Meet the Staff

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Shelli Gugler, RVT Shelli Gugler, RVT

Shelli Gugler joined the AAH staff in 1987 upon completion of her degree as a Veterinary Technican from Colby Community College. In addition to her laboratory and primary animal care responsibilities, Shelli is a surgical and anesthetic technician. She has received advanced training in canine semen analysis and frozen semen technology.  She is a cat lover and avid photographer!

Shelli Gugler joined the AAH staff in 1987 upon completion of her degree as a Veterinary Technican from Colby Community College. In addition to her laboratory and primary animal care responsibilities, Shelli is a surgical and anesthetic technician. She has received advanced training in canine semen analysis and frozen semen technology.  She is a cat lover and avid photographer!

AJ Jones AJ Jones

AJ earned a BS in Biology from Kansas State University with skills in laboratory diagnostic procedures. She is the primary receptionist for the swine department, and manages our in-house laboratory.  She is knowledgeable in all areas of animal export and interstate movement of animals.  Her hobbies include wildlife rehabilitation and dog training.

AJ earned a BS in Biology from Kansas State University with skills in laboratory diagnostic procedures. She is the primary receptionist for the swine department, and manages our in-house laboratory.  She is knowledgeable in all areas of animal export and interstate movement of animals.  Her hobbies include wildlife rehabilitation and dog training.

Dianna Pedersen Dianna Pedersen

Dianna has over 10 years of experience as a receptionist and veterinary assistant. She joined the Abilene Animal Hospital staff with previous experience in the human medical field and transitioned to veterinary medicine with ease! Dianna is always ready with a smile and to help you with your companion animal needs.  She serves as our office manager and keeps us running like a well oiled machine.  Dianna is another cat lover and uses her creativity to make homemade cards in her spare time.  She also plays the viola in the Salina Symphony.

Dianna has over 10 years of experience as a receptionist and veterinary assistant. She joined the Abilene Animal Hospital staff with previous experience in the human medical field and transitioned to veterinary medicine with ease! Dianna is always ready with a smile and to help you with your companion animal needs.  She serves as our office manager and keeps us running like a well oiled machine.  Dianna is another cat lover and uses her creativity to make homemade cards in her spare time.  She also plays the viola in the Salina Symphony.

Dawn Gabel Dawn Gabel

Dawn joined our staff in 2002 as a part-time kennel manager and quickly became a full-time asset to our hospital team. Dawn is an important part of our companion animal team as she provides pre-operative, surgical and anesthetic assistance along with post-surgical care of our patients.  She is a big dog lover and avid mushroom hunter!

Dawn joined our staff in 2002 as a part-time kennel manager and quickly became a full-time asset to our hospital team. Dawn is an important part of our companion animal team as she provides pre-operative, surgical and anesthetic assistance along with post-surgical care of our patients.  She is a big dog lover and avid mushroom hunter!

Doug Nuttelman Doug Nuttelman

Doug Nuttelman joined the AAH team in 2017. He grew up on a Christmas tree farm south of Enterprise, KS. A graduate of Missouri State University with a BFA in musical theatre, he worked many years at Great Plains Theatre, before departing in 2015. Doug lived several years in New York City and spent time living on the central coast of California. His constant companion since 2008 has been his beagle Mei, who has received exceptional care from AAH throughout the years. In his free time, Doug paints and makes artwork. A few of his paintings can be seen around the clinic!

Doug Nuttelman joined the AAH team in 2017. He grew up on a Christmas tree farm south of Enterprise, KS. A graduate of Missouri State University with a BFA in musical theatre, he worked many years at Great Plains Theatre, before departing in 2015. Doug lived several years in New York City and spent time living on the central coast of California. His constant companion since 2008 has been his beagle Mei, who has received exceptional care from AAH throughout the years. In his free time, Doug paints and makes artwork. A few of his paintings can be seen around the clinic!

Wendy Therkelsen, RVT Wendy Therkelsen, RVT

After a brief internship during her RVT training, we knew we needed Wendy to be part of the AAH family.  Wendy joined us in 2016 and has quickly gone on to help Dr. Gose build our advanced dental program.  Wendy loves her smiling daschunds and wants your pet to smile too!

After a brief internship during her RVT training, we knew we needed Wendy to be part of the AAH family.  Wendy joined us in 2016 and has quickly gone on to help Dr. Gose build our advanced dental program.  Wendy loves her smiling daschunds and wants your pet to smile too!

Emily Johns, RVT Emily Johns, RVT

Emily got her start in the veterinary field right here at AAH.  She cleaned kennels and walked dogs as a high schooler and now she has returned from Colby College as a Registered Veterinary Technician.  Emily joined us in 2016.  Although, she loves all breeds, black labs have a special place in her heart!

Emily got her start in the veterinary field right here at AAH.  She cleaned kennels and walked dogs as a high schooler and now she has returned from Colby College as a Registered Veterinary Technician.  Emily joined us in 2016.  Although, she loves all breeds, black labs have a special place in her heart!

