Meet the Staff
Please choose from the following categories:
Dr. Stephen Juriga
Dr. Juriga, owner of River Heights Veterinary Hospital, earned his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois in 1987. He returned to the University of Illinois to complete a dental residency from 2002-2006, under board certified dentist and surgeon, Dr. Sandra Manfra. In 2007, he became a Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC). He is one of 100 board-certified veterinary dentists in the United States and lectures on veterinary dentistry both nationally and internationally. Dr. Juriga finds time to mentor his dental resident, serve on the Examination Committee of the AVDC, serve on the Medical Advisory Board at the Shedd Aquarium and Brookfield Zoo, and provide dental services at Brookfield Zoo.
Dr. Juriga enjoys spending time with his family, coaching his kids’ sports team and road/mountain biking. His family has always had Golden Retrievers, but now has a Standard Poodle – Oliver and a Coton De Tulear – Mei Mei.
Dr. Elizabeth Pocius
Dr. Elizabeth Pocius joined River Heights in 2001. She attended the University of Illinois and majored in Animal Science. She received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. Dr. Pocius’s interest includes surgery, ultrasound, internal medicine, and preventative care. She enjoys traveling, bike riding, theater, and spending time with family and friends. Dr. Pocius currently has 1 mixed breed dog, Dudley, that was adopted from a nearby shelter.
Dr. Ronda DeVold
Dr. DeVold graduated in 2003 from the University of Minnesota. Areas of special interest are avian and exotic medicine, emergency and critical care medicine, orthopedic surgery, human-animal bond/ pet loss issues, and hospice-type care. She is a member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society, the Association of Avian Veterinarians, The Association of Small Mammal Veterinarians, the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians, the Association of Sugar Glider Veterinarians, and the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care. She is committed to working with clients to provide the best quality of life possible for their pet so that their pet can in return continue to provide care and companionship for them.
Dr. DeVold shares her home with her partner Stacy, two golden retrievers named Holly and Katie, a cat named Sophie, four birds (Sampson, an African Grey Parrot, Dakota, a cockatiel, and two budgerigars name Yin and Yang), and about 20 hermit crabs. In her free time, Dr. DeVold enjoys many outdoor activities including skiing (cross country and downhill), biking, sailing, tennis, English riding, and travel (anywhere) landscaping, and working with bonsai.
Dr. Kimberly Mayer
Dr. Mayer joined River Heights Hospital in 2010. She graduated from the University of Illinois in 2005 with a B.S. in Animal Science with a focus in pre-veterinary medicine. Dr. Mayer then went to the University Of Illinois College Of Veterinary Medicine where she received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. Dr. Mayer’s professional interests include orthopedic surgery, dentistry, and animal behavior.
Outside of River Heights, Dr. Mayer enjoys spending time with her family and playing many different sports. Dr. Mayer shares her home with her two dogs; Chinook, a Siberian Husky and Tucker, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She also has two cats; Jada, a domestic long haired and Devon, an energetic Bengal; as well as two Quaker parrots; Kiwi and Sysco.
Dr. Lisa Weaver
Dr. Lisa Weaver is a 2003 graduate of Auburn University. She is originally from Atlanta Georgia and after practicing in Florida, she joined the staff of River Heights Veterinary Hospital in 2005. Dr. Weaver has a special interest in soft tissue surgery and behavioral medicine. She and her husband share their home with their 3 dogs and 3 cats.
Nancy Shellhart
Nancy Shellhart joined River Heights Veterinary Hospital in 2002. She started out as a receptionist and was promoted to Hospital Coordinator and then to Practice Manager. In her spare time Nancy enjoys gardening, bike riding and playing with her grandson. Nancy lives in Oswego with her husband and Cocker Spaniel, Sandy Dee.
Amy Brown
Amy Brown joined River Heights Veterinary Hospital in February of 2004. She started as a Receptionist and has worked her way up to Hospital Coordinator throughout the years. Amy graduated from AAHA’s Veterinary Management Institute Series at Purdue University and received a Certificate in Veterinary Practice Administration in 2010.
When she isn't at River Heights, Amy enjoys spending time with her longtime boyfriend and their two boys, an English Bulldog named Richard and an American Bully named Willy. She also enjoys spending time with family, fishing, jet skiing, cooking, reading, gardening and working on any household or garage project.
