OUR TEAM
Meet our team of animal-lovers who are dedicated to the well being of your Best Friends. When you visit us, you’re part of our family.
Doctors
Dr. Tim
Hutson
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Dr. Timothy Hutson is a St. Louis native who graduated with a BA in Biological Sciences from SLU in 2008. After 18 months of lab work in medical research at Washington University, he decided to forgo a career in human medicine and instead chose a career in veterinary medicine. He applied to the veterinary college at UMC and graduated in May 2013. Upon graduation, Dr. Tim decided to join My Best Friend, having been impressed and pleased to see their commitment to high quality medicine, along with their wonderful clientele. He brings with him special interest in dermatology, dentistry, and nutrition, and loves talking with clients about these topics. Dr. Tim took over the Clinic in 2018 from Dr. Bill, who is now enjoying his well-deserved retirement in sunny Florida!
Dr. Tim enjoys fishing, woodworking, bonsai, and playing ice hockey in his free time. He is also an avid fan of the Cardinals and Blues. Most of all, he loves spending time with his family. Dr. Tim and his wife, Irina, have 2 children, Anna and Cameron. They also have two furry children, a French bulldog named “Corndog” (named by their daughter), and a sassy cat named “Rosie”.
Dr. Chelsie
Bivens-Meinders
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Dr. Chelsie came to My Best Friend Veterinary Center in February 2020. Originally from Springfield, IL she began her pre-veterinary studies in Kentucky at Murray State University. While pursuing her undergraduate degree she had many opportunities for exotic experience including volunteering at Riddle’s Elephant Sanctuary in Quitman, AR and briefly studying Marine Biology abroad in Belize. After obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Murray State she was accepted into University of Missouri’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. Graduating in spring of 2019, Chelsie began working in a small animal private practice.
Dr. Chelsie’s wonderful family consists of her husband and three dogs; Millie, Murray and Max. Her three dogs are spoiled rotten and she would love to show you a picture of them. Chelsie is always up for an adventure. She has been skydiving four times and hopes to get her skydiving license someday.
She loves a good “dad” joke.
“I have an appointment with the doggy doctor. How that dog became a doctor, I don’t know.”
Dr. Erin
Reiter
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Dr. Erin Reiter was born and raised in St. Louis and attended Indiana University for her undergraduate studies. In 2009, she moved back to Missouri to attend veterinary school at Mizzou. Dr. Erin graduated from Mizzou in 2013 (with Dr. Tim!) and then moved to Denver the following year where she completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital. She then worked as an associate in private practice for 5 years before moving back to St. Louis last summer. She has been working here as a relief veterinarian until starting with our hospital in June 2020.
Dr. Erin is thrilled to be a part of a profession where she has the opportunity to help people and animals on a daily basis. While she loves every aspect of general practice, her particular interests include internal medicine and feline medicine. In her free time, Erin enjoys traveling, running/cycling, yoga, and spending time with her family. Erin and her husband, Mike, have 2 young daughters, Caitlin and Olivia. They also have four furry children including “Greta”, their dog, and their 3 cats named “Riley”, “Rufus”, and “Russell”.
Dr. Heather
Yarnall
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Dr. Heather Yarnall. Dr. Heather grew up in a military family, but her family settled in the metro St. Louis area. She attended the University of Missouri for both undergraduate studies and veterinary school. She has moved a few times since graduation, practicing in both St. Louis and Madison, WI. She has worked in a wide variety of practices, from a spay/neuter clinic, a canine reproduction clinic, shelter medicine, and general practice.
Dr. Heather’s favorite parts of being a veterinarian are getting to know the pets and their owners, and the satisfaction that comes with helping pets live their best, happy, healthy lives. She joined the MBF team in 2021.
Her passion for veterinary medicine began growing up with pet rabbits and dogs. Watching veterinarians work on her pets (especially a C section on the family Labrador!) was exciting and really inspired her to think of this as a career she would want to pursue.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Heather spends most of her time with her husband, Ben, and their young son, Max. They attend as many Cardinals and Blues games as they can! She also shares her home with 3 Border Collies, Mia, Crash, and Enzo. Her favorite hobby is competing in dog agility with Crash.
