NIVES - Key Persons
Dr. Allison Kowlowitz-Taylor (Dr. K.T. for short) grew up in the Indianapolis area. Dr. K.T. was introduced to medicine at a young age, with her father being a Medical Doctor. Growing up around medicine and the deep connection she developed with her childhood cat, Skyy, forged her goal to become a veterinarian. Dr. K.T.graduated veterinary school from Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. She has special interests in Feline Medicine and Pain Management. Dr. K.T. and her husband currently have two cats: Jasmine, a Siamese, and Smokey Jo, a Domestic Medium Hair. When not practicing veterinary medicine, Dr. K.T. enjoys traveling and being outdoors to camp, hike, and fish.
Job Titles:
- Training & Education Coordinator
Dr. Hilliard began her veterinary career as an assistant at the Northeast Indiana Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital (NIVES) in 2001. She went on to attend Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. Her clinical year was spent at North Carolina State University and received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2014. Following graduation, Dr. Hilliard returned to Fort Wayne to complete a one-year internship in surgery and emergency medicine at NIVES. Afterward, she moved to Houston, TX to pursue a specialty surgery internship at North Houston Veterinary Specialists. Finally, Dr. Hilliard moved back to Fort Wayne in the summer of 2016 to join the emergency and critical care team at NIVES. She has a special interest in small exotic pets in need of emergency care in addition to treating dogs and cats. Dr. Hilliard is passionate about implementing Fear Free techniques and received her Level 2 Fear Free Certification in February 2018. She is also a member of the Indiana Guard Reserve and is involved with a local animal emergency response team. In her spare time, she enjoys spoiling her two dogs, Sproggy-Doggy Niles and Shakira.
Dr. Stafford grew up in New Jersey but quickly found her love of the Midwest during her undergraduate studies. She received a Bachelor of Science from Kansas State University in Animal Science, and she stayed in Kansas to attend Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. While working in the small animal ICU during school Dr. Stafford discovered her passion for emergency and critical care medicine. During her clinical year she completed two clinical externships at NIVES to further this interest and accepted a position as an emergency veterinarian after graduation in 2023. In Dr. Stafford's free time, she likes to spend time reading, kayaking, hiking, or just relaxing with her husband Jordan, and their pets.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrators & Leadership Team
- Supervisor - CRS, 1st Shift
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrators & Leadership Team
- Supervisor - Emergency, 2nd Shift
Dr. Totten is a native of Fort Wayne, IN and began working at St. Joe Center Veterinary Hospital as an assistant in 1997 as a pre-vet student. She earned both her Bachelor's of Animal Science degree (1999) and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (2003) from Purdue University. After graduation, Dr. Totten completed a one year internship in small animal medicine and surgery in Chicago, IL. Returning home to Indiana, she worked as an associate veterinarian at St. Joe Center Veterinary Hospital for one year. It was during her internship and year at St Joe that Dr. Totten became interested in developing her specialty. From 2005-2007 she moved back to Illinois to complete her residency in small animal internal medicine at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Immediately afterwards, she returned once again to her hometown to join the Northeast Indiana Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital as its second specialist.
Dr. Totten is very proud to be a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, friends and pets.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrators & Leadership Team
- Supervisor - Emergency, 3rd Shift
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrators & Leadership Team
- Assistant Surgery Supervisor
Dr. Coolman is originally from Fort Wayne and followed his father's footsteps into the veterinary field. Dr. Brad received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Purdue University in 1992. After which he completed a small animal internship at Auburn University in Alabama. From 1993-1996, Dr. Coolman served as the Chief of Surgery and Dentistry for the U.S. Army Military Working Dog Center in San Antonio, TX. Following that, he moved his family to the University of Illinois to complete a 3-year small animal surgery residency and master's degree program. Finally in 1999, he returned home to Indiana to join is father at St Joe Center Vet Hospital as part of Veterinary Surgical Services.
In 2000 Dr. Brad achieved his board certification as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary in Surgeons. Then in 2004, through Dr. Brad's vision, the Northeast Indiana Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital (NIVES) was founded; providing advanced specialty care to the tri-state region. Brad has been married to his wife Shindok, since 1990 and they have 8 wonderful children. He keeps very busy with his commitments to Church and an active family life. In his spare time he enjoys being outdoors, playing sports, reading, and travel. Dr. Coolman has also been an adjunct professor of small animal surgery at Purdue University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrators & Leadership Team
- Supervisor - Emergency, 1st Shift
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrators & Leadership Team
- Veterinary Social Worker
Dr. Kurgan was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He got his bachelor's degree in Animal sciences at Purdue University. Then went on to earn his Doctorate in Veterinary medicine at St. Georges University. On his days off Dr. Kurgan enjoys bass or musky fishing. He has one scruffy little dog named Tadpole. Tadpole was struck by a car and became one of Dr. Kurgan's first patients. They have been best buds ever since.
