Veterinary Experience
Technology?™
Our Mission
We are on a mission to help the industry, and specifically help veterinarians, reclaim their lives and passion.
Having worked in every aspect of the business, from veterinary assistant, to 24/7 Emergency Practice Owner, we’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. We’re here to change the industry for the better, because we love vets.
Our Team
Leadership
Cindy Barnes, DVM, CVSMT
Co-Founder and CEO
Dr. Barnes is the founder and CEO of Shepherd Software, Inc. She is also the Medical Director of the first 24/7 emergency animal hospital in Northern Arizona. After spending over two decades working in the veterinary field, Dr. Barnes knows what truly drives the industry, and it’s not mastering the practice’s internal problem of the week. It’s how well you connect with and are able to improve the lives of pets and their people, your team members and the veterinarians who have all dedicated their lives to the human-animal bond.Kirk Castro
Co-Founder and Product Manager
Kirk is a design thinker turned entrepreneur with experience in both creative and business environments. Kirk has worked with brands such as Hurley, Oakley, Microsoft, and Nike. He is passionate about creating the most simple and effective experience for the veterinary industry.
Customer Care Team
Amber Pistone
Customer Care Manager
Amber spent 10+ years actively working in the veterinary field and is intimately familiar with the needs and flow of a practice. While she’s left daily practice, she’s still passionate about changing the vet industry—and as our Customer Care Manager, she’s able to do just that. Amber is also (slowly) learning more about computer programming and enjoys being able to combine her veterinary and technology passions here at Shepherd to help our users thrive. Outside of work, you can find her spending time doing anything outdoors with her son and dog.
Kristine Griffith
Customer Care Associate
Kristine is originally from Central Valley, CA and currently lives in Prescott, AZ. She holds an Associates degree in Animal Science, and has 10 years experience in GP and Emergency Veterinary Medicine—along with 15 years experience in customer service.
Cynthia Chuning
Customer Care Associate
Cynthia worked as a veterinary technician for 15 years before joining Shepherd. She’s passionate about animal behavior and ensuring the best possible patient care.As one of Shepherd’s beta testers, she’s been with us since the beginning. With her experience in the industry, she’s keenly aware about how beneficial Shepherd is for practices (and patients!). When she’s not working, you’ll find Cynthia with her four children: one daughter and three others of the four-legged variety.
Codi Scott
Customer Care Associate
Codi’s been working in the vet world for 20 years. Following in her mom’s footsteps, she started out as a kennel tech, put herself through school, got a degree in equine studies, and even became an EMT on the side. Oh, and she was a truck driver for a bit, too.
And she didn’t stop there. These days, Codi’s starting a small farm, studying to be a nurse, and raising a son—who’s very good at getting muddy and “helping” around the farm.
Megan Blakslee
Customer Care Associate
Saying Megan is passionate about all things vet-med is an understatement. After many years in the “hairy, poopy, amazing vet tech trenches,” Megan decided to join the Shepherd team and help change the vet industry. She’s excited to use her intimate knowledge of hospital life to help improve the lives of others!
Of course, it’s not all work for Megan. She has a modest zoo/amateur chicken farm with (at last count) 5 dogs and 25 chickens at her cabin, where spends her time fixing and growing things.
Codi Scott
Customer Care Associate
Codi’s been working in the vet world for 20 years. Following in her mom’s footsteps, she started out as a kennel tech, put herself through school, got a degree in equine studies, and even became an EMT on the side. Oh, and she was a truck driver for a bit, too.
And she didn’t stop there. These days, Codi’s starting a small farm, studying to be a nurse, and raising a son—who’s very good at getting muddy and “helping” around the farm.
Megan Blakslee
Customer Care Associate
Saying Megan is passionate about all things vet-med is an understatement. After many years in the “hairy, poopy, amazing vet tech trenches,” Megan decided to join the Shepherd team and help change the vet industry. She’s excited to use her intimate knowledge of hospital life to help improve the lives of others!
Of course, it’s not all work for Megan. She has a modest zoo/amateur chicken farm with (at last count) 5 dogs and 25 chickens at her cabin, where spends her time fixing and growing things.
Sales and Marketing
Jean Murphy
VP of Sales
Jean’s worked in sales for her entire career—and the veterinary industry for over a decade. Having worked for some of the biggest names in vet-tech, she’s built a vast network of connections and industry knowledge, and is passionate about helping practices thrive through technology.
She lives outside Portland, Maine with her two Frenchies Jameson and Jinger—who are wicked excited to work with her every day. She and her football fanatic Frenchies are Eagles fans, and she also enjoys the finer things like 80s music and cooking.
Michael Erving
Content Strategist
Originally hailing from the not-so-wilds of suburban Alaska, Michael has spent most of his career in travel/tech doing just about everything content related.
He has a knack for making engaging content experiences and is always keen to find better words and ways to say them. When he’s not making Shepherd’s content, you’ll likely find him somewhere outside taking photos or inside drinking something mildly pretentious.
Jean Murphy
VP of Sales
Jean’s worked in sales for her entire career—and the veterinary industry for over a decade. Having worked for some of the biggest names in vet-tech, she’s built a vast network of connections and industry knowledge, and is passionate about helping practices thrive through technology.
She lives outside Portland, Maine with her two Frenchies Jameson and Jinger—who are wicked excited to work with her every day. She and her football fanatic Franchise are Eagles fans, and she also enjoys the finer things like 80s music and cooking.
Michael Erving
Content Strategist
Originally hailing from the not-so-wilds of suburban Alaska, Michael has spent most of his career in travel/tech doing just about everything content related.
He has a knack for making engaging content experiences and is always keen to find better words and ways to say them. When he’s not making Shepherd’s content, you’ll likely find him somewhere outside taking photos or inside drinking something mildly pretentious.
Work with Us!
Shepherd is always looking for talented people to join our team. Check out our open jobs or send us an email to jobs@shepherdapp.com with your resume and how you could make the team at Shepherd even better!