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GRAHAM ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Meet Our Staff
Dr.Sarah Graham
DVM
Dr. Sarah Graham, originally from Center Point, graduated from Iowa State University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. She then continued on in her studies at Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 2013.
Following graduation, she completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine at the University of Illinois. Dr. Graham then returned to the Cedar Rapids area and began her career in small animal private practice.
Dr. Graham shares her passion for animal care with her husband Leo, who is a small animal emergency and critical care veterinarian.
In her spare time, Dr. Graham likes spending time outside, biking, traveling and enjoys capturing these moments through photography.
They share their home with a stubborn but loving Puggle mix, Riley. She was adopted in 2014 and has worked her way into the hearts of many. She enjoys playing tag and shredding paper items.
Dr. Kathryn Schubert
DVM
Dr. Schubert is originally from North Central Iowa and grew up in the Mason City area. She attended both undergraduate and veterinary school at Iowa State University.
After graduating in 2016 she spent a year practicing veterinary medicine in Northern Wisconsin before deciding to move closer to home. She has spent the last year living in North Liberty practicing as an emergency veterinarian before making the transition back into general practice at Graham Animal Hospital.
She currently lives in North Liberty with her Blue Heeler, Ranger and German Shepherd mix, Schatzi. She enjoys hiking, archery, volleyball, kayaking, and any activity her dogs can participate in with her when the weather is nice. She is very
excited to be a part of Graham Animal Hospital.
Dr. Emily Houge
DVM
Dr. Emily Houge grew up in central Iowa and attended Iowa State University,
earning her bachelor’s degree in animal science in 2009. She then earned her
Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University in 2013.
After graduation, Dr. Houge practiced in Wisconsin for 8 years as a small animal
veterinarian. She is excited to be back in Iowa and working at Graham Animal
Hospital. Dr. Houge enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine but some special interests include feline medicine, ultrasound, dermatology, internal medicine, and pain management.
In her free time, she loves traveling, reading, being outdoors, and baking. She has three mischievous cats at home named Xander, Phoebe, and Ziva.
Rachel Koppenhaver
Registered Veterinary Technician
Rachel is a Registered Veterinary Technician and a graduate from Kirkwood Community College with an Associates degree in Applied Science. Rachel joined GAH in February 2016.
As a vet tech, she enjoys that her job combines working with animals and building relationships with clients. Rachel is passionate about performing dental cleanings and dental radiograph. She has great expertise in attending to sick critical cases, and patients under anesthesia.
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Rachel lives in Cedar Rapids with her husband, Ross and daughter, Parker. She has a Pitbull mix, Nora and an orange tabby, appropriately named Lasagna. She loves to read in her spare time, be outdoors in the summer and snuggled up at home in the winter.
Kassidy McCombs
Veterinary Assisstant
Kassidy is a Veterinary Assistant who graduated from Kirkwood Community College with a Diploma in Veterinary Assisting. She joined GAH in March 2017 and has become a great asset to the hospital.
As a vet assistant, she enjoys that her job combines working with animals and building relationships with clients. Her passion is being able to educate clients on the best care for their pets. Kassidy manages GAH's prescription diets and food orders.
Kassidy is very versatile and assists during surgeries, anesthesia monitoring, and our front desk. In her spare time, she loves being outside, reading and taking short day trips with her husband Travis, sons Leeam and Barrett, and their Miniature Australian Shepherd, Abel.
Madison Kearney
Registered Veterinary Technician
Madi attended the Veterinary Technician program at Kirkwood Community College and works at GAH as a veterinary technician since October 2019.
As a Technician, Madi enjoys working with all the patients and clients that come through the door. She is passionate about being able to provide the best standard of care for each and every patient. Her favorite thing about being at GAH, is seeing familiar faces.
Madi shares her home with her husband, Mitchell, her two dogs (a Border Collie named Rue and a Golden Retriever named Ava), and Torbie cat (named Callie). In her spare time, she enjoys walking with her dogs and spending quality time with friends and family. She also enjoys taking photographs, going on trips, and spending as much time as she can outside.
Kayla Hunter
Veterinary Assisstant
Kayla is a Veterinary Assistant who graduated from Kirkwood Community College with a Diploma in Veterinary Assisting. She joined GAH staff in May 2021.
