Meet Our Team

Dr. Kateryna Sovik

DVM

Dr. Kateryna Sovik grew up in Ukraine, where her love of animals began early in life. As a young child, she took care of the neighborhood stray dogs and cats. She graduated in 2016 from Kharhiv Zooveterinary Academy and started her career as a veterinarian for small animals. Dr. Sovik practiced for 7 years in Ukraine, working as a dermatology specialist as well as a general practitioner. In 2022, Dr. Sovik, her husband and 2 young children moved to the United States. She enjoys taking on challenging cases and working with the pet owner to find solutions and provide relief. 

Nancy

Customer Service Representative

Nancy, a lifelong service and animal welfare enthusiast, hails from Reno, where she was raised in a loving family with numerous pets. After graduating from Sparks High School and Seminary with aspirations to become a nurse, she attended Truckee Meadows Community College. During this period, she met her husband, Jim, with whom she’s shared 24 joyous years.

Their shared hobbies include walking their dog, Sir-Cheerio, indulging their cats, watching movies, and playing dominoes. Over the years, Nancy discovered a deep interest in customer service and computer technology, contributing to companies like Sears, Verizon Wireless, AT&T Internet, Best Buy Health, and a local Senior Living Center in an Office Assistant role.

Nancy’s dedication to service extends to her current position at Fairgrounds, where she eagerly interacts with clients and their pets. Her compassionate approach underlines her commitment to providing superior service for many more years.

Izzy

Veterinary Assistant

Isabella is a veterinary assistant at Fairgrounds Animal Hospital. She is currently enrolled in the vet tech program at Penn Foster and is set to graduate in 2023. Isabella was born and raised in Carson City, Nevada. She’s loved animals since she was a little girl and has three dogs: Duchess, Gracie, and Monte. Isabella loves Australian Shepherds and has one at home (Monte). In her free time, she loves to listen to music, go to concerts and hang out when her family.

Sharon

Customer Service Representative

Sharon is a Receptionist at Fairgrounds Animal Hospital. She has lived in the Reno/Lake Tahoe area for more than 40 years. Sharon is passionate and quite knowledgeable about the field’s best practices, with over 15 years of experience in customer service in the veterinary field. She sincerely enjoys being able to assist clients and their pets here at Fairgrounds. Sharon has two horses, four cats, and two Rottweilers; she is always happy to show them off. Her other hobbies include horseback riding, hiking, and gardening.

Jenny

Inventory Manager

Jenny is our Inventory Manager at Fairgrounds Animal Hospital. Jenny Has been in the Reno area for over five years, having moved from Las Vegas, where she was a receptionist at a busy walk-in animal clinic for several years. Jenny loves working with animals and enjoys interacting with all the pets that come to see us. When Jenny is not working, she likes to spend her time hiking with her Beagles “Duke” & “Reese,” camping, and traveling. Some of her hobbies include sewing, practicing archery, and home DIY projects.

JD

Kennel Attendant

JD is an Animal Health Technician/Maintenance Supervisor employed at Fairgrounds Animal Hospital for the past 16 years. JD has been married for 22 years and enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and granddaughter. She and her husband have dogs, a cat, and a tank full of fish. JD enjoys hiking, reading, writing science fiction, gardening, doing community cleanups, and learning about history.

Magalli

Customer Service Representative

Magalli Flores is a customer service representative at fairgrounds animal hospital. She was raised in Elko, Nevada. She grew up raising and showing sheep, pigs, goats, chickens, and horses. She moved to Reno in 2019 to attend the University of Nevada, Reno. She graduated in May 2022 with a bachelor’s in Veterinary Science. She hopes to further her education and continue to vet school. Her goal is to work at a mixed animal hospital. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, concerts, and horseback riding. In the winter, she enjoys going snowboarding in the Tahoe area.

Krystal

Customer Service Representative

Krystal is a customer service representative. She was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. She went on to pursue her dream of photography, Allowing her to work with students and newborn babies.

After volunteering at the Humane Society and getting adopted by her dog Daisy, she found her true passion, working in animal care. She wanted to continue advocating for animal health and went to private practice with us here at Fairgrounds. Every day she strives to make sure our clients’ needs are met and not only care for animals but for people as well.

While she’s not working hard to help her community, Krystal likes roller skating, snowboarding, and singing for her church. She loves music of all genres. She is very passionate and loves making memories with her friends and family.

Sam

Veterinary Assistant

Sam is a greater Reno/Sparks area native who has worked in the animal care field in varied positions including at the humane society and in veterinary clinics for almost a decade. She is a proud mom to two beautiful girls and co parent to tortoises and various snakes and reptiles. She loves exploring the desert with her girls, having a laugh and expressing her joy at being alive through dancing and bringing a smile to other’s faces.

Stacey

Veterinary Assistant

From city girl to Farm Life guru, Stacey comes to us from Sacramento. She originally moved to Reno to care for her nephew and has been working with animals for the past 10 years. She is a proud plant mom to her many and varied plant babies, all of whom have names and she loves her fur babies which include dogs, cats, chickens and she hopes in the near future some goats! She loves spending time in her cozy farm home with her plant and fur babies and cooking and hiking.

Shakira

Veterinary Assistant

Shakira is a veterinary assistant at Fairgrounds Animal Hospital. She was born in Reno NV. Shakira spent most of her childhood being raised in Colombia where she loved being surround by animals and sparked her interest in the veterinary field to help animals.

