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Our Team of Veterinarians
Dr. Jennifer Arneson
Dr. Jennifer Arneson grew up in Lincoln, NE, receiving her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in 1992, and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Kansas State University in 1997. Dr. Arneson started Animal Doctor Veterinary Clinic in 1998 and Animal Doctor Westside in Manhattan, KS (with Dr. Michelle Iseman) in 2017. Dr. Arneson’s husband Ty oversees the day to day operations of both veterinary clinics, as well as two campgrounds and a marina. Dr. Arneson and her husband have two children, Nick and Beth, and two dogs, Elly and Alice. Dr. Arneson’s areas of interest include geriatric care, dermatology, and internal medicine.
Dr. Michelle Iseman
Dr. Iseman is a Fear Free Certified Veterinarian. She is a Kansas native and attended Kansas State University. She received her Bachelors degree in Animal Sciences in 2002, DVM degree in 2004, and Masters degree in Clinical Sciences in 2005. After beginning her career in a mixed animal practice in Texas, she moved back to Manhattan and has lived and worked there in small animal practice since 2005 with her husband John Stamey, her 3 children: Alec, Corabelle, and Iris; their 2 dogs: Eva and Clark; and 3 cats: Cinder, Pegleg Pete, and Frankie. When she’s not busy working as a veterinarian, she’s either chasing her kids, helping her husband with his remodeling and construction business, doing a project around the house and yard, out walking the dog, or on a hike somewhere out in the prairie or mountains. Dr. Iseman’s special interests include preventative medicine, client education, dentistry, geriatric care, behavior, & fear free practice.
Dr. Alice Waters
Dr. Alice Waters is originally from Lebanon Junction, KY. She attended undergrad at the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville. She obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. She has called Manhattan home since 2006. Dr. Waters and her dog, Sage, joined the Animal Doctor family on May 1, 2019. You can find Dr. Waters at our location in Manhattan: Animal Doctor Westside! We are excited to have her as part of our team.
Dr. Billie Deam
Dr. Billie Deam is a Fear Free Certified Professional who was born and raised in Manhattan, KS. She is a graduate of Kansas State University with a BS in Biology (1972) and DVM (1980). She owned and operated The Animal Clinic of Boardwalk Square in Kansas City, MO until 2013 when she and her husband, Stan Cook, returned to her family farm in Manhattan. Dr. Deam enjoys trail riding her two horses, Playboy and Red, and also hiking and quail-hunting with her English Pointer, Indy. She and her husband are restoring her family home, a 160-year old stone stagecoach stop south of Manhattan. Dr. Deam enjoys all aspects of small animal medicine and surgery, particularly mobility issues which led her to get her degree in Animal Chiropractic from Options of Animals in Wellsville, KS.
Dr. Leigh Wacker
Dr. Leigh Wacker is from Brewster, Nebraska and attended Kansas State University. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in 2012 and her DVM degree in 2016. During school she fell in love with the area and decided to start her career in Manhattan and Junction City. Dr. Wacker and her fiancé Brady James recently moved to a family ranch in Abilene. Along for the ride are 2 French bulldogs: Trixie and Maggie, her farm cats and 4 horses: Sugarplum, Dolly, Lil Joe and Trouble. When she’s not busy working as a veterinarian she enjoys being outside and helping around the ranch. Dr. Wacker’s special interests include dermatology, dentistry and reproduction.
Dr. Chris Marion
Dr. Marion is a Fear Free Certified Veterinarian. He is originally from Blackwood, NJ and received his bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Evansville (IN). He received his DVM degree in 2006 and Master of Public Health (MPH) in 2011 from Kansas State University. Dr. Marion and his wife have one son and currently share their home with two dogs and a horse. When not at work, he enjoys spending time running, taking care of things around the house, and spending time with his family outdoors. Dr. Marion’s areas of interest are exotic animal medicine and clinical trials. He believes preventative medicine is a staple in the effort to prolong and extend the quality years for your pet.
Dr. Merrilee O'Meilia
Dr. Merrilee O’Meilia is a Fear Free Certified Veterinarian. She was born and raised in Oklahoma. She graduated from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2003. Go Pokes! Dr. O’Meilia enjoys both small animal internal medicine and surgery. However, her real love is getting to know her patients and their families while developing long term consistent quality care. When not at work, Dr. O’Meilia enjoys painting, running, hiking and camping. She also enjoys spending family time with her husband and their two sons, Max and Duncan. Dr. O’Meilia has one small dog-like creature that lives on her sofa and will sometimes share her fleece blanket.
Dr. Deborah Diehl-Nelson
Dr. Deborah Diehl Nelson is a native from Chapman, Kansas. She received her BS and DVM from Kansas State University. She provided the Mobile Veterinary Service for house calls in Manhattan for ten years, then purchased Blue Hills Animal Hospital in January 1999. Dr. Diehl Nelson has been the practice owner until May of 2019. She sold the practice to AD Veterinary Services, LLC on May 1, 2019. Dr. Diehl Nelson remains as associate Veterinarian at Animal Doctor Blue Hills to serve her patients and clients. Dr. Diehl Nelson and her husband have two grown children and share their home with one ancient cat and three dogs. When she is not working as a veterinarian, she enjoys spending time outdoors in her garden, helping her husband and family with farming and is launching a new beekeeping adventure.
