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Veterinarians - Practice Manager - Receptionists
Veterinary Technicians - Dog Trainer - Groomer - Pet Care Takers
Veterinarians
 Dr. Eileen Mertz, B.S., D.V.M
A native of LeRoy, Kansas, Eileen received her degrees from Kansas State University. After two years in a mixed animal practice in Iowa, Dr. Mertz came to Gardner Animal Hospital as the manager/owner in 1986.
Dr. Mertz is a member of the national, state and local veterinary associations, Phi Zeta Veterinary Medicine Honorary Fraternity and graduated in the top ten percent of her veterinary class. Gardner Animal Hospital maintains membership in the American Animal Hospital Association. Less than 18 percent of the small animal veterinary hospitals in the United States and Canada are accredited AAHA members.
Dr. Mertz has four sons -Brent, Grant, Adam and Alec. Her pet at home is a yellow tabby cat, Garfield. Although currently dogless at home, Dr. Mertz has been a breeder of Miniature Schnauzers in the past.
For fun, Dr. Mertz recently acquired her Private Pilot's License and is a member of the Aircraft Owner and Pilot's Association. Her other passions include Ballroom Dancing, Golfing and Gourmet Cooking. She is a member of TC Dance International and has played some competitive golf as a serious amateur. Dr. Mertz, also, enjoys water skiing behind her boat on the lake and snow skiing. Her other workout routines include running and Bikram yoga. KC Chiefs and K-State Football games are a part of her entertainment schedule. Dr. Mertz has served the community as a member of Gardner Planning Commission, Gardner Chamber of Commerce, Southwest Johnson County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, Gardner Rotary Club and numerous other community organizations over the last several years.
Most recently, in 2009, Dr. Mertz was honored as one of the 25 award winners for 2009 Women Who Mean Business Award given by the Kansas City Business Journal. in 2009, Gardner Animal Hospital was listed in Ingram's Magazine as one of the Top 100 Fastest Growing Businesses in Kansas City. In 2007, Dr. Mertz as Gardner Animal Hospital was one of the 25 Under 25 Award winners given by the Kansas City Small Business Monthly Magazine for the top 25 businesses in Kansas City with under 25 employees. In addition in 2007, Gardner Animal Hospital won the Business of the Year Award from the Gardner Area Chamber of Commerce and a Business Achievement Award given by the Kansas Department of Commerce.
If you have any medical questions you can click here to e-mail Dr. Mertz
 Dr. Susan Vodraska, B.S., D.V.M.
Dr. Vodraska joined the GAH family in 2003. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Kansas State University in 1995. Dr. Vodraska recently retired from the United States Army Reserves after twenty years of service. She spent time in Southwest Asia for Operation Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom.
When not at the hospital, Dr. Vodraska spends time at home with her five cats (Sir Thomas, Sebastian, Katarina, Rucifer, and William) and three dogs (Snickers, Dinah, and Fancy). Her hobbies include archery, sewing, camping and reading.
Dr. Vodraska brings to GAH a very caring and compassionate nature. Not only will you be comfortable with her expertise and patience, but you will find her examinations thorough and her explanations easy to understand. Practicing veterinary medicine has been a lifelong ambition for Dr. Vodraska. We feel very fortunate to have her as part of the GAH family.
Practice Manager
 Jared Barker
Jared recently joined the Gardner Animal Hospital staff in June of ’08. A native of Branson, MO, Jared attended Missouri State University where he received a degree in Recreation and Leisure Management in 2003. While finishing his degree Jared had the opportunity to intern for the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and the Kansas City Chiefs. Upon graduation Jared and his wife moved to Overland Park where they have lived for the past five years.
Jared and his wife Holly have one son Caleb, a little girl, Addyson, and a basset hound named Abby. In his spare time Jared likes to attend all types of sporting events in Kansas City with friends, take his family golfing or to the Kansas City Zoo, volunteer at his Church, and travel as much as possible.
Jared is dedicated to ensuring that the staff of Gardner Animal Hospital provides their patients with the best care possible. He understands the importance of first class health care for your pet while maintaining the small town feel you receive when walking in the door.
