Our Support Staff
A Step Up's team is dedicated to providing your pets with top-tier care.
Danielle Baird
Office Manager / Licensed Veterinary Technician
Danielle is the Office Manager at the clinic and has been with us from the very beginning. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and kids! She enjoys rooting on her Pittsburgh Sports Teams and going to the beach or Douglass lake.
Years as a Licensed Vet Tech
Client Service Representative
Lauren Schutte grew up in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Allegheny College in Meadville. She went on to graduate from Carnegie Mellon University with a Master’s in Health Care Policy and Management.
She enjoys reading, baking, and watching Paw Patrol with her daughter, Nora.
Hours Of Life Lost To Paw Patrol
Monica Slate
Client Service Representative
Monica is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and has over 7 years experience working in the animal welfare field. She has two dogs and enjoys hiking and volunteering in her free time.
Hours Spent Hiking Per Month
Cat Streno
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Cat is a licensed Vet Tech and has been with the clinic since the very beginning. In her free time she hangs out with her 3 dogs, Chibi, Piper, and Astrid as well as her niece and nephews and works at comic cons. She also enjoys bad jokes, true crime and video games (but not Oxford commas).
Bad Movies Watched
Crysta Clear
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Crysta earned her degree from the Vet Tech Institute of Pittsburgh in 2013 and achieved state licensure shortly afterward. She’s worked in small animal general practice ever since! She spends most of her time with her 2 dogs, 3 cats, and partner Adam at their fixer upper first home. You can usually find her singing while she works and she has a special interest in canine and feline behavior and enrichment.
Puns Inflicted
Leah Raimondi
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Leah has always wanted to work with animals and joined the clinic after her externship at A Step Up. Her beloved Pomeranian, Layla, was here with her everyday until she passed away. She enjoys eating, sleeping, working out and spending time with her family, husband and their 3 greyhounds.
Gluten Containing Products Sniffed
Abby N.
Licensed Veterinary Technician
I have been an LVT since 2018. I have 3 cats of my own and a dog, all named after characters from my favorite video game and book series that I enjoy in my free time.
Doctors Silenced With Hand Gestures
Abby Duke
Veterinary Technician
Abby grew up in greensburg pa and attended vet tech institute. She graduated with an associates degree in Veterinary Technology. She joined our team shortly after her externship in March of 2021. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spending time hiking with her dog Oakley and her husband Austin.
Seconds Spent Observing iPad Too Closely
Shay Courie
Veterinary Technician
Shay started at A Step Up many years ago. She has four dogs total & one cat, who doesn’t like her. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her dogs, fiancé, & friends. When she’s not at work you can find her at hockey games or hiking with her dogs.
Years Without Significant Injury
Jordan Breiding
Veterinary Technician
Jordan knew she wanted to work with animals after her own pet, Diesel, had developed some serious issues. She joined the team shortly after her externship in March of 2019. Jordan enjoys spending time at home with her husband and 2 cats.
Shroc's Worn
Responsible Service
Diagnostic Skills
Advanced Technology
With tools like cytology powered by AI and ultrasound, A Step Up is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment that few other clinics in the Pittsburgh area offer.
Clear Communication
Make an Appointment Today
If your visit to our clinic will be your first, please give us a call at 412-212-0030.
We look forward to showing you why we are the Pittsburgh area’s best new veterinary practice.