VCA Advanced Veterinary Care Center

Bios

• Trinity Smith

  DVM

  Dr. Smith received her Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee. She relocated to Indiana after graduation with her husband. Before joining our clinic, she practiced small animal medicine just south of Indianapolis. Dr. Smith spends all of her spare time with her family, including two dogs and two cats.

• Anne Browne-Goodwin

  DVM

  Bio to Follow.

• Carl Budelsky

  DVM

  Dr. Carl Budelsky received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois. He completed an ophthalmology internship with the Animal Eye Consultants in Elgin, Illinois, and a fellowship in ocular pathology under the training of Dr. Dubelzig at the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Budelsky obtained and completed a residency training program in veterinary ophthamology with the University of Illinois. His professional interests include ocular pathology, techniques in corneal grafting, and ocular manifestations of systemic disease.

• Michelle Edwards

  DVM

  Dr. Edwards graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. She then went on to complete her internship and residency at the Michigan Veterinary Specialists located near Detroit, MI. She received her ACVIM board certification in 2004 and went on to practice as an internist for two years with the Michigan Veterinary Specialists prior to joining the Indianapolis Veterinary Specialists in the summer of 2006. Her main interests are in nutrition, GI disease, hepatic disease, endocrinology, immune mediated disorders, nephrology. She is also proficient in ultrasonography and endoscopy. (GI, rhinoscopy, bronchoscopy).

• Kerri Rechner

  DVM

  Dr. Kerri Rechner is a 1999 graduate of the University Of Illinois College Of Veterinary Medicine. She spent 9 years in general small animal practice in the Chicagoland area, 5 of which she was the Medical Director for VCA Naper Ridge Animal Hospital in Naperville, IL. She then relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina where she completed a residency training program in Radiation Oncology at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in July of 2010. She joined the VCA Veterinary Specialty Center, now Advanced Veterinary Care Center in 2010. She lives in Fishers with her husband David and a few 4-legged children.

• Aaron Wehrenberg

  DVM

  Dr. Aaron Wehrenberg earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree from Oklahoma State College of Veterinary Medicine. He then completed a one-year surgical internship at Veterinary Specialty Center of Indiana. Following completion of his surgical internship he entered into a three-year small animal surgical residency at Veterinary Specialty Center of Indiana. Following completion of his surgical residency he passed his small animal surgery boards to become a Diplomate with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. During his residency he published an extensive amount of case reports and scientific publications. His most recent publication was entitled 'Evaluation of Topical Epidural Morphine for Postoperative Analgesia Following Hemilaminectomy in Dogs.' His interests include orthopedic and neurosurgery along with wound management and pain control. Dr. Wehrenberg was an FDA Investigator for tramadol extended release tablet for the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs. In addition he has organized and presented many presentations regarding pain management, orthopedic surgery and soft tissue surgeries for continuing education purposes. Dr. Wehrenberg also has been involved overseeing and training both interns and residents at Veterinary Specialty Center. Dr. Wehrenberg actively consults on the Veterinary Information Network (VIN), which he enjoys along with being available for consults from veterinarians from throughout Indiana. Dr. Wehrenberg also enjoys being a locum professor at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.

• Katie Wentworth

  DVM

  Homegrown in Indiana, Dr. Katie Wentworth originates from Bloomington, where her parents both taught at Indiana University. Her undergraduate years were mostly spent in sunny Miami, FL, though she did attend IU for her senior year. After a year of working as a marine mammal trainer, Dr. Wentworth started veterinary school, officially tarnishing the long family history of cream and crimson, by attending Purdue CVM and graduating in 2008. Since graduation, Dr. Wentworth has worked in private practice with exotics/pocket pets as a focus as well as small animal preventative care. A love of emergent care for small animals developed and she has been pursuing this interest ever since, working in the ER setting for approximately one year. In her spare time, Dr. Wentworth enjoys hanging out at the local dog park, honing her surgery skills by taking scalpel blade to paper to create silhouettes and greeting cards, as well as taking advantage of the myriad of activities available to her thanks to living downtown in Indianapolis. Dr. Wentworth is extremely excited to join the VCA AVCC team and looks forward to the chance to work alongside all of you!.

• Jeanette Raikos

  DVM

  Dr. Jeanette Raikos graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1988. After one year in rural practice, she entered and completed her Masters Degree and Theiogenology Residency at the University of Missouri in 1993. Dr. Raikos is a diplomate of The American College of Theriogenologists. She has been with VCA since 1996.

  Education:

• Chad Spah

  DVM

  Dr. Chad E. Spah grew up on a dairy and beef farm in central North Dakota, which inspired his interest in becoming a veterinarian. He received his B.S. in Animal Science in 2004 from North Dakota State University. He attended Iowa State University to obtain his doctorate in veterinary medicine in 2008. After graduation, Dr. Spah continued his education with a one year rotating internship in surgery, medicine, and emergency care at VCA Animal Referral and Emergency Center of Arizona in 2009. With a strong interest in surgery, he pursued a specialty surgical internship at VCA Veterinary Specialty Center in Indianapolis. Dr. Spah advanced his surgical training with completing a three-year small animal surgical residency in Feb. 2013 at the new facility, VCA Advanced Veterinary Care Center in Fishers, Indiana. Dr. Spah enjoys all aspects of soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. He performs the TPLO for cranial cruciate ligament ruptures and his training helps him manage difficult fractures. Dr. Spah has a special interest in minimally invasive surgery, which in includes laparoscopy, thoracoscopy, and arthroscopy. He has received advanced training in laparoscopy and thoracoscopy. Dr. Spah has submitted an article for publication with a new suture to perform a laparoscopic gastropexy, which only involves three 1cm incisions. A gastropexy prevents the life-threatening condition called gastric dilation volvulus (GDV). The advantages of the minimally invasive surgery include less post-operative pain and earlier return to normal function. Dr. Spah also works closely with internal medicine and oncology services for integrated medicine. Additionally, he enjoys soft tissue reconstruction to remove difficult tumors. When Dr. Spah is not performing surgery he enjoys spending time with his wife, who is also a veterinarian. Their two kids keep them very busy. They also have added three cats to their family during their careers as veterinarians. .

