Dr. Adam Ballard became interested in veterinary medicine
while working for a mixed animal practice in Creston, Ohio in 1985.He is a 1993 graduate of Berea College, Kentucky where he earned a
Bachelor Degree in Biology. He graduated with his Doctorate in Veterinary
Medicine from The Ohio State University in 1997.
Dr. Ballard met and
married Dr. Leah Carpenter in 1996 while finishing school. Three
kids, three dogs, and six cats later, he and Dr. Carpenter have designed
and built the only AAHA accredited veterinary hospital in the Delaware
area. Their goal is to have a “country-style” practice
at which personal, friendly service, a relaxed atmosphere, and outstanding
medicine and surgery are applied every day.
Dr. Ballard’s areas
of interest include internal medicine, cardiology, dermatology,
dentistry, and laser surgery. He is an adjunct faculty member of The
OSU College of Veterinary Medicine and is on the Admissions Committee
for the college. Dr. Ballard is past president of both the Columbus
Academy of Veterinary Medicine and the Miami Valley Veterinary Medical
Association. He also serves on the Pet Animal Committee for the Midwest
Veterinary Conference and speaks publicly for Pfizer Animal Health.
In his spare time, he enjoys working outside, landscaping, biking,
reading, and travelling to the nearest ocean with his family.
Dr. Ballard
is interested in teaching and is an off-site instructor for The Ohio
State University College of Veterinary Medicine senior elective rotation.
He likes to encourage the use of common sense and problem solving
in his students, and will often quiz them in exam rooms.
Dr. Leah Carpenter grew up in Lancaster, Ohio on a
farm with horses, cattle, sheep, goats, cats and dogs. She spent a
great deal of her time working with horses up to and throughout college.
She went to Ohio University and earned a Bachelor Degree in English,
with an emphasis in creative writing in 1990. In 1994, she received
her Masters Degree in English. Dr. Carpenter went on to teach at Wright
State University for a year before deciding to return to school to
pursue a degree in veterinary medicine.
In 1999, Dr. Carpenter earned
her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University.
She particularly enjoys feline medicine, dermatology and animal behavior.
It has been a long time dream of hers to have her own veterinary
clinic that is much like the family-oriented practice that she grew
up with. That dream came true in June of 2007, when Cheshire Crossing
Animal Hospital opened its doors.
Dr. Carpenter is married to Dr. Adam
Ballard and they have three children - Charlie, Ella, and Jimmy.
They share their home in Delaware with three dogs and six cats.
When not working, Dr. Carpenter enjoys reading, gardening,
bike riding and quilting. She is the current president of the Columbus
Academy of Veterinary Medicine and is an active member of the Ohio
Veterinary Medical Association, the International Academy of Veterinary
Pain Management and the American Veterinary Medical Association. She
also actively serves as a member of the Small Animal Practitioner Advancement
Board for The Ohio State University.
Stacey Rhodebeck was born and raised on a family farm
in Milford, Ohio. She attended The Ohio State University where she
earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science. Before becoming
Hospital Manager here at CCAH, Stacey worked for an Ohio based livestock
marketing company, and then went on to gain 9 years of veterinary clinic
experience. She has a strong interest in animal behavior and will soon
be certified in HTA (Healing Touch for Animals®).
When not at work,
Stacey enjoys reading, travelling, sewing, home decorating and OSU
football. She and her husband Jason live in Grove City with their
dog Riley and cat Toonses.
Chris Hradisky grew up in Mentor, Ohio. She has a degree
in Medical Laboratory Technology and has had a rather diverse history.
She started her career in a human hospital in Cleveland and then went
to work for Eastman Kodak Company (yes, the picture people) as a Laboratory
Specialist. Chris was a transient when she worked for Kodak, which
eventually became a part of Johnson & Johnson (the baby powder
people.) She has lived in Indiana, New York and Texas before coming
back home to Ohio, where she was a representative for a veterinary
sales company. She now spends time helping out at CCAH.
When not working,
Chris loves camping, travelling, reading, ceramics, remodeling her
house, relaxing with a nice glass of wine and spending time with
her family. She and her husband Ron live in Radnor.
