Dr. Melissa Girard-Lemons
Dr. Melissa Girard-Lemons (Dr. Missy) was born and raised on a poultry, swine (farrow to finish), and cash crop farm in Osceola, Nebraska. Her parents are Ron and Deb Girard of Osceola, Nebraska and she has a younger sister (Kara) and younger brother (Tim). She attended undergraduate school at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. She has practiced for over 23 years in Grand Island, Nebraska, with the Animal Medical Clinic, and in 2005 she purchased the practice and built a new building in 2007. Animal Medical Clinic is a four-doctor progressive small animal veterinary clinic where an emphasis is placed on education, communication, and passionate caring. She enjoys getting to know each and every client and pet to better meet their medical needs.
Missy and her husband, Tim, were married in June of 2008 and have five, four-legged children of various sizes and shapes. (Tim was a client of the clinic and that is how the romance sparked. Gained a husband; lost a paying client!!) Together Tim and Missy have 10 nieces and one nephew.
Dr. Missy is involved with the Prairie Pioneer Quilt Guild and currently serves on the City of Grand Island Animal Advisory Board.
She is an active member of the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Foundation and the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association. She is also the Superintendent of the Nebraska State Fair Birthing Pavilion. In her free time, she enjoys quilting, cooking, gardening, hiking, and of course spending time with her critters and husband.
Dr. Jennifer Summers
Dr Jen grew up in York, NE then went to undergraduate school at the University of Kearney after spending a year in Finland as an exchange student. She graduated with a B.S.
Comprehensive in Biology then went to veterinary school at Kansas State University. She graduated in 2000 and joined a practice in Kearney. In 2004, she joined the Animal Medical Clinic working part-time, as she had one-year old Noah at home. Skyler followed in 2005. Once the kids were in school, she added more time to being at work and now is part owner of AMC. Dr Jen enjoys spending time with her kids, parents and pets. She usually has some house projects or gardening going on. Personal health and exercise are also a passion of hers.
Dr. Karla Huneke
Dr. Karla grew up on a small family farm near Henderson, NE. She attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for her undergraduate career. Karla then attended the 2-plus-2 program through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Iowa State University for her Veterinary school, graduating in 2016. She is a member of the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association and American Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Karla is certified in Animal Chiropractic, completing her certification in 2018 from Options for Animals, College of Animal Chiropractic. And is currently in the process of becoming certified in Canine Physical Therapy, from Canine Rehabilitation Institute.
Karla and her husband, Barrett, have a busy life chasing after their young son, Briggs, two Australian Shepherds – Loot & Buccaneer, two quarter horses – Tuffy & Yoder, a pony named Apache, a small herd of goats and cattle, and a coven of farm cats.
Dr. Elizabeth Svatora
Dr. Elizabeth Svatora grew up on a farm in southern Butler County, where her parents and siblings still reside. She graduated from Doane University in Crete, NE, with a degree in biology and then headed south to Manhattan, KS, for vet school. She graduated from Kansas State in 2012 and spent a couple of years in mixed animal practice. She then pursued the public health side of the profession, working for the USDA for 5 years. While working in the public health realm was a valuable experience, she did not see it as a lifelong career. She joined Animal Medical Clinic in 2020. She married her husband, Ben, in the spring of 2025. Together they love spoiling all their nieces and nephews (19 in total), their dog (Josie) and their cat (Reese’s). Dr. Elizabeth enjoys running, traveling, dancing, learning new things, cheering for the Huskers AND the Wildcats. She is a member of the AVMA and NVMA.
Dr. Elizabeth Engleman
Dr. Elizabeth Engleman was born and raised in Grand Island and is a Northwest High School graduate. She earned a degree in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, then attended the 2-plus-2 program through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Iowa State University for veterinary school, graduating in 2023. Dr. Elizabeth started her career in Quincy, Illinois, but decided it was time to move closer to family after 3 years and joined Animal Medial Clinic in 2026. She is no stranger to AMC as she worked in the kennels in high school and interned in the clinic twice during college.
Dr. Elizabeth and her husband, Ben, welcomed their first child, Lane, in 2025. She love being outdoors, kayaking, camping, running, and spending time with their two cats, Kami (a previous AMC clinic cat) and Osceola.
Kelli
Kelli was born and raised in Grand Island and has been part of the AMC family since 2007. She was a receptionist and bookkeeper here for 18 years and recently decided to take a leap of faith to start her own business to help others. She is still part of the AMC team and continues to do all of the bookkeeping for the clinic, and she fills in up front when needed. Kelli enjoys spending time with her husband and their five amazing children in her free time. She also has two furry kids that keep her lap warm at night named Soup and Luna!
Jenn
Jenn was born and raised in Grand Island and is a graduate of Northwest High School. She has been with Animal Medical Clinic since 2007. She started off working in kennels and worked herself up to front desk receptionist. While Jenn doesn’t currently have any pets of her own, she loves giving the pets that come in lots of loves. When she is not at work she enjoys watching and playing volleyball, hunting, fishing, and most of all spending time with friends and family!
Ashlee
Ashlee is a resident of Grand Island, having made the city her home in 2023, moving here from Lincoln. Outside of her daily life, Ashlee loves spending time with her children (2 and 4 legged), all sports, especially football, and belting out her favorite tunes at karaoke nights! Go Pack Go!
Katie
Katie was born and raised in Grand Island. Grew up showing sheep and raising livestock. 4H is still a big part of her life as she is the Sheep Superintendent and one of the 2 dog trainers for the Hall County Fair. Katie called AMC her home in November of 2023. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and soon to be husband Blake, snuggling with her puppies Coal and Walter, and shopping with her mom, sister, niece, and friend Deb.
