Dr. Elizabeth Holland graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008 where she was named the top graduate in small animal medicine. After graduation, she joined the team at Adel Veterinary Clinic under the leadership of Dr. Pat Rohret. Dr. Holland enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine including preventative medicine, dentistry and surgery. She has a special fondness for cats and enjoys helping them learn to enjoy (or at least not despise!) their annual visits to the veterinary clinic. She is certified in veterinary acupuncture through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) and is excited to offer this and other holistic healing services at the clinic. In 2015, Dr. Holland became the clinic owner and has been working diligently to continue the tradition of first class medicine and small town charm by becoming a Fear Free and Cat-Friendly Practice as well as working to update the boarding facility and clinic overall to meet these priorities. In 2023, Dr. Holland was voted "favorite veterinarian" in Dallas County for the fourth consecutive year and she was honored to be named Veterinarian of the Year for Iowa in 2021. Outside of work, Dr. Holland enjoys gardening, hiking, reading, Cubs baseball, and spending time with family. Dr. Holland and her husband live in Adel with their cats Tush, Kia, and Storm; dog Yastrzemski (Yaz); gecko Gertrude; and sons, Keaton, Sullivan, and Lewis. Dr. Holland is involved in the Adel Chamber, a member of the arts and trails committee promoting the Raccoon River Valley Trail in Adel, a member of the Executive Board for the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and a volunteer for the Good Samaritan Food Pantry in Adel.
Veterinarians
Lisa Kilgore, DVM
Dr. Lisa Kilgore grew up on a farm in Bloomfield, Nebraska. During Dr. Kilgore's childhood, she raised 4-H rabbits for 10 years and won several showmanships and best of show at the Knox County Fair. Dr. Kilgore attended Iowa State University and majored in Animal Science and Dairy Science with a minor in Emerging Global Diseases. She then graduated from Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013. Dr. Kilgore is a member of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Kilgore and her husband Andy have two daughters, Evangeline Grace and Olivia Rae. Their family also includes fur children: 2 cats (Majik Max Kitty Von Kitterson and Loki Bane). Dr. Kilgore's interests include reading, gardening, cooking/baking, history, movies, and watching her daughter's dance and compete in competitive dance. Dr. Kilgore's interests include medicine-related cases. Dr. Kilgore's favorite thing about being a veterinarian is having a role in the human-animal bond. She enjoys watching a client's new puppy or kitten grow up and being a part of keeping that life healthy and thriving. She enjoys making human connections and being surrounded by people who love animals.
Nicole Powers, DVM
Dr. Nicole Powers grew up nearby in Van Meter, Iowa and is excited to now be practicing veterinary medicine so close to home. Dr. Powers graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa in 2014 with a degree in Biology. While at Luther, she competed in collegiate Track and Field and Cross Country. She graduated Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2019 before moving to Wisconsin to work in a small animal hospital there, but always hoped to end up at Adel Veterinary Clinic after shadowing Dr. Holland and Dr. Rohret in her spare time over the years. Dr. Powers' family includes her husband Justin Wilder, their new baby, Isla, and her two perfect torti cats who she adopted as strays from AVC in 2014. Dr. Powers enjoys traveling, hiking, and kayaking, watching movies, crafting, house plants, and being a new mom. Dr. Powers enjoys all of veterinary medicine, especially acupuncture, ophthalmology, and cardiology. She thoroughly enjoys working with families to find the best treatment options for each unique pet and situation. The human-animal bond and maximizing each pet’s health and happiness has always been the inspiration for her career and is at the forefront of each appointment.
Leah Thies, DVM
Dr. Leah Thies grew up in West Des Moines and knew she wanted to be a veterinarian from a young age. She attended Iowa State University on scholarship where she graduated with her DVM in 2008. Dr. Thies moved to Ottumwa, Iowa for her first job in small animal medicine and surgery and she continued to practice there for thirteen years. She led the practice through Cat Friendly Certification and expanded the services available to pet owners in the area throughout that time. During her time in Ottumwa, Dr. Thies' practice grew from one full time small animal veterinarian and five assistants to three doctors and seventeen support staff.
In 2023 Dr. Thies and her family moved to the Adel area following a job transfer for her husband. They were very excited to be so welcomed into the community, and she is grateful to join the team at Adel Vet Clinic. Dr. Thies and her husband Eric have two girls and two boys, and their family is joined by two local Adel cats Paul and Piper and one bunny Peanut. Dr. Thies speaks fluent German Shepherd and holds a special place in her heart for high energy dogs and cats full of personality. She especially enjoys pain management and helping animals with orthopedic issues including arthritis. Dr. Thies feels it is a joy to get to help people with their pets from the tiny kitten and puppy stage through their senior years.
