“I loved raising my kids, they were my life,” she remembers. “Everything was for them. I didn’t want to miss out on their growing up. But once they were grown—it was finally my time.”
The daughter of a PA state trooper, Shari was born in Williamsport but has spent most of her life in York County. After graduating from Dover Area High School, she put thoughts of college on hold and within a few years she married and began raising a family. But as time went on, she stayed true to another great love in her life—animals.
“That’s always been my passion,” she admits. “When I was a little girl I was constantly bringing something home—anything that I thought needed help. I still do that!”
During her youth, Shari was the first to rush in and provide care to injured and abandoned baby squirrels, skunks, snapping turtles, or any other creature that needed her. She imagined that one day she might find work as a wildlife rehabilitator or even a veterinary nurse.
“I just have this rapport with animals—I understand them,” she explains. “I love getting into their minds and finding out why they do what they do. I need to have animals around me. If I don’t, something’s missing.”
It wasn’t until the age of 47 that Shari took the brave step to return to school. She enrolled at YTI Career Institute in the veterinarian technician program and soon after applied for a position at PVH. Upon joining the hospital team in July 2014, her dream of working with animals began to take shape. She felt instantly at home among the pets, and her fellow staff members.
“I absolutely love it here,” she says. “I don’t feel like I just work here, I feel like part of the family. I’m very satisfied—I want to be able to do it all!”
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