My empathetic animal-loving tendencies began early in my childhood. I “snuck” home a handful of newborn mice that I found in a pile of logs. I was about ten when I “rescued” them in my glove and revealed them to my father on the drive home from our farm. Dad dropped me off at home sans the glove full of newborn mice so that he could return them to their home, as he said he would; I still believe today that they grew up happy and healthy and lived fulfilled mice lives. During my teens I “snuck” home dumped dogs as we lived in the country and there were a few now and again. I kept one pup hidden in my room for about a week before my parents discovered him. According to my family, there are endless stories from my childhood of rescue missions to save some critter from the perils of our small community.

My parents have always been animal lovers as well so during my childhood we shared our home with cats and dogs and sometimes a couple pet mice or Gerbil and for a few years we had Parakeets, but I always wanted to take care of more. Our neighbors had horses and so around the age of 12 I started feeding and cleaning stalls for them every morning before school. My dad’s friends had beef cattle so we would go help them several times a year to check their herd with their vet. Even our small community knew my love for animals and would include me in the care of their critters when they could. One of the most exciting things I did when I first moved out on my own was to get my very own dog, a senior Chihuahua named Paco. Since Paco I have had the pleasure to love and care for many critters of my own and continue to have a houseful at all times.

My husband’s breed of choice is the English Bulldog, we typically have a couple of our own or a foster bully; at any given moment the cacophony of snores can be heard around our home which is music to our ears. I love our Bullies, every single one of their stubborn personalities, but the dog that has captured my heart is the German Shepherd Dog. I have a middle-aged black, beautiful male GSD, he is one of the most intelligent animals I have had the pleasure to share a connection with; Homer was adopted from Wayside Waifs and is my best buddy. My husband and I also share our home with a Ragdoll and Siamese cats and two Fancy Goldfish. My husband is a patient man that had never really had a loving connection with animals until he married a veterinarian and now Marc is finally experiencing the deep fulfillment we know as the human-animal bond. The transformation from someone that had never had an animal to someone that loves his dog more than his wife, tongue in cheek but it is possible, has been the exact reason why my life is devoted to the welfare of animals as I thrive off nurturing the connection between animals and their humans.

I am a Gardner, Kansas native and a Rockhurst University graduate where I earned my Bachelors in Biology. For nearly 20 years I have been working with animals in Kansas City, I started at Hecker Animal Clinic as a veterinary assistant and then moved to Internal Medicine and Emergency Critical Care as a veterinary assistant at Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center (now Blue Pearl Overland Park). During veterinary school I worked in the ICU for the veterinary teaching hospital as an overnight veterinary assistant. I received my Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University Of Missouri College Of Veterinary Medicine in 2013 where I was the elected President of the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association and awarded an academic scholarship for my leadership skill with integrity, character and honesty. I then completed a rotating Medicine and Surgical Internship at Mission Animal Referral and Emergency Center (MAREC) in Merriam, Kansas the following year. I remained on staff at MAREC as the daytime Emergency Clinician where I had the unique advantage to work along-side specialists. This was an incredible opportunity to learn and grow as a doctor.

In 2016 I was invited to join the team at Great Plains SPCA as their Chief Veterinarian; this is where my professional passion for homeless animal welfare was fueled and also where we were named “Best Veterinarian” by The Pitch Best of 2016. After several years as Chief Veterinarian at Great Plains SPCA I was invited to join the Wayside Waifs’ team as Vice President of Veterinary Services where I was able to truly positively impact the lives of homeless animals and the people who love and care for them. My years in the world of animal welfare and sheltering has opened my heart to some of the most generous, kind, dedicated, loving and compassionate people and those years are an absolute blessing to my life.

After several years loving my work at Wayside Waifs I learned of a clinic, less than 3 miles from my house, where I knew the amazing doctor; I learned in the fall of 2018 that clinic was for sale. Fast forward to now and know that I have proudly purchased a veterinary clinic that has been nurtured and loved for over twenty years by a wonderful veterinarian; we have big shoes to fill following Dr. Annette Frerking. As Dr. Frerking transitions into retirement we not only will miss her dearly and wish her well but we also will be dedicated to upholding her high quality of care for her clients, meeting her exceptional standards and continuing to take care of you and your pet family just like we would our own.

Dr. Sadie Scott is currently serving as the elected Vice President of the Kansas City Veterinary Medical Association, the immediate past President of the Kansas City Chapter of Be The Change Volunteers, serves on the Veterinary Advisory Board for Companion Protect, is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, serves on the Legislative Committee for the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, is an active mentor to veterinary students in their final year of veterinary school and has lectured at a global conference for veterinarians. Dr. Scott and her husband travel once or twice per year to the most remote impoverished regions of the world to build brick-and-mortar schools to provide the infrastructure for education, these educational mission trips are with the non-profit group, Be The Change Volunteers, where establishing hope and education in the poorest communities across the world is our passion.

Dr. Elle Swift was born and raised in southwest Missouri. Growing up, she rescued any pets she could and knew from a young age that she wanted to be a veterinarian. Dr. Swift studied biology at Missouri State University and went on to obtain her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine.

While in veterinary school, Dr. Swift developed a special interest in exotic animal medicine. To gain more knowledge, she became a member of Raptor Rehabilitation where she worked with locally injured raptors, completed preceptorships in wildlife and zoological medicine, and spent time working with large exotics in South Africa and Sri Lanka. After obtaining her degree, Dr. Swift moved to the Kansas City area to practice in small animal medicine. Her professional interests include exotic pet medicine, feline medicine, and client communication.

Dr. Swift lives with her significant other, their three spoiled cats Watson, Tumble, and SpeedBump, and their dog, Monte. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, taking dance lessons, painting, and socializing with friends.

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Kriste is Shawnee born and raised. We joke that she seems to know every other person who comes in the door. If they weren’t her friend before they came in they usually are before they leave.

After working in the human medical field as an OBGYN Nurse, Kriste decided to follow her passion for animals and move on to a career in Animal Welfare. She worked as the Director of Foster Care for our local SPCA before coming to join us as the Clinic Manager at Family Pet Hospital of Shawnee. Kriste continues to feed her passion for Animal Welfare by continuing her work with local Outreach Teams to help animals and their owners in underserved areas of our community. She also works with local Rescue groups assisting in bottle feeding orphaned puppies and kittens to give them a chance at survival. To date she has fostered over 300 animals.

Kriste married her wonderful husband Rod in 1995, has two beautiful daughters and one very spoiled granddaughter. I also have a very spoiled grandson. (I just got a new baby!!!!! :). She is the care giver to an amazing Autistic man named Robbie and the mom to several rescue dogs! Kriste’s free time is spent with friends and family, camping, boating, traveling and with lots and lots of love and laughter.

Morgan’s love for animals led her to get her degree in veterinary technology. She started her externship in 2014 at Family Pet Hospital and has been there since. She has a quirky, adorable black lab named Midnight who keeps her on her toes. During Morgan’s spare time she likes to hang out with friends, paint, spend time outdoors, and take her dog to the country to swim in the pond and run free.

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Marge’s love for animals started at a young age with her bringing home countless strays and injured animals, much to her parents dismay. After working at a local animal shelter for a handful of years, she decided to join the veterinary medicine field and absolutely loves it! Marge’s three footed Chihuahua, Olive, and feisty Border Collie, Millie, keep her busy while she’s not at the clinic. In her spare time, Marge can oftentimes be found hiking with her pups, soaking up time with her family, or enjoying local vineyards with friends. If you have a spicy Chihuahua, just know Marge will be their best friend!

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