ALTA VETERINARY HOSPITAL - Key Persons


Emily Christian-Veterinary

Job Titles:
  • Veterinary Nurse Technician
Emily went to JATC and got her Certified Vet Assistant in 2014. She is currently going to BroadView University to get her Certified Vet Tech degree. She graduates in the fall of 2018 from Broadview. Emily has a yellow lab named Dexter, who she loves very much. On her free time she likes to do Ballroom Dancing, going to movies, ice skating.

Ernest Heward

He was born and raised in northern Arizona. They had a family business that included alfalfa farming and cattle production. He developed a deep appreciation for agriculture and animals. As a youngster he grew up wanting to go into human medicince. As he was going to college a the University of Arizona after his high school graduation. He earned his BS in Agriculture and decided that his love of medicine and his animal background would be a good fit for veterinary medicine. He attended Colorado State University and graduated with is DVM degree in 1977. He practiced for 3 1/2 years in Arizona following graduation. He practiced in California for 3 years and then moved his family to Utah in 1983. His career has been primarily small animal private practice and emergency small animal practice. He has enjoyed very much the medicine and client interactions.

John W. Whiteley

Dr. Whiteley, is now retired, but has worked in veterinary medicine here in Utah for his entire career, even serving as State Veterinarian with the Utah Department of Agriculture for 3 years. Earlier in practice, he did both large animal as well as small animal care. This is difficult at best, and soon evolved into strictly small animal veterinary medicine. To quoteDr Whiteley, "I thoroughly love veterinary medicine, and have never complained of ‘having' to go to work. I have really enjoyed the continuing challenges offered in dentistry, orthopedics, radiography, ultrasound and surgery." Dr. Whiteley is also an honorary member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Utah Veterinary Medical Association, the Salt Lake Veterinary Medical Association, the California Veterinary Dental Association, as well as the Utah Veterinary Dental Association. In 2012 Dr. Whiteley was honored as Utah Veterinarian of the year!

Kim Banks-Lead

Job Titles:
  • Veterinary Technician
  • Lead Nurse Technician
Kim is a veterinary technician. She graduated with an associates degree specializing in veterinary technology. She has worked in the veterinary field for over 12 years. When Kim is not working she enjoys spending time with her 4 kids and 4 fur babies (2 dogs and 2 cats) She also enjoys movie, bowling and sporting events.

Lisa Whiteley

Job Titles:
  • Practice Manager
Lisa Whiteley is our Practice Manager and has been an employee here at Alta Veterinary Hospital for over 38 years. She has been helping and working with her father since she would get off the kindergarten bus. She would accompany him to the farm calls. One of the things she likes to remember is how clients and their children have grown up and leave for college or marry and return as clients. She has attended SLCC at one class at a time for her associates degree. She says that "someday she will graduate, its been hard working full-time, raising her three children and keeping everyone in line." She has taken the National exam for CVT and has received her license and received her Certified Veterinary Practice Manager. She has two dogs: Missy a beagle mix, and Lucky a German wire haired mix who can't control her licker! She has two cats named Noel and Pittsburgh. Lisa serves as the Executive Director for the non-profit "Licks Four Love". Lisa's away-from-work interests includes "anything and everything" with family. Lisa has three children and four wonderful grandchildren: Baylee 11, Brock 8, Brayden 5, and Riley 2, which she loves and adores very much.

Sierra DeJong

Job Titles:
  • Veterinary Nurse Technician