Hospital Staff
Janet
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Janet, Office Manager. Janet began her career in veterinary medicine at Kirkwood Animal Hospital, starting as kennel help and achieving the position of office manager in just twelve years. She joined My Best Friend Veterinary Center in 1995 as our office manager and has been running the show ever since. Janet shares her home with her partner, Tiffany, a very naughty tabby cat “Jack”, her crazy Jack Russell mix “Ruby”, and a Mastiff mix “Theo”. Her daughter Madison is away at college in Kentucky, but you might still find her helping out at the clinic when she’s visiting home.
Megan
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Megan, Lead Veterinary Technician. Megan graduated from the Vet Tech Institute at Hickey College in 2015 and passed her certification exam becoming a CVT in 2016. She joined MBF in 2021. She is a self-proclaimed crazy cat lady and owns 5 cats herself, along with a spoiled guinea pig named Hamlet who is treated by the others as an honorary cat. In her free time, Megan enjoys reading, cooking, and playing video games.
Emily
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Emily, Lead Veterinary Technician. Emily earned her associates degree in Veterinary Technology at Hickey College in 2013. Her special interests are surgery, snuggling patients post surgery, and caring not only for the patients but their owners as well. Emily has an Australian shepherd named Iris, a Corgi named Benny, a cool meow meow named Stormageddon (The Dark Lord Of All) and a human son named Elliot with her soulmate Matt, they are the coolest dudes in this world. She enjoys a brisk fall morning, long rides to the coffee shop, and laughing at her own jokes.
Brandy
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Brandy, Lead Receptionist. Brandy joined us with a variety of experience in retail, photography, and teaching. She has brought her positive attitude and organizational skills to our reception area. All her professions have prepared her to expect the unexpected and be ready for anything (her husband and child have added to that experience as well) which comes in handy everyday here at My Best Friend. She is happy to help your pet live their best life!
She lives in Maryland Heights with her husband, Chris, son, Lincoln, and their cat, Ma$e . . . yes, there should be a dollar sign. He was named by her husband back in the early 2000’s when the rapper was popular. Brandy and her boys love to play board games, snuggle up for movie nights, and all things Harry Potter and Disney!
Laura
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Laura, Receptionist. Laura came to My Best Friend Veterinary Center in January of 2008, having had a passion for animals her entire life. She seems to always be watching Animal Planet or the Discovery Channel to satisfy her desire to continue learning. After purchasing her pug she began to discover the desperate need for adoption of homeless mixed breeds in the animal shelters. Over the years she has added six such dogs and a cat to her home. Her current five pets enjoy their home in Ferguson with Laura and her longtime partner Denise (our pet stylist).
Julie
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Julie, Veterinary Technician. Julie may be a familiar face, having worked at My Best Friend from 2001 to 2008 as a veterinary assistant. She left for California in 2008, had a daughter, and had a lot of great experiences both in life and in the veterinary field, but ultimately came back to the Midwest and rejoined us in January of 2017. “Home is where the heart is” she says.
If you are at the clinic and hear a beautiful mezzo-soprano voice emanating from the treatment area, you’ll know Julie is around… She is quite active in the local theater scene and loves her showtunes! Her other passions are animal rescue and rehabilitation, and hiking or anything outdoors. Her daughter Phoebe and their Lhasa/schnauzer mix Jack along with cats Huckleberry and Sawyer keep Julie on her toes…
Kayla
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Kayla, Veterinary Technician. Kayla graduated in June 2020 from Midwest Institute with her associates degree as a veterinary technician, she also has an associates degree in general education from Saint Charles Community college. After graduation she adopted an energetic but loving Labrador Retriever named Sarafina. In her free time she loves to be outdoors with good food and family. She continues to be intrigued and very eager to learn more as her compassion with animals grow.
Irina
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Irina, Business Manager. Irina joined the MBF team in 2019 as the business manager. She’s married to Dr. Tim and is the co-owner of My Best Friend.
Irina started her career in the field of scientific research. After obtaining a master’s degree in microbiology, she spent the next 10 years working in the field of endocrinology research at Washington University and the University of Missouri.
After she and Dr. Tim purchased the clinic from Dr. Bill, she decided to transition into veterinary medicine. While her main responsibilities are to take care of the business side of things, you’ll often find her assisting the vet techs and receptionists to help keep things running smoothly. At home, Irina helps care for her and Dr. Tim’s two children, Anna and Cameron. They also have a sassy cat named Rosie, and a stubborn French Bulldog named Corndog (named by their 5-year-old daughter). She also enjoys baking and growing succulents.
