Meet Our Veterinary Team in Madison, Maine

Owner and Veterinarian

Dr. Darren Richards earned his veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2001, graduating magna cum laude. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science/Pre-Veterinary Studies from the University of Maine at Orono. A native of Downeast Maine, Dr. Richards is a member of the Maine Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA, and AAHA. He enjoys camping, fishing, four-wheeling, mixed martial arts, and spending time with his pets, Roma and Blackberry.

Licensed Veterinary Technician
Lori Atwood, a lifelong resident of the Madison/Anson area, earned her veterinary technology degree in 2004. She lives in North Anson with her family and a fun-loving pack that includes Bruno, Bailey, Chester, and Franklin the cat. Lori loves four-wheeling and cooking in her free time.

Veterinary Assistant
Cassidy is from Lexington Township and lives on a farm with her family and two dogs, Rockii and Dozer. She’s currently studying veterinary technology and enjoys outdoor hobbies like hunting, snowmobiling, and spending time with her boyfriend.

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Ashley J has been a Licensed Veterinary Technician for 7 years, bringing a calm, confident, and compassionate presence to the Madison Animal Hospital team. A graduate of Becker College with an associate degree in Veterinary Technology, Ashley began her journey at Messo High School and has continued to grow her skills and love for veterinary medicine ever since.

She takes great pride in building strong connections with both clients and their pets, making every visit a positive experience. Ashley has a soft spot for feline patients—especially kittens—and is always excited to welcome a new furry friend into the clinic.

When she’s not caring for animals, Ashley enjoys reading, writing, and running her home bakery, Beach Hill Bakehouse, where she creates custom cakes, cookies, and cupcakes. She also adores spending time with her beloved orange cat, Fritz.

CSR

Ashley Higgins has been a compassionate and welcoming part of the Madison Animal Hospital team for the past 2 years. A graduate of Carrabec High School, Ashley brings warmth, care, and a calming presence to every client and patient interaction. She prides herself on making visits as stress-free as possible, ensuring that both pets and their people feel comfortable and supported.

Outside of the clinic, Ashley enjoys camping, crocheting, and spending quality time with her family. She also has a love for bowling and a strong spirit of community service—having previously served as a firefighter. Her passion for helping others continues to shine through in her role at Madison Animal Hospital.

Client Service Representative (CSR)

With 4 years of experience in veterinary client care, Cassandra Meunier brings a strong focus on compassion, communication, and problem-solving to her role as a Client Service Representative at Madison Animal Hospital. A graduate of Davies Vocational & Technical High School in Lincoln, RI, Cassandra takes pride in delivering outstanding customer service, forming meaningful connections with clients and their pets, and being a reliable support through both joyful visits and difficult times.

Cassandra is known for her dedication to resolving client concerns—big or small—and for making everyone who walks through the doors feel cared for and understood.

In her free time, she enjoys extreme couponing, hiking, and crafting. Most of all, she loves spending quality time with her family, friends, and her beloved dog.

Practice Manager & Licensed Veterinary Technician
Anne has worked in veterinary medicine since 2001 and became Practice Manager in 2013. She lives in Madison with her family and cats Sapphire and Tommy. In addition to her clinic work, Anne performs in a local sign language choir and enjoys reading, crocheting, and cross-stitching.