NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Sign up for more articles

Meet Our Team

Client Care Specialists

  • Dixie Stever, Practice Manager

    Dixie started at WVH as a Certified Veterinary Technician in 1995.  She remembers visiting the hospital as a little girl when Dr. Engel took care of her Dad's coonhounds. Early on she had a love of animals and it didn't take long to discover her career path.  

    She graduated from Madison Area Technical College in 1982 and interned at WVH in 1981.  Being a parent to a child with autism led to an interest in behavior.  She has attended many conferences on feline and canine behavior.  She has offered puppy and obedience classes at the hospital to help clients communicate better with their K-9 companions.  In 2017, she transitioned to the position of Practice Manager at WVH.  This position offers a new set of challenges and exercises her communication skills.  

    During her spare time, she enjoys camping, canoeing, gardening and traveling.  She and husband Matt enjoy taking motorcycle trips. She lives in Elkhorn with her husband, two cats, Rizzo and Silas, and Lulu, the dog that found her.  

  • Mary Gillette

    Mary came to WVH in the fall of 1977 as a part-time receptionist.  In 2001, she took a full-time position. Mary manages inventory by ordering small animal medications, supplies, and pet food.  She also continues her reception work.  Mary's farm experience is invaluable with our farm clients.

    Mary, her husband, Tim, and daughter Katie, live on the family farm and are well known for raising show-quality Ayrshire cattle.  Mary, being on a dairy farm all her life, can relate very well with the large animal clients, but has a soft side for the small furry friends as well.

    In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family, show their cattle, garden in her perennial flower beds, and just 'be outdoors'.  Mary comes home to an adorable cat named Tig... and of course their beautiful cattle!

  • Robin Sdano

    Robin has been with WVH since June 2015 a part-time receptionist.

    Originally a Palmyra girl, she has lived with her husband Ron and their two sons - Geoff and Justin - in Whitewater for the past 29 years, making her a familiar face to our hometown clients! Robin's love for dogs, and particularly the Australian Shepherd breed, has brought two fur babies into her life at different times.  She now enjoys spending time with her 'grand' pups, Tucker and Poppy.

    In her spare time, Robin enjoys spending time with her family, interior decorating, and quilting. Robin has been coming to our clinic since she was in elementary school and she is excited to now be behind the desk assisting the team that has served her family for many years!

  • Dawn Armin

    After years of working in the corporate world, Dawn followed her lifelong passion for animals and joined the Whitewater Vet Hospital team in August 2016.

    Dawn shares her home with her husband Steve, their German Shepherd Izak, a parrot named Brad, and her three cats Gideon, Smudge, and Joey. 

    In her spare time, Dawn participates in training at the German Shepherd Dog Club of Wisconsin where she has been a member since 2002.  She and Izak have fun working on their tracking, obedience, and rally skills.  Dawn also volunteers at Touched By A Paw Cat Shelter in Whitewater, likes to go hiking, participates in yoga with cats, and enjoys just about anything that includes animals and the outdoors.

  • Mary Beth Miatke

    Mary Beth started at WVH in June, 2017 as part of our receptionist team.  She is a native of Sterling, IL and moved to Whitewater where she and her husband, Michael, purchased their farm to raise their family and farm beef cattle and crops.  She has always had a passion for animals and has experience with farm and companion animals.  Her daughter is a veterinarian in the United States Army Vetcorps and her son is an IT specialist. 

    Mary Beth loves all animals and shares her home presently with her dog, Molly, and her 4 cats; Kye, Lily, Noel and Rascal.  In her down time, she loves to be outside when warm weather arrives and loves to swim and tend to her flower beds and garden.  She also loves to travel; her favorite place to be is on a beach with her family. 

Certified Veterinary Technicians

  • Sandy Lucht, CVT

    Sandy grew up as a farm girl in Whitewater.  She graduated from Madison College in 1988, received her certification and has worked here since.  She and her husband, Bruce, live in rural Whitewater and have two adult children, Anna and Matthew.  Sandy has two lucky dogs named Boomer and Cosmo.

    Sandy enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, but particularly enjoys surgery, and working with the clients and animals she has gotten to know over the years.  As an empty nester, she is back working full time.

    Her interests include photography & scrapbooking, sports, kayaking, camping, travel, the outdoors, and spending time with friends. 