Dr. Thies enjoys spending time at home with her family, out in the community at her childrens' various sporting events, and reading, gardening, and hiking.
Holly Dolphin-Rooney, DVM
Dr. Holly Dolphin-Rooney grew up in Marion, Iowa. She attended Luther College, where she studied Biology and Spanish. After graduating, she took a year off to volunteer with AmeriCorps in Austin, Texas. She then attended the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Since graduation, Dr. Dolphin-Rooney has practiced in the Des Moines area. She especially enjoys surgery and dentistry. She is currently getting certified in canine rehabilitation and acupuncture.
Dr. Holly and her husband, Dave, have two children, two dogs, and two lizards. Outside of work, she enjoys walking her dogs, practicing yoga, and reading. Most of all, she loves traveling with her family.
Amanda Steffen, DVM, MPH
Dr. Steffen graduated from the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011 and received her Master's in Public Health degree from the University of Iowa in 2012. She is certified in animal chiropractic and has a passion for helping dogs, cats, and horses feel their best. Dr. Steffen shares her home with her husband Aaron and several four-legged companions including a Springer Spaniel named Lexi and three cats named Jack, Nala, and Gibbs. Dr. Steffen also has 3 horses and enjoys riding and competing in the discipline of Eventing. She enjoys reading and spending time outdoors with friends and family.
Client Care Representatives
Emily
Hi! My name is Emily, and I started with the Adel Veterinary Clinic in November 2020. I grew up in small town northwest Iowa, graduated from the University of Northern Iowa, then moved to Adel in June 2020. My time outside work is spent raising two boys with my husband, spending time outdoors, doing DIY projects, and loving on our cat, Max, and dog, Louie!
Claire
Welcome, my name is Claire! I just recently started here at AVC in September of 2023. I have wanted to establish a career in the veterinary field for as long as I can remember. I have always lived in Iowa but have moved around the state quite a bit since graduating from Panorama. I started out in Panora, then Cedar Rapids, Knoxville, and now landed in Adel. I enjoy being back in the area I grew up in. Growing up I spent most of my youth around animals of all types and sizes ranging from mice to horses and cattle. One of my favorite pastimes as a kid was when my dad would take me with him to assist his friends during vet appointments ranging from in the clinic or at the barn. I always loved getting to watch procedures being performed. In high school, I stayed active in FFA as an officer for three years. Once I graduated I battled with the decision of what route would be best for me and ended up moving to Cedar Rapids to attend Kirkwood Community College where I got my associate's degree in Agribusiness. I completed my internship at The Cattle Stop in Oakland, IA as a social media intern/farm hand. I can not wait to be able to help care for your pets like I would want my two dogs (Haggard and Bella) to be cared for. I look forward to learning from each pet and making sure not only your pet feels comfortable, welcome, and cared for but so do you! I hope to see you soon!
Breanna
Hello! My name is Breanna, and I just started at Adel Veterinary Clinic in October of 2024. I grew up a little bit of everywhere being in a military family, and just moved to Iowa at the end of August. I have a German shepherd (Sasa), 3 cats (Pepper, Noelony, and Yuki), 3 ferrets (Kodo, Pippin, and Fenrir), and finally a ball python (Salazar). In my free time, I enjoy crocheting, video games, reading, and playing with all my animals! I look forward to meeting everyone and their pets and learning new things.
Chloe
Hi!! My name is Chloe, and I started at AVC in May 2025. I am a current Mercy College of Health Sciences student in the Sonography (ultrasound) program for Cardiovascular concentration. I have two cats at home (Bunny and Poe). Outside of studying, when I have free time, I love to cook/bake, spend time outside, read, watch a movie/TV show, and spend time with my family, friends, and cats. I am so excited to be here at AVC and to learn more about the world of veterinary medicine. I can't wait to meet each of you and your furry friends!
Nic
Hello! My name is Nicolas, or Nic for short, and I started at Adel Veterinary Clinic in late May. I grew up in Adel, I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BFA, and then graduated from the New York Academy of Art with an MFA. I moved back to Iowa and now live in Winterset. My time outside of work is spent with my partner and family. Family is a huge part of my life. I am an avid gardener and home preservation canner of my harvest. I have two fur babies, Romy, an Australian Sheppered, and Charlie, a Mini Rex Rabbit. I look forward to meeting everyone and their pets.
