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ABOUT US

New place. Familiar faces.

Rock Vet Animal Hospital (RVAH) was founded in September, 2022, and launches in Summer, 2023. We are very excited to share your love for your pets as well as being a facilitator in your success of raising and caring for your animals. We care for all kinds of four-legged creatures.

Our dedicated and caring team members at RVAH have all known each other for several years. We consider this clinic our home away from home. 

SEE WHO WE ARE

RVAH STAFF

If you have sought veterinary care in the past you may have run into some of us. We have raised, worked with, and cared for animals for many years and consider the veterinary profession a fun and exciting place to work.

We cannot wait to reconnect with your older pets and introduce ourselves to new family members.

Until then, please allow us to share our stories.

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Hannah Isaacs

Office Manager/Veterinary Technician

Hannah Isaacs grew up in a small town called Russiaville in Indiana. Hannah’s love for animals began when she was big enough to open her window and sneak them inside. She grew up with a wide variety of pets, including dogs, cats, chickens, goats, fish, guinea pigs, and hamsters. Hannah has always been fascinated with learning about all animals.

Hannah graduated with a basketball scholarship from Indiana Institute of Technology with a Bachelor's of Science in Business Marketing. In 2014, Hannah married her husband, James Isaacs, who is a native to Rockcastle County. She fell in love when Rockcastle Veterinary Clinic would work her cattle every year. That is when she knew that she wanted to make it her career. She began by completing a Vet Assistant program from Animal Behavior College in 2018. She began working at Rockcastle Veterinary Clinic where she grew more and more passionate about working with animals.

When Hannah is not at work, she spends all her time with her husband and five kids on their cattle farm. Her family enjoys doing farm work together. Whether it is tending to the garden, baling hay, working cattle, or riding horses; the family always does it together. In addition to the cattle, she has nine horses, four dogs, two cats, and several chickens. In her spare time, she rides horseback and camps with family and friends. Hannah feels extremely blessed to raise her children and be a part of Rockcastle County. She is very anxious and proud to be a part of Rock Vet Animal Hospital.

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Reina Lykins

Veterinary Technician

Reina moved to Rockcastle County many years ago when she was still in elementary school. Throughout her schooling, she participated in many different extracurriculars, like FFA and track and field. She grew up with many animals, such as dogs, cats, chickens, and fish. She knew from a young age that she wanted to pursue a veterinary career.

Reina left Rockcastle in 2020 to go to Gatton Academy in Bowling Green, KY. She moved into a dorm and started college 2 years early, at 15. There, she got lots of hands-on experience with large animals, both through her lab classes and research opportunities. Reina would return home to work at Rockcastle Veterinary Clinic during the summer breaks. Dr. Chism took her along with him on many farm calls, allowing her to get most of her large animal experience. After graduating in 2022, Reina worked at another clinic before deciding to join Rock Vet just after their opening.

Reina currently has 2 pets, a miniature pug named Margo and a foster-fail kitten named Opal. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games, basketball, and golf. 

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Jennifer Slagle

Veterinary Technician

Jennifer Slagle was born in Virginia where she grew up around horses and dairy cows. Having always had a passion for animals, she knew from an early age that animal care was the career she wanted to pursue in life. She started her 28-year long career in 1995 bathing pets and learning the operations of an animal care boarding facility. In 1998 her career progressed to her first veterinary assistant position. Throughout the years, she continued her career with veterinary assistant and veterinary technician positions at a variety of veterinary clinics, veterinary specialists, and veterinary emergency hospitals. Being a military spouse, she moved a lot allowing for the opportunity to work with and learn from many practices throughout several states and Japan.

 

In 2016 she retired from her career when her husband retired from the military. They bought a farm in Kentucky where they could enjoy their retirement raising goats. Jennifer met Dr. Chism of Rockcastle Veterinary Clinic as a client. After discussing the career that she retired from, he talked her into unretiring to continue working in a field she was passionate about. Having had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Joenborg at Rockcastle Veterinary Clinic and working with him there, she is continuing her enjoyment of animal care at Rock Vet Animal Hospital.

Outside of work she owns a goat breeding operation and an art studio shop. When she is not out with the goats or in the art room, she enjoys being in nature, hiking, crafting, gardening, and birdwatching.

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Kayla Dobbs

Veterinary Technician

Kayla was born and raised in Mt Vernon, KY and lived on Jerri Lane from birth until she got married in 2008. At a very young age she was nicknamed Ellie Mae and the name has always stuck.

 

When she was 16, she approached Dr. Chism at Rockcastle Veterinary Clinic to ask if he would be interested in hiring her as a co-op student. He hired her on the spot and the rest is history. She has loved ALL animals her entire life. When she is caring for or nurturing a sick or injured animal, she can feel in her heart that's where she belongs. Helping animals is her biggest passion.

Although caring for animals is high on her list, her greatest accomplishment in life are her two sons Jacob and Avery. Kayla would also have to give credit to the love of her life, Daniel, for always supporting her when she brings home an injured or orphaned animal.

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Gina Combs

Surgery Technician

Gina is our veterinary assistant. She has been working with animals for 25 years and been an veterinary assistant at Rockcastle Veterinary Clinic from 2008 until 2022. She is a graduate of Nash Academy of Grooming and infamously known as the "cat whisperer" due to her unique abilities and love of working with (or rather, for) cats.

Gina lives on a farm and loves trail riding with her horse named Wind. When Gina is not working she is caring for her menagerie of rescued pets. She has 6 cats, 2 guinea pigs, 2 rabbits, chickens, 1 pigeon, 1 dog, and 3 horses. Outside her little zoo, her hobbies include drawing and working in her flower garden.

Her love for animals is evident in everything she does.

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Sandy Ramsey

Receptionist

Sandy joined the Rock Vet team in September 2023 as one of our front desk receptionists. She had previously worked as a receptionist at Rockcastle Veterinary Clinic for many years.

Sandy was born in Rockcastle County and raised on a farm. From a young age, she helped work cattle, drive tractors, and do daily farm chores. Growing up, she loved spending time with her horses, cats, and dogs. Throughout the years, she experienced many different career fields, a few being secretary, truck driver, switchboard, photographer, and care assistant.

After many years of having yellow labs, Sandy recently rescued 2 kittens, which have become 2 very spoiled cats. Currently she lives on a farm and enjoys being outdoors and helping on the cow/calf operation. Her other hobbies include foraging plants, horseback riding, flowers, bird watching, and crafting.

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Kevin Joenborg

Veterinarian & Owner

Kevin Joenborg received his veterinary degree from Auburn in 2019. He has practiced mixed animal medicine in Rockcastle and surrounding counties since his graduation. His passion for animal care and wellbeing continues to grow and he is excited about the opportunity to serve his community.

Kevin has been married to his best friend and partner in crime, Mary, since 2019. They live in Brodhead, KY and have two beautiful girls together. They also have two cats (Albus and Fizzy Pop) and a dog (Huckleberry).  Kevin loves traveling with his family, Cincinnati Bengal football, and games of any kind.

Kevin has always dreamt of becoming a practice owner and is thrilled beyond measure about this new opportunity. He, and a crew of old colleagues, will do their best to create a warm and welcoming environment for all clients and pets.

TESTIMONIALS

What Our Clients Say

Hands down the best experience going to the vet with any of our fur babies...

Matthew Carter

Finally found a vet and staff members with whom I feel comfortable....

Machelle Decker

The employees here are so kind and take care of my babies like they are their own...

Destiny Cory

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