Meet Our Staff
Staff
Deneen
Practice Manager CVT
Deneen is a Parkland College graduate and has been a certified veterinary technician for 30 years. She has worked in many different aspects of veterinary medicine including emergency/critical care, education, and 15 years at the University of Illinois Small Animal Anesthesia and Analgesia department. At RIAH, she is the Practice Manager where she manages not only our staff, but keeps busy with the pets as well. Deneen has a true passion for veterinary medicine and loves coming to work every day. She truly embodies our motto “Veterinary medicine is a work of heart”. When not at work she enjoys spending time with her family and outdoor activities such as camping, fishing and tubing. She is also quite an amazing cook.
Ashley
CVT
Ashley found her passion in animal medicine at a very young age nursing barn kittens and wildlife back to health. She grew up on the outskirts of Reynolds and Hamlet Illinois. Her family home always consisted of family pets including dogs, cats, hamsters, rabbits and even a sugar glider (a small marsupial pocket pet similar to the flying squirrel). Ashley’s love for animals grew over the years and by middle school she had decided that she would dedicate her career to the medical care of animals.
Ashley started her formal education by completing the Veterinary Assistant Certification program at Black Hawk College where she learned the importance of vaccines and routine medical care. This sparked her interest in pursuing additional education and licensing in the veterinary medical field. Ashley completed the Veterinary Technician program at Eastern Iowa Community College where she was able to polish her skills with animal behavior, venipunctures and blood collection, critical care and much more and passed a national board exam to receive her license as a certified veterinary technician. The years following college Ashley was employed long-term with two different mixed animal practices where she spent time examining cats, dogs, rabbits, horses, cattle, swine, goats, sheep, chicken and even honey bees.
Ashley has a special interest in surgical anesthesia and analgesics where her skills are utilized to make sure any surgical procedures are safe and as painless as possible. She is fascinated with new research and looks for any opportunity to improve the care of her patients.
Ashley uses her education and training to care for her four-legged companions as well. She has three dogs. Meeka is a rescue she fell in love with right out of high school. They have been inseparable ever since. Apollo is a Siberian Husky/Blue Heeler mix she cared for in college. She fell for his charm and dashing good looks and never looked back and Ruby, the sweetest Landseer Newfoundland pup. Ashley enjoys couch snuggles with her cats and has Ashley a very special place in her heart for the feline companion.
Ashley is passionate about her career as a Licensed Veterinary Technician and enjoys seeing other owner’s find the joy in sharing their lives with their fur babies. Ashley enjoys walking or hiking with her dogs and cruising around in her convertible with her well behaved pups in the seat beside her.
Kalynn
CVT
Kalynn is one of our Certified Veterinary Technicians. I started at RIAH in February of 2013. I graduated from Muscatine Community College in May of 2012 with an Associates in Applied Science degree. I passed my National board exams shortly after. Beagles, Australian Cattle dogs and pitbulls are some of my favorite breeds. If your dog or cat has red hair like me, we are automatically best friends. A few favorite things about my job are dentistry, nutrition and making sure your fur baby is loved like mine. I have one dog- Melmin and 2 cats- Izzy and Tina. In my spare time I spend time with my son, friends and family.
Ramsay
CVT
Ramsay is a CVT from Davenport, IA. She graduated from the veterinary technician program at Kirkwood Community College in 2010. Ramsay has been a part of our team since 2012. She enjoys working at RIAH because every day brings new patients and things to learn. Her dream is to find and treat a pet with a giant kidney worm!
When she's not at work, Ramsay spends time with her husband and two young kids. She also has a boxer, Hamilton, named after the Broadway musical. Ramsay enjoys attending concerts, karaoke, and binge watching shows on Netflix.
Melissa
CVT
Melissa is one of our Certified Veterinary Technicians.
I am originally from Rock Island but have recently moved back from Washington State. I completed my Associates of Veterinary Science through Penn Foster College in 2013. I passed the VTNE in 2013. Afterward, I worked for the Army Veterinary Corps for 6 years. I moved back to Illinois in 2019 and started at RIAH in May of 2021. My main interests with my job include dentistry and surgical assisting. At this time I don't have any pets but I absolutely love little, white, fluffy dogs! In my spare time I enjoy gardening, crafting, and spending time with my husband, daughter, family and friends.
Brock
Brock is a small town man, from Sherrard Illinois, He graduated Black Hawk East Veterinary Technology Program. He is preparing to take his board examination to put the CVT behind his name. Brock has a tremendous passion for animals and loves every one of our furry friends. He has two cats. One is named Jax and the other is Willow. He also has a German Shepard named Remi, and two leopard Geckos named Hex and Jackie Frost. He may look like a dog man, but actually, he prefers cats as companions. When it comes to veterinary medicine, Brock loves the thrill of surgery and anesthesia. He would like to specialize in anesthesia and/or surgery in the future. A few of Brock's favorite things to do in his spare time are hunting for white-tailed deer, fishing, and singing his heart out to country music. You may get spooked by him at Torment at 1200, a haunted house where he volunteers his time. Some of his interests include Star Wars, Pokémon, wolves, and the Chicago Bears. His devotion runs deep as he rocks a wolf and Chicago Bears tattoo.
Elyse
Hi, I am Elyse Thurman. I am from New Windsor IL. When I first started here I was an intern in high school. I interned almost every day because I loved the job and I loved helping out the staff. After graduating High School, they hired me to work Full time as a Vet Assistant. I am now attending Black Hawk East and currently in the Veterinary Assistant program. I hope to continue on to become a Veterinary Technician. My favorite type of dog is the Australian Shepherd. I will fall in love with every Aussie when they walk in the door.
Callie
Callie started her veterinary career in 2010 when she completed the Black Hawk College Veterinary Assistant Certification program, from there she attended Muscatine Community College - Veterinary Technician program and graduated with an Associate in Applied Science Degree. Callie has worked in mixed animal practices before joining us here at Rock Island Animal Hospital. Some of Callies special interests at work include venipuncture and animal nutrition. Callie grew up outside of Aledo, IL and currently resides there with her husband, David and their two dogs; Boost a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Gauge a Lab Mix. In her free time Callie enjoys camping, kayaking, sxs riding, baking, and of course being the best dog mom ever!