Sandra Taft
Sandy joined the staff in April of 1993 as a receptionist. Over the years she has filled many positions and currently is Administrative Assistant to the Practice Administrator. She is married with 2 grown children and has been blessed with 4 grandchildren. Sandy resides with her husband and their 2 cats, Dutchess and Cleo in Oswego. When not at River Heights, she enjoys time spent with her family. Sandy is also an active member of the Oswegoland Civic Woman’s Club.
Amy Brown
Amy Brown joined River Heights Veterinary Hospital in February of 2004. She started as a Receptionist and has worked her way up to Hospital Coordinator throughout the years. Amy graduated from AAHA’s Veterinary Management Institute Series at Purdue University and received a Certificate in Veterinary Practice Administration in 2010.
When she isn't at River Heights, Amy enjoys spending time with her longtime boyfriend and their two boys, an English Bulldog named Richard and an American Bully named Willy. She also enjoys spending time with family, fishing, jet skiing, cooking, reading, gardening and working on any household or garage project.
Nancy Tichy
Nancy joined River Heights Veterinary Hospital in the fall of 2000 as a part-time receptionist. I enjoy welcoming all the pets and their owners and I love the variety of animals we see. I seem to learn something new about them every day.
My husband and I moved to Oswego in 1999 and we serve as staff for our three rescued 4 pawed “children” “Nikki” our mixed breed dog and our cats, “Buzz” and “Splash”. I enjoy spending time with and caring for them, working on various crafts, gardening, crosswords and watching movies.
Debby Metzgar
Start date 7-6-09. I am a receptionist, married and have a 6 year old Cocker spaniel name “CJ” who was adopted from Kendall County Animal Control.
Cathy Mitchell
Cathy Mitchell is a receptionist. She started here in September of 2008. She is married with 3 children. Her pets are a senior West Highland Terrier named “Wess” and cat named “Go Go”
Stacy Davis
Stacy has been with River Heights since April 21 2008. Stacy is a receptionist as well as the manager of the Kennel Staff. She is married, so far they have 6 four legged kids, one pit bull, Tootsie, one senior cat, Lilly, one Lewellin setter, Dexter and 3 quarter horses, Mac, Sissy, and Lyla.
Jan Ziech
Jan became part of the River Heights Veterinary Hospital family in the mid 1990’s as a professional pet groomer. Jan graduated from the University of Illinois, College of Agriculture and worked in may fields before deciding that spending her day with animals was more rewarding. Weekends usually find her showing dogs across the country.
Dr. Stephen Juriga
Dr. Juriga, owner of River Heights Veterinary Hospital, earned his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois in 1987. He returned to the University of Illinois to complete a dental residency from 2002-2006, under board certified dentist and surgeon, Dr. Sandra Manfra. In 2007, he became a Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC). He is one of 100 board-certified veterinary dentists in the United States and lectures on veterinary dentistry both nationally and internationally. Dr. Juriga finds time to mentor his dental resident, serve on the Examination Committee of the AVDC, serve on the Medical Advisory Board at the Shedd Aquarium and Brookfield Zoo, and provide dental services at Brookfield Zoo.
Dr. Juriga enjoys spending time with his family, coaching his kids’ sports team and road/mountain biking. His family has always had Golden Retrievers, but now has a Standard Poodle – Oliver and a Coton De Tulear – Mei Mei.
Kelly Frazier
I started as a receptionist at River Heights in March 2004, then became a certified dental technician in September 2005 and I’ve been running back and forth between the two ever since. My furry family members include 2 Bengal cats, Maverick and Jackson, and Isabel, a tabby cat that I adopted as a stray when she was brought in to the hospital. I enjoy working here and at the Veterinary Dental Center because everyday is so different; there are always new procedures and products we’re learning about so we can apply that knowledge towards helping your pets.
Verena Niederbeger
Verena joined River Heights Veterinary Hospital in 2005 and became Dr. Juriga’s dental technician in 2006. Verena brings many years of veterinary nursing and dental experience to RHVH. Verena enjoys training other veterinary staff on dental radiology, anesthesia and pain management. In her free time she loves taking care of all her own critters.
Laura Phillip
I have been with River Heights Veterinary Hospital since April 2010 as part of the kennel staff. I really enjoy working here with the animals and I wish to become a veterinary technician. I have a golden retriever, Cody and 2 outdoor cats, Sunday and Emmy.
Kathy Miner
Kathy is a 1994 graduate of Parkland College. She joined the River Heights staff in September of 1996. Kathy is the first Certified Veterinary Technician hired at River Heights. Her interests are mostly in preventative care. Kathy lives with her husband, 2 sons, a collie, adopted from Collie Rescue, and 3 senior cats.
