Our Team

Kayla joined Summit Animal Hospital in August 2022, marking the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. In a world where numbers and animals meet, Kayla found her true calling, turning passion into purpose at Summit Animal Hospital.

In her role at Summit Animal Hospital, Kayla finds immense joy in leading and empowering a remarkable team. Her favorite aspect of the job is guiding her colleagues to excel and ensuring they provide exceptional care to their patients, treating each animal as if they were their own. This commitment to excellence and compassionate care is at the heart of her professional philosophy.
Outside of work, Kayla’s life is filled with family and outdoor pursuits. She is married to Cody and is the proud mother of three children who keep her both entertained and on her toes. Kayla has two horses, Major and Last Call, and four dogs: Rose, Daisy, Bella, and Joe.

Her hobbies reflect her active lifestyle and love for the outdoors. Kayla enjoys horse riding, playing volleyball, and engaging in various outdoor activities with her family. Whether it’s on horseback, on the volleyball court, or exploring nature, Kayla embraces every opportunity to create memorable experiences with her loved ones.

Teresa, a cherished member of the Summit Animal Hospital team since April 1998, is from Winterset, Iowa. Her early years were marked by a deep connection to animals, as she spent time helping her grandparents on their farm and playing with the animals. This formative experience ignited a lifelong passion for animal care.

From the moment she joined Summit Animal Hospital, Teresa has been driven by her profound love for animals. Her affinity for pets is evident in her hands-on approach—if there was an animal around, Teresa was there to hold and care for it. Her dedication shines through in her favorite aspect of her role: helping pets and their owners build a strong bond and ensuring that animals lead long, healthy lives.

At home, Teresa has four cats and three dogs, reflecting her commitment to animal care in both her professional and personal life. Outside of work, she enjoys tractor and motorcycle rides, as well as woodworking.

Madi has been a valued member of the Summit Animal Hospital team since March 2022. She grew up in both Adel and Winterset. Her passion for animal care and commitment to improving pets’ lives led her to join Summit Animal Hospitals, where she has embraced the opportunity to be part of a dedicated team that shares her values.

Madi was drawn to Summit Animal Hospital by the desire to work alongside a hardworking team committed to enhancing the lives of pets. Her favorite aspect of her role is being part of a close-knit team that collaborates seamlessly, as well as the joy she finds in cuddling puppies and kittens.

At home, Madi is a proud pet owner of a cat named Ember. Her love for animals extends beyond her professional life into her personal world. She enjoys crocheting, reading, traveling, and spending time outdoors. Madi particularly loves visiting her family farm, where she interacts with goats, chickens, and dogs, reflecting her deep connection to both animals and nature.

Josie joined the Summit Animal Hospital family in October 2025 as one of our friendly receptionists! She grew up in St. Charles, Iowa, and has loved animals for as long as she can remember. Growing up, her family always had pets, she helped out at kennels, did tons of pet sitting, and spent time around all the animals her grandparents have — so it’s safe to say she’s always had a soft spot for furry friends!

Josie says what made her want to work at Summit was the amazing environment and the people here. Her favorite part of the job is getting to see and chat with everyone who comes in — and, of course, meeting all the pets!

At home, she has three dogs of her own: Ranger, Stetson Creed, and Rippley. When she’s not at work, you can usually find her hanging out with friends and family, reading, fishing, or hunting.

Fayth Hiatt is a veterinary assistant at Summit Animal Hospital. She first joined the team as a kennel technician in August 2020 and has continued to grow her skills and experience in veterinary medicine ever since. Fayth grew up in Winterset and developed a love for animals early on while helping her mom train and breed Olde English Bulldogs and Boxers.

Fayth’s lifelong dream is to become a veterinarian, and she knew that gaining hands-on experience was the best place to start. She enjoys being part of the Summit Animal Hospital team because of the collaborative, supportive environment and the many opportunities to learn each day. Her favorite parts of the job are the fast-paced nature of veterinary medicine, constantly learning new things, gaining hands-on experience, and connecting what she has learned in her undergraduate studies to her work in the clinic.

Outside of work, Fayth enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, skiing, and traveling. She comes from a family with four siblings and also loves being an aunt to her niece and nephew. At home, she has a dog named Dove and a cat named Oscar.

We have enjoyed watching Fayth grow throughout her time at Summit Animal Hospital and look forward to seeing where her veterinary journey takes her. We are 100% certain she is going to make a fantastic veterinarian, and we are proud to be a part of her path toward achieving that dream.

Kaitlyn, a dedicated member of Summit Animal Hospital since February 2022, brings a lifelong passion for animal care to her role. Raised on a farm in Winterset, Kaitlyn’s early experiences instilled in her a deep love for raising and caring for animals, shaping her career path and professional dedication.

At Summit Animal Hospital, Kaitlyn thrives on her primary focus: providing exceptional care for animals. She values the opportunity to work with a talented and supportive team, which enhances her ability to make a positive impact in her role. Kaitlyn’s commitment to animal welfare is evident in every aspect of her work, driven by her genuine affection for the animals she helps.

Outside of her professional life, Kaitlyn shares her home with her cat, Peaches, and her dog, Stella. Her personal life is filled with activities that reflect her passion for the outdoors and animals. She enjoys fishing and cherishing moments with her pets, as well as spending quality time with friends and family.

Haylee Palmer, a loyal animal lover, is a kennel attendant at Summit Animal Hospital, where she has been an integral part of the team since September. Originally from Missouri, Haylee now resides in Murray, where she continues her lifelong passion for animals. Growing up, she was surrounded by a variety of animals, including horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, cows, and sheep, fostering a deep connection to animals of all kinds. However, it is her love for dogs and horses that truly stands out, and she is rarely seen without one of her beloved pets by her side.