Job Titles:
- Hospital Administrator
- Member of the Administrators & Leadership Team
Dr. Beth Patrick has been caring for pets in the Fort Wayne area since 2002. Originally from Knightstown, Dr. Patrick received her Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science in 1998 from Purdue University and continued on at Purdue to obtain her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. She is a member and past president of Northeast Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, a member of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association and a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association. In her spare time, Dr. Patrick likes to study genealogy, go fishing and hike with her family. She is also an active member of her church and has a passion for helping people. Dr. Patrick is married to her husband, and they have 2 sons and 4 cats to complete their family.
Dr. Jacque Parker calls Wauseon, Ohio home, as her father was a Medical Service Corps Officer in the U.S. Army. Dr. Parker earned her Bachelor's of Science degree and U.S. Army commission in 1995 from Colorado State University and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2000 from The Ohio State University. After graduation, Dr. Parker entered Active Duty in the U.S. Army as a Veterinary Corps Officer. She was stationed at Beale Air Force Base, California, and Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy prior to completion of an Army sponsored, 3-year small animal surgery residency and Master's degree at Colorado State University in 2008. Dr. Parker achieved her board certification as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2009. Following residency, Dr. Parker assumed command of the 28th Medical Detachment (Veterinary Medicine) and immediately deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where she provided medical care to the Military Working Dogs.
Follow-on assignments included: Commander, Dog Center Europe, Kaiserlautern, Germany; Veterinary Clinical Consultant, Public Health Command-Pacific, Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii; Commander, Public Health Activity-San Diego, Naval Base San Diego, California; Director, Department of Defense Military Working Dog Center and Chief of Animal Medicine, U.S. Army Medical Command, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Parker retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Army in 2021 and is excited to join the Northeast Indiana Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital and be close to family in Ohio. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spoiling her cats, Buoy and Pescado.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Member of the Administrators & Leadership Team
Dr. Leffers is a native of Fort Wayne and first started working at the Northeast Indiana Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital (NIVES) as an undergraduate student at IPFW. She attended Purdue University for veterinary school and received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2007. After graduation, she completed a one-year internship in medicine and surgery at Texas A&M University. She developed a strong interest in cardiology during veterinary school and returned to Purdue University to complete a combined cardiology residency and master's program from 2008-2011.
After residency, she achieved board certification in the discipline of veterinary cardiology through the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Dr. Leffers then practiced as a board-certified cardiologist in Houston, TX for five years. Although she enjoyed the warm weather in Texas she and her husband were excited to return home to Fort Wayne to be close to family. She rejoined the team at NIVES in August of 2016 to provide cardiology services for cats and dogs in Fort Wayne and the surrounding areas. Outside of work, Dr. Leffers enjoys working out, reading, and spoiling her dog, Maxwell.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrators & Leadership Team
- Supervisor - Emergency, 1st Shift
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrators & Leadership Team
- Office Manager
Dr. Matthew began working at the Northeast Indiana Veterinary Emergency & Speicalty Hospital (NIVES) as a veterinary assistant in the 1990's, as he pursued his undergraduate studies at IPFW. He continued to work at the hospital as he pursued his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Purdue University and graduated from Purdue University in 2003. Afterwards Dr. Matthew worked as a full time emergency DVM for 5 years at NIVES. He then continued his passion for emergency and specialty care in Anderson, Indiana beginning in 2008, and became Medical Director of the specialty practice in 2014. Beginning in September 2016, Dr. Matthew returned to the Fort Wayne area to rejoin the NIVES Emergency and Critical Care team as its Emergency Services Manager. In addition to dogs and cats, Dr. Matthew also works with small exotic patients in need of emergency care. He is married with two children and keeps busy with their many pets (dogs, cats, fish, chickens, and llamas). In his spare time, he enjoys online gaming, reading and exercising.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrators & Leadership Team
- Training Manager
Dr. Harry is a native of Fort Wayne and has grown up being involved with veterinary medicine as his father is also a practicing veterinarian. Dr. Harry attended Indiana University where he received his degree in Biochemistry and Business. He went on to attend Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on the island of St. Kitts, with his clinical year at Purdue University in West Lafayette. He completed his externship at Northeast Indiana Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital (NIVES) during his clinical year of veterinary school and obtained his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2021. His special veterinary interests include surgery, as well as Emergency Care; while non-work-related interests include being at the lake with family, fishing, backpacking, traveling, and cooking. Dr. Harry has been happily married to his wife, Alexis, since 2018. They both enjoy spending time with their two dogs (Dobby and Winnie) and cat (Roo), all of whom were adopted from St. Kitts.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrators & Leadership Team
- Supervisor - Emergency, 3rd Shift
Dr. Haydett Hilton is originally from Saint Clair Shores, Michigan, and is joining the NIVES team after graduating from Michigan State University with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Prior to vet school, she attended Defiance College where she developed a passion for public health while carrying out community-based research in Tanzania, Africa. After receiving her degree in Molecular Biology from Defiance College, Dr. Haydett Hilton accepted a position at Texas Tech University within the Biological Threat Research Laboratory, completing research focused on wildlife diseases and vector-borne zoonoses. She graduated in 2018 with her Master's in Environmental Toxicology and returned to Michigan to attend vet school. Throughout her time in clinics, she really enjoyed the diversity and fast pace of emergency medicine. During her senior year, she was awarded the Small Animal Clinical Sciences Award at Michigan State and the Merck Academic Excellence Award.
