Our Staff
Palo Verde Animal Hospital employs only well trained staff members for the care of your pet(s). Our doctors and staff are required to attend continuing education classes to ensure that only the best medical care is available for your pet(s).
Dr. Ross Babcock
Dr. Babcock is a 1967 graduate of Colorado State University. He was raised in the Phoenix area and has been very active in the community for over 35 years. He has more than 35 years of experience treating birds and raising parrots and other birds at his home. He has devoted most of his free time to organizations such as the Phoenix Lions Club as well as serving as a Boy Scout Leader. Dr. Babcock's special areas of interest are avian, reptile and primate medicine.
Dr. John Samuelson
Dr. Samuelson is a 2003 graduate of the University of Minnesota. He lives with his lovely wife Jody, and their three dogs ("Loki", "Skippy", and "Mr. Bo Jangles"), two tortoises and a parrot. In his free time, Dr. Samuelson enjoys mountain biking, running, and white water kayaking. His areas of interest include small animal medicine and surgery as well as small ruminants (goats and sheep).
Chris Butler, CVT, Practice Manager
Chris has been a part of the veterinary field since 1995. She is a 1995 graduate of Long Technical College and was certified as a veterinary technician in 1998. Chris has worked for PVAH since March of 1997. She has several pets of her own at home. In her free time she likes to swim, hike, mountain bike, and hang out with her dogs, cats, bird, and fish.
Jodi Boyles, Veterinary Technician Supervisor
Jodi joined Palo Verde in February 2003. She graduated as a veterinary technician from Apollo College in October 2003. Jodi was born and raised in Phoenix. She and her husband Mark are the proud parents of 2 daughters, Destiny and Addison. They have 2 dogs, "Myriad" and "Happy", 2 cats, "Beau" and "Rainie", and 2 conures, "Swazi" and "Sunnie". In her spare time, Jodi enjoys camping, scrapbooking, family events, and of course, helping animals.
Stephanie Casagrande, Client Service Relations Supervisor
Stephanie has been with PVAH since June of 2003. She lives with her fiance Matt and all their pets, 2 rottweiller twins, "Caboose" and "Sam", and 2 cats, "Geronimo" and "Normie". When Stephanie is not at work or hanging out with her furry children, she's at the gym.
Elisa Dahm, Certified Veterinary Technician
Elisa has been with Palo Verde on and off since 1997. Since childhood, Elisa has loved animals and feels like working at Palo Verde Animal Hospital has enabled her to hug pets, not just physically but also in the form of nursing and caring for their well-being. Elisa is married and has three sons, Christopher, Axel, and Jacob, whom share her love for their pets. She is quoted as saying, "When you love what you are doing, it's not so bad to take your work home with you!"
Jackie Fantini, Veterinary Technician
Jackie joined PVAH in October 2005. She was born in Montana and moved to Arizona when she was 2. Jackie is the proud mother of two children, a boy and a girl. Her family also includes two dogs, "Sunny" and "Gonzo", and a tortoise, "Sidney".
Cheryl Hogg, Animal Caretaker Supervisor
Cheryl began at Palo Verde in June of 2006. She is a native of Arizona. She graduated from Peoria High School and then attended Apollo College for Human Medical Assisting. A a teenager, Cheryl lived on a pig and chicken ranch near Lake Pleasant and currently lives on a beef cattle ranch near the White Tank Mountains. She has always had a great love for animals. Her 'home zoo' consists of cattle, dogs, large birds, a tortoise, and numerous kitty's (Cheryl's favorite).
Paula Jones, Groomer
Paula has been the groomer at Palo Verde Animal Hospital since 1996. With more than 25 years of experience, she will make sure your pet gets the royal treatment. When Paula isn't making your pet beautiful and happy, she enjoys spending time with her family, human and animal alike. She enjoys going to dog and cat shows, playing with her feline and canine friends and just plain having a good time. Another of her amazing talents is teaching old dogs new tricks. Ask her about her partner in crime, "Webster", and she'll be happy to brag about all the tricks he knows.
Amanda Morari, Volunteer
Amanda has been volunteering with Palo Verde since 2002. She was born in Phoenix and has lived here all of her life. She has 3 dogs, ("Blackie", "Sadie", and "Elvis"), 3 snakes, ("Rockey", "Sally", and "Sybille"), a ferret ("Cooper"), and a sugar glider ("Sully"). Amanda enjoys playing with her pets, camping, scrapbooking, swimming, and much more. She is currently in school and makes her Mom proud with her straight A's. Her dream job is to become a veterinarian. She volunteers her time to the pets of Palo Verde after school and on weekends.
Kari Neville, Animal Caretaker
Kari has been with Palo Verde Animal Hospital since December 2002. Her interests are animals, tandem bicycle riding, reading, camping and eating chocolate. Kari is an Air Force Brat and has traveled around quite a bit. Her family moved to Glendale in 1983 and she graduated with her twin sister from Moon Valley High School in 1985. She prefers the company of animals over people, which makes this the perfect occupation for Kari.
Beth Novak, Client Service Relations
Beth has been with PVAH since March of 2007. She has been working in the veterinary field since 1996. She has 2 lizards and a "Choodle" (Chihuahua and Poodle mix), "Tyranny". Beth enjoys lizard husbandry (she's had one of her lizards for 20 years), reading, movies, and teaching her old dog new tricks.
Sibylle Scheliga, Veterinary Assistant
Sibylle came to PVAH from the Arizona SPCA (Society for the Prevention and Cruelty to Animals). She loves elephants, mice and EVERYTHING in between. Sibylle is proud to have been accepted as a member of the very dedicated staff at PVAH, her home away from home. She is still active with animal organizations fighting to help stamp out animal abuse and neglect. She thinks hockey and swimming are the "coolest" of all sports.