Meet Our Staff

Dr. Jonathan Fear joined the Buckeystown Veterinary Hospital team as Medical Director in September 2022. He graduated from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 2019 and has experience with other rural mixed animal practices.

Dr. Fear primarily sees dogs, cats and ruminants and has a particular interest in soft tissue surgery, prevention and production management. He has a skill for explaining medical problems and solutions to clients in a way they can understand, so we are happy to have him onboard here in Buckeystown.

In his free time, Dr. Fear enjoys working on his home and yard, going to the gym and anything outdoors-related! He has one cat of his own named Pes.

A native of Harrisburg, PA, Dr. McKissick has always had a passion for animals and science, so a career in veterinary medicine was a natural fit for her. After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State University, she went on to earn her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Prior to joining Buckeystown Veterinary Hospital in 2016, Dr. McKissick gained experience working at another mixed animal practice in York, PA.  She specializes in internal medicine and farm animal ambulatory work. Dr. McKissick loves working with multiple species of animals every day and enjoys helping pets live their happiest lives with their families.

Dr. McKissick enjoys being active outside of the hospital too, spending her free time traveling, hiking, wine tasting and jogging. She has two pets at home - a Greyhound named Autumn and a cat named Nittany.

Dr. Skopets was born, raised and educated in Riga, Latvija (in the former USSR). He emigrated to the United States in 1990, where he re-established his veterinary credentials. 

He has been involved in veterinary research throughout his career and has experience treating both small and large animals.

Dr. Skopets is married with two grown children. His wife is a neurologist, practicing human medicine in Maryland.

Dr. Emery grew up in Fairfax, Virginia. She graduated magna cum laude from Dartmouth College in 1999, with a major in biology and a minor in English. While in college, she was captain of the varsity equestrian team and a founding member of the Dartmouth chapter of Alpha Xi Delta sorority. She was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Golden Key National Honor Society.

Dr. Emery graduated from veterinary school at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2003. While in school, she was a member of Phi Zeta National Veterinary Honor Society and served as president of the veterinary fraternity Omega Tau Sigma. She joined Buckeystown Veterinary Hospital in 2003. Dr. Emery has special interest in exotic animal medicine (pocket pets and zoo animals), surgery, equine medicine, and neonatology.

When not working, Dr. Emery enjoys riding Merit (her thoroughbred mare), brewing homemade beer and mead, reading voraciously, and writing. She lives with three cats, Max, Stevie, and Anabelle and a hound mix named Milo.

Sarah Mitchell joined Buckeystown Veterinary Hospital in the fall of 2023, focusing on customer service and preventative care. As a mom of three human kids, one spoiled golden retriever, and a tuxedo cat who rules the roost, Sarah understands the special connection between families and their pets.

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys reading, cooking, and attending live music events. She also loves spending time at the beach, finding it the perfect place to relax and recharge. If she could have a superpower, it would be the ability to read minds—a handy skill for both parenting and managing a busy veterinary clinic!

Sarah's approach to veterinary care is all about creating a welcoming environment and promoting the benefits of preventative healthcare for pets. With her combination of organization, empathy, and a sense of fun, she's dedicated to making our practice a trusted resource for the community's pet owners.