Our Staff at Sierra Animal Hospital
After spending 17 years as a Registered Veterinary Technician and later the Practice Manager for a small animal practice here in Placerville, Dr. Rapp returned to school to continue her career. After completing her undergraduate degree at UC Davis, she attended Western University of Health Sciences' College of Veterinary Medicine. She has a special interest in canine sports medicine, service animals, and the human-animal bond. She was an associate veterinarian for Dr. Johnson in 2017 and is now the very proud owner of Sierra Animal Hospital. She is deeply rooted in the community and enjoys teaching both through the ROP program and 4H. When disaster strikes, you will find her working as a member of the California Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps. Dr. Rapp looks forward to continuing the legacy of Sierra Animal Hospital.
Stacey Stephens, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Stacey Stephens brings more than 25 years of veterinary medicine experience to Sierra Animal Hospital. A native of northeast Ohio, Dr. Stephens earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Youngstown State University and received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University. After practicing small animal and exotic medicine at clinics in Orange Park, Florida and in San Diego County, Stacey and her husband moved to the Placerville area in 2000. Dr. Stephens has been an Associate Veterinarian at Sierra Animal Hospital since 2002. In her spare time, Dr. Stephens enjoys dog agility training, hiking and other outdoor activities.
Kaley Ladner, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Ladner grew up right here in Placerville. She completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in molecular and cellular biology and a double minor in nutrition and animal science from UC Davis. While attending UC Davis, Dr. Ladner was a resident of the Swine Teaching and Resource Center. She was also a member of the UC Davis Collegiate Livestock Judging Team and the Young Cattlemen's Association. After her undergraduate work, she attended Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Veterinary Medicine focusing on large and small animal medicine. Dr. Ladner has extensive experience with 4H and FFA serving as an active member and an advisor. Today she helps educate the youth of our county regarding animal health and husbandry. Dr. Ladner is looking forward to incorporating large and small animals into Sierra Animal Hospital to better serve our community. Dr. Ladner enjoys spending time with her large family, traveling, reading and crafting.
Abigail Dimock, DVM, DACVR
Radiology Consultant
Education:
- DVM degree: 2006, University of California, Davis
- Residency: 2008-2012, University of California, Davis
- Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Radiology: 2011
Helene, RVT
Veterinary Technician
Helene graduated from Consumnes River College in 1989 and received her Registered Veterinary Technicians License later that year. Helene is happily married with two amazing kids. When not working she likes to go camping and enjoys maintaining her garden. The recent adoption of her Pudel Pointer, Abby, keeps her busy. Helene previously worked for Sierra Animal Hospital from 1989 to 1995 and came back to join us in 2016.
Kim, RVT
Veterinary Technician
Kim has recently moved to Placerville and joined the Sierra Animal Hospital team in May 2021. She gained her RVT license in 2014 from Carrington College and has worked in large and small animal practices as an RVT since. Her favorite part of the job is emergency medicine, surgery, and client education. In her free time, she likes to read, listen to podcasts, go backpacking and rock climb. She is also working on getting her Bachelor's degree in Biology.
Kelly, CVA
Veterinary Assistant
Kelly joined the vet med industry in 2001 as a Kennel Attendant and quickly moved her way up to Kennel Manager. She then opened her own doggy day care facility in the Bay area in 2003 and operated it until 2010. Since joining the Sierra Animal Hospital team, Kelly has grown exponentially in her studies and as a hands-on employee. In 2021 she completed her Certified Veterinary Assistants program and received her CVA. She is now currently enrolled in CVAII and will soon have her CVAII certification. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, spending time with her partner Jason and their three dogs Bogie, Pepper and Sadie.
Natalie
Veterinary Assistant
Natalie was born and raised in El Dorado County. After getting married in 2015, she moved away to in live in Japan and Hawaii before recently moving back. an animal lover her whole life, she always dreamed of a career helping care for animals. She is currently halfway through her program to become an RVT. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, cat Minerva, and reading. Gardening and camping is also a passion of hers!
Lili
Veterinary Assistant
Lili moved from the Bay Area to Placerville in 2021 and has lived throughout Northern California her entire life. Not currently in school, she likes to take advantage of training sessions and learning everything available to her in the hospital. She is extremely interested in pursuing her RVT license in the near future. When not working, Lili loves to read, play with her family's dogs, and goes out on adventures with her daughter like camping and boating.
Dena
Client Care
Dena moved from the Bay Area in 2001 to join Sierra Animal Hospital. She started her career in veterinary medicine in high school after taking ROP Medical Occupations/Veterinary Medicine. She lives with her family, 2 cats (Shelby Lynn and Lewis), 2 Rat Terriers (Stewart and Megan), and several chickens and a goat. In her off time Dena enjoys gardening and camping.
Heather
Client Care
Heather recently moved to Placerville. She lived in Southern California most of her life where she raised her 2 children. In her spare time she likes to hike, camp, and swim with her partner Paul and dog Jaspa.
Jill
Veterinary Assistant
Bio coming soon!
Julia
Veterinary Assistant
Bio coming soon!
Ava, CVA
Veterinary Assistant
Ava is currently a student in high school and is a part of the Central Sierra Regional Occupational Program, for Animal Health. She has just earned her level one CVA, Certified Veterinary Assistant, and is actively working for her second level CVA. Ava intends on continuing her education at a four-year university and hopes to pursue a career as a veterinarian. She works both in the hospital and goes out on the large animal calls with Dr. Ladner & Helene, RVT. Which has inspired her to work with both large & small animals as she continues her veterinary experience and education. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, & spending time with her many animals.
