Our Team

Dedicated to providing compassionate care throughout the life of your pets.

Dr. Wendy Forbes

Dr. Forbes was born and raised in Ohio. After graduation she attended Denison University where she received her B.S. in Biology. It was during this time that she developed her ties to Missouri. Little did she know that when she participated in an externship program with Dr. Kenneth Vroman in Fayette, MO, that she would meet her husband Travis. They were later married in the Shelter Gardens here in Columbia. Dr. Forbes attended veterinary school at The Ohio State University where she graduated in 1999. Following graduation she completed a one year internship in small animal medicine and surgery in Tucson, AZ. She feels that this time spent with specialists was invaluable in her development as a quality veterinarian.

Dr. Forbes and her husband spent a few years in Springfield, MO before deciding to move closer to his hometown of Glasgow and take over Rock Bridge Animal Hospital. They have two adorable and very active boys Callen and Caiden, and they share their house with their two dogs Dobbie and Indy, their mischievous cat Max, and Niblet the Chinchilla.

Dr. Forbes’ medical interests include preventative medicine, senior wellness, surgery, and animal behavior. When she is not here with the animals she is busy keeping up with her boys and enjoying nature with her family.

Dr. Susan Sappington

Dr. Sappington grew up just an hour down the road in Hermann, MO. She received her bachelor’s degree in Biology at Truman State University before moving on to veterinary school at the University of Missouri. After graduating in 2009 she joined a private practice just outside of Kansas City, working with cats, dogs, and numerous pocket pets and exotics. Columbia drew her back though, and in 2010 she joined the team at Rock Bridge Animal Hospital. She lives with her husband Bryan, her son Drew, daughter Abby, Plato the dog, and Mario the cat.

In her free time Dr. Sappington enjoys playing sand volleyball, piano, board games, and hiking with the family.

Dr. Breanna Gottman

Dr. Gottman grew up an hour away in the small town of Macon, Mo. She received her bachelor’s in animal science at Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo all the while working in the veterinary field as a veterinary assistant. She then attended veterinary school at The University of Missouri, and joined our team at Rock Bridge upon graduation in 2022! Her interests in veterinary medicine include animal behavior, nutrition, emergency and critical care, and preventative medicine.

Her other interests outside of veterinary medicine include hiking/camping with her boyfriend and their dogs, Cinch and Cooper, attending concerts, reading any sort of book, and traveling.

Taylor T.

VETERINARY ASSISTANT

Taylor was born in Saint Louis, MO, but currently resides in Columbia with all of her fur babies. From a very young age she knew she wanted a career that involved the well beings of animals as Taylor always had a passion for working with them. She grew up with dogs, cats, snakes, horses, fish, frogs, and birds of prey—many walks of life! Taylor went to South County Technical High School for two years, during her last two years, of her regular high school, where she obtained her Certified Veterinary Assistant license. During this time, Taylor worked with many
rescues as a foster, shadowed in veterinary clinics, and had in class clinicals where she learned the basics to veterinary technology. After obtaining her CVA, Taylor attended Mizzou for her Animal Science degree. From Mizzou, she ended up working with the humane society to help adopt out pets in need of homes, as well as Creekside Pet Center as a kennel and daycare technician.

Since 2018, Taylor has been a part of the Rock Bridge Family and is now Fear Free Certified, the Lead Veterinary Assistant, and Inventory Manager for Rock Bridge. Her duties include assisting the doctors in appointments to see your pets; assist the doctors in surgical procedures and monitor anesthesia; manage and order the clinic’s inventory to get you the items/medications your pet may need; and help train staff to be strong, successful veterinary care professionals. Taylor is also pursuing a credentialed veterinary technician program to become a fully licensed technician in the state of Missouri so she can further her skills and education even more. Taylor’s long term goals include becoming a fully licensed technician with a specialty in surgery and anesthesia. In her down time, Taylor enjoys hanging out with friends; collecting cow related merchandise; and playing volleyball.

Molli

RECEPTIONIST

Molli was raised in a small town in Mid-Missouri. Her passion for helping others led her to pursue a career as an elementary school teacher. She moved to Columbia in 2013 when her high school sweetheart (now husband) started college at Mizzou. Molli has been a teacher for seven years and has taught a variety of grades. Looking for more ways to use her talents and passion, Molli sought out a part-time position as a receptionist at Rock Bridge Animal Hospital. After receiving the adequate amount of puppy kisses and kitty snuggles the first day on the job, she knew this was the right fit for her. Molli has always loved animals and is especially partial to her four fur-babies.

