Our Team

Kayla joined Summit Veterinary Services in August 2022, marking the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. In a world where numbers and animals meet, Kayla found her true calling, turning passion into purpose at Summit Veterinary Services.

In her role at Summit Veterinary Services, Kayla finds immense joy in leading and empowering a remarkable team. Her favorite aspect of the job is guiding her colleagues to excel and ensuring they provide exceptional care to their patients, treating each animal as if they were their own. This commitment to excellence and compassionate care is at the heart of her professional philosophy.
Outside of work, Kayla’s life is filled with family and outdoor pursuits. She is married to Cody and is the proud mother of three children who keep her both entertained and on her toes. Kayla has two horses, Major and Last Call, and four dogs: Rose, Daisy, Bella, and Joe.

Her hobbies reflect her active lifestyle and love for the outdoors. Kayla enjoys horse riding, playing volleyball, and engaging in various outdoor activities with her family. Whether it’s on horseback, on the volleyball court, or exploring nature, Kayla embraces every opportunity to create memorable experiences with her loved ones.

Teresa, a cherished member of the Summit Veterinary Services team since April 1998, is from Winterset, Iowa. Her early years were marked by a deep connection to animals, as she spent time helping her grandparents on their farm and playing with the animals. This formative experience ignited a lifelong passion for animal care.

From the moment she joined Summit Veterinary Services, Teresa has been driven by her profound love for animals. Her affinity for pets is evident in her hands-on approach—if there was an animal around, Teresa was there to hold and care for it. Her dedication shines through in her favorite aspect of her role: helping pets and their owners build a strong bond and ensuring that animals lead long, healthy lives.

At home, Teresa has four cats and three dogs, reflecting her commitment to animal care in both her professional and personal life. Outside of work, she enjoys tractor and motorcycle rides, as well as woodworking.

Kaitlyn, a dedicated member of Summit Veterinary Services since February 2022, brings a lifelong passion for animal care to her role. Raised on a farm in Winterset, Kaitlyn’s early experiences instilled in her a deep love for raising and caring for animals, shaping her career path and professional dedication.

At Summit Veterinary Services, Kaitlyn thrives on her primary focus: providing exceptional care for animals. She values the opportunity to work with a talented and supportive team, which enhances her ability to make a positive impact in her role. Kaitlyn’s commitment to animal welfare is evident in every aspect of her work, driven by her genuine affection for the animals she helps.

Outside of her professional life, Kaitlyn shares her home with one cat, Peaches, and three dogs: Stella, Sadie, and Clyde. Her personal life is filled with activities that reflect her passion for the outdoors and animals. She enjoys fishing and cherishing moments with her pets, as well as spending quality time with friends and family.

Kristin has been a valued member of the Summit Veterinary Services team since September 2022. Driven by her passion for working with animals, Kristin chose to join Summit Veterinary Services because of her love for both the field and the dynamic work environment it offers. Her role allows her to immerse herself in a variety of challenging cases, from intricate diagnostics and surgeries to the day-to-day care of diverse animals. Kristin particularly enjoys the collaborative nature of her work, appreciating the opportunity to tackle tough cases alongside a dedicated team.

Outside of her professional life, Kristin is a dedicated animal lover, managing a lively household that includes seven dogs, two cats, two sheep, six goats, and five cows. Her love for animals extends beyond her work, reflecting a deep commitment to animal care and well-being.

When she’s not at work, Kristin indulges in a range of hobbies that reflect her vibrant lifestyle. She finds joy in thrift shopping, running a hobby farm, and enjoying warm weather. Kristin also loves kayaking, floating, and pet sitting, activities that allow her to unwind and connect with the natural world.

Her name is spelled Madi Stewart.

Madi has been a valued member of the Summit Veterinary Services team since March 2022. She grew up in both Adel and Winterset. Her passion for animal care and commitment to improving pets’ lives led her to join Summit Veterinary Services, where she has embraced the opportunity to be part of a dedicated team that shares her values.

Madi was drawn to Summit Veterinary Services by the desire to work alongside a hardworking team committed to enhancing the lives of pets. Her favorite aspect of her role is being part of a close-knit team that collaborates seamlessly, as well as the joy she finds in cuddling puppies and kittens.

At home, Madi is a proud pet owner of a cat named Ember. Her love for animals extends beyond her professional life into her personal world. She enjoys crocheting, reading, traveling, and spending time outdoors. Madi particularly loves visiting her family farm, where she interacts with goats, chickens, and dogs, reflecting her deep connection to both animals and nature.

Brooklyn, a native of Van Meter, began her journey with Summit Veterinary Services in August 2023. From an early age, Brooklyn’s love for animals was evident, having grown up surrounded by dogs and cats. This lifelong passion led her to Summit Veterinary Services, where she found the perfect environment to pursue her dream.

At Summit Veterinary Services, Brooklyn thrives on her role, delighting in the opportunity to interact with adorable animals and constantly expand her knowledge. Her enthusiasm is fueled by working with what she considers the best team ever, making each day at work both rewarding and fulfilling.

Brooklyn has one cat, Willow, and four dogs: River, Oaklynn, Paisley, and Jules. Her love for animals extends beyond her professional life into her personal world, where her pets play a central role.

Outside of work, Brooklyn enjoys fishing and cherishing time with her dogs, as well as connecting with friends and family. 

Gabby Killian is a receptionist at Summit Animal Hospital, where she has been a valued team member since October 2024. Originally from Adel, Gabby has always had a deep connection to animals, growing up with dogs and gaining valuable experience working at a stable during high school. After graduation, she expanded her passion for animals further by working at A Heinz 57 Rescue, where she was able to contribute to the care of rescue animals in need.