Anita Costello grew up in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Before
joining the CCAH crew in early 2009, she worked in client services
at several veterinary clinics. Anita received her Esthetics License
in 1993 and is often bribed into giving massages in the break room.
In her spare time, Anita enjoys antiquing, cooking and anything involving
animals. She and her husband Ray live in Delaware with their Boxer,
Gracie and English Bulldog, Stella.
Tanja Hughes earned an Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology
from Columbus State Community College. She has been a part of the CCAH
family since the dream began for Dr. Carpenter and Dr. Ballard in 2007.
She said, “I have been honored to help them build this practice from
the first shovel of dirt into the thriving practice that it is now.” Tanja
has worked in private practice, has been a part of the Adjunct Faculty
at Columbus State Community College in the Veterinary Technology Department
and is a member of the Ohio Association of Veterinary Technicians.
Tanja has a wonderful husband, Steve and two beautiful children. They
also share their Delaware home with one rather large dog, two cats
and a fish. Her interests include spending time with her family and
friends, exercising, dessert (“yes, in that order because without the second,
she could never have the third”), travelling and reading. Tanja
says she is a fledgling runner and would love to one day complete a
marathon.
Kathleen Delgado spent her childhood in Wilmington, Ohio. She attended Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan where she earned her Bachelor Degree in Animal Science. Two years later, she earned an Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology at Columbus State Community College and works here at CCAH as a Registered Veterinary Technician.
When Kathleen is not working she enjoys horseback riding, sewing and reading. She is also very active in her church where she helps to mentor youth in life skills and hobbies. She and her husband Jorge reside in Columbus with their "crazy cats" Artemis, Promethius, Thor, Hades and Hathor. They are expecting their first child in August.
Gina Swearingen grew up in Pataskala Ohio. She attended Columbus State Community College where she earned an Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology in 1999. Before joining CCAH this year, she worked at a small animal hospital for 14 years where she gained experience and knowledge in many aspects of the veterinary profession. She enjoys working with clients and their pets and strives to have a one on one bond with all the pet families that come in for medical care.
Outside of work Gina's world revolves around the loves of her life: her husband Matt, her two children Mason and Makenna and the lovable and playful four legged Miss Stella. Stella is a mixed breed that they rescued in November 2010. When she isn't running the kids to all their sporting events and activities, Gina enjoys camping, four wheeling, playing sports, and hanging out with their friends! Her family also includes a great cat "Mouse" a bird "Squirt", a gecko "Sunny" and 4 hermit crabs....It's truly a zoo over there!
Amy Richards grew up
in northeastern Ohio. She attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan,
where she earned a Bachelor Degree in English and Communications. She
later earned an Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology from Columbus
State Community College and has been a Registered Veterinary Technician
for 12 years. Before joining the staff at CCAH in 2007, Amy worked
at several animal hospitals, including 6 years at MSPCA – Angell
Memorial Hospital on Nantucket Island in Massachusetts.
She has a special interest in working
with cats, but loves all animals, especially her own. Amy lives
in Clintonville with her dog Chet and cats Devi, Echo and Finn.
Tina Armbrust is a woman of many educations. She has
a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters
of Arts in Educational Administration, both from The Ohio State University.
Several years later, she earned her License in Library Media Science
from Ohio Dominican College. Because of her love for animals, Tina
then went on to earn her Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology
from Columbus State Community College. She has been a Registered Veterinary
Technician at CCAH since 2007.
Tina is a volunteer for the Franklin
County Emergency Management Agency, with a focus on animals. She
is also involved with “The Leader
in Me: Teaching Leadership Skills to Youth.” In her spare time,
she likes to camp, hike, “explore” and garden and enjoys
Agility Competition with her dogs. Tina lives locally with her dogs
Shadow, Misty, Jake and Lukas, her guinea pig Pudgy and seven goldfish.
Raven Ridenour spent her childhood in Waynesfield, Ohio. She is currently attending Columbus State Community College and is working towards an Animal Science Degree and becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician. Raven's love for animals is a true asset here at CCAH in her role as a veterinary assistant.
