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, MS, Diplomate ACVAA

Dr. Haan is a native New Englander who was born and raised on the south shore of Massachusetts. She received a Bachelors of Science (biopsychology) from Tufts University, a Master in Laboratory Animal Science (2007) from Drexel University and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (2012) from Colorado State University. After successful completion of her veterinary degree, she toured the country for a couple years exploring general practice and emergency medicine before deciding to pursue a career in anesthesia and pain management. 

A strong passion for pain management led to an anesthesia and pain management internship at Louisiana State University (2014) followed by a residency at Iowa State University (2015-2018.) Dr. Haan obtained board certification through American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (ACVAA) in 2018.

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.