Commitment to Our Community
We are joyfully committed to providing excellent veterinary care while delivering a personal and empathetic customer service experience. While patient care is our passion, we recognize that God has given us a much greater calling to impact the lives of those in our community with Christ’s love; through compassionate care and donations of our services, bibles and educational literature.
Meet Your Team

Dr. Michael A Peters
Owner, Senior Veterinarian
Dr. Peters is a 2007 graduate of the University of Missouri Veterinary Medical College, with a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science.
After graduating as a DVM, and several interviews all over the state, he moved back to his hometown and settled down as an associate with Marshfield Veterinary Clinic for 2 years practicing on large and small animals. He then went on to open Animal Clinic of Ava with his wife, Kayla where they have been serving Douglas County and the surrounding area ever since. Dr. Peters and his wife currently reside on a rural farm in Ava, Mo. where they love raising their four children, horses, cows, chickens, and a Belgian Malinois pack!

Kayla Peters
Owner, Director
Kayla is a certified pet trainer, receiving her certification through Top Tier Training Academy in 2017, and loves to apply her skills to their small Belgian Malinois pack. Animal behavior and psychology are areas of interest to her and Dr. Peters, and they both love to share the benefits of a balanced training program to everyone who is interested to hear.
Mrs. Peters now is busy keeping up with managing the growth mostly from behind the scenes using computer remoting, skype meetings, apps, and new technology to aid in running and operating.

Dr. Beth Kearns
Senior Veterinarian
Dr. Beth is a senior small animal doctor at our Ava location. As a native to our area, she loves everything about the beautiful Ozarks we live in. Family, gardening and horseback riding are some of her favorite things. Her compassion and caring for animals is only surpassed by her skills and competency. We are truly blessed to have her as a part of our excellent team.

Dr. Eric Boeckmann
Mixed Animal Veterinarian
Dr. Boeckmann was born and raised in Missouri and graduated from Mizzou. Like the rest of our veterinarians, he is truly a hometown guy. Dr. Boeckmann enjoys sports of all kinds and being outdoors or floating on the river, exactly why he's perfectly suited for work and play in our beautiful Ozarks!

Cayla Waszczuk
Senior Manager, Registered Veterinary Technician
Miss Cayla was one of the very first employees, joining ACA in 2010. Today she is our lead Technician and oversees all our patients admitted to the clinic while on duty. She has a vast knowledge base of both large and companion animals and keeps the practice running smoothly and efficiently.
Cayla graduated from Crowder College as a licensed Veterinary Technician in 2008.

Catherine Fitzpatrick
Human Resources
Miss Catherine joined Animal Clinic of Ava in 2011; as one of our friendly, up-front faces. Today she is our Human Resources Manager. She holds an Associate degree in Business and has raised dogs for nearly a decade before coming on board with us.

Jacki-Lynn Trojan
Inventory Control Manager, Events Coordinator
Born in Aurora, Illinois, Jacki has lived so long in Ava that she proudly calls this place her hometown. She holds an Associate of the Arts degree, and a degree as a Health Care Administrator, but has applied her skills to many projects and outlets in this community for a while. Jacki is a horse trainer, breeder, and instructor and has a true passion for equine.

Brittany Ingram
Accounts Manager
Miss Brittany joined us in 2017 and has shown her competency as both Accounts Manager and Receptionist. Having 2 dogs and 2 cats herself, she is very familiar with the day to day needs of your pets! Always the first with a friendly smile and a knowing answer, Brittany will make sure your visit with us goes smoothly and pleasantly.

Abby Phillips
Senior Assistant

Lorna Wine
Registered Veterinary Technician, Senior Assistant

Levi Hall

Hunter Newman
Asssistant

Denise Essary

Ashley Hicks

Ashley Morpeth

Morgan Whitacre

Emily Lebahn
Kennel Attendant

Dakotah Ratzlaff
