Dr. Jerilynn Weisshaar
Veterinarian/Hospital Owner
Although an avid Jayhawk fan, Dr. Weisshaar graduated with her DVM from Kansas State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2009 after obtaining her Biology degree from Bethany College in 2005. She joined the West Ridge team in December of 2009 and was excited to purchase the clinic in January of 2017!
Dr. Weisshaar is married to Jeron, a teacher, athletic director and coach, so much of their “free time” is spent at area high school sporting events. They have 4 children so you can imagine free time is actually really rare! The family has well-loved black lab named Moose and two young and frisky cats named Addison and Clark. Dr. Weisshaar loves all things HGTV and enjoys designing/renovating. She is active in her church and enjoys spending time with friends and her family. She also loves the Jayhawks, the Broncos and the Chicago Cubs!
Dr. Weisshaar is Fear Free Certified and is a member of the Topeka Veterinary Medicine Association, Kansas Veterinary Medicine Association, American Veterinary Medicine Association and the American Animal Hospital Association.
Dr. Sarah Stuebing
Veterinarian
Dr. Stuebing is a new Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine graduate. She moved to Manhattan, Kansas for a DVM and PhD program after completing her Bachelor’s degree in Biology in her hometown of DeKalb, Illinois at Northern Illinois University. Kansas has been good to her, Dr. Stuebing says. It has brought her her husband, two dogs, and a wonderful work family at West Ridge! When she is not working at West Ridge or on her PhD research, Dr. Stuebing is likely to be found working on a house project, or spending time outside with her husband, Matt, her dogs, Klaus and Sully, and her horses, Penny and Raisin. She also loves to travel when she’s able, especially to visit her family in Illinois, Iowa, and Germany!
Kris Tajchman
Hospital Manager
After working here for 25 years Kris might know you even if you don’t know her. She can be found doing office work, kennels, helping the medical team, or even doing a bit of grooming. A Topeka native, she is a graduate of Kansas State and is passionate about pet health and the human animal bond. 20 years of her life have been spent married to Wade, the love of her life. They have 2 boys, Logan (in high school) and Dylan (in elementary school). With her free time Kris is active with Wanamaker Elementary PTO and Cub Scout Pack 175. The boys are active in sports so Kris spends her time on the sidelines for much of the year. She has one precious baby cat (and by baby she means 18 years old) named Gabrielle.
Trez Klales
Receptionist
Trez was born and raised in West Chester, Pennsylvania.(A suburb of Philadelphia) She relocated to Lawrence, Kansas in early July of 2018 to join her family who had already moved there.
Trez has had an obsession and deep love of all animals from a very young age. When she was growing up there were always cats and dogs in her home. Her dad used to help her capture turtles, snakes and frogs to pet before releasing them. At 14 years old she started her first job as a kennel technician at the hospital that her family used for veterinary care. In 2008 She went back to animal care and accepted a position at a large general practice in Chester Springs, PA. Trez was there for 6 years and worked as a client services representative and as a veterinary assistant. For the past two and half years she was working in an administrative position at a specialty and emergency center where her core focus was oncology in cats and dogs.
Recently Trez bought her first home in Lawrence and shares it with a rescue chihuahua “Buppy” and two rescue cats “Monroe” and “Tinky Ga-Ga”. They are really enjoying the Mid-West! When Trez is not at work she loves spending time at the park with Buppy, bowling, estate-sales, binge watching things on Netflix, swimming and spending time with family. We are thrilled she is a part of the West Ridge Animal Health Center Family!
Nick Lister
Client Service Specialist
Nick has been one of our awesome client service specialists for about 6 years. You may have seen him at the front desk, or really anywhere in the hospital. Nick takes care of many computer issues as well as lots of behind the scene projects. His wife and 4 kids keep his heart full and schedule busy. He is a sports fanatic! He loves to watch KU (RCJH), the Royals, and the Chiefs. He likes to play softball and loves fantasy football, baseball, and basketball. Nick loves family and friends and making people happy. He loves the clients we have here as well as the pets!
Sara Gowan
Registered Veterinary Technician
In the last 17 years you certainly have crossed paths with our Registered Veterinary Technician, Sara. She is passionate about keeping your family pets pain free. Anesthesia is another area she focuses her time on, she wants to do everything in her power to ensure safe anesthesia and smooth recovery for all of our clients. Sara was born and raised in Topeka and attended Maple Woods for her degree. She married the love of her life (her middle school boyfriend) and spends time with him and the 4 furry family members that fill her heart with love.
Dusty Miller
RVT, CCRA
Dusty was born in Topeka, KS and moved to Colorado in 2003. While she was in Denver, she became a certified technician. In 2015, she then became certified in canine rehabilitation and specialized in orthotics and prosthetics for animals. She was part of the same team helping design orthotics and prosthetics for animals for 7 years. After 14 years Colorado, she moved back to Topeka in 2017 to be closer to family.
She is married to Andrew, who is a sous chef at Blind Tiger. Her first born is her old man boxer, 14 years old, Rocky. She also has two human kids, Alaina and Liam.
In her free time, her hobbies include running, drawing, reading, and hiking the outdoors and hanging at the lake. Most of her time is spent with her kids and family and she loves every minute of it.