She has two cats named after famous authors, Octavia Estelle and Ernest P. She also has two dogs named after a president and his First Lady, Fitzgerald K. and Jacqueline. In her spare time she enjoys organizing, crafting, cooking, and spending time with her husband, Lance. She has loved learning all things Fear Free© and is thankful for the education that takes place in the hospital.

Kelsey

VETERINARY ASSISTANT

Kelsey was born and raised in Rogers, AR. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with a minor in Chemistry at Kansas State University. She is now attending the University of Missouri’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She has always been dedicated to pursuing agriculture and animal care. She has previous animal care experience with dogs, cats, chickens, goats, sheep, dairy cattle and beef cattle.

Through her education, she wants nothing more than to assist in the care of your pet here at Rock Bridge. After obtaining her DVM, Kelsey desires to be a regional family farm veterinarian in rural Kansas. She has a Labrador Retriever mix, named Ivy, who is always looking for more attention! Aside from spending most of her time studying, she enjoys country swing dancing, the outdoors, and spending quality time with family.

Robin

VETERINARY ASSISTANT

Robin grew up in Milwaukee, WI and attended the University of Wisconsin- Madison where she received her bachelor’s degree in biology. After graduation, Robin completed a wildlife rehabilitation internship at the Dane County Humane Society Wildlife Center. She continued to volunteer in the infant mammal and fledgling bird areas during the busy season. Her first full-time job was an Admitting Technician at Dane County Humane Society, helping to provide preventative care for any animals that came to the shelter.

Although she primarily worked with dogs and cats, she also admitted many stray chickens that were later made available for adoption with silly names such as Amelia Egghart. She recently moved to Columbia with her boyfriend and started working at Rock Bridge to learn more about surgery and veterinary care. Her only pet at the moment is an adorable boston terrier/chihuahua mix named Olive (not pictured) she admitted while working at the humane society.

Mackenzie

VETERINARY ASSISTANT

Mackenzie was born in Orland Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. She lived there until she moved to Missouri to attend the University of Missouri- Columbia when she was eighteen. Mackenzie graduated from Mizzou in May 2020 with a bachelors in Spanish and a bachelors in biology. In the next few years, she hopes to return to Mizzou and attend their school of veterinary medicine. Her preferred interest in veterinary medicine is working with small animals, particularly cats and dogs. Mackenzie’s love of animals started at a young age with her own pets at home.

Growing up, she had dogs, cats, rabbits, and so many other pets. When she was nineteen, she adopted her first pet herself- a now six-year-old cat named Zhoo. At twenty-one, she expanded her fur family by adopting a blue heeler/aussie mix named Leo who is now a year and a half old. When Mackenzie is not at work, she likes to be outside with her dog; they especially like to hike together. She also enjoys running, swimming, and spending time with her friends.

Abbie

VETERINARY ASSISTANT

Abbie is a veterinary assistant who works with the clients and patients to help provide the best care for all the pets who come to the hospital. Abbie believes that all patients should have the opportunity to have quality care no matter how fearful they may be of veterinary offices and staff. Abbie has not only worked at Rock Bridge Animal Hospital for two years, but she has also done two internships at Dickerson Park Zoo as well as assisted in an intensive care unit (ICU) and comparative neurology research lab at the University of Missouri. Abbie has been trained in fear free handling and has also obtained an animal care and usage certificate during her work in a research office. Abbie is currently a senior at the University of Missouri and is working to obtain a bachelor’s degree in animal science as well as a minor in captive wild animal management.

Maddy

VETERINARY ASSISTANT

Maddy is a well rounded employee at Rock Bridge. She started out as a kennel technician, caring for boarders and hospitalized patients before moving to reception for a brief period and can now be seen in appointments as a veterinary assistant. She enjoys sharing and expanding her knowledge of fear free practice and works hard to create a stress-free environment for both animals and people. Maddy will be receiving her Bachelor of Animal Sciences with minors in Criminal Justice and Psychology in December 2023 from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has hopes of pursuing a career in Animal Cruelty Investigation after completing her degree. During her free time, she can be found reading or expanding her photography portfolio.

Eva

RECEPTIONIST/ KENNEL ASSISTANT

Eva is the honorary golden retriever of Rock Bridge Animal Hospital, also known as “The one who won’t stop stress baking desserts for everyone” or “That really artsy girl who isn’t allowed to compete in the staff pumpkin painting contest anymore”. Always happy to greet clients new and old with a smile, she enjoys making sure all pets are cozy and tails never stop wagging. Eva is currently pursuing a degree in Animal Sciences and Biology at the University of Missouri-Columbia to become a veterinarian. When not at work or school, she can usually be found cuddled up on the couch with her fur baby “crazy boy” Bourbon and some sort of bizarre Netflix documentary.

