Dr. Ashley Balzano joined the medical team at Sangaree Animal Hospital as an associate veterinarian in September 2018.
Dr. Balzano decided she wanted to be a veterinarian at five years old. Her natural, lifelong connection with animals drives her to provide the outstanding clinical care they need to be happy and healthy, as well as support the people who love them.
Born on the beautiful island of Maui, Dr. Balzano moved to Summerville, SC when she was eleven years old. Dr. Balzano obtained a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from the College of Charleston in 2011. Motivated to bring her dream career as a veterinarian to life, Dr. Balzano gained valuable hands-on experience during her undergraduate studies by working as a veterinary assistant for five years.
In 2016, Dr. Balzano graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. While working towards her degree, Dr. Balzano was a student technician in the ICU at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center. She also participated in VeTouch and SIRVS, two separate student organizations aimed at providing free basic health care to pets owned by low-income residents in underserved areas of the twin cities.
After graduation, Dr. Balzano started her career as a veterinarian in Minnesota where she practiced for one year before returning to Summerville. Most of all, Dr. Balzano finds fulfillment in developing lasting relationships with clients and their special pets and diagnosing and treating challenging cases. She has professional interests in internal medicine and surgery.
Her first pet was a grey domestic short hair cat named Mr. Blue. Currently, she has three rescued felines: Starbuck, Jinx, and Scarlet. All of whom are great at begging for food! Outside of her work in the veterinary field, Dr. Balzano likes to spend time on the water, exercise, horseback ride, and travel.
Growing up in Manchester, Maryland, Dr. Kaitlyn Pontuti always had a close connection with animals. Her family had various pets when she was younger, and she enjoyed caring for the animals she owned through livestock projects in 4-H. Dr. Pontuti has been working in the veterinary field since 2009 and is currently an associate veterinarian at Sangaree Animal Hospital.
Dr. Pontuti earned her undergraduate degree at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, as well as her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. Her area of professional interest in veterinary medicine is ultrasonography. Dr. Pontuti says the best part of working in the veterinary field is knowing she is able to make a difference in both an animal's life and the lives of their owners.
Dr. Pontuti moved to Charleston, South Carolina in May 2019 and is excited to practice exceptional veterinary medicine at Sangaree Animal Hospital. She currently shares a home with her husband, Beagle, cat, and French Bulldog. She also owns a horse named Jasper back in her Maryland hometown. When she is not practicing veterinary medicine, you can find her fishing, hiking, and exploring the outdoors.
Dr. Cassie Hoy is an Veterinarian at Sangaree Animal Hospital. Dr. Hoy studied Animal Science at the University of Georgia and received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Hoy completed her clinical training at Texas A&M. Her areas of professional interest include neurology, cardiology, small animal and exotic animal medicine. Dr. Hoy was inspired to pursue a career in the veterinary field after volunteering with her local humane societies and community practice clinics.
The best part about working in the field, according to Dr. Hoy, is building lasting relationships with pet owners and learning something new each day. Dr. Hoy lives with her goofy golden retriever lab mix named Finn, and her Caribbean red-footed tortoise named Ginger. In her free time, Dr. Hoy enjoys spending time with family, hiking, gardening, baking, and traveling.
Located off of I-26 on N Main St between Sangaree Pkwy and Beauregard Rd.
Phone: 843-871-0543
