Meet Our Team

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 internship in veterinary, he started his veterinary career and discovered veterinary was his passion. While gaining experience, he spent time working in shelters and shadowing 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 to visit his family. When he is not at the clinic or visiting family, he can be found enjoying what Northern Nevada has to offer in outdoor activities such as running and playing soccer or just exploring Reno. He is looking to add to his Reno family soon by adopting a dog.

Marissa is originally from Portola, California. Growing up, she was active in sports and the 4-H program. She helped raise and take care of various animals at their home, including dogs, cats, chickens, horses, pigs, sheep, and goats, which led to her passion for veterinary medicine. Her devotion to animal health drove her to study animal science at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California. Through Cal Poly’s learn-by-doing philosophy, the animal science program inspired her to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee. She is driven to promote the companion animal and food animal industries that have, thus far, impacted her life to such a large degree. Upon graduation, she has decided to move back to the area to be closer to her family and support the community supporting her throughout her life. She has two dogs named Teddy & Hazel, who enjoy paddleboarding and swimming on the weekends. She is also currently raising two Nigerian dwarf goats named Thunder and Lightening. On her time off, Marissa enjoys hiking, camping, and horseback riding.

Dr. Charles Andrus, DVM, was born and raised in Holiday, Utah, on a small ranch. His dad raised Tennessee Walkers, and Chuck spent much of his time caring for their many horses, dogs, chickens, cows, and cats. This is where his love of animals developed. In addition to his work on the ranch as a boy, Chuck was actively involved in Boy Scouts, hiking, and camping in the Wastach and Unita mountains. He went on to earn his Eagle Scout Award. He graduated from Utah State University with a BS in Zoology, and then in 1978, he decided to follow in his dad’s footsteps and attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins. There he received his degree in Veterinary Medicine in 1981. He then moved to Reno to begin practicing in the Reno/Sparks area. Chuck’s pets include a Doberman named Razor, chickens of various breeds, and his newest addition: four miniature Mancha dairy goats. When Chuck is not working, he enjoys being outdoors. He loves to hike, kayak, and geocache.

Meghan is a Veterinary Assistant at Fairgrounds Animal Hospital. Meghan is from Chicago, Illinois. She originally became interested in working with animals rescuing animals with her grandmother growing up. Meghan attended Aurora University, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. She is currently pursuing education to become a Veterinary Technician. She has one pet, an extremely vocal savannah cat named Kazi. In her free time, she enjoys playing hockey and hiking the trails around Lake Tahoe.

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.

Leah came to Fairgrounds after deciding to try something different and move to Reno. She is a Florida native ready to experience the high desert and all the area has to offer. She loves being active in all things outdoors and is enjoying exploring the Northern Nevada desert. Since she is from South Florida, she has mastered the art of sandcastles and is a sandcastle guru. When not exploring what Northern Nevada has to offer or working hard at the clinic, she is mom to her chihuahua dachshund mix. During basketball season, she will be showing her support for her hometown team, the Miami Heat.

Michelle is a Veterinary Technician in Training 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 aspires 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 went on to attend the Veterinary Technology program at Truckee Meadows Community College in 2017 and expects to graduate in 2020. Michelle has a family dog she grew up with, an 11-year-old German Shepard named Shadow. He is a senior dog with a mellow personality that loves his toys and gets very excited to meet new people. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, crafting, cooking, and enjoying the outdoors.

Cheyanne was born and raised a Nevadan. She attended Bishop Manogue high school, Northern Arizona University, and is a student at UNR. Cheyanne is currently seeking dual degrees in Wildlife Management and Conservation and Biology. She has about 5 years of experience in the veterinary field and hopes to become either a veterinarian or a wildlife biologist working with endangered sea creatures.

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.

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 currently 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.

Ashley is a Receptionist at Fairgrounds Animal Hospital. She is originally from a Navajo reservation in Cottonwood, AZ. Ashley moved to Gardnerville, NV, with her family, where she attended school, and moved to Reno, NV, when she graduated from high school. Ashley grew up interested in animals of all kinds. This interest led to her desire to work in the veterinary field. Ashley has one black domestic shorthair cat that she adopted from the SPCA. Her cat, Wednesday, which she named after the daughter from The Addams Family, is quite attached to Ashley and follows her wherever she goes. In her free time, Ashley enjoys being outdoors, camping, and fishing with her friends. She is also passionate about her creative time and enjoys painting, drawing, and doing miscellaneous craft projects.

Inventory Manager

Jenny is our Inventory Manager at Fairgrounds Animal Hospital. Jenny Has been in the Reno area for over 5 years, having moved from Las Vegas, where she was a receptionist for several years at a busy walk-in animal clinic. Jenny loves working with animals and enjoys interacting with all of the pets that come in 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.

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, and she is always happy to show them off. Her other hobbies include horseback riding, hiking, and gardening.

Position

Bio coming soon!