Hannah
Hi! My name is Hannah, and I started at the Adel Veterinary Clinic in February 2026. I have always wanted to work in a veterinary clinic because of my love for people and animals. I feel blessed to work at AVC it feels like a perfect fit for me! Outside of work I love spending time outdoors with friends and fur babies. I have a dog named Sasha and she's just a sassy Shiba Inu and 4 fish tanks my favorite being my 75 gallon Jack Dempsey Cichlid tank.
Exam Room Assistants
Chekota
Chekota joined the Adel Veterinary Clinic in May 2025, bringing years of experience from the ISU Large Animal Hospital and a local small animal clinic — so whether it barks, meows, moos, neighs or mysteriously stares into space, she’s ready. She earned her Agribusiness degree from DMACC with a focus on Farm Management, Animal Science, and Agronomy. Raised in Minburn and an ADM High School grad, she’s thrilled to be back serving the Adel community. When she’s not at the clinic, you’ll find her on her acreage near Bouton, where she and her husband David are raising their daughter Lakelyn and a small zoo. The current headcount includes a herd of meat goats, one horse (Oillie, who runs on hay and attitude), six dogs (Mya, Willow, Kane, Rooster, Oakley, and Grizzly — sounds chaotic, and it is), and a handful of barn cats who definitely think they’re in charge. Chekota is beyond excited to be part of the AVC team and looks forward to meeting all of the amazing people and pets in the community!
Abbey
Hey there! My name is Abbey and I started at the Adel Veterinary Clinic in March of 2021. I moved to Adel from Cedar Falls looking for a fresh start, AVC has been just that and I'm looking forward to learning so much here. I have Moose, a black Lab, who loves going for walks and hanging out with anybody and everybody. In my free time I like to binge watch new tv shows I find as well as hang out with my friends. One fun fact about me is that I've bungee jumped off of one of the world's highest bungee bridges located in South Africa.
Yaneth
Hello there! My name is Yaneth and I just joined the AVC team in January of 2022! I am originally from California and moved to Iowa about four years ago. I have two dogs, a Husky and a Pitbull. Five cats, and a turtle. I absolutely love them with all my heart and love spending all of my free time with them. My favorite hobbies besides hanging out with my pets include baking, crafting, and drawing.
Technicians
Jill
Jill grew up in Van Meter and stayed close to home. As a senior in high school, she did an internship at Hubbell Animal Hospital. After graduating high school, she started full-time as a tech at Hubbell Animal Hospital. She married her husband, Justin, and they have two kids, Slater and Karly. Jill started working in 2006 at Adel Vet Clinic as a technician. She has been a surgery tech and for the last two years, she has been working doing ultrasounds and loves doing them. Jill and her family have a small farm. They have cows, chickens, ducks, a couple of Labradors, her favorite breed, and a few indoor and outdoor cats. Jill enjoys working, drawing, planting, camping, and reading.
Brandy
Hi, my name is Brandy. I joined the Adel Veterinary Clinic team in 2007. I married my best friend, Brad, in 2003 and we completed our little family with our daughter, Elana in 2005. We are cat people, but I get all my dog loving daily at Adel Veterinary Clinic. It continues to be my pleasure to serve our clients so their experience at Adel Veterinary Clinic is an enjoyable one for them and their furry companions.
Animal Care
Chere
Chere has been with us since 2009 as part of our dedicated Animal Care Team. She works HARD to keep the pets safe, happy, fed, & LOVED while they stay in our amazing boarding facility. She is one of the many reasons why your pets LOVE to stay with us, & makes it feel like home away from home. Chere is an amazing asset to our clinic & we are so lucky to have her.
Rylan
Rylan joined Adel Veterinary Clinic in 2021. You will find him in the boarding facility on the weekends caring for the boarding guests. He is currently a student at DMACC studying cybersecurity. In his free time, he enjoys reading and writing sci-fi fantasy and gaming. He has 2 cats at home, Stripey, and Shadow, who “think” that they rule the roost.
In Memory of Smush
Though she passed away in 2020, Smush’s presence remains at the clinic where she was spoiled over her 20+ years as a clinic cat. One of her final gifts to our team was helping us develop a way to show clients how we prefer to say goodbyes. Click here, for more information about our end of life care and a look at our peaceful and loving goodbye to our dear Smush Face. Thanks for visiting our site!
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