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 Swansea, IL 62226 (618)222-9860
THE BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL HOSPITAL & PET RESORT TEAM
VETERINARIANS
DR. CRAIG STAEHLE Dr. Craig Staehle received his veterinary doctorate from the University of Illinois in 1996. He began his career practicing in the Chicagoland area. His first practice offered an excellent opportunity to treat an array of exotic species. Later that year, he moved to Tampa, Florida where he practiced for a couple of years. While in Florida he worked predominately with dogs and cats, but still worked with some exotic patients. In 1998 he and his wife Kimberly moved to the Saint Louis area. Prior to opening Best Friends Animal Hospital he practiced in the Saint Peters and O'Fallon areas of Missouri. Dr. Craig says the greatest part of his job is the joy in working with animals and the huge diversity of species and medical challenges that veterinary medicine provides. His particular areas of interest include orthopedic surgery, dentistry and exotic animal medicine.
Dr. Craig is married to Dr. Kimberly, and they have two young children, Kyle and Cassidy. He grew up in the Chicago suburbs. Growing up, his father played baseball for the Chicago White Sox and other major league baseball teams. He, his parents and his three brothers were always very actively involved in sports. Dr. Craig has always been interested in animals. As a child, he wanted to be a marine biologist. "I always wanted to work with animals and in college I had a sort of epiphany, and in one moment I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian." Over the years, Dr. Craig has owned quite a list of pets including dogs, cats, fish, amphibians, and reptiles. "I am blessed to have the greatest job in the world. You get to work with wonderful pets and have a job that never stops challenging you to learn more, do more and help provide animals with the best life we can." Dr. Craig especially enjoys treating reptiles, and is also certified in PennHip.
DR. KIMBERLY STAEHLE Dr. Kimberly Staehle obtained her doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1995 and her masters in reproductive physiology in 1996 from the University of Illinois. After graduation she moved to Tampa, Florida. In Tampa she was an associate at a small animal hospital and volunteered at the Clearwater Aquarium. At the aquarium she was able to work with one of her loves, marine mammals. In 1998 she moved to the St. Louis area with her husband Dr. Craig. She practiced small animal medicine in Kirkwood, Missouri. Prior to opening Best Friends Animal Hospital she was the manager of scientific affairs for Highland VetPharma.
Dr. Kimberly grew up in Granite City, Illinois. She has 4 sisters. She had many pets of all kinds growing up, and knew early on that she wanted to be a veterinarian. She feels blessed to have had the opportunities to have volunteered at the St. Louis Children's Zoo and worked with dolphins at several facilities in the Florida Keys, as well as at Sea World in Orlando. Growing up she enjoyed gymnastics and cheerleading. She used her gymnastics and fitness skills first teaching aerobics and then competing in a national fitness competition. These days she gets a workout by chasing after her son and daughter. She is particularly fond of the Great Dane breed & along with Dr. Craig has now owned 5 of them, 4 which were adopted thru rescue organizations. Drs. Craig & Kimberly currently have 2 great danes (Jaxie & Vander) and a cat (Sally).
DR. DENI STALLONS Dr. Deni Stallons joined our team in May 2011. She attended McKendree College prior to graduating from the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. In 2006 she married Paul and now has 2 sons, Jack and Landon. She has previously worked at Carey's Pet Hospital & most recently at Bellson Animal Hospital. She especially enjoys internal medicine in dogs and cats. Her dog, Harry, is technically a "senior" at 10 years of age, but was adopted as a puppy and is still acting like one! CUSTOMER CARE
AMBER - Amber is a graduate of McKendree University with a major in business administration. She recently purchased her first house with her boyfriend, Ric. They enjoy spending their free time with their 3 dogs. JONI - Joni joined our team in June of 2009 and loves working in customer care. She started assisting equine veterinarians when she was 16 and fell in love with veterinary medicine. She has over 20 years experience working in small animal and equine practice. Joni and her husband own a small ranch where she spends her free time training horses. Her favorite disciplines are dressage and trail riding. Joni loves all animals and has been involved in rescue for horses, dogs and cats. She is currently involved in dachsund rescue with CCDR. As a result of her many years in rescue her house hold is very full of furry kids (too many to mention by name but loves them all). Joni is also a realtor with Strano and Associates and works as a veterinary technician for USEF. SARAH - Information to follow!!!
NURSES
PATTI - Patti has been at Best Friends since the beginning. She is a jack of all trades, having worked in human medicine for ten years, and then took a break to raise her children. She started in animal medicine in 1988, and has worked in every facet, including animal shelters and small and large clinics. She primarily works in surgery at Best Friends, and especially likes taking appointments with reptiles. Patti has been happily married to her husband Don for over 30 years and they have 2 children, Sarah (a recent college graduate and proud parent of a ferret, The Count Albino of Monte Cristo III) and John (who along with his new wife Jessica have blessed them with 2 granddogs). They have 4 large breed dogs of mixed heritage, Tyler, Gabe, Chance aka the Woo, and Hope. They supposedly have 2 cats as well, though they are the only ones who ever see them. In Patti's spare time she enjoys watching baseball, gardening, and traveling. TERESA - Teresa is a registered veterinary technician and has been with us since August, 2006. She obtained her BS in Animal Science from the University of Missouri and then went to work at the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Texas. She has also worked at various animal practices both in Texas and locally, having most recently worked in surgery at Associated Veterinary Specialists in St. Louis. Her passion is working in surgery. Teresa and her husband, Rick, are the proud parents of 2 children, Reed and Addison. Their busy house also includes 2 labs, Maddie aka "The Garbage Disposal", and Dina, and 2 cats, Spencer and Kennedy. In her "spare" time, she likes to spend time with her family, shop, drink mochas, and talk about her love of George Bush and the great state of Texas. HEATHER - Heather has been with Best Friends since June of 2007. She is a well-known animal lover to the people she is close to. She has a menagerie of pets - too many to name, but has all varieties from dogs, cats and even small critters at the moment. She keeps busy pet sitting when not at work and plans to work with animals forever. Heather actually plays 2 roles on our team as she also serves as the resort manager working several shifts each week in the resort. ABBY - Abby joined the Best Friend's Team in October 2008. She graduated from Sanford-Brown College in St. Peters, MO where she obtained her degree in veterinary technology. She has a pitbull/chow mix named Baby who she says really is the epitome of her name, & two goldfish named Charlie & Amos. Her favorite part of working at Best Friends is getting to work with our wonderful staff & doctors to care for our clients & patients. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her friends & family. JENN - Jenn recently joined the Best Friend's Team. She is married and has 3 dogs and 2 cats and has been a tech off and on since 2002. She is going to SIUE and majoring in art history with a minor in French. RESORT ATTENDANTS
HEATHER - Heather (above) is not only a veterinary assistant, but she is also the resort manager! Obviously she is a very busy person!!! SARAH - Information to follow soon!!! NATALIE - Natalie moved to Illinois from Washington state in April 2011. She recently graduated from the Northwest School of Animal Massage as a Small Animal Massage Practitioner (SAMP). She loves working with animals & helping them live active, fulfilling lives. ALLISON - Allison graduated from McKendree University with a BS in Biology. Besides working here, she has also worked at the St. Louis Zoo as an interpreter and an early childhood educator. She is currently an extern with the Herpetology & Aquatics Department, still chasing the dream of being a keeper! She & her husband don't currently have any pets (darn lease!), but they live thru their parents' pets .... which is almost the same |
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