Dr. Haydett Hilton also completed an externship at NIVES which helped her interest and passion for small animal emergency medicine grow even more and lead her to accept a position with the NIVES team after graduation. When not at work, Dr. Haydett Hilton enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband Joe, their chickens, and their Irish Setter Weston.
Job Titles:
- Emergency Services Manager
Dr. Lockman is a California native and joined the team at NIVES in June, 2018. He attended St. George's University with his clinical year at Louisiana State University and obtained his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2016. He spent two years in Minnesota practicing general medicine before joining the NIVES Emergency and Critical Care team. While in school, Dr. Lockman assisted in research and monitoring of the local reptile and amphibian population. His passion for exotic and wildlife care grew when he volunteered at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota. When Dr. Lockman has free time, he is usually outside hiking, looking for reptiles/amphibians, playing soccer or playing with his dog, Leroy. Dr. Lockman lives with his fiancé and their 2 dogs, 2 cats, Dumeril's Boa and Sulcata Tortoise.
Dr. Schlatter grew up on a small farm in Huntertown, Indiana, just north of Fort Wayne and had an interest in taking care of large and small animals since he was young. After high school he served in the United States Army Reserves and is a Veteran of Operation Desert Storm. Dr. Schlatter then attended IPFW until he was accepted into Veterinary School at Purdue University and obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree in 1998. After graduation, he returned to Fort Wayne and practiced small animal medicine for 16 years. Finally in November 2014, Dr. Schlatter joined the team at NIVES full time as an Emergency & Critical Care veterinarian. Dr. Schlatter is active in his Church community and finds great encouragement from his faith. He also especially enjoys nature and loves camping.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrators & Leadership Team
- Surgery Supervisor
Dr. Richardson is originally from Tulsa, OK and has lived in 8 different states across the United States. Prior to becoming a veterinarian she was a registered nurse and worked as a surgical nurse for 13 years in the Chicago area. Although she enjoyed her time working in human medicine, Dr. Richardson knew her true passion was with veterinary medicine. She continued to work as a nurse while attending the University of Illinois and proudly obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2012. Dr. Richardson was drawn to the variety and pace of emergency medicine and joined the Emergency and Critical Care team of NIVES in March 2013. She and her husband Jeff have a growing family that they share with their dog, Ebenezer & Darcy and cats Severus & Neela. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, painting and photography.
Dr. Trapp is originally from Auburn, Indiana, where he grew up on a small farm. He attended Purdue University to study animal sciences and then veterinary medicine. While at Purdue, he met his wife, Abigail. Together they both graduated from Purdue's School of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. For the next few years Dr. Trapp was involved in mixed animal practice in Decatur, Indiana and then he owned his own practice in Van Wert, Ohio for 10 years. After 13 years in general practice Dr. Trapp decided it was time for a career change and in 2020 he joined the emergency and critical care team at NIVES. While not at work Dr. Trapp dedicates his time to his family, his wife and two young children, as well as their many cats and dog. He also enjoys outdoor activities, raising beef cattle, and traveling.
Job Titles:
- Facilities Manager
- Member of the Administrators & Leadership Team
Job Titles:
- Director of Operations
- Member of the Administrators & Leadership Team