ABOUT
Hello and welcome!
I'm Dr. Katie.
I grew up in Dubuque and knew that I always wanted to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Fortunately, following a degree in Animal Science, I was accepted into Veterinary School at Iowa State University and I graduated in 2013. Following graduation, I completed a one-year intensive equine internship in California at Pioneer Equine Hospital.
After my internship, I returned back to Iowa and started River Valley Veterinary Services — a mobile equine and small animal practice serving the Dubuque area. Since starting the business, I have transitioned to seeing dogs and cats exclusively. My goal has always been to provide high quality, low stress medicine to all my animal patients.
I am a strong believer in traditional western and preventative medicine. In my first years out of vet school, I saw several cases in which the animal had run out of options for medications and treatment, and the owners had to decide between continuing treatment or humane euthanasia. In some cases, I felt like there had to be something else that could be done to help that animal. Because of this, I decided to pursue further education for holistic and integrative options for animals.
I became certified in Animal Chiropractic through Options for Animals in 2014. After seeing the benefits of chiropractic care, I then decided to attend the Chi Institute in 2017 to become certified in Animal Acupuncture. I have also taken advanced courses in Palliative and Hospice Care, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, and Companion Animal Rehabilitation.
I married my high school sweetheart in 2014. After having many many pets, we were blessed with our first (human) child, Bennett, in November 2018. For anyone that has had children, you know that starting a family changes EVERYTHING. Covid happened, and then we added chickens, ducks, and more donkeys to the Merkes Ranch. In January 2021, another human child was added, Gwendolyn. Since I became a mom, my priorities have shifted greatly from growing a thriving business to providing for my family and spending time with them. Aiming to improve my work-life balance, GoodLife Integrative Veterinary Care was born.
Titan (and why I do what I do)
One of the reasons I chose to continue to pursue and offer more holistic remedies is because of my own experience with my dog, Titan. Titan was (and still is) my heart dog.
I adopted Titan when I was in veterinary school and he had retired from greyhound racing. Following graduation, he trekked with me cross country and lived the life of a California dog for a year. He was there when I moved back to Iowa, started my business, got married, got pregnant, and had Bennett. To say he was with me through some of my worst days of my life and some of the best days of my life is an understatement.
For some reason, I always knew that he was going to get bone cancer. I had several dreams about it and unfortunately, greyhounds are predisposed to osteosarcoma. In March of 2018, I noticed Titan limping, took some radiographs and found a lesion consistent with this nasty cancer. Treatment choices included amputation, chemotherapy, or pain management. Trusting that 10-year-old Titan didn't want to be a three-legged dog, I decided to pursue the pain management and holistic approach. Regardless of treatment, osteosarcoma carries an average survival time of six months after diagnosis, so prognosis regardless of treatment is pretty grim.
In true Titan fashion, I diagnosed him shortly after I learned I was pregnant. He knew that I would need something happy and something to look forward to as I coped with knowing I would be having to say goodbye to my steadfast friend sooner rather than later.
I believe that Titan lived longer than expected and more comfortably in those last months because of the pain management and holistic remedies I included in his treatment. He was placed on multiple pain medications, as well as two anti-cancer Chinese herbs. He remained moderately comfortable, and with the help of several Reiki sessions I was confident that he was going to be around to welcome our new (human) child. After Bennett was born, I could tell that Titan's time was coming close to the end. In December of 2018 I said "see you later" to my best pal — on his own bed in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by so much love — nine months after his diagnosis.
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STAFF
Kat
Kat has always had a passion for dogs. She has extensive experience in the animal industry and has been working with dogs for over 15 years. Her favorite aspect of canine fitness training is owner education. Kat also enjoys improving the human/canine relationship through fitness training and confidence building found within our programs. Kat shares her personal time with a handful of dogs herself including four rescues and a retired racing greyhound.
Kayla
Kayla graduated from Kirkwood Community College in 2009, and has been a Registered Veterinary Technician ever since. She lives in Bellevue with her husband and 3 boys on their family’s dairy farm. When she’s not working on the farm or at GoodLife, she enjoys cheering for her boys on the sidelines, baking, time with friends, and walks outdoors. Her favorite part of the job is seeing her patients throughout their life stages. They are cute as puppies and even cuter when they’re old and grey. “Being a part of GoodLife and all it stands for is what I’ve dreamed of as a little girl!”
Jeni
Jeni moved to Dubuque in 2023 to be the office manager of GoodLife after owning a dog boarding and daycare facility in Maquoketa for almost 10 years. In her spare time, Jeni loves to be outside with her husband, Nick, and kids Henry and Nancy. They spend a lot of time hiking and camping with their dogs Ernie and Ramona. Jeni's favorite part of the job is making connections with all of our clients and their pets!
Terri
Terri has worked in animal care for more than 20 years in many different capacities. Regardless of the job title, she has always worked with the philosophy of, "If we know better, we are responsible to do better." This is especially true when caring for our pets' mental and physical well-being throughout their lives. She loves to continue learning, and passing on that knowledge to others. In her free time, she is a photographer, works at the River Museum, and volunteers as a researcher and genetic genealogist. She and her spouse share their home with a tiny Great Dane and a ginormous doberman mix, both from an animal shelter in New Mexico.
Teresa
Teresa started her grooming career in 2008. She lives in Dubuque with her husband, 2 little boys, 2 dogs, and 2 cats. When she's not working at GoodLife, she enjoys spending time with her kids, baking, and golf. Her favorite part of the job is working with the elderly dogs who may need some extra time and a gentle hand, and forming bonds with both the dogs and their owners.
Caitlyn
Caitlyn recently moved from Texas to Dubuque to escape the heat and be closer to family. She started her job as a bather in 2018 with the intention of going to school for anthropology, but fell in love with dog grooming instead! When she isn’t grooming, you can find Caitlyn baking, sculpting, or watching scary movies with her dogs! Caitlyn’s favorite part of the job is helping pets look, smell, and feel their best.
Chianne
Chianne has been working in the fitness department at GoodLife since April of 2023. She lives in Dubuque with her husband, 3 rescues, and their bird dog. When she’s not working, she enjoys making artwork, and all things outdoors — hiking, camping, fly fishing, gardening, and hunting. She also likes to walk dogs at the Humane Society. One of her favorite aspects of working at GoodLife is seeing dogs adopted from the shelter come in as clients – she gets to see them blossom with their new families and is able to help them stay happy and healthy.