in school to become a registered veterinary technician!
Jenn enjoys spending time with her daughter, Gabby, and her two American Pit Bull Terriers, Lola and Raiden (Draven is pictured – the best boy to ever live, if you ask her). At any given time of year, she is actively counting down the days until Halloween.
Raven Martinez-Hernandez, DVM
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Raven Martinez-Hernandez grew up in southern Texas. She attended Ross University of Veterinary Medicine on the island of St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean. Her final clinical year was completed at Oklahoma State University and she graduated in May of 2017. Raven began her veterinary endeavors as a nurse at multiple clinics, avid volunteer in Texas and Maryland, and has over ten years of experience in the veterinary field. She joined the Noah’s Ark team in 2017.
Raven’s love for animals has reached multiple countries. She volunteered in the Caribbean during her rotations to educate the local population on animal care as well as Guatemala during a VIDA trip to provide medical care and population control. She has a veterinary focus for cats and dogs, but loves to see small exotic mammals and critters with scales.
Raven spends most of her extra time with her three cats Luna, Ebola, and Dash, puppy Ripley, as well as Johnny, her husband. She enjoys reading, watching movies, and cooking to entertain for friends and family. She also likes to attend local events, wineries, and shows.
Amy Holstein, DVM
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Holstein (formerly, Carney) grew up in Baltimore, then relocated to the Annapolis area. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Towson University and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Holstein has been a member of our team for almost 15 years.
Volunteer opportunities have always played an important role in Dr. Holstein’s life. She worked with Maryland Votes for Animals, then testified before the legislature in favor of the state funded spay/neuter program. She has been an advisory board member with the Department of Agriculture representing veterinarians since the program’s inception. For 10 years she spent time as a staff veterinarian for the local wildlife sanctuary, and throughout her career has participated in multiple animal welfare-related community activities. Anyone who knows Dr. Holstein also knows she has a special place in her heart for cats. It is not surprising that when asked, she will tell you her most gratifying volunteer experience has been as a shelter vet for the past 18 years at Rude Ranch Animal Rescue.
Dr. Holstein looks forward to and treasures time spent with her two grown daughters, Danica and Haley. For the past 15 years her personal passion has been catch-and-release fly fishing, primarily in the U.S. but especially on rivers and streams throughout Maryland. She shares her home with her cat, Buvvakat =^..^=
Ashley Harrison-Jackson, DVM, MPH
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Ashley Harrison-Jackson called Noah’s Ark her first job over a decade ago when she worked in our resort… we are honored that when she finished her schooling she wanted to call Noah’s Ark home again!
Dr. HJ was born and raised in Maryland and always had an interest in all species of animals, even at a young age; particularly exotic species. Early in life, she started volunteering at Maryland Therapeutic Riding with horses and working in the daycare/kennel at Noah’s Ark while in high school to obtain addition animal experience. Dr. HJ went on to receive her bachelors in Animal Sciences at North Carolina State University where she began to express an interest in working with more exotic species of animals (wildlife, big cats, primates, birds, pocket pets, reptiles, etc). Dr. HJ graduated from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech where she received dual degrees: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Public Health with a concentration in infectious disease.
Dr. HJ’s veterinary interests include dentistry, exotic animal medicine, surgery, and animal behavior, and she incorporates many fear free techniques and strategies into her practice of medicine to keep her patients as calm and stress-free as possible during the consultation. Hobbies outside of work include traveling, listening to audiobooks, camping, hiking with her dogs, visiting friends and family, and watching horror movies. Of course, she shares her home with an array of animals: two American Pit Bull Terriers, a cat, a snake, and a chinchilla!
We are also proud to offer appointment times with our phenomenal relief vets: Kimberly Gostyla, DVM (who our clients lovingly remember from solely working here at NAVBR 2016 – 2022 before giving the relief vet life a go!), Mary Beth Dearing, DVM, Elizabeth Hepner, DVM, and Erika Olney, DVM!
Jess
Resort Manager
Jess has been working at Noah’s Ark since 2014. She started her career as a kennel technician and quickly advanced into the Resort Manager position. Jess has wanted to work with animals since she was a little girl. Her favorite thing about this job is spending one-on-one time with the loving fur babies that come and stay at our resort.