Kristin Remmenga Kristin Remmenga Kristin was born and raised Nebraskan who grew up loving all sorts of animals on her family farm. Kristin was active in 4-H showing cattle, horses, and meat goats. She graduated from Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in 2012 with an Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology. She came to us with over 4 years of experience as a veterinary technician. Cattle, llamas, and horses have a soft spot in Kristin's heart. She started here as our Large Animal Technician in 2017. Kristin and her family live on a funny farm near Talmage.
Kristin was born and raised Nebraskan who grew up loving all sorts of animals on her family farm. Kristin was active in 4-H showing cattle, horses, and meat goats. She graduated from Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in 2012 with an Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology. She came to us with over 4 years of experience as a veterinary technician. Cattle, llamas, and horses have a soft spot in Kristin's heart. She started here as our Large Animal Technician in 2017. Kristin and her family live on a funny farm near Talmage.
Nichole Taylor Nichole Taylor
 
Nichole grew up right here in Abilene where she participated in 4-H, showing swine, cattle, and meat goats. After high school, Nichole went to Pratt Community College College on a basketball scholarship. After graduating from PCC, she then transferred to Colby Community College where she graduated from the Veterinary Nursing Program. She started at Abilene Animal Hospital in May of 2019. She enjoys working with small and large animals, but cats hold a special place in her heart! 
 
 
 
Nichole grew up right here in Abilene where she participated in 4-H, showing swine, cattle, and meat goats. After high school, Nichole went to Pratt Community College College on a basketball scholarship. After graduating from PCC, she then transferred to Colby Community College where she graduated from the Veterinary Nursing Program. She started at Abilene Animal Hospital in May of 2019. She enjoys working with small and large animals, but cats hold a special place in her heart! 
 
 
Mercedes Moody Mercedes Moody Mercedes joined the AAH team in 2021 with 8 years of assistant/office manager/technician experience with both large and small animals. A native Kansan, she spent her grade-school years in California before coming back to Clay Center where she calls home. She completed Colby Community College’s Distance Learning Program with an Associates degree in Veterinary Technology in 2018. Mercedes has known she wanted a job where she works with animals since she was 3 years old, and now she is living the dream! She loves cats, playing pc games, and reading.
Mercedes joined the AAH team in 2021 with 8 years of assistant/office manager/technician experience with both large and small animals. A native Kansan, she spent her grade-school years in California before coming back to Clay Center where she calls home. She completed Colby Community College’s Distance Learning Program with an Associates degree in Veterinary Technology in 2018. Mercedes has known she wanted a job where she works with animals since she was 3 years old, and now she is living the dream! She loves cats, playing pc games, and reading.
Victoria Persing Victoria Persing

Victoria joined our team in 2020 as a part time kennel technician and has now joined AAH full time and is training as a veterinary assistant for our doctors here at AAH. Victoria is also known as Tori and loves to help with the small and large animal care.

Tori used to barrel race in high school and is now a mother of two kiddos and many fur babies! There isn't an animal Tori hasn't met and fallen in love with!

Victoria joined our team in 2020 as a part time kennel technician and has now joined AAH full time and is training as a veterinary assistant for our doctors here at AAH. Victoria is also known as Tori and loves to help with the small and large animal care.

Tori used to barrel race in high school and is now a mother of two kiddos and many fur babies! There isn't an animal Tori hasn't met and fallen in love with!

Heather Bohannan Heather Bohannan

I am a hometown girl from right here in Abilene, Kansas. I grew up playing volleyball and softball as an Abilene cowgirl. From there I worked at the Duckwall-Alco office for many years. Prior to AAH, I worked at Home Health and Hospice of Dickinson County.

In August of 2021, I joined the Abilene Animal Hospital team where I will manage the Abilene VetMeds program along with other adventures replacing the beloved Gale Rock who served in that position for many years. I love helping clients, keeping them supplied with all their animal health needs. I enjoy getting to know the clients and vendors.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and son, being outdoors, gardening, and doing crafts.

Labradors are my favorite dogs, especially my big chocolate lab "Rowdy". I still enjoy getting into the thick of it by helping my family work cattle. I guess the love of animals is in my blood. I’m glad to have joined the AAH family and look forward to serving you.

I am a hometown girl from right here in Abilene, Kansas. I grew up playing volleyball and softball as an Abilene cowgirl. From there I worked at the Duckwall-Alco office for many years. Prior to AAH, I worked at Home Health and Hospice of Dickinson County.

In August of 2021, I joined the Abilene Animal Hospital team where I will manage the Abilene VetMeds program along with other adventures replacing the beloved Gale Rock who served in that position for many years. I love helping clients, keeping them supplied with all their animal health needs. I enjoy getting to know the clients and vendors.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and son, being outdoors, gardening, and doing crafts.

Labradors are my favorite dogs, especially my big chocolate lab "Rowdy". I still enjoy getting into the thick of it by helping my family work cattle. I guess the love of animals is in my blood. I’m glad to have joined the AAH family and look forward to serving you.

Alishah Budinas Alishah Budinas Alishah joined the AAH team in 2021 with years of customer service experience under her belt.  She has a BS in Animal Science from Kansas State University that comes in handy with both large and small animal client inquiries.  Alishah is a bright face in the clinic and keeps us on the tracks even on the most chaotic days!  She enjoys spending time with her dogs, cat and ferret, and may have a chance at a title in professional napping.
Alishah joined the AAH team in 2021 with years of customer service experience under her belt.  She has a BS in Animal Science from Kansas State University that comes in handy with both large and small animal client inquiries.  Alishah is a bright face in the clinic and keeps us on the tracks even on the most chaotic days!  She enjoys spending time with her dogs, cat and ferret, and may have a chance at a title in professional napping.