Hope Animal Hospital in Jefferson County Missouri. A state of the art Veterinary Animal Hospital.

About Us - Meet the Staff

Linda Beisswenger, DVM Dr. Beisswenger is a St. Louis native and graduated from the University of Missouri with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1994. Dr. B as we call her is the mainstay of Hope Animal Hospital with her vast experience in dogs, cats, and small mammals. She has many bunny and other small mammal clients who travel vast distances to have her expertise for their pets. She also has a special interest in sight hounds having owned Borzoi and a Scottish deerhound. It is important to Dr. Beisswenger that she stays current with veterinary medical advances. She does that by attending many continuing education courses and belonging to local and national organizations. Dr. Beisswenger is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Missouri Veterinary Association, the Greater St. Louis Veterinary Medical Association and the Association for Veterinary Family Practice. Dr. Beisswenger enjoys pursuing a variety of dog sports in her free time including obedience, rally, confirmation, lure coursing, racing, agility, and tracking.
Lea Gervais, Hospital Administrator Yes, it’s still our Lea. Her only change was to her last name. Lea has a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. She went back to school 2004 and completed her Masters of Science in Hospital Administration in 2006. Lea has experience in veterinary hospital administration and clinical training since 2000. I know you have been wondering where Lea has been…You don’t see her as much anymore she spends most of her time running Hope from behind the scenes. Lea was married to Mathieu in 2010. A dedicated pet lover, her household includes two cats and one dog.
Rennie Bodien, Veterinary Technician Rennie remains our primary technician. Rennie was trained as a Veterinary Technician by the United States Army. She started her career in 1998 and worked for the military for 8 years. Rennie has been at Hope Animal Hospital from the beginning. She and her husband John are the proud pet parents of one cat, Spike, and, more recently, two bunnies, Winky and Binky.
Jaime Bast, RVT Registered Veterinary Technician Jaime has been at Hope Animal Hospital since January 2011. She graduated Summa cum Laude from Jefferson College School of Veterinary Technology in May 2012. Jaime then went on to pass both National and State Veterinary Technician Board Exams with high scores, completing the requirements for licensure as an RVT. Jaime is very active in the world of dog sports and training. She has been showing & training dogs competitively since she was 14 years old, and participates in conformation, agility, tracking, and rally-obedience. Jaime is a 2008 alumna of Saint Louis University, holding a bachelor's degree in Theatre & English. She is a member of the Missouri Veterinary Technician’s Association, and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. She is currently owned and ruled by four dogs and one cat.
Joy Gioia, Marketing Advisor Joy recently moved to a position in Marketing for Hope Animal Hospital as well as helping where needed. Joy’s had cats and dogs all of her life and horses for many years including an unbroken, 10 yr. old wild mustang she trained and took to his national championship and who lived to be 37 yrs. old. She spent six years doing wildlife rehabilitation and helped establish the Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic doing I.C.U., orphan care, trauma care, training and being a shift supervisor and board member. Her specialty is cottontails. In 1998 she became chapter manager of the House Rabbit Society of Missouri and also sits on the board of directors for the national/international House Rabbit Society. She spends much of her time educating the public regarding good care of domestic rabbits as animal companions and acts as a foster home for bunnies awaiting adoption. Her life includes her very supportive husband, Tom; two married sons, Justin and Alex; one Malamute, Tessa; one cat named Conan; and two personal bunnies, Honeycomb and Fletcher.
Holly Clark, Front Desk Supervisor Holly moved to Missouri from Washington State with her husband, David, and dog, Zulu. She attended school at Central Washington University and graduated in 2008 with a degree in Business Administration. Holly grew up around many pets and loves that she gets to work at a place that is helping so many on a daily basis. With her always happy smile and, "I can do it!" positive attitude, we're sure you'll love Holly as much as we do.
George, Blood Donor and Adventurer After a significant period of mourning the passing of Gabby, Hope Animal Hospital adopted George from Open Door Animal Sanctuary. This is one cool dude. Laidback and friendly our biggest problem is keeping people from stealing George. Don’t even think of it, we adore him. George has a job as a blood donor it’s just not demanding. He has yet been called into service. He does need male bonding frequently. He defiantly gets tired of being surrounded by all women. Any man around the place cannot sit down for long without George needing some lap time. George also likes to go outside. When you visit please do not let him out.
Cricket, Office Prima Donna Like any Prima Donna Cricket has no duties other than make sure everybody is doing what she wants all the time. Her voice is as annoying and constant as a cricket stuck in the house. No, Cricket is not pregnant. She came to us because she has a chronic skin disease. She has to be on steroids and it gives her a pot belly. Please don’t tell her this because she thinks she is slim and sleek. If it is not nap time Cricket will visit you when you come by Hope Animal Hospital.
Lilly and Lenny, Bunny Ambassadors Lilly and Lenny have some laid out digs in the bunny/kitty room but don’t think they lack attention. Most clients can see them past the reception area and ask to visit. We often take new bunny owners back to see how to set up a play area and see what toys bunnies like. Lilly was a bunny Hope Animal Hospital took in when her toes were being bit off by a predator when she was kept in an outside hutch. Lenny was here from the Missouri House Rabbit Society for his neuter. When Lilly saw him with his long soft ears it was love at first site. They immediately got married and set up house keeping. Many people do not like to adopt white bunnies with pink eyes but they have a lot going for them in personality.
	Bubbles, Burp, and Daisy, Hospital Stress Reduction Experts At the end of the day if we feel a little stressed we turn out the lights and watch the goldfish swim around. What a great way to end the day.
Gabby Smith, Hospital Royalty Gabby Smith lived with her pet mother in St. Louis. Her mother had to have surgery so Gabby stayed by herself. Her mother is an old friend of Dr. Beisswenger so Dr. Beisswenger cared for Gabby in her home for months. Gabby definitely did not think she needed her medication and even resorted to biting Dr. Beisswenger. Her mother had to go into assisted living so Gabby came to live with us. Gabby definitely runs the show. After a long battle with renal disease and intestinal cancer Gabby crossed the rainbow bridge in March 2007. We miss her superior attitude and her demanding presence.