Rico

VETERINARY ASSISTANT

Rico Seal, originally from Oklahoma, has always held a deep passion for the welfare of animals. He is happily married to a fantastic woman with whom he shares the joy of two cats and a lovable dog. When he is not at the hospital, Rico finds immense pleasure in visits to the dog park, discovering new bird species through bird watching, and immersing himself in the magic of the big screen at the movies.  Rico’s adoration and understanding of animals bloomed during his time at a wildlife sanctuary, which ultimately propelled him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Biology. In May 2022, Rico successfully graduated and is now a valuable member of the dedicated team at Rock Bridge Animal Hospital. He thrives on providing the best care possible, whether it’s through comforting scratches behind the ears or making tails wag with joy.

Lacole

VETERINARY ASSISTANT

LaCole was a resident of a small town called Springfield in Minnesota, where she nurtured her love for animals from an early age. From childhood, she grew up playing with cats on her grandparent’s farm and
horseback riding with her cousins. LaCole and her fiancé own two dogs named Brady and Leio, and cat, Lint in Columbia, Missouri.

LaCole pursued her passion for animal care by obtaining an Associate’s degree in Animal Science in May 2022. She now eagerly awaits receiving her certification as a Certified Veterinary Technician. One of her ultimate career goals is to establish her own animal rescue as she finds joy in helping pets in need.

With her fiancé, LaCole enjoys traveling around, spending time outdoors, and hanging out indoors to watch movies. They bond over motorcycle rides and spending time with their fur babies – and should LaCole spot an animal in need, she isn’t shy about bringing it home.

Staff Member

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TBD

Coming soon!

Abigayle

VETERINARY ASSISTANT

Meet Abigayle! She grew up in Stanberry, Missouri before moving to Columbia. Abigayle has a lot of experience with animals, including farm animals like cows and chickens, exotic pets such as parrots, peafowl, and then of course the typical dog and cats.

She graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a B.S. in Animal Science and a minor in Psychology. In the future, she hopes to further her education and become a certified veterinary technician.

When she’s not studying or working, you can find Abigayle at baseball games with friends and family. She spends most of her free time with her pug, Frankie, who has a bigger personality than most people.

Wes

Kennel Assistant

Meet Wesley, a passionate student at Mizzou, dedicated to studying Animal Science. Hailing from the charming town of Kirksville, Missouri, Wesley finds joy in playing tennis during his leisure hours and cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs. As an animal enthusiast, Wesley’s heart belongs to his two dogs and three cats, whom he adores and nurtures when he’s not busy tending to patients and boarding guests at our hospital. With a burning desire to become a veterinarian, Wesley is determined to make a meaningful and positive impact on the lives of all pets, regardless of their size.

Dayla

KENNEL ASSISTANT

Dayla is a Kennel Assistant who works with your babies while they are staying with us. Dayla knows that your pets are loved and are treated like family. She will make sure that they are treated better than her own. Previously, Dayla has worked at Pond Creek Vet Clinic in Oklahoma for many years and is currently in her second year of Vet School at MU. These experiences help ensure that she gives your animals the best care while they are with us. Dayla is more than happy to take care of your fur babies while you are away!

Taylor K.

VETERINARY ASSISTANT

Taylor was born and raised in the Bootheel in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She moved to Columbia to attend Mizzou and graduated in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Animal Sciences and a certificate in Equine Sciences and Management. In the next few years, she plans to pursue veterinary school – a dream she has had since career dress-up day in kindergarten! For now, she lives in Columbia with her boyfriend and their cat, Lilly, and she enjoys hiking, horseback riding, watching sports, and spending time with friends and family on the Current River.

Samantha

VETERINARY ASSISTANT

Samantha was born and raised in Jefferson City, Missouri. In May 2022, she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences and certificate in Equine Science and Management at the University of Missouri. During her time at Mizzou, Samantha volunteered and helped TA for a variety of equine classes. Her passion lies with equine reproduction, and she plans to attend veterinary school in the future with hopes to work in Theriogenelogy. She recently joined our team at Rock Bridge Animal Hospital to get more hands-on experience in small animal medicine.

Growing up, Samantha always had a family dog. Her most recent dog, Cooper, won best looking dog in the Missouri Lottery calendar several years back. Not only was he featured in their pet calendar, but he also won $500 worth of lottery tickets! When Samantha is not at work, she enjoys reading, playing volleyball and softball, and having long game nights of Uno with her friends. She currently lives with her boyfriend and their three cats named Charlie, Apollo, and Maeve.

