About Us

Sam Rhodes, Practice Manager

Samantha joined the East Poplarville team in December of 2018. She started working at a veterinarian’s office in Mandeville, La in 2004 where she spent 11 years, until she moved back to Poplarville to be closer to family. She is currently working towards her Bachelors in Business Admin at the University of Southern Mississippi. She spends her day here helping clients provide the care needed for their pets.

Her pets consist of a Pit Bull named Hopper, a mixed rescue named Georgia, three cats- Maggie, Mabel, and Mama Kitty, and an assortment of cows, chickens, geese, ducks, guineas, and peacocks. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her son, fishing, riding 4 wheelers, being on the river, and spending time outside with her family. She is enjoying her time at East Poplarville Vet Clinic and the excitement and joy it brings.


Ashley Martinez, Kennel Manager

Ashley was born in Kenner, LA and raised right here in Poplarville, MS. Working in Veterinary Medicine has been a lifelong dream of hers, even as a child she knew she wanted to work with animals. She made her dream come true in August of 2020 here at East Poplarville Vet Clinic where she greets every client with a smile and every patient with love and kisses! When Ashley isn’t working at the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her family and two children. You will also find her cuddled up with her two Dachshunds Little Man and Bellamy or playing with one of her 5 cats (Amii, Luci, Nero, Judas, and Samson) She also has a tortoise named Lollipop and a leopard gecko named Opal.


Kellie Martin, Client Services Rep

Kellie is our Client Services Representative, She was born and raised in the swamps of Lafitte, Louisiana and always had a passion for health care. It was there on the West Bank of New Orleans that she trained in emergency medicine, then lived in the Florida Keys for a short time, where she trained in Hyperbaric medicine. After marrying a country boy from Petal Mississippi, they acquired a multitude of pets from farm animals to domestic. They relocated to Poplarville Mississippi where she was able to combine her passion for healthcare and her passion for animals here at the East Poplarville Veterinary Clinic.


Angel Roche, Veterinary Technician

Angel joined the East Poplarville Vet team in February 2021. She was born and raised right here in the small town of Lumberton, MS. She is engaged and has two amazing, smart girls. Angel spends her free time working on her farm taking care of cows, horses, chickens, pigs, etc. She also has her own kennel where she raises Catahoula Cur dogs.

She has always had the dream of working in the animal field and devoting her time in helping with animals in need whether it be fostering, raising, nursing back to health, and making sure everyone finds the loving home they deserve. Angel is loving the opportunity to work at East Poplarville and seeing her future grow here.


Jennifer Irvin, Veterinary Technician

Born and raised in New Orleans & Slidell, Jennifer moved to Poplarville in 2018 with her husband and 3 kids to get away from the hustle of the city. She is loving the quiet country life! The whole family is big football fans- Geaux Tigers! Geaux Saints! She also enjoys watching her son play for PHS. Her youngest daughter plays soccer for MSP and her oldest daughter graduated from PHS and is attending PRCC.

When Jenn is not working you can find her with her family. They’re either having a crawfish boil or BBQ for no reason at all. They enjoy being outside fishing, yardwork, and various other projects. Her fur babies are a playful Lab/Pit mix named Nola, a Red Point Siamese Dreaux who acts more like a dog, and last but not least the 13 year old brother/sister Bella and Meow Meow who love to nap and cuddle. Jenn is loving being at East Poplarville and enjoying the excitement of something new each day.