Veterinary Assistants

Crystal Feldhaus
crystal@lakewoodanimal.com
Crystal grew up in Grand Island, Nebraska. She graduated in 2004 from Northern State University, with a Bachelors Degree in Biology. Her greatest passion is animals; she cannot see herself in a career without them. Crystal joined our staff in April of 2007. She loves seeing patients come in to Lakewood and leave happy and healthy. Crystal is married and has 2 children, 3 cats, and a guinea pig.

Heather Barnard
heather@lakewoodanimal.com
Heather joined our staff In August of 2007. She has enjoyed the change of pace from working primarily with horses, to now working with smaller animals. She loves LAHC’s atmosphere, staff, clients, and pets. More importantly she loves to be a part of the high quality care that is provided at Lakewood Animal Health Center. Heather is married with 2 sons, 3 dogs, and a horse.

Nicki Fergerson
Nicki joined LAHC in September 2008. She attended Blue River Community College where she obtained her Associate's Degree and is continuing to her education at UMKC. Nicki has a passion for animals, and is continually looking for ways to make them happy. She currently lives in Lake Lotawana with 2 dogs and 1 cat.

Registered Veterinary Technicians (R.V.T)

Melissa Whittaker
melissa@lakewoodanimal.com
Melissa has been a registered Veterinary Technician since 1998 and has been with Lakewood since 2003. Her favorite part of being a technician is the nursing care of sick and elderly pets. Melissa is a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. She and her husband have two daughters, 1 dog, and a cat.

Sarah Hanna
Sarah graduated from Maple Woods Community College in 2005, and has been in the veterinary field since 2002. She joined our staff in December, 2007. She enjoys working with new puppies and helping clients give their pets the wonderful care they deserve. Sarah and her husband have 1 daughter and 2 dogs.

Erin Buker
buker@lakewoodanimal.com
Erin Graduated from Maple Woods' Veterinary Technician Program in 2008. She joined our staff November, 2010. She grew up in Leavenworth, KS, and currently lives in Kansas City. Erin spends most of her spare time with her rescued Lab mix named Miley. She also enjoys attending KU Football games and going to see the Missouri Mavericks. Erin likes working with pets of all ages!

Stephanie Miller
Stephanie has been with LAHC since May, 2010. She served in the Army Reserve for 8 years and is now enrolled in the Veterinary Technician Program at Maple Wood's Community College. Stephanie grew up in NE Kansas, and currently lives in Kansas City with her husband and son. She has 2 dogs (Haley and Belle), and 1 cat (Kai). She likes educating and interacting with clients. She also enjoys the hands on aspect of working with animals.

Receptionists

Donna Evans
donna@lakewoodanimal.com
Donna has worked in the veterinary field for the past 29 years because she loves her job. Donna has a following of clients and patients that have known her for years and appreciate the special attention she gives to each of them. Donna has been married for 31 years with 3 wonderful children. She enjoys spending time with her 3 gorgeous grandsons. Her ‘babies’ at home include 2 dogs and 2 cats.

Vicki Lauffer
vicki@lakewoodanimal.com
Vicki Lauffer has been with Lakewood Animal Health Center since 2000. She came to us with administrative background from the Kansas City Missouri police department and Marion Laboratories. Her love for animals drew her to be a kennel attendant and then to her current position as receptionist. She is known for sweet talking the patients. Vicki and her husband of 26 years have a multiple-dog family and 2 cats. She has a strong work ethic and strives to “treat others as she would want to be treated”.

Peggy Pack
peggy@lakewoodanimal.com
Peggy is a native of western Missouri and has lived in Lee’s Summit for 30 years. She has been married for 39 years, has 6 children, and 20 grandchildren. She has worked for Lakewood since 2001 and loves her job. She is detailed and conscientious. She enjoys learning something new everyday. She is involved with the local and national Newfoundland Club and actively trains and shows her own Newfoundlands.

Gina Lafler
Gina moved to Missouri 15 years ago from Arizona, and was a preschool teacher for 10 years. She began working at Lakewood Animal Health Center in November, 2010. She is married and has 7 children, 2 cats, and 4 dogs. Gina doesn't get the chance for much spare time, so when she's not working, you can usually find her doing laundry, cleaning, or shopping.

Kennel Attendants

Chrystal Davis
Chrystal joined the staff in August of 2007. She has been happily married for 5 years. She is a water color artist and also loves to draw. She loves all animals, but considers cats to be her passion- she has 4 of her own. She enjoys her job a lot, and loves to pay special attention to each animal she meets.

Zach Dalton
Zach joined LAHC in October, 2010. He graduated from Blue Spring South High School in 2008 and is currently attending MCC- Longview. He is pursuing a career in writing. He enjoys exercising and Jujitsu (he has an impressive Luchadore record). Zach's favorite part of his job is the challenge of be-friending difficult dogs.

Nancy Reese
Nancy has worked with animals since she was 16 years old, and has been with LAHC since May 2011. She has an Associates in Arts degree and is continuing her education and certification to become a wedding planner. She enjoys vacationing, interior design, and spending time with her husband. Nancy has 1 dog and 3 cats - she adores them all!

Mariah Khan
Mariah became part of the LAHC team in December of 2010. She started working here because she loves animals and she saw how much her sister enjoyed working here in the past. She is currently attending Blue Springs South High School and will graduate in 2012. She has 1 dog and 2 cats that she adores!

Groomers

Jeannette Hamilton
Jeannette has been grooming at Lakewood Animal Health Center for almost 10 years, and she loves what she does. She has gotten to know so many wonderful people and pets. She sees many of the animals on a weekly or monthly basis and therefore has a terrific rapport with them. For Jeannette, being a part of their lives is like having an extended family. Jeannette is married with 2 children.

Amy Martin
Amy joined LAHC in 1999 as a receptionist. As a true animal lover she wanted to be more hands on with the animals. When a grooming position became available she had the opportunity to do an apprenticeship to fulfill the grooming demands of the practice. Clients and pets have made Amy one of their favorite people. Having great owners who love their pets is the best part of her job.

Laura Cunningham
Laura has over 30 years of experience grooming in Lee's Summit. She has a large following of clientele that have stayed with her over the years because of her exceptional quality and great personality. She has a great reputation and stays very busy!

Alysson Preston
alysson_elizabeth@lakewoodanimal.com
Alysson has been grooming for 7 years. She moved from Tennessee with her parents, 2 sisters, one being her twin, and a younger brother. She loves her entire family which includes Jack, a cute Corgi, and Lucy, a beautiful Maltese who sports a pink manicure and shades. Alysson will always have a special place in her heart for animals and loves the art of grooming.

Elizabeth Preston
alysson_elizabeth@lakewoodanimal.com
Elizabeth comes to Lakewood Animal Health Center with 7 years of grooming experience. Elizabeth and her twin sister Alysson grew up in Tennessee. She enjoys grooming because it is creative and fun to work with each animal’s personality and style. Her family operates an in-home child care business which keeps Elizabeth busy during her days off. She shares her home with her family which includes a Maltese and Corgi