  • Emily Leistikow, CVT

    Emily grew up in the rolling hills of Green County, Wisconsin.  She has always loved animals, and was lucky enough to grow up surrounded by dogs, cats, horses, rabbits and a lamb named Peppy.  She graduated from Madison College in 2013 with her Associate's degree as a Veterinary Technician, received her certification that summer, and joined the team in June of 2013. 

    Emily shares her home with a talkative and goofy cat named Rudy and a happy-go-lucky Chocolate Lab named Hattie.  She has a horse named Jazzi, and two miniature horses named Dazzle and Dream who live with her parents. Her family also has an adopted Australian Shepherd named Annie. 

    In her spare time, Emily likes to be with her family, play with her horses, be outdoors, hike, work in her flower gardens, and craft.

  • Lilian Schwichtenberg, CVT

    Lilian is a small-town girl who grew up in Palmyra, WI. At a young age she was part of 4-H and was always involved in working with horses at various stables, though she has always had a fascination with all kinds of animals.  Lilian graduated from Madison College in May, 2023 with her Associate's degree as a Veterinary Technician and became certified in July, 2023.  She has been part of the WVH team since July, 2020.

    In her spare time she loves to be outside, spend time with family, and sit by campfires. Her hobbies include baking, hiking, and playing various styles of flutes. One day she hopes to explore the United States and visit its national parks. She has a Maine Coon cat (Fluffy), a 20-year-old cockatiel (Machi), and a sweet chinchilla (Cheedo).

    One of her favorite Bible verses is: Psalm 28:7 'The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.'

  • Rachael Lusz, CVT

    Rachael grew up in Mukwonago, WI surrounded by English Mastiffs and four cats.  She graduated from Gateway Technical College in May, 2023 with an Associate's degree as a Veterinary Technician, and became certified in July, 2023.  Rachael first joined WVH as a Vet Assistant in July, 2021.

    Outside of work, Rachael is an avid reader and writer, owning more than 500 books. She also played lacrosse for several years before coaching for a few seasons. 

    Rachael and her fiance, Michael, have four cats named Momo, Marshmallow, Peanut, and Ducky and two Australian Shepherds named Beans and Biscotti. 

Veterinary Assistants and Groomer

  • Katie Gardner, Groomer

    Katie has been an animal lover for as long as she can remember.  She was involved in 4-H and FFA growing up, which further instilled her love for animals. 

    She attended the Wisconsin School of Professional Pet Grooming, where she received her certificate of completion in July of 2014. She absolutely LOVES being a groomer and enjoys how rewarding the position is!  She loves getting to meet new people and their beloved family members, who she then has the privilege to make look their very best!  Katie joined the WVH team in January, 2020.

    Katie and her husband share their home with a black Lab named Pistol, a Hound mix named Bella, and a Siamese mix named Sassi.  In her free time, Katie likes to work on craft projects, hangout with friends and family, bake, spend time with her animals and sleep.  She also likes to go camping, fishing and spend time outdoors when the weather is nice.


  • Leah Kohlstedt, Veterinary Assistant

    Leah lives on the outskirts of Palmyra on her family's small homestead.  She is just finishing high school, having been homeschooled all her life.  She has loved animals as long as she can remember, and always knew she wanted a job involving animals.  She feels very blessed to be part of the WVH team, joining as a Vet Assistant in March, 2022.

    Leah loves all types of animals and is continually amazed at all the wonderful creatures God has created for our blessing! She has a cat named Elise, several chickens, and Holland Lop rabbits; raising them as a hobby.  She is also very excited to be getting a Great Pyrenees later this year. 

    Leah enjoys reading, playing volleyball, hiking, essential oils, and researching natural animal health and care.

  • Katelyn Halpin, Veterinary Assistant

    Katelyn joined our team in August of 2022!  She has worked in the veterinary field since 2017 where she started as a kennel attendant. 

    She grew up in Lake Geneva where she enjoys spending her time walking her dog, paddle boarding and boating in the summer.  

    Katelyn’s passion is to always be the voice for those who don’t have one. 🐾

  • Sydney Miller, Veterinary Assistant

    Bio coming soon!

Contact Us

We look forward to hearing from you

Location

Find us on the map

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-12:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed