Meet Bay Country Veterinary Hospital’s Dedicated Veterinarians & Staff

Gene Bauer, DVM

Dr. Bauer was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and then raised in central New Jersey. The Shenandoah Valley lured him back for his college years, where he earned his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Virginia Tech. After spending summers working for a local veterinarian, he was excited to gain entry to, and ultimately graduate from, the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. He chose Maryland as a perfect place to settle, in part due to its proximity to friends and family.

Dr. Bauer has been practicing at Bay Country since 2004 and lives in the Crownsville community of Herald Harbor. He shares a home with his significant other, Sarah, and their Italian Greyhound, Spanky. Be sure to wave if you see them running in the neighborhood! Dr. Bauer’s special practice interests include challenging skin cases and soft tissue surgery. When he’s not at the office, he enjoys camping and hiking with Sarah and Spanky, a round of golf with friends, and rooting for the Hokies!

Samantha Smith, DVM

Dr. Smith grew up in Takoma Park, Maryland. She attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where she received an undergraduate degree in animal science. She then attended Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 1999.

Dr. Smith has been with Bay Country Veterinary Hospital since graduation. When not working, she enjoys riding and competing in dressage with her three horses. She resides in the local community of Herald Harbor and is owned by four dogs, three cats, and an assortment of other small animals.

Kristy Bennett, DVM

Dr. Kristy Bennett is a Maryland native, having grown up in Columbia. She attended the University of Maryland in College Park, where she earned a BS in Animal Science, after which she graduated from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001.

Dr. Bennett joined Bay Country Veterinary Hospital in February 2013 with almost 12 years of practice experience. Her special interests include dentistry, soft tissue surgery, and internal medicine.

Dr. Bennett has a rescued red-tick coonhound, Jack, a long-haired cat named Luna, and a pampered Thoroughbred-mix named Willow. In her spare time, she enjoys music, books, friends, and traveling with her husband.

Nancy Barham

Nancy has been providing exceptional service to Bay Country’s pet patients and their owners for more than 33 years. She enjoys aerobics and gardening in her spare time. She lives with her husband, two rescue dogs, and a Siamese cat.

Rachel Bates

Rachel graduated from Wilson College with a degree in veterinary medical technology and became a Registered Veterinary Technician in 2008. She has been a member of the Bay Country team for two and a half years. She lives with her husband, David; cats, Toby, Whiskers, and Charlie; and her rabbit, Evie.

Christina Lopez

Christina has been a member of the Bay Country team for more than five years. She previously worked for the SPCA of Anne Arundel County and has a bachelor’s degree in science from the University of Maryland. She has two dogs and a cat.

Christie Okes

Christie is training as a receptionist. She will be participating in a Veterinary Assistant program. Christie lives in Odenton with four chihuahuas and two cats.

Amy Macola

Amy is a new member of the staff. She is currently pursuing a two-year degree in biology at AACC. She has a dog, a cat, a turtle, and a farm full of critters.

Rosemary Reiss

Rosemary has been with Bay Country for more than a year and has been a Vet Tech for more than five. She has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Hamilton College. She lives with her husband, Paul, and their cats, Rori, Snoopy, and Vasili.

Emilie St. Landau

Emilie has an associate’s degree in veterinary technology and has been a Registered Veterinary Technician for three years. She has been with Bay Country Veterinary Hospital for more than a year. She has two dogs, two horses, a parakeet, and a 12-inch Oscar fish named Mayer.

Bree Stanbrough

Bree is a senior at Old Mill Senior High who wishes to become a veterinarian. She has two dogs at home, Loki and Thor.

Lindsay Ward

Lindsay joined the Bay Country family in 2005 and is both a Vet Tech and Receptionist. She graduated from Stevenson University in May 2012 with a bachelor's degree in biology. She has three dogs at home.

Marsha Ward

Marsha has worked in veterinary hospitals for more than 30 years, six of which have been at Bay Country in a client services role. In addition, she also had a successful pet sitting service for more than 15 years. She currently has 13 pets at home.

Janet Ward-Dyer

Janet has been the Hospital Administrator at Bay Country since 2004. Her previous experience includes 15+ years of management roles in human hospitals, where she was never licked in the face by patients. She has three grown children and three little dogs, Simon, Alvin, and Theodore.