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Our Staff

Staff

Meet the friendly staff at Ashworth Road Animal Hospital!

Receptionists

Diana Freeman

Receptionist/Office Manager

Diana joined Ashworth Road Animal Hospital in 1994. She is a Certified Cat Friendly Veterinary Advocate. Diana grew up on a farm, so animals have always been a part of her life. She lives with her husband Greg, their dog Kai, and their cat Gino. They also have two adult sons, Joe and Jim. In her free time, she enjoys fishing, boating, traveling, spending time with her family and grandchildren and watching the Iowa Hawkeyes. GO HAWKS!
Keely Hammen

Veterinary Receptionist and Dog Trainer

Keely graduated from ISU in 2022 with a BS in Animal Ecology. She has a background in wildlife rehabilitation and dog training. She is currently working on Fear Free certification. She has a German Shepherd named Jager who competes in scent work trials. In her free time, she enjoys anything outdoors, water color painting, going to concerts, collecting too many houseplants, and spending time with friends.
Nicole Gordinier

Veterinary Technician, Receptionist, Inventory Manager

Nicole joined Ashworth Road Animal Hospital in 2003. Nikki currently lives in West Des Moines with her daughter Charlotte Rose, her Maine Coon named Sherman, and her Weimaraner named Sassy.
Josie Tyler

Receptionist

Josie grew up in Urbandale and graduated from Urbandale High School. She lives on the east side of Des Moines with her boyfriend Zac, dog Ray, and cat Berry. In her free time, she likes to hike, camp, and take naps
Lauren Bauer

Receptionists

Lauren grew up in North Central Iowa showing cattle, working closely with the local vets, and showing Australian Shepherds in AKC and ASCA conformation. She also dabbled in some rally and obedience! Her roots in the Australian Shepherd world began in 2007. In the end of her junior showmanship career she finished 5th in the nation in ASCA confirmation! After moving from home she graduated from Ellsworth Community College then transferred to Iowa State University for Animal Science/Agriculture Communications. Lauren currently lives in Des Moines with her husband, daughter, their Aussie Burke, and cat Bubbles!
Kerrie Williams

Receptionist

Kerrie lives in Waukee with husband Jason and her children McClaine and Elaine. She also has 2 cats Bella and Stormy and dog Ozzy. In her spare time she loves to craft and go thrift shopping.

Veterinary Technicians

Tricia Miles

Registered Veterinary Technician

Tricia joined Ashworth Road Animal Hospital in 2012. Tricia graduated from Muscatine Community College in 2010 with her degree as a veterinary technician. She enjoys spending time with her horse, 3 goats, 2 dogs (Raven and Rowdy), and her cat (Jackson). Tricia currently lives outside of Dallas Center with her husband Ed, her son Dallas, and daughter Dakota.
Shanda Strong

Veterinary Technician

Shanda graduated from the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Veterinary Technician program in May 2014. She joined Ashworth Road Animal Hospital in June 2014. Shanda currently lives in West Des Moines with her husband, Aaron. She also has her three cats: Kenobi, Quinn, and Binx. In her free time Shanda likes to watch American Horror Story and Big Bang Theory.
Sydney Runge

Veterinary Technician

Sydney joined Ashworth Road Animal Hospital in 2020. She lives in Des Moines with her Siamese cat Momo and her rescue dog Ernest.
Pattie Lathrop

Veterinary Technician

Pattie joined Ashworth Road Animal Hospital in 2023. She is currently a student at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She enjoys concerts, movies, and hanging out with her friends.
Emily Akers

Certified Veterinary Technician

Emily graduated from Veterinary Technician school in 2017 and she has been a CVT ever since. She grew up in Missouri but recently relocated to Iowa with her husband, Jason, and their 5 pets; Maggie and Mary (both rescue pups), Myla and Buzz (rescue kitties), and the newest addition- Neil, the bearded dragon. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, camping/backpacking, and seeing her friends and family. Emily's favorite part of being a veterinary technician is educating clients about their pets.
Olena Maibroda

Veterinary Technician

Lena joined Ashworth Road Animal Hospital in 2024 after she and her family came to the US from Ukraine. She is still learning English and hopes to someday practice as a veterinarian in the US (She is already a veterinarian in Ukraine.) Her dog, a dachshund named Nika, and her cat named Bagheera still live in Ukraine with her parents.
Maria Pruitt

Veterinary Technician and Client Services Specialist

Maria joined Ashworth Road Animal Hospital at the beginning of 2022. She grew up in Stuart, iA, raising and showing cattle. She has been living in Urbandale ever since she found her passion working with small animals.
Hailey Wilson

Veterinary Technician

Haley started at Ashworth Road Animal Hospital in 2023. She lives in West Des Moines with her daughter Vera and two cats: Nigel and Seamus. Haley enjoys gardening, caring for houseplants, and birdwatching in her spare time.

Assistants

Tammy Hines

Animal Caretaker

Tammy is a cat whisperer and hospital cleaner extraordinaire!

Clinic Pets

Gypsy !

Clinic Cat

Gypsy joined us in December 2018. She is a happy-go-lucky feline who enjoys all sorts of toys and scratching posts. She loves to be brushed and lint rolled.
Tallulah !

Clinic Cat

Tallulah joined us in December 2024. She only had 1 eye when her former owner adopted her and we are told that she is the mother to Pixie and Nessie. Tallulah enjoys long naps and snuggling with Dr. Merk and Josie. She frequently jumps on clients' laps and is known for walking into the middle of appointments.
Nessie !

Clinic Cat

Nessie joined us in December 2024. She enjoys snuggling and standing on people's shoulders. She is an avid squirrel watcher. Her favorite place to nap is in the treatment room. She has no self-preservation skills and will walk up to any dog to say hello.
Pixie !

Clinic Cat

Pixie joined us in December 2024. She loves her water fountain and conning the staff into turning on the kitchen sink tap for her. Her favorite place to nap is in the breakroom.