Meet Our Staff

Dr. Joey Aquino was born and raised in a small south Jersey town called Barnegat. His love for animals bloomed from childhood, starting with his very tolerant childhood dog, Mimi. Her presence, along with the support of his parents, was a major factor in his drive to become a veterinarian. 

Dr. Aquino received his bachelor’s degree in animal science from Rutgers University. He received his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He completed his clinical year at Oklahoma State University, as well as two externships in Kannapolis, NC and West Point, NE. He practiced both in Mooresville and Charlotte for 5 years before happily hanging his hat here at AAC in 2022. Dr. Aquino was honored to take the torch as owner from Dr. Dave Gallagher in March of 2025.

Here in Charlotte, Dr. Aquino lives with beautiful wife, Chelsea, and his two beloved surrendered/rescued cats, Magnolia and Willow (he has probably forced you to see their faces on his socks or scrubs). He spends his free time collecting records and going to concerts, working out at the gym, watching the Mets, Hornets, Rutgers, and Jets, cooking, hitting trivia at Noda Brewing, and reading. He also does some relief emergency and urgent care work around town from time to time.

Dr. Aquino is passionate about endocrine disease, preventative medicine, parasites (don't get him started - just ask the staff), and forming a cohesive team with pet owners.

Dr. Eleanora Dolan grew up in Connecticut but has lived all over the states. She first came to North Carolina to complete her undergraduate studies at Elon University where she majored in Biochemistry with a minor in Neuroscience in 2015. After working in the field as a veterinarian technician for a year in Chicago she returned to pursuing her dream to become a veterinarian.  She received her veterinary doctorate at St. Matthew’s University in the Cayman Islands and finished up her clinical year at the University of Georgia in 2020.

Once her studies were completed, she practiced for three years in both Big Spring and Arlington, Texas before moving to the Charlotte area. Prior to moving here, Dr. Dolan worked for a year west of Lake Norman in Denver.  Through her experiences she has developed interests in both soft tissue surgery and physical therapy.

 Along her travels, Dr. Dolan has acquired several furry companions including Gatsby, the confident and mischievous black cat, Marshall, the small tabby who is an avid snuggler, and Theo, the St. Bernard/Pyrenees mix who barks at anyone who will listen. In her spare time, she enjoys weightlifting, hiking, reading, and painting.

Dr. Marnie Horton Gallagher has lived in the Charlotte area since 1984. She graduated from Independence High School and received her undergraduate degree from NC State University. Dr. Marnie received her DVM from Mississippi State University in 2002. She joined Armstrong Animal Clinic officially as a veterinarian in 2019, but worked here as a veterinary assistant whilst in college. Her interests include the human-animal bond, senior pets, wound care, and staff education.

Dr. Marnie is married to Dr. Dave Gallagher and they have 2 children - Jake and Ella. They also have a guinea pig, a bearded dragon, and a cat named John. Her passions outside of veterinary medicine include spending time with family, gardening, and music. She plays the guitar and sings and is part of the Praise Team at her church.

Gage has been in the veterinary field since 2019. His favorite thing to do in vet med is dental cleaning. He has 3 cats - Magic, Merlin, and Pirate. Magic is a monster at the clinic but a cuddle bug at home. Merlin is an all around cutie. Pirate has one eye and extra toes and is a chunky boy. He enjoys going to Charlotte Checkers hockey games and has a season pass!

Courtney has been at Armstrong Animal Clinic since February of 2025 and in the medical field for 4 years. She has a passion for caring for every fur-baby and providing a safe and open environment for clients to express their concerns. During her free time, she loves to spend time with her daughter and husband and paint!

Brittaney joined Armstrong in January of 2025, bringing with her several years of experience in veterinary medicine since 2021. She is a proud mom of three wonderful kids, two German Shepherd, and two cats. Around the clinic, she's known as the self-proclaimed "crazy German Shepherd lady." Brittaney's love for animals shines through in everything she does and she's dedicated to making every patient feel safe, healthy, and cared for.

Amélie was born and raised here in Charlotte, NC. She has been in the veterinary field since 2020 and joined Armstrong Animal Clinic in August, 2024. Currently, she's pursuing her Bachelor's of Science in Health Systems Management and Human Resources with hopes of staying in vet med after graduating (on the administrative side of things). She enjoys interacting with and forming connections with clients and their beloved pets.

When she's not at work or in class, Amélie likes reading, playing word games (like the NYT games, crosswords, Word Salad, and Bracket City!), knitting and crocheting, and trying new restaurants around town!

She has four cats—Honey Bun, Jacko, Maxie, and Dottie—all of whom were rescued. Honey Bun is the biggest sweetie pie ever (who drools when she's happy!). Jacko, Maxie, and Dottie are bonded littermates who all love to play and cuddle all day long. You can definitely ask Amélie about her cats, but be prepared to be trapped in a non-stop conversation for the rest of the day.

Trish has been at AAC since October of 1997! She started as a vet assistant and currently works at the front desk. She appreciates all the close bonds she has developed with clients and their pets over her time working here.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, true crime documentaries, traveling, and drinking coffee.