Our Doctors
We take pride in being your pet health expert and always stay up-to-date by participating in continuing education programs.
Dr. Scott Faulkner
Dr. Faulkner carries on a family tradition of veterinary medicine. His father was one of the first veterinarians in the state of Iowa to practice small animal medicine, and "Dr. Scott" started working for him when he was 12. We are proud to say that this has been a family business for 50 years now, with his wife Caitlin continuing where Doc's mom left off!
He is the general surgeon for the practice, and is proud to have been one of the first in the area to offer laser surgery. After more than 30 years, he enjoys semi-retired status- though still working several days weekly all year round.
In his off hours, you can find him playing racquetball, maintaining his acreage, or guiding pheasant hunters with one of his six amazing Llewellin setters.
Dr. Roxanne Jacobson
Dr. Jacobson was born in Minnesota. She did her undergraduate studies at St. Cloud State University and graduated in 1999 from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She has practiced here since graduation and has no plans on leaving!
She enjoys examining all species of pets, but has a special interest in avian patients. Dr. Jacobson lives in Ankeny with her husband and two sons. Her house is home to a cat, Sprite, a pointing lab, Wallace, a cockatiel, Rocko, and several loved but un-named Goldfish in an outdoor pond. Her hobbies include crafting and painting.
"I love my job. I get to enjoy people and their pets. Our clients are our friends!"
Dr. Shawn Bierman
Dr. Bierman was born in New Mexico and moved numerous times before settling in Muscatine, Iowa. He earned his Associate of Science and Associate of Arts in Biology and Pre-Veterinary Medicine at Muscatine Community College before completing his undergraduate studies at Iowa State University of Animal Science. He graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006.
Dr. Bierman now lives in West Des Moines with his two sons and two German Shorthairs named Cain and Cassie. In his free time, Dr. Bierman enjoys fishing, playing sports and anything outdoors.
"I will treat your furred and feathered family members with care and compassion!"
Our Staff
Caitlin
Caitlin is Dr. Scott’s “better half.” She has been working with Doc since they purchased the clinic in 1991…he does the medicine she does the rest! Now that she has turned over the practice manager reigns to their daughter, Katie, you will see her smiling face most often behind the receptionist desk. She is always accompanied by her constant companion, Gladys, her Tibetan terrier and the official hospital greeter. “What a job! I get to cuddle everyone’s furry babies all day, laugh with the people I’m helping, work with people I love, and bring my own pet with me to work…it’s heaven!” Like her husband, Caitlin is enjoying semiretirement. When not at work she and Gladys help raise their 8 Llewellin setters, and also enjoys drawing, painting, glass work, and remodeling.
Nicole
Nicole may be a familiar face to many of you, as she has been with us for ten years as our head receptionist. She enjoys meeting and getting to know you and your furry and feathered friends on a personal level. Her sharp wit and keen sense of humor is a delight for both clients and staff. Her organizational skills keep the front office running smoothly, our food shelves stocked, and your pets reminders sent on time. As well as her two cats (Daisy & Timmy) and one dog (Holly), Nicole is happily married with three small children.
Katie
Katie is our practice manager and also happens to be Dr. Scott and Caitlin’s daughter (this really is a “family” practice). Katie graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Social Work degree. Her obvious love of people and compassionate nature has made her the perfect leader of our team. Katie started working for us in high school as a receptionist. After graduating college she decided to work for us "for the summer" while she looked for a job in her field but found she liked it so well she couldn't leave. So she learned to be a veterinary assistant, became head technician, and then practice manager. Katie lives with her husband and their two cats, Whitefoot Jones, and Jack.
Bridget
Bridget joined our team in 2003 starting as kennel staff for us. Through her dedication and care for animals she then enrolled in the DMACC veterinary technology program. She graduated in May of 2005, passed her boards and became a Registered Veterinary Technician. While Bridget has an enormous amount of love for all animals and birds she has a particularly wonderful sense of rapport with cats. They seem to speak the same language! Bridget and her husband have a dog, Meg, and 3 cats, Hiro, Libby, and Topo. She looks forward to treating your pets like one of her own.
Becky
Becky has been an invaluable part of our team for nearly three years. She is a full time veterinary technician, but also does an amazing job managing our inventory and purchasing department. Becky spends a great deal of time with her family and friends. She enjoys spending time with her two boxers, Shiba and Brutis, working out, or reading a good book, but most of her time outside of work is spent caring for and thoroughly enjoying her newly adopted 6 year old son.
Liz
Liz says she “has had the pleasure of working here as a kennel attendant for more than two years.” She takes care of all of the boarders and daycare animals. Liz takes great pride in spoiling them as much as possible and providing them with the best care while their owners are away. She has a natural instinct with animals and is one of our greatest assets. When she’s not working you can find her outdoors running and walking with her Siberian husky, Kobe, and hanging out with her friends.
Karen
Karen grew up in Kansas City, Mo where she earned a degree in animal science. This has been a tremendous asset to us in the two plus years she has worked here. Karen is one of our client care specialists at the front desk. She also keeps the paperwork in the office organized and running smoothly. Her family of animals includes a St. Bernard (who shares the bed), a Persian, a ferret and a Ball Python. She and her husband TJ live in Cambridge and are expecting their first child in November 2008.
Mark
Mark loves animals and his bachelor’s degree in zoology and a master’s degree in biology make him very happy to be working here. He has been a biology teacher and an insurance advisor. Along with customer service at the front desk, he is also the “fix it” man, taking care of the building and creating our beautiful landscape. Mark has two grown children and a Blue and Gold Macaw, Phoebe, which has become his new child. Mark enjoys meeting and chatting with all of our clients and their great pets!
Gloria
Gloria started in the veterinary field in 1996. She was in the field for two years, briefly tried another line of work but missing veterinary medicine happily came back. She then attended DMACC receiving her associates degree in veterinary technology and in June of 2006 passed the boards and became a Certified Veterinary Technician. Gloria has been with us for a little over a year and a half. She has the most infectious laugh…one that makes you laugh just hearing it. Gloria lives with her husband, their three Greyhounds, Finnegan, Saber, and Chewie and five cats, Kitty, Onyx, Phyllis, Rogue, and Hamish. In her spare time you can find her going to movies, Irish festivals and music concerts. She is also a member of Heartland Greyhound Adoption Association.