Our Support Staff
Technicians/Assistants
Brooke Howard
Brooke Howard
| Start Date: | October 2018 |
| Hometown: | Kokomo, Indiana |
| Education: | Penn Foster Vet Technician, Ball State University – Wildlife Biology |
| Hobbies: | Crafting, doing hair and makeup, shopping, watching movies/TV shows |
| Fun Fact: | CPR/AED certified and excellent at home decorating! |
What is your favorite thing to do with your pets?Take them on walks outside and taking pictures of them being cute. | |
Deanna Partain
Deanna Partain
| Start Date: | April 2019 |
| Hometown: | Alexandria, Indiana |
| Education: | Social Work at Ivy Tech and Penn Foster for Veterinary Technician |
| Hobbies: | Doing makeup |
| Fun Fact: | I have 9 animals in my house |
What is the best part about your jobGetting to see all different breeds of dogs and cats. | |
Kylie Keifer
Kylie Keifer
| Start Date: | May 2019 |
| Hometown: | Hartford City, Indiana |
| Education: | Studying Animal Science at Purdue University |
| Hobbies: | Video Games |
| Fun Fact: | I played the flute |
What is your favorite animal and why?Dogs because they like to play (most of the time) and are loving! | |
Natalie Mers
Natalie Mers
| Start Date: | August 2017 |
| Hometown: | Muncie, Indiana |
| Education: | Studied Biology |
| Hobbies: | Camping, hiking, and swimming |
| Fun Fact: | Certified SCUBA diver and Great Dane enthusiast |
What is the best part of being a vet tech?I get to work with so many interesting people and have made several lasting friendships along the way. | |
Rebekah Ditrapani
Rebekah Ditrapani
| Start Date: | May 2017 |
| Hometown: | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Education: | Loyola University – New Orleans |
| Hobbies: | Going to the gym and playing video games |
| Fun Fact: | I’ve always cooked Thanksgiving dinner for my family! |
What is the best part of being a vet tech?The best part of being a vet tech is watching the progression of a patient. I love watching a case improve through our help and treatment plan. | |
Sam Finch
Sam Finch
Veterinary Technician
| Start Date: | February 2020 |
Bio Coming.Check back soon! | |
Sarah Snider
Sarah Snider
| Start Date: | May 2015 |
| Hometown: | Albany, Indiana |
| Education: | Associate Degree of Applied Science Veterinary Technology |
| Hobbies: | Collector of vinyl records, socks, blankets |
| Fun Fact: | Has an old soul |
Why did you decide to become a vet tech?I originally decided to be a vet tech because of my love for animals. Since being a vet tech, I have stayed in the industry because there is never a dull moment, I learn new things every day, and more than anything I like being the voice for animals. | |
Shelby Lockhart
Shelby Lockhart
| Start Date: | April 2017 |
| Hometown: | Middletown, Indiana |
| Education: | Shenandoah High School and Vet Tech Institute at International Business College |
| Hobbies: | Camping, boating, hunting, and spending time with family |
| Fun Fact: | I am one inch taller than Danny DeVito! |
What is your greatest accomplishment as a vet tech?Running surgery and being able to see patients improve and feel better. | |
Kennel Staff
Cheyenne Moore
Cheyenne Moore
| Start Date: | February 2019 |
| Hometown: | Muncie, Indiana |
| Education: | Current student at Ball State University – Zoology major |
| Hobbies: | Being outdoors and caring for animals |
| Fun Fact: | I’ve been to Peru, South America and it was beautiful! |
How do you try to help nervous pets who are staying with us?Give them treats and lots of pets so they know they are safe here! | |
Julia Hawkins
Julia Hawkins
Kennel Assistant
| Start Date: | September 2019 |
| Hometown: | Westfield, IN |
| Education: | Studying Biology at Ball State |
| Hobbies: | Watching Netflix, painting, and playing with my pets |
| Fun Fact: | I was a competitive swimmer in high school. |
What is the best part about your job?Getting puppy kisses and snuggles! | |
Receptionists
Ashlee McColley
Ashlee McColley
Receptionist
| Start Date: | February 2020 |
| Hometown: | Alexandria, IN |
| Education: | Occupational Therapy Assistant |
| Hobbies: | DIY projects, softball, being a mom! |
| Fun Fact: | I have been out of the country twice – the Dominican Republic and Mexico |
What is your favorite animal and why?Elephants! They are so cute! | |
Courtney Jones
Courtney Jones
| Start Date: | July 2019 |
| Hometown: | Muncie, Indiana |
| Education: | Muncie Central and Ivy Tech |
| Hobbies: | Hiking, fishing, reading, and music |
| Fun Fact: | I’m an aunt of two! |
What is your favorite animal and why?My favorite animal is elephants. I see elephants as gentle giants and I know elephants mean good luck and loyalty. I always look for good luck in my life and I am very loyal, so I can relate to them! | |
Faith Kindred
Faith Kindred
| Start Date: | June 2019 |
| Hometown: | Windsor, Indiana |
| Education: | Currently working towards a degree in Graphic Design! |
| Hobbies: | Writing and photography |
| Fun Fact: | I’ve co-piloted two small airplanes |
What is your favorite thing to do with your pets?I love taking my dog with me to walk on trails! | |
Administration
Jennifer Shopher
Jennifer Shopher
Office Manager
| Start Date: | January 2000 |
| Hometown: | East Chicago, Indiana |
| Education: | Bachelors in zoology from Ball State University |
| Hobbies: | Reading (loves Harry Potter!) |
| Fun Fact: | I started in the kennel and worked my way up |
Why did you decide to work in the veterinary field?I started working here right after graduating from Ball State. At the time, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I started in the kennel and absolutely fell in love with this field. I love the variety of things I get to do here and it is an honor to be a part of so many patients’ and clients’ stories. | |
Lauren Candiano
Lauren Candiano
Accounting/Marketing
| Start Date: | October 2018 |
| Hometown: | Gaston, Indiana |
| Education: | Business Administration and Leadership - Ball State University |
| Hobbies: | Horseback riding, camping, hanging out with friends |
| Fun Fact: | I owned a llama named Larry |
What is your favorite thing to do with your pets?My dog loves to go to the lakes, so we always make sure to take him swimming as many times a year as we can. | |
Melissa St. Clair
Melissa St. Clair
Practice Manager
| Start Date: | November 2018 |
| Hometown: | Bunker Hill, Indiana |
| Education: | Business Management – Indiana Wesleyan University; Masters of Management and Leadership – WGU |
| Hobbies: | Spending time with family and doing karaoke |
| Fun Fact: | Sang the national anthem at the Indians game |
What is your favorite thing to do with your pets?Charlie is very active and loves all games where he can run. His favorite thing to do is swim and chase ducks. Giving him a bath after is not my favorite thing to do, but I do it frequently just so he can do what he loves! | |