If you have any questions please click here to email Jared
Receptionists
 Sherri Cale
Sherri joined out team in August of 1999. A life long resident of Gardner, her husband Mike, and Sherri have raised two children, Courtney and Dylon. Country living works well for her family and their many animals, including two horses, dogs and several barn cats. Trail riding, barrel racing, fishing and four wheeling are just a few activities at the busy Cale house.
Welcome… is exactly how you feel meeting Sherri here at Gardner Animal Hospital. Answering phones, making appointments and answering pet related questions, her main focus is to make your visit to Gardner Animal Hospital a pleasant experience.
Gardner Animal Hospital is Sherri’s home away from home and in one visit you will feel the same.
 Jamie Scarlett
Jamie Scarlett joined us in August of 2006. She is bright and outgoing and ready to assist you in making your visit an enjoyable experience for both you and your pet. She also enjoys meeting with clients and their pets and learning all there is to know about them.
Gardner has been home to Jamie and her family for fourteen years. She has three beautiful girls, Haley , Gracie and Emma . Jamie also has a dog – a boxer named Jackson. In her spare time, Jamie likes to attend Haley’s volleyball games, as well as spending time with her family and friends.
Come in and meet Jamie today!
Veterinary Technicians
 Jenny Jansen
Jenny Jansen became part of our team in September of 2006. She graduated from Maple Woods Community College with a degree in Veterinary Technology in 1999. She has enjoyed working with animals of all sizes since she was about fifteen years old. Jenny has an extremely compassionate nature and gentle hand when working with your animals.
Jenny lives in Olathe with her boxer – Roxy. She spends much of her spare time at her family farm playing with her horses Petie, Sally Anne, Suzie, Daisy Mae, Moonbeam and Crowder. She also enjoys gardening, dancing, and spending time with her family and friends.
If asked why she became a Registered Veterinary Technician, she would first say because she loves helping all animals. Secondly, because she has had many great teachers over the years and she feels that now, in a way, she can be a good teacher to the community by educating about animal care and safety. Lastly, she wants to provide good quality medical care to the veterinary community.
 Shonda Burger
Shonda began working at Gardner Animal Hospital in April of 2007. She graduated from Colby Community College and became a Registered Veterinary Technician in May of 1990. Assisting in the operating room and using her tech skills are her passion in the hospital.
In their spare time, Shonda and her husband Deron, enjoy watching their children, TJ and Kailey play sports, as well as going to the lake. They have a Shiba Inu named Roxy and two cats, Blazer and Cookie. Shonda has lived in the Gardner area since 1993. She enjoys giving the best care to your pets, and simply loves what she does in the veterinary field.
Groomer
 Nicole Rhoney
Nicole joined Gardner Animal Hospital in the in the spring of ’08. She has been working as a groomer since 1985 and has experience in all breeds of dogs and will also groom cats.
Nicole and her family recently moved to Gardner in past year and now call it home. Nicole and her husband have 2 boys, Joseph and Blake. Nicole spends her time away from Gardner Animal Hospital by working with Second Chance Pet Adoption. She has spent the last 11 years working there in her free time by rescuing and adopting animals for the organization.
Pet Care Takers
 Kayla Calovich
Kayla joined our team in October of 2006 after volunteering in our kennels for about six months. She lives with her parents and her five year old Jack Russell Terrier named Gidget.
Kayla is a very kind individual and enjoys spending time with the pets she care for at Gardner Animal Hospital. Kayla has lived in Gardner her entire life and is especially close to Tammie Brown – our obedience trainer. Kayla graduated from H.S. last year and plans on attending college in the near future.
Pet Care Takers
Andrea Holdeman - Brooke Radel
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Our Staff
To contact a doctor when the office is closed, call the normal office number - 913-856-6255 -and the answering service will have the doctor on call phone you, usually within 5 minutes. However, should the doctor be unable to contact you promptly, you may be referred to an area emergency clinic. 
Gardner Animal Hospital maintains membership in the American Animal Hospital Association. Less than 18 percent of the small animal veterinary hospitals in the United States and Canada are accredited AAHA members.