Haylee’s desire to work at Summit Animal Hospital stemmed from her curiosity about how a veterinary clinic operates. She wanted to be involved in a setting where she could contribute to the care and well-being of animals while learning more about the inner workings of a clinic. Her favorite aspect of her role is assisting the veterinary technicians with various tasks, providing support wherever it’s needed.

Outside of her work at Summit Animal Hospital, Haylee’s passion for animals continues. She has four horses and three dogs—Maggie, a Mini Dachshund; Bella, a Hound Mix; and Bobbi, a Heeler Mix. In addition to caring for her pets, Haylee is an avid rodeo enthusiast, with a particular love for barrel racing. Introduced to rodeo by her mother at
a young age, Haylee’s commitment to the sport remains strong, and she has no plans to stop anytime soon. Through her work and personal life, Haylee exemplifies a deep love for animals and a commitment to helping them thrive. Whether in the clinic or out in the arena, her passion is evident in everything she does.

Alena Oberbroeckling joined the Summit Animal Hospital team as a Kennel Technician in March 2026. A lifelong animal lover, Alena grew up in Warren County, where she developed a passion for animal care through raising and showing livestock. Her hands-on experience with animals, combined with her desire to learn more about veterinary medicine, inspired her to join the Summit team.

Alena was drawn to Summit Animal Hospital because it offered the opportunity to gain valuable experience and insight into a career field she hopes to pursue in the future. She enjoys learning something new every day and appreciates being able to apply those skills while working alongside a supportive team. Her favorite part of the job is the variety of experiences it provides, as well as the people and opportunities that help her grow both personally and professionally.

At home, Alena stays busy with her four dogs – Rhett, Ella, Pipper, and Charlie – along with her two cats, Sosa and Sammy, and her show steer, O’Malley. When she’s not caring for animals, she enjoys showing cattle, playing basketball, participating in track, attending concerts, traveling, shopping, working out, spending time with family, and hanging out with friends. Alena lives with her mom, dad, older brother Cooper, and younger sister Clara.

Kennedy joined the Summit Animal Hospital team in April 2026 as a kennel attendant. She grew up in Adel and has been surrounded by animals her entire life. For the past 10 years, she has lived on a farm where she helps care for a wide variety of animals, giving her valuable hands-on experience and a deep appreciation for animal care.

Kennedy was excited to join Summit Animal Hospital because she loves meeting new dogs and cats and enjoys caring for them each day. She finds it incredibly rewarding to help keep pets comfortable, happy, and well cared for during their stay at the clinic.

Outside of work, Kennedy enjoys spending time with her mom, dad, two brothers, and her sister, Madi, who is also a member of the Summit Animal Hospital team. At home, she helps care for a busy farm filled with goats, cows, chickens, ducks, turkeys, peacocks, cats, and dogs.

In her free time, Kennedy loves traveling (especially trips to the beach) and enjoys playing golf, badminton, and the occasional game of volleyball. She also has a creative side and enjoys pottery. At school, she is actively involved in band, with marching band being one of her favorite activities. When she’s not busy with work, school, or her animals, she even enjoys cleaning and organizing.

Teresa, a cherished member of Summit Animal Hospital since September 2023, brings a wealth of experience and a warm, caring spirit to her role. Born and raised on a family farm in Winterset, Teresa’s life has been deeply connected to both community and agriculture.

Before joining Summit Animal Hospital, Teresa enjoyed a long and fulfilling career as a teacher in Winterset, where she made a significant impact on her students and the local community. After retiring from teaching, she sought a new opportunity that would allow her to continue helping others in a different capacity. The role at Summit Animal Hospital, with its promise of engaging work and the chance to make a difference, was the perfect fit.

At Summit, Teresa finds great satisfaction in helping people, building meaningful relationships with clients, and working alongside her daughter, which adds a special dimension to her job. Her dedication to fostering strong connections and providing compassionate support is evident in all she does.

Teresa’s home life reflects her deep love for animals and her commitment to family. She shares her life with a diverse array of pets, including one cat, four goats, two dogs, two Baby Doll sheep, three mini cows and calves, thirteen chickens, and three mini donkeys.

In her free time, Teresa enjoys a variety of hobbies, including spending time with her grandkids, volunteering at church, camping, crafting, and cooking. 

Bella joined the Summit Animal Hospital team in February 2026 as a receptionist. She grew up in the West Des Moines/Waukee area and has had a passion for animals for as long as she can remember. Growing up surrounded by pets inspired her lifelong dream of working in veterinary medicine, and she began her career as a veterinary technician in 2023.

After purchasing a home in the area in 2025, Bella was excited for the opportunity to join Summit Animal Hospital, especially after hearing wonderful things about the team from friends who already worked here. She quickly found the supportive, collaborative environment she was looking for.

Bella’s favorite part of veterinary medicine is that no two days are ever the same. She enjoys meeting both new and familiar clients, building relationships with their pets, and embracing the unique challenges that each patient brings through the door.

Outside of work, Bella enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, Dakota, and their two dogs, Mater and Theo. When she’s not at the clinic, you’ll likely find her fishing, kayaking, reading, enjoying the outdoors, or spending time with friends and her dogs.

Dave came to us when he was 5 weeks old with a bad front leg. Dave had nerve damage to his front left leg making him unable to move the leg. We performed cold laser therapy on the leg every day for 3 weeks and he regained function up to his wrist joint. After several months of no improvement, we took Dave up to Blue Pearl who performed an arthrodesis which means they fused the joint, making it easier for Dave to use the leg. Dave is currently doing great! Dave loves attention so stop on by even if it is only to see him!

Mighty came to us as a sickly little stray kitten. Our staff nursed him back to health and during that time, we realized how special he was. He is now part of the Summit Animal Hospital family!