8858 Belair Rd, Baltimore, MD 21236
(410) 256-0742
Owner & Senior Veterinarian
Dr. John (Jay) Kluttz BVSc, a Baltimore native from Middle River, has been in practice since 2008. He initially completed his undergraduate biology degree at St. Mary’s College in southern Maryland before moving ‘down under’ to New Zealand to study veterinary medicine at Massey University.
After graduating, Dr. Jay spent four years working as a mixed animal veterinarian in the picturesque New Zealand countryside, treating cows, sheep, dogs, cats, goats, and the occasional horse. He met his wife, a New Zealand native, and adopted two rescue cats (Claus and Alex). In 2012, the four of them returned to Baltimore to lay down roots, added a canine family member (Penny, the rambunctious standard poodle), and Dr. Jay began exclusively treating small animals at a practice in Dundalk.
He joined the Abbey Animal Hospital team in November 2015. He soon knew he had found his home and became the practice owner the following year. In 2018 Dr. Jay and his wife welcomed a beloved daughter, followed by another rambunctious standard poodle (Moss) because one is never enough.
Staff, clients, and patients adore Dr. Jay for his thorough attention, caring heart, and endless patience. When he’s not tending to patients at the hospital he enjoys watching movies, (Dr. Jay and Dr. Travis are both avid movie buffs), working on classic cars, and spending time with his family.
Veterinarian
Travis is a proud graduate of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, and spent his clinical year in the charming city of Dublin, Ireland in 2021. Although originally from Pennsylvania, his deep-rooted family connections in Maryland led him to make the natural choice of joining the dedicated team at Abbey Animal Hospital. Travis is currently welcoming new clients and is excited to provide exceptional care for our valued pet families.
Having served as a Peace Corps volunteer, Travis dedicated three years of his life to a small community just outside of Esteli, Nicaragua. His meaningful contributions spanned a range of projects, from crafting homemade insect repellents and nurturing a school garden to planting corn and beans. He also played a vital role in vaccination projects, ensuring the well-being of chickens and supplementing piglets with essential nutrients.
Beyond his dedicated work with your cuddly cats and dapper dogs, Travis is an avid writer, reader, and film enthusiast. He has self-published several novels and earned recognition in the world of science fiction by being featured in a few reputable magazines. Travis’s voracious appetite for literature covers a wide range of genres, including science fiction, horror, and historical fiction/non-fiction. Interesting Facts:
On top of vaccinating over 400 chickens during his time in the Peace Corps, Travis also vaccinated a very large and unfriendly swan.
He has lived in more than ten states, and has visited Canada, the Caribbean, Central America and Ireland.
Veterinarian & Behaviorist
Dr. Tracy Kroll, (pictured here with her son Ethan), originally from Albany, New York, is a 1997 graduate of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. She then completed a residency in Clinical Behavior in 2002, also at Cornell.
She and her husband live in Harford County with their special needs daughter, Cockapoo Katie, and their elderly Chihuahua Buster. Their son is a college student studying to become a veterinarian like his mom. The Kroll family are Disney annual pass holders and love Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel. She is a Ravens fan and supports the Transylvania University lacrosse team, where her son is a goalie. In her spare time Dr. Kroll loves to crochet and build Lego.
She is ‘Fear Free’ and CCMT certified, and likes to integrate those techniques into medical practice.
Practice Manager
Nicole embarked on her journey in the veterinary industry as a kennel technician in 2000. In 2003, she graduated from Harford Tech High School, earning her Veterinary Assistant certification. Nicole also brought teaching and agricultural business management experience with her as her career progressed into a management role in 2015.
Outside of work, Nicole leads a vibrant life filled with diverse interests. A competitive bowler, she enjoys the thrill of the game and participates in local tournaments. Nicole and her husband Steve are avid baseball fans, and come spring and summer they can be found cheering on anyone playing on the pitch, especially the Baltimore Orioles.
Nicole adores anything related to the water, whether it’s spending a day at the beach, or simply relaxing by the pool.
Nicole loves to read, diving into captivating novels to unwind after a long day. Most importantly, she cherishes quality moments spent with her husband, Steve, and their beloved dog, Savannah.
Veterinary Assistant
Amanda has been part of the veterinary field for over ten years and holds her Veterinary Assistant Certification. With experience in both general practice and emergency medicine, she brings steady expertise, compassion, and calm to every patient she helps.
Her special interests include endocrine diseases, radiology, and surgery — and she has a natural gift for working with pets who are nervous or anxious. Amanda is passionate about client education and loves helping families understand how to make each visit a positive experience for their pets.