When Raven is not here at work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends in Waynesfield and riding horses in barrel racing events. She lives in Cardington with 6 dogs, a cat and a horse.
Erin Gray comes from a military family, most recently from Avon Lake, Ohio. She has been at CCAH since she completed her undergraduate internship with Dr. Ballard in the summer of 2008. In 2007, Erin studied Tropical Marine Ecology and Conservation on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. In 2010, she was chosen to do an internship at Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro, California. Erin is now a third year veterinary student at The Ohio State University.
In her free time, Erin stays active by running, playing volleyball, going to weekend movies and traveling to the beach for opportunities to SCUBA dive. She currently lives in Columbus and finds countless hours of entertainment with her roommates and their Golden Retriever, Gryffin.
Beth Geist is a third-year veterinary student at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She was born and raised in Columbus, and has worked in small animal veterinary hospitals since the age of fifteen. Her experience also includes shelter medicine, wildlife rehab, and specialty medicine, but she enjoys the everyday challenges and rewards of general practice and looks forward to continuing on that path after earning her D.V.M. Prior to vet school, she majored in Zoology at Ohio State.
Beth currently lives in Gahanna with three cats, Agent Orange, Julius, and Dozer, and her hobbies include studying, reading, and drinking too much Red Bull.
Rachel Johnson was
born in Vancouver, Washington. She recently graduated from Olentangy
High School (a year early) and is currently attending Columbus State
Community College. She has hopes of becoming a nurse. Rachel started
at CCAH on our housekeeping staff and is now being trained to be a Veterinary
Assisstant.
Rachel lives
at home with her four dogs Bo, Teeny, Maizy and Lucy and her two
cats Grayson and Sissy. In her spare time, she enjoys drawing, painting,
reading and running.
Lauren Patton has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Sciences, with a specialty in Nutrition, from The Ohio State University. She has recently graduated from Mt. Carmel's School of Nursing.
When she isn't working, Lauren enjoys weightlifting, cake decorating, baking, reading and shopping. She lives with her Chocolate Lab, Lettie and her Siamese cat, Louie.
Stephanie Monson was born in Vancouver, Washington. She will be attending Olentangy High School, and as a high school senior will also be attending Columbus State Community College. Stephanie started at CCAH in a student mentorship program and is now employed as a veterinary assistant. Her aspiration is to become a Registered Veterinary Technician.
When she's not at work or school, Stephanie enjoys photography and listening to music. She currently lives at home with her "four-legged" family, Lucy, Bo, Tina and Maizy.
Suzanne Kauf graduated from the University of Cincinnati
with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in English. Her professional
interests include sales and marketing, but her passion has always been
to work with animals. She joined CCAH in 2007, shortly after the grand
opening.
Suzanne and her husband Dwight have two sons Casey and
Cooper, a dog, Riley, a puppy, Bear and a cat, Niki. Her youngest
son is 9 months old, so he takes up a lot of her time, but her eight
year old is a huge help. When she’s not at work, Suzanne enjoys
reading, running and walks with Riley and her sons.
Felix came to us
in the summer of 2007. He was found on a nearby golf course in very poor
condition. We nursed him back to health and he has been our fearless
King of the Clinic ever since. For more information on Felix’s
story, click here (Microsoft Word doc).
Lucy came to us in June of 2008 and
has been Felix's best friend ever since. She enjoys lurking about the
clinic, exploring new things, sitting with Stacey and snoozing
in the office.
At Cheshire Crossing Animal Hospital, the doctors and
staff consider dental health to be a top priority. A thorough examination
of the mouth with emphasis on the teeth and gums is an integral part of
every pet’s physical exam.
Disease of the gum tissue, known as periodontal disease, affects 85% of
adult dogs and cats. Left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to pain,
bad breath, and tooth loss. Over time, chronic bacterial infection of the
mouth can lead to disease in other parts of the body such as the heart
and kidneys.
We all know that caring for our own teeth involves frequent brushing,
flossing, and rinsing. And while we may have the very best...read more