Jess shares her home with two cats named Pheobe and Olivia – both of which she rescued when they were left homeless due to the cost of the care they required. She also has a American Pit Bull Terrier mix named Noah who she rescued as a young pup. In her spare time, Jess loves to spend time with family and friends, attending music festivals, and traveling with her family.
Shelby
Assistant Resort Manager
Shelby began working at Noah’s Ark in 2018 as a Kennel/Daycare Technician, then Resort Supervisor, now Resort Assistant Manager. Shelby has an immense passion for all animals and the animal field. Shelby has 3 Fur babies at home, a Golden Retriever named Remi, a English Bulldog named Levi and a Cat named Tito! In her free time, Shelby enjoys spending time with her friends and family, listening to music and playing video games.
Emily
Veterinary Technician Supervisor
Emily joined our team in 2021. She comes to us with years of experience working in the veterinary field. Emily enjoys take care of horses including her own horse Ruckus, spending time at the beach, fishing, boating and loves playing with her 3 Labrador Retrievers, Remington, Benelli and Riptide!
Jess
Veterinary Reception Supervisor
Jess lives in the lovely neighborhood of Hampden located in Baltimore with her two furbabies Delilah (a pocket pitbull) and Turkleton (a Maine coon mix). Jess received her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies: Animal Behavior from Towson University and has worked in the veterinary field for about 6 years including shelter medicine, general practice, ER, and specialty. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family in her spare time and is passionate about animal welfare and rescue.
Corinne
Veterinary Technician
Corinne has worked with animals, as well as Noah’s Ark, for 7 years. She has worked as a veterinary technician for 3 of those years and recently began schooling to become a registered veterinary technician and get a feel for what she’d like to specialize in! Corinne shares her home with a 6-year-old blue Staffordshire Terrier named Gunner and a 1-year-old human son. Corinne can’t see herself in any other field!
Crystal
Veterinary Technician
Crystal was born and raised on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico where she attended college for veterinary technology. In 2016, her husband joined the Navy and their family moved to the US. Crystal has two little kiddos, a boy and a girl who love animals just like their mommy, 2 doggies, Valentina (the queen of the house) and Megara (my wild beast) who mean the world to me. She love anything Disney, Harry Potter, Marvel, and Star Wars related. Funko Pop shopping with her best friend is her favorite hobby. I also like going to cons so I can cosplay and have tons of fun. Crystal is continuing her studies to become a RVT; overall, she absolutely loves what she does!
Amanda
Veterinary Receptionist
Amanda has been in the veterinary field for six years. If she’s not at work, she is usually at home or traveling with her four “kids:” two Green-Cheeked Conures named Cash and Letty, a Rock Conure named Jax, and her original rescue baby, Cali, a blue Pittie. They love car rides and exploring new places; especially a good park! Amanda loves reading, cooking, camping and hiking in her spare time, but loves coming to work and meeting new fur-friends, too!
Laila
Veterinary Technician
While not-so-average, Laila enjoys singing to her plants, playing with her 2 dogs and 1 cat, has a passion for caring for animals and is always looking to learn more.
Arieal
Veterinary Assistant
Arieal joined the team in 2021 while attending the AACC Vet Assisting course, hoping to further her education in the vet field that she loves. Arieal has always had a passion for animals and shares her home with three dogs, an American Pit Bull Terrier, Lab Mix, & Shepherd Mix, as well as two year old! She strives to learn new things everyday and enjoy each day!
Lexie
Veterinary Assistant
Lexie is a Hufflepuff, mom, and Greek mythology nerd who joined the Noah’s team in 2021. Lexie is new to the field, but excited to see where it takes her. She loves animals and has had many pets throughout her life. While not at Noah’s, she enjoys baking, Funko Pop hunting, and hanging with my human babies!
Queso
Security Cat
Queso arrived at NAVBR in 2018. He was as stray kitten that was brought to us because they did not think he would thrive living in his current conditions. After recently losing our previous office cat, Chips, we decided he would be a wonderful addition to our family.
Queso spends most of his time lounging around in the resort manager’s office, but he loves to play with his scratching post, cat teaser wand, and interactive egg feeder toy! He can occasionally be spotted supervising our staff. Of course, his favorite thing to do is EAT!