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Javon

KENNEL ASSISTANT

Javon is a talented ninth grader hailing from Marshall, Missouri. At Rock Bridge Animal Hospital, Javon serves as a dedicated Kennel Assistant, showing his love and care for animals every day. When he’s not working, Javon loves nothing more than exploring the great outdoors on his bike, riding the trails near his house. Additionally, he’s a basketball enthusiast and enjoys playing the sport in his free time. Javon also takes pride in helping his neighbors by doing yard work. Looking towards the future, Javon has his sights set on starting his own lawn care business after graduating. From power washing to gutter cleaning and lawn mowing, he’s eager to offer top-notch services to his community. Of course, he still has time to decide, and his interests may evolve in the coming years. Speaking of interests, Javon has a diverse range of passions. He enjoys basketball, dirt bike riding, exploring trails, cooking and baking, being around animals, and last but not least, playing video games. With such a wide array of interests, Javon is sure to bring enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication to everything he does.

Aubrey

RECEPTIONIST

Aubrey, a native of Independence, Missouri, has recently relocated to Columbia to support her partner’s educational pursuits. With a warm and friendly demeanor, Aubrey is the first person you’ll encounter when you enter the hospital. She takes care of scheduling appointments, relaying important messages throughout the facility, and giving your pets a warm and enthusiastic welcome. When Aubrey isn’t at the hospital, she finds solace in reading and indulging in crime TV shows, all while snuggled up with her beloved cats. In the future, Aubrey aspires to pursue a career in criminology, but for now, she finds fulfillment in being the friendly face that your pets adore when they visit Rock Bridge Animal Hospital.
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TBA

RECEPTIONIST

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TBA

VETERINARY ASSISTANT

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Ashten
VETERINARY ASSISTANT

Ashten lived in Godfrey, IL, a small town 20 minutes east of St. Louis until moving to Columbia for college in 2016. In May of 2020, she received a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Mizzou and she is currently taking classes to receive a Certificate in Veterinary Science. Her dream is to become a veterinarian specializing in exotic animals and she currently has experience handling lizards, snakes, large and small birds, rabbits, rodents (rats, chinchillas, and guinea pigs), hedgehogs, horses, cats, and dogs. Shortly after starting college, Ashten acquired a crested gecko named Ellie who is 4 years old as of June 2020.

In February of 2017, she adopted Luna, an American Staffordshire Terrier mix who turned 7 years old in July 2020, from the Central Missouri Humane Society. In her free time, Ashten loves to sing, play piano, and read. She is excited to be working at Rock Bridge Animal Hospital because as the owner of an anxious dog, she has seen the difference fear free practices can make.

Grace
VETERINARY ASSISTANT

Grace grew up on a small farm in Washington, Missouri. She raised many pigs, cows, horses, chickens, cats and dogs. Having a love for Wildife, she would often care for many baby bunnies, opossums, moles, voles, birds, toads, snakes, and mice that her dog or neighbors brought over for rehabilitation before being released. Having a love for turtles, she started a box turtle care center, often helping many a turtle after being on the road or struck by a car.

She received her B. S. in Biology from Saint Louis University. She went on to work for many different conservation organizations across the Southwest, Midwest, and Northwest regions. After working in this field, she became intrigued by the veterinary sciences. She moved to Columbia during the Pandemic and started work at Rock Bridge Animal Hospital. Being an avid photographer and artist, she centers most of her creative work around the natural world. On her days off, she enjoys hiking with her dog, Kavya.

Brenden
KENNEL ATTENDANT

Brenden grew up in a town called Camdenton in the Ozarks until he moved to St. Louis at age thirteen. He always had an interest and love for animals despite his mom being allergic to cats and dogs. Towards the end of middle school, he became fascinated with domesticated birds, partly because his mom could be around them without allergies, and through many hours of research he built this fascination until he decided to get a bird of his own, a white-faced cockatiel named Mikko. He raised Mikko from just a few weeks old, syringe feeding him formula as his feathers grew in, and their bond continually grew. Mikko’s favorite pass-time is sitting on Brenden’s shoulder while he plays video games or does homework, and getting head scratches and cuddles.

After about a year, Brenden’s little brother brought home a traditional cockatiel named Beauty that had been given away, and Brenden essentially adopted her. Brenden also enjoyed visits to his grandparents where he was always pleasantly greeted by their dog Luna. Brenden just graduated from Mizzou with a bachelors in biology and a minor in spanish, and is planning to apply to vet school in the fall in hopes of becoming a small and exotic animals veterinarian. His other academic interests include biological research, neurology, and psychology. Brenden’s hobbies include board games, video games, hockey, soccer, volleyball, and hiking.