Andrea
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Andrea, Receptionist. Andrea graduated from Hickey College as a Veterinary Technician in 2011. She then worked as a Vet Tech at Banfield Pet Hospital in Boulder, CO before returning to St. Louis and beginning her grooming career at Silver Maple Farm. She joined My Best Friend in 2021.
She shares a home with her wonderful partner, Eddie, and their three dogs: Charlotte, Sassy, and Taj.
While she’s not busy trying to pet every dog in St. Louis, you can find her hiking, kayaking, camping, spending time with family, and lint rolling dog hair off her clothes.
Rachel
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Rachel, Veterinary Technician. I graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2020 with a degree in Animal Science with an equine concentration. After moving back to St. Louis with my cat, Phoebe, we now live with my mom and dad, our chocolate lab, Nala, our cocker spaniel, Tucker, and the kitten twins, Ouiser and Truvey (aka Peanut Butter and Batman). I recently sold my horse of 8 years, so in my free time I help out at a horse farm where I get to care for 5 horses, 1 mini pony and 2 mini donkeys. Outside of loving all my fur babies I enjoy hiking, reading, hanging out with my 4 sisters. I joined the MBF team in 2021.
Holly
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Holly, Veterinary Technician. Hi I’m Holly and I’m currently in school studying to become a veterinary technician. I joined My Best Friend in 2021. I have volunteered with the House Rabbit Society of Missouri and worked for an equestrian veterinarian during my undergraduate career. In my downtime my three cats Cleo, Maeve and Rheya as well as my Boston terrier Gretel keep me busy. I enjoy spending time with my boyfriend Pete, friends, family and traveling the country!
Carrington
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Carrington, Veterinary Technician. Carrington has worked in the veterinary field for 4 years in Illinois and Missouri. She graduated in 2020 with a degree in anthropology, focusing on biology and forensic science. She joined My Best Friend in 2022 after a brief stint in archaeology, quickly realizing that cuddling cats was more fun than digging holes. When she isn’t loving on animals at My Best Friend, she’s at home loving on her own pets: Milo, Archie, and Coda. Carrington fills her time with movies, video games, trivia, and excessive hiccuping.
Faith
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Faith, Receptionist. Hi I’m Faith! I joined My Best Friend in 2022 and I am currently enrolled in a Veterinary Technician program. I have spent most of my career in North Carolina and have just recently moved to the St. Louis area. In my free time you can catch me snuggled with my two dogs, Lacuna and Ares; or at a St. Louis Cardinals game with my boyfriend Josh!
Raina
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Raina, Veterinary Technician. Raina graduated from Murray State University in 2021 with a bachelors in veterinary medicine. From a young age she has had a fascination for exotic wildlife that led her down the path of veterinary medicine. Raina hopes to continue her education someday & become a veterinarian herself. Raina joined My Best Friend in 2022 after moving to Missouri from Kentucky, where she was born & raised. Raina moved to Saint Louis with her best friend from college & two cats, Kitty & Luna. Raina enjoys spending her free time playing her Nintendo Switch & crafting with her sewing machine. When she isn’t lounging at home, Raina loves traveling & going to the zoo.
Sophie
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Sophie, Veterinary Assistant. Hi, I’m Sophie! I am a senior at Washington University in St. Louis majoring in biology and planning on pursuing veterinary school following graduation. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my dog, Jazzy, seeing friends and family, fostering cats and dogs, and going to Forest Park.
Grooming Staff
Tiffany
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Tiffany, Pet Stylist. Tiffany joined My Best Friend in April of 2018. Her extensive work background includes 13 years at Petsmart in Bridgeton, MO making her very experienced in all breeds. She loves what she does and is excited to be here. She personally owns four standard poodles so she is especially good at grooming poodles and doodles. This native St. Louisan loves to travel and take long walks with her dogs Fancy, Penelope, Ringo and Miley.
Denise
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Denise, Pet Stylist. Denise was introduced to dogs by her partner Laura and decided to attend the grooming school at Petropolis in November 1999. The bulk of her initial grooming experience came from her work at Bal-Coeur Animal Hospital. She joined My Best Friend Veterinary Center as our grooming expert in 2006. Although purebreds are emphasized in grooming books, she enjoys the mixed breeds that visit her because they bring out her creative side. After years of grooming she feels the key to success is a lot of coffee and Red Bull.
