Meet the Team

DVM, MRCVS, Diplomate ACVAA
Co-Founder / CEO

Dr. Gianluca Bini graduated from the University of Perugia, Italy. He then moved to the United Kingdom, where he completed two internships, one in anesthesia and one rotating, at Dick White Referrals, one of the largest referral centers in Europe. After completing his residency at North Carolina State University, he worked as an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Management at The Ohio State University.

After realizing how limited the access to a board certified anesthesiologist was, he decided to found Safe Pet Anesthesia.

Due to his passion for teaching and devotion to spreading safe anesthetic practices, he speaks at many national and international conferences while also working as an anesthesiology and pain management faculty at Oklahoma State University.

RN-BSN, RVT, Veterinary Technician Specialist (Anesthesia & Analgesia)
Co-Founder / COO

Kristen Ward graduated in Veterinary Medical Technology from Central Carolina Community College and spent 14 years working as a Registered Veterinary Technician. Six of those years were dedicated to the Anesthesia Service at North Carolina State University, where she earned her Veterinary Technician Specialty in Anesthesia and Analgesia. After relocating to Ohio, she completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Capital University.
Kristen recently transitioned out of her role in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit to focus on building Safe Pet Anesthesia, where she serves as Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO). She brings a unique dual perspective from both veterinary and human healthcare, elevating the standards of veterinary anesthesia through expertise, precision, and passion. Kristen also provides high-quality continuing education at a national level.

In her free time, she enjoys training and spending time with her Golden Retrievers.

DVM, Diplomate ACVAA

Dr Bailey graduated from University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Sciences in Animals Sciences. He briefly worked as a zookeeper in the Chicagoland area, and subsequently pursued a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, graduating from University of Illinois. After internship at a large private practice in New Jersey he completed a residency in Veterinary Anesthesia and Critical Care from University of California-Davis. After residency he returned to Chicago and worked as a fellow in Zoo Anesthesia and Analgesia at Brookfield Zoo, the same zoo he was a zookeeper. Following this he began working at a small animal private practice in Chicago running the anesthesia department. In his professional life he has a passion for providing high quality care that focuses on the individual patient, and robust multimodal pain management plans. He thinks all pet owners should have access to a great anesthesia team. 

In his spare time he is trying to eat every hot dog he possibly can. 

DVM, MS, PhD, Diplomate ACVAA

Dr. Mike Barletta is a Professor of Anesthesiology at the University of Georgia. He graduated from the University of Turin, Italy, in 2002 and completed his PhD in veterinary oncology there in 2006. He then moved to the United States, where he completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Purdue University in 2007. Following his internship, he remained at Purdue to complete a residency in anesthesiology and earn a Master’s degree. Dr. Barletta subsequently worked at the University of Minnesota for three years before joining the University of Georgia in 2013. His clinical interests include pain management, critical care, and large animal anesthesia.

DVM, Diplomate ACVAA

Dr. Hilary Shipley was born and raised in the Bay Area, and graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor’s in Physiology and Neuroscience. She then moved from sunny San Diego to the cold of the Upper Midwest, where she completed her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at the University of Wisconsin. After an internship at a private practice in Washington, DC, she returned to the Midwest and completed a residency at the University of Minnesota. Since her residency, she has worked at a large emergency/specialty hospital near Milwaukee, and at an animal MRI center back in the Bay Area. She especially enjoys tailoring anesthetic plans to each patient as an individual, and is enthusiastic about increasing access to excellent anesthesia care. 

Though she enjoyed her many years in the Midwest, she was happy to return home to California a few years ago. Since moving back, she has been taking full advantage of the amazing outdoor spaces and huge variety of cuisines that the Bay Area has to offer. 

DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVAA

Dr. da Cunha earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Universidade Federal do Paraná in Brazil in 2000, followed by a Master’s degree in Veterinary Anesthesia and Surgery from the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. He then moved to the United States, where he completed an internship in veterinary anesthesia and pain management at Louisiana State University and a residency in veterinary anesthesia and analgesia at North Carolina State University. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia.

Dr. da Cunha brings over two decades of experience in advanced anesthesia and pain management. From 2006 to 2019, he served as Professor and Service Chief of Anesthesia and Analgesia at Louisiana State University, where he led complex cases and trained veterinarians and specialists. He currently is a Professor of Anesthesiology at the Midwestern University in Arizona where he applies his extensive clinical expertise with a strong focus on patient safety, individualized anesthetic care, and effective pain management to support optimal surgical outcomes.

LVT, CVT, Veterinary Technician Specialist (Anesthesia & Analgesia)

Bethany earned her degree in Veterinary Technology from Piedmont Technical College in 2015 and began her career in anesthesia at the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital in 2018. Through years of focused training and dedication, she achieved her Veterinary Technician Specialty in Anesthesia and Analgesia. Bethany is passionate about delivering attentive, high-quality anesthesia care and takes pride in helping patients feel safe and comfortable throughout their procedures. She is also deeply committed to supporting veterinary professionals by promoting education and confidence in anesthesia care to ensure the best possible outcomes for their patients. In her free time, she enjoys riding her horse, spending time at the beach with her Australian Shepherd, and traveling with her sister.