What drew Gabby to Summit Animal Hospital was the welcoming and positive atmosphere the team fosters. She finds joy in meeting a variety of unique and wonderful animals each day, and she appreciates the collaborative and supportive environment of her colleagues. For Gabby, one of the best parts of her job is that “there’s never a dull moment,” and she cherishes the opportunity to spend those moments surrounded by animals.

Outside of her role at Summit Animal Hospital, Gabby is a proud pet owner to three dogs—Gator, Marshal, and Luna—who have grown up alongside her, as well as three cats: Chetta, Little, and Saint. Her love for animals extends beyond her professional life, and she enjoys spending time with her pets whenever possible.

In her free time, Gabby has a variety of hobbies, including attending car shows. She is a fan of cars, enjoys sipping coffee, and loves hanging out with friends.

Teresa, a cherished member of Summit Veterinary Services since September 2023, brings a wealth of experience and a warm, caring spirit to her role. Born and raised on a family farm in Winterset, Teresa’s life has been deeply connected to both community and agriculture.

Before joining Summit Veterinary Services, Teresa enjoyed a long and fulfilling career as a teacher in Winterset, where she made a significant impact on her students and the local community. After retiring from teaching, she sought a new opportunity that would allow her to continue helping others in a different capacity. The role at Summit Veterinary Services, with its promise of engaging work and the chance to make a difference, was the perfect fit.

At Summit, Teresa finds great satisfaction in helping people, building meaningful relationships with clients, and working alongside her daughter, which adds a special dimension to her job. Her dedication to fostering strong connections and providing compassionate support is evident in all she does.

Teresa’s home life reflects her deep love for animals and her commitment to family. She shares her life with a diverse array of pets, including one cat, four goats, two dogs, two Baby Doll sheep, three mini cows and calves, thirteen chickens, and three mini donkeys.

In her free time, Teresa enjoys a variety of hobbies, including spending time with her grandkids, volunteering at church, camping, crafting, and cooking. 

Shelby Harding, a kennel attendant at Summit Animal Hospital, has been a valued member of the team since October 2024. Originally from Adel, Iowa, Shelby’s deep love for animals has been a driving force throughout her life. Growing up, she was immersed in the world of animals, as her mother bred dogs, which sparked Shelby’s passion for working with them. This early exposure shaped her desire to pursue a career in animal care, where she could foster meaningful connections with both animals and their owners.

In her role at Summit Animal Hospital, Shelby is able to nurture her love for animals while providing the highest level of care to the pets she tends to. What she enjoys most about her job is the opportunity to interact with the animals and meet the diverse range of people who bring their pets to the hospital. Her warm, compassionate nature makes her a natural fit in this environment, as she strives to make each animal feel comfortable and loved.

Outside of work, Shelby has a mini Australian Shepherd named River Lynn, who is a cherished companion. When she’s not caring for animals, Shelby enjoys staying active through hobbies like softball, volleyball, and spending time with friends. Her well-rounded personality and genuine affection for animals and people alike make her an essential part of the Summit Animal Hospital family.

Haylee Palmer, a loyal animal lover, is a kennel attendant at Summit Animal Hospital, where she has been an integral part of the team since September. Originally from Missouri, Haylee now resides in Murray, where she continues her lifelong passion for animals. Growing up, she was surrounded by a variety of animals, including horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, cows, and sheep, fostering a deep connection to animals of all kinds. However, it is her love for dogs and horses that truly stands out, and she is rarely seen without one of her beloved pets by her side.

Haylee’s desire to work at Summit Animal Hospital stemmed from her curiosity about how a veterinary clinic operates. She wanted to be involved in a setting where she could contribute to the care and well-being of animals while learning more about the inner workings of a clinic. Her favorite aspect of her role is assisting the veterinary technicians with various tasks, providing support wherever it’s needed.

Outside of her work at Summit Animal Hospital, Haylee’s passion for animals continues. She has four horses and three dogs—Maggie, a Mini Dachshund; Bella, a Hound Mix; and Bobbi, a Heeler Mix. In addition to caring for her pets, Haylee is an avid rodeo enthusiast, with a particular love for barrel racing. Introduced to rodeo by her mother at a young age, Haylee’s commitment to the sport remains strong, and she has no plans to stop anytime soon.

Through her work and personal life, Haylee exemplifies a deep love for animals and a commitment to helping them thrive. Whether in the clinic or out in the arena, her passion is evident in everything she does.

Carly began her role as a kennel attendant in August 2023. Raised in Winterset, Iowa, Carly’s early life was marked by a strong affinity for animals, which has inspired her to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

Joining Summit Veterinary Services was a natural step for Carly, driven by her ambition to become a veterinarian. In her role, she finds great joy in learning new things, being surrounded by animals, and collaborating with her supportive colleagues. Carly’s enthusiasm for her work is evident in her eagerness to gain hands-on experience and deepen her understanding of animal care.

At home, Carly has a diverse group of pets, including three dogs, a cat, chickens, and ducks. This array of animals reflects her deep-seated love for animals and her commitment to their well-being.

Outside of her professional life, Carly enjoys trap shooting, gymnastics, and hunting.

Dave came to us when he was 5 weeks old with a bad front leg. Dave had nerve damage to his front left leg making him unable to move the leg. We performed cold laser therapy on the leg every day for 3 weeks and he regained function up to his wrist joint. After several months of no improvement, we took Dave up to Blue Pearl who performed an arthrodesis which means they fused the joint, making it easier for Dave to use the leg. Dave is currently doing great! Dave loves attention so stop on by even if it is only to see him!

Mighty came to us as a sickly little stray kitten. Our staff nursed him back to health and during that time, we realized how special he was. He is now part of the Summit Animal Hospital family!

Tilly started out with a crushed front leg that unfortunately had to be amputated. She is now living the high life at Summit Animal Hospital.