As an Assistant, Kayla enjoys interacting and building strong relationships with clients and patients when they come into the clinic. She enjoys providing client education on what is recommended for their pets and answering any questions they have regarding their pet’s care. Her favorite thing about her job is getting to see all the animals that come in and share her love for animals.
Kayla shares her home with her 3 daughters, two rowdy Australian Shepherds named Ryott and Benji, along with 2 newly added kitties Onyx and Ivory. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys taking her girls on family trips and watching TikTok.
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Kellie Kopecky
Veterinary Assisstant
Kellie is a Veterinary Assistant and a graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science in 2015. Kellie joined GAH in October of 2020 after working 4 years as a Veterinary Assistant in the Cedar Rapids area.
As an assistant, Kellie loves having the ability to always learn new things and also having the ability to educate clients on many different aspects of care. She also enjoys being able to continue using her experience of high standard pet care at GAH.
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Kellie shares her home with her husband, London, three English Setters (Red, Brennivin and Betsy) and two cats (Bro and Bella). In her spare time she loves to spend time outside with her dogs, traveling the world, spending time with family and watching Netflix.
Shelby Gossett
Registered Veterinary Technician
Shelby is a Veterinary Technician who graduated from the Veterinary Technician Program at Kirkwood Community College in 2022. She joined GAH in December 2021 part time while completing her program, once graduated, Shelby joined the team full time.
She knew at a young age that she wanted a career involving animals. A highlight of being a veterinary technician for Shelby is helping keep pets happy and healthy, she enjoys getting to see patients grow up, and also build a relationship with the owners. Shelby says GAH has provided a fun and rewarding environment for her to work in. Along with all the staff being so caring towards all the patients, it makes her job even more enjoyable!
Shelby enjoys hanging out with friends, bowling, reading, or just relaxing with her family. Her fur babies are Kya (Akita mix), and her two cats, Macaroni and Pitch. She also finds joy being involved in her church community, and young adult group.
Amanda
Veterinary Assistant
Amanda is a veterinary Assist
Hailee Shields
Veterinary Assistant
Hailee is a veterinary Assist
Hailee Shields
Veterinary Assistant
Hailee is a veterinary Assist
Liza Delagardelle
Registered Veterinary Technician
Liza attended the Veterinary Technician Program at Kirkwood Community College graduating in 2022. She joined GAH the summer of 2022 as Intern, and joined the team full time upon graduation.
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As a Technician, enjoys watching patients grow over the year, and getting to know each patients unique personalities. Liza is passionate about being able to help sick pets feel better. What she enjoys most about working at GAH, is the quality care given to each patient that walks through the door from each associate. GAH provides such a supportive enviroment with lots of opportunities for growth.
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When Liza is not at work, she enjoys spending time with family/friends, traveling, and going to concerts. She shares her home with three fur babies; Remi (Golden Retriever), and two small but rambunctious boys, Max and Beau.
Mercedes Riley
Registered Veterinary Technician
Mercedes attended the Veterinary Technician program at Kirkwood Community College. In 2023 graduated with an Associates in Applied Science degree. She joined GAH immediately following her graduation.
She knew at a young age that taking care of animals was her passion. As a Technician, she most enjoys being able to be hands on with the pets each day to assist in their care. Mercedes' favorite part of working at GAH is the atmosphere. Everyone here strives to give the best quality of care for each and every patient that comes through our doors. All of the amazing clients that bring them in make it just that much better!
In her free time, Mercedes loves reading, and being with friends and family. When the weather is nice, she enjoys kayaking, walking her dog, Baxter, and going to concerts!
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Amanda
Veterinary Assistant
Amanda is a veterinary Assist
Hailee Shields
Veterinary Assistant
Hailee is a veterinary Assist
Hailee Shields
Veterinary Assistant
Hailee is a veterinary Assist
Amelia Saltzman
Veterinary Assistant
Amelia is currently a student at Kirkwood Community College in the Veterinary Technician program, she will graduate May of 2024. She joined GAH in 2023 as an intern, then stayed on with us following her internship.
She chose veterinary medicine not just because of her love for animals, but also with being able to help pet families through difficult times when their loved one is sick. Through helping a pet, she is also helping the pet parent. Amelia is thankful to work with such an amazing team at GAH, they have always been so nice and taught her so much from internship and beyond.
Outside of work, Amelia enjoys pottery and spending time with her three cats!