While she has a soft spot for Golden Retrievers and Pit Bulls, Amanda’s heart truly belongs to cats — especially her two at home, Princess Hiccups and Louise.
When she’s not caring for patients at Abbey Animal Hospital, you’ll find Amanda watching scary movies, playing board games, listening to true crime podcasts, or spending time with her husband and two children.
Veterinary Assistant
Meredith has been part of the Abbey Animal Hospital team since 2018 and has worked in the veterinary field for over a decade. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Education from Towson University in 2021 and brings both knowledge and curiosity to every patient she helps care for.
While Meredith loves all animals, big and small, she has a special soft spot for reptiles, insects, and felines. She’s the proud pet parent of two calico cats — Constance and Freyja — and a ball python named Appa.
Outside the hospital, Meredith enjoys reading, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and spending time with her pets. Her calm presence and love for learning make her an invaluable part of the Abbey team.
Veterinary Assistant
Penelope is currently pursuing her passion for animals through her studies in animal science at the University of Maryland-College Park. With a diverse background in animal care, she has cultivated a wealth of experiences, from showcasing a dairy heifer in a prestigious livestock show to assisting with the care of a dolphin pod at the National Aquarium. Her journey has even taken her overseas to Milan, Italy, where she had the opportunity to shadow veterinarians and deepen her understanding of animal health and welfare.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Penelope loves whipping up treats in the kitchen, reading a good book, and practicing yoga. In the warmer months, you’ll often find her soaking up the sun at the beach, with her faithful companion, Milo. Penelope’s dedication to animals and her vibrant zest for life make her a valuable asset to our team.
Veterinary Assistant
Alex is a Veterinary Assistant in training at Abbey Animal Hospital, currently enrolled in the Veterinary Assistant program at the Community College of Baltimore County. Her passion for animals began with her grandmother, who volunteered at the SPCA, and grew as she cared for her grandmother’s many pets and later adopted feral cats. Alex’s goal is to become a Veterinary Technician. Outside work, she enjoys scrapbooking. Alex’s compassion and love for animals shine through in everything she does, making her a valued part of our team.
Veterinary Assistant
Torri is a compassionate Veterinary Assistant who recently completed her certification at Harford County Community College. where she developed a keen interest in emergency diagnostics and animal behavior. She has always been passionate about animals and has set her sights on becoming a Veterinary Technician. When she’s not caring for your pets at Abbey Animal Hospital, Torri enjoys reading about history, walking her 11 year old grand lady, Parris and raising a kitten she rescued from a gas station, whom she affectionately named Opossum. He’s truly a lucky little kitten to have found a caring mom in Torri. Her dedication to helping animals, whether in the clinic or out in the community, makes her a wonderful part of our team.
Vet Assistant
Jenn brings with her a deep love for animals and a passion for providing top-notch care to our furry friends.
Currently, Jenn is honing her skills as a vet assistant while pursuing her official certificate at Hereford Community College. Her dedication to learning and growing in the field of veterinary medicine is truly commendable.
Beyond her work at Abbey Animal Hospital, Jenn dreams of one day owning a homestead or mini farm, where she can create an off-the-grid, organic paradise for animals to thrive in. With her roots in Maryland, growing up in Abingdon, she’s excited to continue serving the community she knows and loves.
Jenn’s genuine affection for pets shines through in everything she does. Whether she’s looking after your beloved companions or spending quality time with her nephew, she always brings her caring nature and expertise to the table.
Her ultimate goal? To help as many animals as possible and ensure that every pet receives the love, care, and attention they deserve. We’re privileged to have Jenn on our team, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact she’ll continue to make in the lives of pets and their owners.
(This is Jenn with Fozzie and Charlie Brown’s immediate devotion).
Receptionist
Addye joined the Abbey Animal Hospital team in April 2024 and quickly became the friendly face (and voice!) that welcomes every client through our doors. As our Lead Receptionist, she keeps the front desk running smoothly — from scheduling and phone calls to greeting pets and their people with her signature warm smile.
Known for her quick wit and sense of humor, Addye has a knack for making clients laugh and helping even the busiest days feel a little brighter. Her dedication to both animal care and client service ensures that every visit is a positive experience from start to finish.
When she’s not at Abbey, Addye enjoys escaping to the mountains for fresh air and relaxation. During her downtime, she loves testing her trivia knowledge by watching reruns of Jeopardy! — often with a cup of coffee and a furry friend nearby.