Veterinarians, Technicians, Assistants & Office
Dr. David Thompson
Dr. Dave moved to South Dakota in 2010 and opened Creekside Veterinary Clinic in November of 2015. Growing up, most of his time was spent at his dad’s clinic and going on calls with him in Warrenton, MO. After attending the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine he practiced south of Kansas City for a few years. He loves the variety of the job, and that no two days are ever the same. Being able to serve the community by taking care of people’s pets and livestock is what brings him the most joy with his profession. When not at the clinic, you can usually find him outside, or working on projects around the house and clinic, and hunting or fishing. Dr. Dave and wife Shirley have 4 children, Connor, Max, Maggie, and Charlie. They also have 4 dogs Remi, Daphne, Tess, Kimber, and various other farm animals.
Dr. Jason Heezen
Growing up in Plankinton and the son of a Veterinarian, Dr. Jason was born with a passion for animals and veterinary science. In his 20 plus years of practice he has treated animals in the Mitchell, Plankinton, and Sioux Falls areas and the variety of the job is by far his favorite part of being a veterinarian. Dr. Jason and his wife Angie have three grown children, Cody, Emma, and Noah. He enjoys home improvements, flying airplanes, traveling, and working on vintage cars. His family recently welcomed grandson Eli into the mix and him and Angie have found spending time with Eli to be their new favorite pastime. Former owner of Safe Haven Animal Clinic, Dr. Jason Heezen decided it was time for semi-retirement, and will be providing services here at Creekside on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Dr. Brittney Evans
Dr. Brittney is from the small, north-central Iowa town of Swea City. She attended the University of Northern Iowa for her bachelor’s degree in biology. From there she simultaneously completed a Masters of Public Health from the University of Iowa and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University. She met her significant other, Dr. Michael Rohde, at veterinary school and they have three dogs, Oscar, Creed, and Stevie. In her free time, you can find her reading tons of books, making tasty creations in the kitchen, watching scary movies, and spending as much time as possible with friends and family.
Dr. Brittney’s favorite part about being a veterinarian at Creekside is the deep human-animal bond her patients and clients have. She also loves playing a part in food safety when working with large animals.
Recently, Dr. Brittney has completed animal chiropractic school with Options for Animals: College of Animal Chiropractic out of Wellsville, KS. She is excited to be able to offer chiropractic services here at Creekside Veterinary Clinic and will be seeing small and large animal chiropractic patients on Fridays.
Dr. Brittney currently see’s all patients on Thursdays and Fridays.
Amanda Graves
Amanda grew up on a ranch just outside of Chamberlain and was involved in 4-H and rodeo. The feeling that she is back to her roots and meant to be here helping the team, clients, and patients are her favorite parts of managing the clinic. Amanda and her husband Brian have 2 children, Matteah and Madden, and 2 dogs Odie and Georgia. They are part owners of Granite Springs Lodge in Alexandria, SD, and chasing the kids with their activities keeps her on the go most of her spare time. She enjoys the outdoors, reading, listening to music, traveling, and spending time creating memories with family and friends.
Rachael Nichols
All her life, Rachael has had a passion for animals. Growing up in Canistota, SD, she participated in 4-H showing horses. She graduated from Globe University in September of 2013 with a degree in Veterinary Technology and is a certified Veterinary Technician. Completing dentals and knowing that she is improving a dog or cats’ life is what she enjoys the most working in this industry. Rachael and her two kids, two dogs, and four cats love spending time together. In her spare time, she is usually reading or spending time raising her succulents & cacti.
Samara Huber
Samara moved to South Dakota from Forman, North Dakota in 2020. Sam attended Ridgewater Community College and graduated from their Veterinary Technician program. Sam and her husband Matt live just outside of Mitchell. She likes a good Netflix and chill day, going to the gym, and spending time outside with their 3 dogs, Sadie, Doc, and Snow-white. They also have 2 cats named Nova and Meeko. Being able to meet all the different breeds and their personalities is her favorite part of her job. Growing up in 4-H, showing llamas, and having various pets is how she knew she wanted a job working with animals.