Shakira plans to continue her journey in helping animals and become a Licensed Veterinary Technician. Shakira loves spending time with her chickens outside or spend time at family farms.

Amy

Veterinary Assistant

Amy is a Veterinary Assistant at Fairgrounds Animal Hospital. Amy has been employed in the veterinary field for the past seven years. She was previously employed at an alternative medicine vet clinic in Davis, California, where she assisted with acupuncture and chiropractic procedures. She is working on completing her education to obtain her Veterinary Technician license. Amy enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and many pets. She also enjoys working at Fairgrounds with a team that is passionate about the veterinary field.

Darby

Veterinary Assistant

Darby is a Veterinary Assistant at Fairgrounds Animal Hospital. He was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. Darby loves helping animals and making sure they are feeling their best. Darby accidentally discovered that he wanted to work in the veterinary field when he accompanied his grandmother to take her cat to the veterinarian. At this visit, he found a talent and a desire to work with animals. After this visit, he began working at a veterinary clinic and pursued his Veterinary Technician certificate. Darby has two dogs he rescued from the Humane Society, Gizmo, a sassy 2-year-old terrier mix that loves to play, and Cosmo, a hyper 2-year-old terrier mix that loves to cuddle. He also has a 2-year-old black cat named Ana and 12 koi fish. Darby enjoys creating ceramic art on a pottery wheel and caring for his carnivorous plant collection in his free time.

Darby

Veterinary Assistant

Darby is a Veterinary Assistant at Fairgrounds Animal Hospital. He was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. Darby loves helping animals and making sure they are feeling their best. Darby discovered that he wanted to work in the veterinary field by accident when he accompanied his grandmother to take her cat to the veterinarian. At this visit, he discovered to have both a talent and a desire to work with animals. After this visit, he began working at a veterinary clinic and started pursuing his Veterinary Technician certificate. Darby has 2 dogs he rescued from the Humane Society, Gizmo a sassy 2-year-old terrier mix that loves to play, and Cosmo, a hyper 2-year-old terrier mix that loves to cuddle. He also has a 2-year-old black cat named Ana and 12 koi fish. Darby enjoys creating ceramic art on a pottery wheel and caring for his carnivorous plant collection in his free time.

Dani

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Dani is a licensed Veterinary Technician from Las Vegas, NV. Has been in the Veterinary field since 2013 and was an ER LVT for 4.5 years. Moved to Reno beginning of 2023 for a brand new adventure in life! This is the first time she’s left Las Vegas!

She has 3 mischievous cats named Harley Quinn, Stink, and Bellatrix. She loves to take care of and foster fail kitties with disorders. She also has a dog named Rover.

Dani likes to play video games, spend time at the river, spend time at the beach, go to concerts, and go camping.

Michelle

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Michelle is a Licensed Veterinary Technician at Fairgrounds Animal Hospital. Michelle has always had love and compassion for animals, which led to her desire to work in the veterinary field. She aspired to become a Veterinary Technician and continue to care for, love, and help animals in need. She was born and raised in Reno, Nevada, and attended Sparks High School. She attended the Veterinary Technology program at Truckee Meadows Community College in 2017. Michelle has a family dog she grew up with, an 11-year-old German Shepard named Shadow. He is a mellow senior dog who loves his toys and gets very excited to meet new people. She enjoys spending time with friends and family in her free time, crafting, cooking, and enjoying the outdoors.

Robert

Practice Manager

Robert was born in Tucson, Az, but moved to Las Vegas at an early age. Robert lived in Las Vegas for 16 years, graduated from high school, and then moved to Reno, Nv. He has been attending UNR since 2013. He is working on a dual major in Veterinary Medicine and Biology, with a minor in Analytical Chemistry. Robert was an intern at the UNR Station Farm, where he acquired a basic knowledge of large animals but found his passion lies in companion animals. He is set to graduate this winter but is uncertain what he would like to pursue; his overall goal is to remain in the veterinary field. Some of Robert’s hobbies include hiking, camping, and listening to music. One of his main goals is to travel to another country.

Dr. Renee Krebs

DVM
Dr. Renee Krebs attended Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine for her DVM. Her first duty station as an Army Veterinary Corps officer was at Yuma Proving Ground, AZ. She completed two more duty stations in Germany before returning to North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, for a 3-year surgery residency. At that time, she earned a Master of Specialized Veterinary Medicine degree. Dr. Krebs is proud of her ability to teach and mentor technicians, veterinarians, and customer service experts to provide exceptional care for our patients. She is known for investing 110% in her work and going the extra mile for her patients to support the best possible outcome. When not caring for pets, Dr. Krebs enjoys long walks and hiking with her dog, occasional jogs, and yoga and hopes to try cross-country skiing this winter as well! Dr. Krebs looks forward to meeting you and being there for your pets!

Dr. Robert Rishwain

DVM
Dr. Robert Rishwain joined Fairgrounds Animal Hospital after spending some time in Carson City at an emergency clinic. After attending UC San Diego and doing an internship in veterinary, he started his veterinary career and discovered veterinary was his passion. While gaining experience, he worked in shelters and shadowed veterinarians, eventually leading him to Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St Kitts—his clinical training at Iowa State. Dr. Rishwain is originally from Stockton returning when he can visit his family. When he is not at the clinic or visiting family, he can enjoy what Northern Nevada has to offer in outdoor activities such as running and playing soccer or just exploring Reno. He is soon looking to add to his Reno family by adopting a dog.