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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Liza Nusinovich was born
and raised in Bethesda, Maryland. She attended the University of Maryland
and earned her Bachelor Degree in Animal and Avian Sciences with a
minor in Piano Performance. She is now a vet student at The Ohio State
University and plans on earning her D.V.M. in 2011. After graduation,
Liza hopes to join a small animal practice back in the Washington,
DC area as well as volunteer with shelter organizations.
In her free time, Liza enjoys spending
time with her family and friends, travelling, ballet, horseback
riding and playing the piano. She lives in Columbus with her
retired Greyhound, Percy, who came to Ohio State from Daytona
Beach, Florida.
Lauren Patton has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal
Sciences, with a specialty in Nutrition, from The Ohio State University.
She has recently been accepted into 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.
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