Carolyn Whiting
Carolyn grew up in Canistota, SD. Her family always had small animals growing up which is how she became interested in working in the veterinary field. Caring for sick animals and seeing them get healthy again is the favorite part of her job. Carolyn currently lives in Mitchell with her husband Cody, stepson Hudson, and daughters Oaklee and Wrenlee. They have 3 dogs, Remi, Blue, and Zeus and one cat, Tex. This makes play time very fun! Carolyn loves spending time with family and friends, and enjoys watching and playing softball, basketball, and volleyball.
Melody Crain
Melody grew up in DeSmet and participated in 4-H rodeo, horse shows, and dog classes. Melody’s biggest passion growing up was working with animals of all kinds. Her love for animals since she could walk is where her interest in working with them comes from. She started working in lodging, where her favorite part of her job was getting to play with dogs all day and her coworkers but has since moved into an assistant role on the medical team. She enjoys riding horses, walks with her dog, traveling, fishing, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. She resides in Mitchell with her three-legged German Shepard Chief and Yellow Lab Rip.
Lodging, Greeters & Stylists
Sierra Kiehn
Sierra grew up in Chamberlain, SD where she spent a lot of her time on her family farm, working cattle, and farming. Sierra attended Mitchell Technical Institute for Agriculture Production and graduated in 2017. While in school, Sierra became an intern here at Creekside and discovered her passion for working with dogs. She loves providing a service that makes pets and clients so happy. Sierra and her husband Chance have a cat named Benny and a canine boxer named Willy. Sierra also enjoys all outdoor activities, such as being at the river, hiking, riding horses, playing softball, snowboarding, and gardening.
Vanessa Lachnit
Vanessa was born and raised in Mitchell where she currently resides with her boyfriend, Cole. Growing up she has always had compassion and love towards all animals and being able to give the same love and care that she would want for her own pets to receive is why she perused a career working with animals. Vanessa started working in the lodging department and now is one of our friendly greeters. She has a dog named Tiny and Guinea pig named Peanut. In her spare time, she enjoys her bowling league and playing softball in the summer.
Sarah Magnuson
Sarah was born and raised in Mitchell. She has identical twin boys, Tristin and Taylor. They have 2 cats, Farrah and Nyx. Sarah grew up loving all animals, so working with animals was an easy choice when looking for a career. She loves getting to know our clients, and making not only the patients feel better, but their owners as well. Sarah is always up for a good laugh and enjoys her free time socializing and fishing. You have seen Sarah’s friendly face both on the medical team and as a greeter, where she now is full-time.
Melissa Pommer
Melissa’s lifelong love for animals and her very first grooming experience with her family’s long-haired cat, Fluffy, when she was only 15 years old is how she choose to peruse her career as a pet stylist. Melissa grew up in Mitchell, and currently lives near Alexandria with her husband, John. They have four children Jordan, Nicole, Kylie, and Ashley. Melissa loves being a horse show mom to her daughter who shows Arabian Horses. They also have multiple farm cats, nine horses, and cattle. Pet styling has been her life for over 26 years. Introducing puppies to the styling process and setting a foundation for them to enjoy their spa days is what brings her the most joy in her day.
Chasity Weeks
Chasity has been working with pets professionally since 2012. Chasity began her pet styling career in October of 2017. Chasity received her pet stylist certification through Petco where she learned the leading standards of pet styling safety. Chasity loves getting to know all the different personalities of the individual animals and has had a love for animals from an early age. Two dogs, Gizmo and Feyra, and two cats, Calvin and Hobbes spend a lot of time biding for Chasity’s attention. Chasity and her husband, Ryan, currently are enjoying more quality with each other as they stayed very busy as foster parents, typically for teenagers, in the past.