Dr. Nikita Ahuja

Bio coming soon!

Ellen, Hospital Manager/Lead CVT

A veteran staff member from our sister hospital, Allegheny North, Ellen transferred to Tender Touch in 2017 as our Lead Veterinary Technician. For the past several years she has also served as our Hospital Manager, keeping our day-to-day operations running smoothly.

She graduated from the State University of New York Brockport in 2003 where she earned a dual Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology. She later attended the Vet Tech Institute and has worked in the veterinary field for the past 15 years. Ellen’s favorite aspect of her job is surgery and pharmacology.

Originally from Rochester NY, Ellen now calls Pittsburgh home with her husband and three children. Their family also includes two German Shepherds: Bishop and Attila and two cats: Neville and Hallow. Ellen is an avid cyclist and a proud “Soccer Mom” outside of the office, focusing on living a God-centered life. She also trains scent dogs and is a K9 Handler with the Pittsburgh Air Search & Rescue Team (Bishop is her partner).

Samantha, CVT

A graduate of the Vet Tech Institute, Samm joined our team in 2013 as a Certified Veterinary Technician. She appreciates the bond that she has formed with our clients and their pets: “All of our clients are super personable and love their animals!”

Samm approaches every visit with a focus on Fear Free techniques, and especially enjoys coaching clients on training & behavior modification using positive reinforcement. She has years of prescription food management under her belt and is well-versed in nutrition — her knowledge and guidance has helped many pets with weight loss programs that can help prevent disease, extend longevity and improve quality of life.

She lives in nearby Hampton Township with her husband Drew, daughters Mac & Blake, two dogs: Oswald the Pug & Mayhem the German Shepherd, and two cats: Cece & Pauper. Samm spends her spare time playing with her kids, training Mayhem, and is an outdoor enthusiast – her hobbies include mountain biking, Jeeping, hiking, camping, and gardening. She’s an avid reader, too – if you manage to find her sitting down, she probably has a book in her hands!

Haley, CVT

Haley joined our staff as a Certified Veterinary Technician after graduating from the Vet Tech Institute in 2020. Though she entered the world of veterinary medicine during a strange time as our practice was limited to curbside service, that didn’t stop her from diving right in! She quickly came to love our amazing clients and enjoys continuing to learn from her colleagues every day.

Between working with patients, Haley maintains the equipment in our in-house laboratory, keeping our blood machines, centrifuges and microscopes cleaned, calibrated and ready for quick results. She also has a special interest in anesthesia and plans to continue her education to specialize in both anesthesiology and pain management.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Haley’s family includes her husband Andrew, grandparents, parents, and younger brother Dillon. Her furry family consists of Zeppelin the pitbull and three cats: Jasmine, Aladdin and Nightmare. In her spare time, you’ll find her reading, crocheting, watching Penguins Hockey, and spending as much time as possible with her little brother.

Rachel

Rachel joined the Tender Touch family in 2021. She is a graduate of the Vet Tech Institute of Pittsburgh. She enjoys working with our amazing staff and getting to know our patients.

Rachel enjoys the outdoors: hiking, biking, & camping, as well as traveling, wine tasting, visiting new breweries & restaurants, and cheering on the Pittsburgh Penguins.