Our Team

I grew up in a very small town in Illinois named Shiloh. One of my fondest childhood memories was the day I received my first dog, Peppi, a silver toy poodle. My mother gave me Peppi for my sixth birthday, and he became my best friend. We did everything together, and he was part of our family for many years. As I said goodbye to him during my junior year in high school, I remember holding him in his favorite blanket while watching his veterinarian gently give him peace. I learned and felt at a young age the power and love of the human-animal bond. My commitment, as a veterinarian to my patients and their loving owners, is to enhance and extend those bonds as long as possible.

My first degree received was a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and business information systems from Illinois State University in 1993. Upon graduation, I moved to St. Louis and became an accountant. My days were spent wishing I could work in an animal hospital instead of completing financial statements. I lasted a few years before I decided to work part-time at Normandy Animal Hospital. I would do my corporate job during the day and then change into scrubs and head to the animal hospital. I loved every minute of my job at the animal hospital. Within a year, I was working full time as a veterinary technician. I would arrive early to work and stayed late. I became obsessed with work, and, although I loved being a veterinary technician, my dream was to be a veterinarian.

I continued to work as a veterinary technician while attending night school and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in biology and another in chemistry. I was accepted to vet school in 1997, and my childhood dream came true in 2001 when I graduated from the University of Missouri – College of Veterinary Medicine. I received two scholarships from the College of Veterinary Medicine, recognizing both outstanding skills in veterinary medicine as well as client relationships and patient care.

Upon graduation, I spend the next four years working and volunteering in St. Louis, honing my veterinary skills before purchasing Spencer Creek Animal Hospital in 2005.

My mission is to provide high-quality veterinary care with the same kindness and compassion with which we would treat our own pets and friends. I cherish the relationships I have had and still have with my clients and patients. I love my own pets like family, but I also love interacting with all of my extended pet family at the animal hospital.

I have worked with multiple shelters and rescue organizations since graduation, gaining extensive experience in shelter medicine as well as a genuine love for animal rescue.

When not at Spencer Creek Animal Hospital, I enjoy great food, live music, and biking with my loving husband David… and, of course, endless fetch and playing with our furry family.

I always knew I wanted to be a veterinarian and started working in veterinary hospitals in high school. I studied biology and chemistry at Truman State University and earned my Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri in 2001. Since graduation, I have worked in corporate medicine, private practice, and a large local shelter. I especially enjoy soft tissue surgery, internal medicine, feline medicine, and low-stress patient handling. I am always trying to learn more! I am Fear Free Elite Certified and am a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners.

My primary goal as a veterinarian is to provide excellent care for my patients. I believe it is important to care for both their physical and emotional well-being while also providing a wonderful experience for my clients.

My family includes three long-haired kitties, a rescue dog named Marigold, and three human children. In my free time, I enjoy reading, traveling, home improvement, and spending time with my children.

I am so happy to join the team here at Spencer Creek!

Dr. Karslake has always loved animals! She received her B.S. and M.S. in Biology from Kalamazoo College (Michigan) and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Dr. Karslake’s favorite research projects during school included working with bat-eared foxes in South Africa and participating in the Mexican Wolf Conservation Project. Dr. Karslake graduated from MIZZOU’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2022. 

Having picked a career in Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Karslake feels she has found a way to help animals and people by taking on an individualized, loving care approach to every patient.

She is excited to join Spencer Creek Animal Hospital! Dr. Karslake’s interests include veterinary behavior, exotic animal medicine, internal medicine, dermatology, and orthopedics.

Dr. Karslake is also Fear Free certified. 

Dr. Karslake feels that the human-animal bond is exceptional. As a veterinarian, she wishes to provide outstanding care for her patients so they can live their best lives with their owners and thinks that clients are integral to patient care and should partake in decision-making. 

Dr. Karslake’s family includes her parents and a younger brother in the St. Louis Area. Her fur family consists of two cats (Opal and Rosie) who live at her house and her family’s two Shiba-Inus (Hana and Hiro), and two cats (Shadow and Foofy). She enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her friends in her free time.

Hello, my name is Erica. I have been in this field for over 10 years. Shortly after high school I went to a trade school to become a veterinary technician. I found a job within a few months of graduating and have made my dream of working with animals come true. My biggest dream, however, would be working with wolves. They are amazing creatures, but for now, the closest I will ever get to a wolf is my husky. I am currently going back to school to receive my associate degree in science to become a registered veterinary technician. It is definitely trying at times balancing work, school, and my family. Besides my fur babies, I have a wonderful husband and beautiful daughter who helps to keep me on my toes. My fur babies include Nakira, who is 11 and even DNA tests show that she’s a true mutt, and Peanut, who is six and with guessing her breed, I’m going with papillon and dachshund mix. Lastly, there is Wynter, who is five, and she is my husky, aka my “wolf.”

I have been a Veterinary Technician for 5 years and have loved every minute. I received my degree in Applied Science of Veterinary Technology from Midwest Institute in Fenton. I live in Twin Oaks, Missouri with my boyfriend, Logan & our 2 dogs. A Border Collie named Molly & a Black Labrador Retriever named Jager. My favorite thing about Veterinary Medicine is the fact that we are never done learning; There is something new to educate ourselves about every day. There’s always a surprise behind each exam room door.

My name is Maddie. I am a vet tech at Spencer creek animal hospital. I have my bachelors in biology and a minor in chemistry. Animals are my passion and always have been. I have 2 dogs and a leopard gecko. My favorite animal is a sloth.

I really enjoy working at Spencer Creek as a Receptionist/Vet Assistant and getting to meet the clients and their wonderful pets.

My pet family consists of two Great Pyrenees–Katie and Abby– and two cats–Sheba and Pixie.