Bailey
Bailey was raised in Grand Island before moving to Norfolk to attend Northeast Community College, where she earned degrees in Animal Science and Agricultural Business. Her early passion was in large animal care, but after returning home in 2021, she spent three and a half years working at an animal shelter, where she discovered her true love for small animal medicine. Bailey joined AMC in February 2025. Bailey can be seen working up front as well as working in the back assisting with appointments! Outside of the clinic, she enjoys watching sports, spending time outdoors, and spending with her beloved pets and loved ones.
Evan
Evan, a Grand Island native, began his career with Animal Medical Clinic in 1997 as Northwest Highs School student, assisting with kennels. After high school, he left to pursue his interest in veterinary technology, earning an Associate Degree in Animal Science from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, Nebraska in 2002. He returned to Animal Medical Clinic, and serves as our Practice Manager and Licensed Veterinary Technician. Evan was married to his wife Heidi in 2012 and they had their first two legged son in 2013 and a daughter in 2016. They also have two dogs; a Yellow Lab mix named Cooper, and a Yorkshire Terrier named Dewey.
Jill
Jill is a Licensed Veterinary Technician born and raised in west Iowa. She graduated from Vatterott College in Omaha, NE. She had worked at several small/exotic animal hospitals in Omaha before moving to Grand Island in November 2011 and accepted a position with AMC. She is certified in CPR and Emergency Critical Care, excels in oral/dental care, enjoys assisting in orthopedic care, and grey muzzle health. She lives in Grand Island with her 3 daughters, her dog Bruno, and 2 cats.
Hadley
Hadley is a licensed veterinary technician born and raised around McCool Junction, NE. She grew up on a small family farm with many critters – horses, chickens, cattle, and many more! She is a graduate of Northeast Community College where she graduated from the Veterinary Technician Program in 2022. After graduation, she found her home at AMC. In her free time, she enjoys trail rides, being at the lake, and spending time with her two dogs and three cats!
Elyzabeth
Elyzabeth grew up outside of Grafton, NE on a farm. She attended Sutton Public Schools and graduated there in July of 2020. Afterward she moved to Hays, Kansas to attended FHSU and graduated in May of 2023 with a Bachelor’s in Biology. Then transferred to NCTA and obtained her Associated in Applied Science. After taking the VTNE come a LVT and was hired at AMC in August of 2025. Elyzabeth loves to spend her time with her furry/ feathered pets and baking.
Jacoby
Jacoby was born and raised in Kearney and moved to the Grand Island area in 2011. She then joined the AMC family. She loves watching her oldest daughter play volleyball and her youngest daughter dance on the dance team for the dance studio she attends. In her free time, she enjoys growing a garden and then canning all the veggies she gets from it. She stays entertained with her “fancy” chickens and her 4 legged fur kids!
Jeri
Jeri returns to the Animal Medical Clinic after a 20 year absence. During that time she was a purchasing director for 17 years at a hospital in St. Paul. Jeri happily rejoins the team at AMC as a Veterinary Assistant. She and her husband, Richard, live on an acreage outside of Cairo, along with 4 dogs, 2 cats, goats, chickens, and a pig. Jeri loves spending time with her family, which includes 16 grandkids that keep her very busy!
Mikayla
Mikayla is a Grand Island native who started her veterinary medicine career in 2017. She joined AMC in 2022 after moving back home from college. Mikayla is also a dance instructor at a local studio. Mikayla and her husband, Noah, have a son named Carter and they also share their home with three fur-children: Rosie, Dixie and Baby June.
Avery
Avery grew up in Grand Island and graduated from Northwest High School in 2020. After high school, she pursued her passion by achieving her grooming certificate hoping to grow her love of creativity and affection for animals. She joined AMC in hopes to continue to grow from there. Avery loves crocheting, anything art-related, playing softball, and spending time with her dog named Hooey, who loves the pup cup trips!
Gracie
Gracie was born and Raised in Grand Island. She graduated from Senior high in 2017 started and her career working with animals in 2019, and has been working with them ever since! Grooming was first introduced to her in 2020 and she fell in love! She was able to complete her schooling and got into the perfect profession for herself!
Anna
Anna, just like a few others, was born and raised in grand island. She first started working at AMC when she was 16, later on pursuing an education wanting to be an veterinary technician. Right now, she works as part of the AMC team as a animal caretaker but will later be as a technician. In her spare time she loves reading, doing bible studies and spending time with her many pets, Arrow, Chippa, Dodge, Marley, Tiny Tim and her four mice.
Gus, Security
Gus is Dr. Jen’s 8-year-old rescue cat. You usually won’t see Gus roaming the front, as he is scared of most noises (even the ones he makes himself) Gus can sometimes be spotted on the shoulders of staff working in the back, keeping the doctors’ chairs warm, or sleeping in the paper recycling basket. His special duties include protecting all of AMC from his archnemesis-the bathroom sink.
Tuffy, Quality Control
Tuffy is Dr. Jen’s other rescue-having come to the clinic after an accident with a garage door left him unable to walk. He now lives a happy life zooming around the basement, playing doctor in the rooms, and helping the AMC staff with their computer work. You can typically find him strutting around; looking for trouble.
Ventura “Venny”, Team Morale
Ventura is the clinic’s favorite naughty kitty (though his mom, Jacoby, would just say he’s a pain in the rear). The resident lover of AMC, he is the most likely to give hugs and will tell you all about his day given the chance. Venny has his own basket at the front desk and would love for you to stop and give him attention.