Jennifer Renwick
I started working at River Heights in 2004, when I completed an externship for veterinary technician school. I was thrilled when I was hired on as an employee when the externship ended. I graduated from Joliet Junior College in 2005 with associates in Veterinary technology. My furry children include 3 cats, a Great Dane, a horse, and a chinchilla. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, skiing, scuba diving, and competing with my horse in pole bending and barrel racing.
Amy Reinboldt
I have been at River Heights Veterinary Hospital since 1999. I started working in the kennels and knew I loved working with animals. I worked as a veterinary assistant while getting my bachelors degree in health science, and then went to Joliet Junior College to become a certified veterinary technician. I have many animals, which include horses, goats, dogs, and many misfit cats.
Kristin Pavlik
My name is Kristin Pavlik and I’m 35 years old. I’ve been here at River Heights for 5 years. I have 3 dogs. They are all girls. One is a black lab mix named Diamond. She is five years old. I also have a shih Tzu named Daphne. She is three years old and last but not least Bella. She is a brown nose pit bull who just turned two years old in September 2010. I also have 2 cats whom I rescued. One is a male and the other is female. They are litter mates. They are both one year old. I love my animals to death and I love being a technician. I’ve been doing this for 15 years and loving it. I started out as a receptionist then training with a doctor now I am a technician, where I get to work with all kinds of animals and including working with exotics.
Nikki Ross
I began working at River Heights in October 1996 as a kennel assistant. In August of 1998 I was promoted to Veterinary Technician. Currently, I live in Sandwich with my husband and 2 sons. We have 2 dogs and 2 cats and a corn snake.
Karen Claus
Karen has been a veterinary technician assistant since September 2009. She has been a client at River Heights since 1994. As a young girl, Karen wanted to be a veterinarian and always had a love for animals of all kinds, so this job is a dream come true for her. Karen lives in Oswego with her husband, 2 children, and 2 golden retrievers, Maggie and Indi.
Megan Muellner
Megan has been employed by River Heights Veterinary Hospital since 2007. Beginning as a kennel assistant, she has gained experience as a veterinary assistant. Currently, she is attending Joliet Junior College to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. Megan enjoys being outdoors and spending time with friends and family. Her home wouldn’t be complete without her Border Collie, Lucky, two guinea pigs, Harley and Rupert, and her pet chickens.
Kiersten Toma
I have been working at River Heights Veterinary Hospital for 3 years. I work as a technician assistant and I enjoy working with animals. I have 2 cats and a dog.
Wendell Crowder
I started at River Heights when Dr. Koch was the owner. I’ve been with Steve and Alex from the get go. My wife, Dee and I share our home with Midnight, a Yorkie and Lily, a Maltese. Prior to working here I worked at All Steel in Aurora for 40 years.
Mandy Lauper
Hi, my name is Mandy. I’ve been a kennel assistant with River Heights Veterinary Hospital since 1995. I love animals. I have 2 dogs. They are Riley, a golden retriever and Bentley a Terrier mix.
Nadia Sanchez-Tamberelli
Hey there, I’m Nadia! I’ve been working at River Heights since April 2011. I love animals and that’s one of the many reasons I choose to work here. I have four dogs, three cats, and one snake. I have a strong passion for music and plan on someday going into ministry. I enjoy taking care of animals and I hope to see yours soon!
Tiffany Olson
Hi my name is Tiffany! I started working at River Heights in July 2012. I enjoy working with animals and taking care of them, making sure they are in good hands. I have a mainecoon cat named Lilly and she is about 3 years old. I’m not sure what career path I’m taking yet, but I hope to find out soon.
Jessica Nelson
Hi, I’m Jessica and I’ve been working here since July 2012 and really enjoy it. I’ve always loved animals and had them as pets. My family has three cats, a dog, a turtle, and a pond of fish at our house. I graduated from Aurora Christian High School and I ultimately want to become a Veterinarian, but for now I am attending Benedictine University to earn my Biology degree.
Katie Schonder
Hi there! I’m Katie and I’m a senior in high school. I have a dog named Cookie, we have had her ever since I was 9 years old and she still acts like a puppy! I also have a pet rat named Daisy. I love animals and I’m planning on going to college to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. Bring your pets to River Heights and I will guarantee to take good care of your pets.
Susan Charapata
I attend Oswego High School, I have been working at River Heights since 2012. I grew up with animals my whole life. I have one dog her name is Maddie who is 3 years old. I love taking care of animals, and I am very responsible and a hard worker.
