Our Support Staff

Brandy,
Practice Manager

Brandy graduated from Kirkwood’s Veterinary Assistant Program in 2019 and has been with Animal Kingdom since June of 2020. She was born and raised in Williamsburg. She currently has two cats: Conan and Nala.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time reading, watching TV and movies, and hanging out with her family and friends.

In Memory of Romeo, 2005-2019

Romeo joined our staff back in May of 2012. He lived a life of luxury and surrounded by women. He enjoyed sleeping, more sleeping, eating wet food, and being grouchy. He spent most of his time being a great desk ornament, but did not mind an ear scratch or two.

Sam,
RVT

Sam graduated from the Kirkwood Vet tech program in 2011. She currently lives in Cedar Rapids with her two dogs (Magnus and Dougal), two cats (Seamus and Siobhan), and a horse named Muffin Man.

In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, spending time with friends and family, expanding her K-Pop registry, and attending indoor soccer games.

Katie,
RVT

Katie grew up in southern Wisconsin and moved to Iowa in 2020. She graduated from Penn Foster’s Veterinary Technician program in early 2023 and passed her boards shortly after. Aside from working with dogs and cats, she enjoys working with large animals and has two horses at home.

In her free time she enjoys reading, crocheting, training/riding her horses, and spending time with her husband Levi.

Ellie,
Veterinary Assistant

Ellie grew up in a small town in southeast Iowa. She spent 2 years at Iowa State studying Animal Science, where she learned she wanted to work in the veterinary field. She then transferred to Kirkwood and graduated in 2017 with her Veterinary Assistant certificate. She has since settled down with her daughter and three cats; Lorelai, Prudence, and Kermit.

When she’s not spending time with family and friends, she enjoys shopping, antiquing, and watching sports. Go Pack Go!

Octavianna,
Veterinary Assistant

Octavianna graduated as an assistant from the Animal Behavior College online program and has been working in the veterinary field since 2017. She loves what she does and is passionate about animal care, training, and exotic pets (especially reptiles). She lives locally with her boyfriend and their pack of dogs.

Octavianna loves learning and is growing her knowledge through this ever-changing field. She has a soft spot for German Shepherds.

Amber,
CSR

Amber grew up in Burlington and Muscatine, but recently moved back to Iowa City from Los Angeles where she worked in veterinary oncology for five years as a doctor’s assistant. She has three cats: Crouton, Luka, and Kera. She also has a sweet little dog named Myrtle.

In her spare time, Amber enjoys reading fantasy and sci-fi novels, watching horror movies, traveling, and playing video games.

Kristen,
Veterinary Assistant

Kristen grew up in a small town in northeastern Iowa. She graduated from Kirkwood’s Veterinary Technician program in 2012. She currently lives in Marion with her cat, Snow.

In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching TV/movies, listening to music, reading, and thrift store shopping.

Meaghan grew up living between overseas and the States, but moved to Iowa back in 2014. She has experience working in a small animal primary care setting and loves seeing exotics and pocket pets. She has her own bearded dragon at home named Calcifer, along with a few fish, a hamster named Boba, cats Luna and Gandalf, and puppy Draco.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and critters, playing video games, baking, and creating art.

Keyanna graduated from Kirkwood’s Veterinary Technician program in 2023. She currently lives in Cedar Rapids with her dog, Kai, and cat, Kylo. She has experience working in an emergency setting, but also has an interest in small animal primary medicine and exotics.

In her free time, she enjoys watching TV shows, reading, listening to music, and of course, sleeping!

Lydia moved to Iowa from a small town in Illinois in 2022. She has always had a passion for animals.

In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her cat and family and also loves to bake and play soccer.