• Kristi Chandler Stanley

  DVM
• Johnny Cross

  DVM

  Johnny Cross was born in Raleigh, North Carolina and then moved to Blacksburg, Virginia at the age of four. He attended Blacksburg Middle and High School where he played football, basketball, and soccer. He received his Bachelor's of Science from Virginia Tech in 2002 majoring in Biology with Minors in both Chemistry and Entomology. He then attended Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. After graduation, he continued his training as a rotating intern at the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey. Knowing for a long time he had a love for neurology/neurosurgery, he then completed his residency in neurology/neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania in 2011. He has several publications and has presented at the national level as well. Although interested in all aspects of veterinary neurology/neurosurgery, Dr. Cross is particularly interested in epilepsy, intervertebral disc disease, tumors of the nervous system, and infectious/inflammatory central nervous system diseases. Dr. Cross has only lived in the midwest a couple years. He moved here with his wife, two dogs and horse. He is happy that he will raise his daughter as a midwest girl. Dr. Cross is looking forward to being Indianapolis ' first veterinary neurologist and providing his services to help your four-legged family members.

• Michelle Reckard

  DVM

  Dr. Michelle Reckard graduated from the University of Florida in 1998 with a major in mathematics and minor in actuarial science. She worked for nine years in the actuarial consulting industry. In 2002 she began a career change into veterinary medicine, graduating from Argosy University in 2005 as a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT). Dr. Reckard received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine in May 2012 and is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Health (MPH). After graduation, she moved to Indianapolis to complete a one year rotating small animal internship at VCA Advanced Veterinary Care Center. After completing the internship, she joined the staff full time as an Emergency Clinician. In Minnesota, Dr. Reckard was highly involved with Basic Animal Rescue Training (BART), a non-profit organization that trains firefighters and other first responders how to safely handle animals encountered during emergency situations. She served on the Board of Directors from 2008 - 2012. She is co-author of BART's Large Animal Recapture and Restraint Curriculum that was approved by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a state-sponsored course in September 2012 and a contributing author of BART's Small Animal Basic Life Support Curriculum that was approved by the DHS in March 2008. She has given numerous presentations to first responders and was a speaker at the 31st Annual Arrowhead EMS Conference & Expo.

• Sharon Shor

  DVM

  Dr. Shor graduated from the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine in Israel in 2004. He then finished a 1-year rotating internship in emergency, internal medicine and surgery at the Koret School. Subsequently, he continued on as a clinical instructor in the internal medicine department for 2 more years. During this time he realized his passion for treating cancer. His pursuit of knowledge and specialization led him to Oregon in 2007, where he was a clinical fellow in the oncology department at Oregon State University. Following this fellowship he completed a 4-year combined residency and Master's Degree in medical oncology and cancer biology at the University of Illinois. Dr. Shor puts emphasis on a comprehensive team approach for treatment of cancer in animals. He is specifically interested in minimally invasive diagnostic procedures, innovative and investigational therapies, and treatment of cancer-related pain, especially in animals with bone invasive tumors. During his residency Dr. Shor gained an in-depth knowledge in bone tumors while he was researching canine primary bone cancer (osteosarcoma) and the impact of zoledronate (a bisphosphonate drug) on prevention of cancer spread throughout the body. He presented his research work in the 2012 Annual Conference of the Veterinary Cancer Society and was given the E. Gregory MacEwen Memorial Award for Outstanding Research in Basic Science. Dr. Shor is highly committed to serve the communities of Indianapolis and the surrounding area for consultation and treatment in the medical oncology field. He is excited to join VCA-AVCC with its radiation therapy facility as well as all other medical and surgical services. This unique set-up allows the provision of high quality care and a comprehensive team approach for pets with cancer. When not working at the clinic, Dr. Shor likes to spend time with his wife, their two children, and their dog and cat. Dr. Shor also enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and photography.

• Rebecca Spivack

  VMD

  Dr. Rebecca Spivack received a B.A. in biology in 2002 and a V.M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 2006. After graduation, Dr. Spivack completed a one-year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, followed by a one-year specialty surgical internship at the VCA Veterinary Specialty Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Spivack stayed on at the VCA Veterinary Specialty Center for a three-year residency program in small animal surgery, which she completed in 2011. While working at VCA Southern Maryland Veterinary Referral Center following her residency, Dr. Spivack enrolled in the University of Tennessee's Canine Rehabilitation Certificate program. She became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP) in 2012. Dr. Spivack enjoys integrating this training into the care of her postoperative surgical patients. Her professional interests include both soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, with a particular focus on skin reconstruction and wound management. Dr. Spivack's most recent publication was entitled Postoperative Complications following Total Ear Canal Ablation-Lateral Bulla Osteotomy in the Dog and Cat.� Although originally from the Washington, D.C. area, Dr. Spivack is excited to be back in the midwest as a part of the team at the VCA Advanced Veterinary Care Center. Her husband and their foxhound, Edie, are both Indianapolis natives.