9829 North State Road 13
Syracuse, Indiana 46567
Phone: (574) 457 - 7144
Email: ahsyracuse11@gmail.com
Animal Hospital of Syracuse Team
Dr. Chastain is a co-owner at the Animal Hospital of Syracuse, Cedar Creek Veterinary Clinic and Aboite Animal Hospital. He graduated from DePauw University in 1988 and received his D.V.M from Purdue University in 1992. He previously was a veterinarian in Ft. Wayne at St. Joe Center Veterinary Hospital from 1992 to 2012. He has a special interest in veterinary dentistry/oral surgery and enjoys general medicine and surgery. Dr. Chastain's wife, Tonya, is an elementary school teacher in Northwest Allen Community Schools. They have 3 children: Chandler, Caitlyn, and Caroline, and a cat named Pedro.
Dr. Bill Chastain
Dr. Koesters is co-owner of Animal Hospital of Syracuse, Cedar Creek Veterinary Clinic and Aboite Animal Hospital. He earned his DVM from Purdue University in 2002. He has worked in Fort Wayne since that time. He and his wife, Jodi, have three girls: Raelyn, Maylee, Layna, and twin boys, Reid and Rube. They also have a black labrador named Charlotte.
Dr. Brian Koesters
Dr. Stover is co-owner of Animal Hospital of Syracuse, Cedar Creek Veterinary Clinic, and Aboite Animal Hospital. She recieved her bachelor degree from Taylor Univsersity in 1999 and her DVM degree from Purdue University in 2006. In her final year of veterinary school, she was awarded the G. Edward Cummins Compassionate Care Award by her peers and professors.
She partnered with Dr. Chastain and Dr. Koesters in ownership of Animal Hospital of Syracuse, Cedar Creek Veterinary Clinic and Aboite Animal Hospital. She enjoys preventative and internal medicine and has a special interest in holistic medicine. She and her husband, Chris, have two children, Grayson and Charley Jo, and a Bernese Mountain Dog named Eevee.
Dr. Jamie Stover
Dr. Bethany Couture was born and raised in Warsaw and is a Warsaw High School graduate. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science from the Purdue School of Agriculture and went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree from Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. She came to the Animal Hospital of Syracuse in 2017 after initially working on many species including horses, cattle, sheep and small animals. She has special interests in orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, diabetes management, and client education. She and her husband live on a small farm with their 2 children and enjoy their horses, cats and dog. In her free time she enjoys traveling with her family and spending time on the lake, as well as being involved in the ministries of her church.
Dr. Bethany Couture
Dr. Theresa Schenkel is a native of Fort Wayne. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Saint Francis and later received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2004 from Purdue University. She is an active member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the AVMA, IVMA and past president of the Northeast Indiana Veterinary Medical Association. Since graduation, she has remained in Fort Wayne and practiced small animal medicine. She has developed a special interest in both veterinary dentistry and feline medicine and has completed many hours of continual education in both of these areas. She and her husband, Brent, have two children: Jonny and Gracie. Their household also consists of three cats: Prince Ali, Brucie and Frank, as well as a German Shepherd puppy named Garth. In her downtime, she enjoys watching her son play hockey and her daughter dance. She also enjoys reading, running and spending time at the lake.
Dr. Theresa Schenkel
Dr. Megan received her doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Purdue University in 2023. She joined the Aboite Animal Hospital team shortly after graduation. She has a special interest in small animal dentistry and internal medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with her three cats, Huxley, Rori and Truitt, and her Whippet Josie.
Dr. Megan Woenker
Aric grew up in Warsaw and graduated from Warsaw Community High School in 2016. He started showing an interest in animals at a young age when he began showing horses at the age of eleven. After graduating high school, he attended Purdue University Fort Wayne and completed his degree in biochemistry. Aric began working at the Animal Hospital of Syracuse in 2019 as a veterinary assistant, and he loves creating long-lasting relationships with clients and their pets. He recently graduated from Purdue University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Outside of work and school, he enjoys spending time with his two Great Danes, Sterling and Bleu, along with trail riding with his horses, Missy and Stanley.
Dr. Aric Swihart
Hospital Manager
Lue Ann has spent her life in Ligonier and graduated from West Noble High School. She started working in veterinary medicine in 1988 as a kennel technician and is now the hospital manager. Lue has been married to her husband, Terry, for 45 years. She also has four children, eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She also shares her home with a cat named Flipper. Lue most enjoys the continual relationships with clients and their pets. Outside of work, Lue enjoys spending time relaxing, gardening, and visiting with her family.
Lue Ann
Hospital Coordinator
Caity
Caity graduated this summer with her Veterinary Nursing Degree through Purdue University's Distance Learning Program. She has a passion for small animal medicine and caring for her patients. Caity has been a part of our team since 2017 after moving here from her home state of Florida. She is happily married to her husband, Kyle, and is a proud Army wife. Her pet family includes her four cats, two dogs and two snakes. She enjoys taking her dogs on nature trails, camping, hiking, and relaxing on the local lakes.
Registered Veterinary Nurses
Chelsey graduated from the Purdue University Veterinary Technology program in December 2008. She became a registered veterinary technician in March of 2009. She has been with Animal Hospital of Syracuse since January 2012. She and her husband, Tanner, have 2 daughters, Addison and Aisley. Their household also includes a German Shepherd named Mason, as well as a cat named Miles. She enjoys reading, gardening and spending time outdoors with her family.
Chelsey
Haley grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana where she graduated from Bishop-Dwenger High School in 2015. She then furthered her education at Indiana Business College studying Veterinary Nursing and completed her externship at the Animal Hospital of Syracuse. After graduating in 2021, she continued her career at the Animal Hospital of Syracuse. While Haley plays many roles in the hospital, her favorite is being the anesthetist in surgical cases and providing client education with senior patients. Haley spent much of her childhood playing soccer and passes on her experiences as assistant coach to the Wawasee High School’s boys soccer team. In her free time, Haley enjoys spending time gardening and on the lake with her fiancé, Austin. She has two cats named Maize, and Rudy and her dog, Kera, recently gained a brother named Mav.
Haley
Michelle is part of Dr. Chastain's traveling dental team, which goes to all 3 hospitals: Animal Hospital of Syracuse, Aboite Animal Hospital, and Cedar Creek Veterinary Clinic. Michelle has an Associate's Degree in Biology from IPFW and an Associate's Degree in Veterinary Technology from Purdue University. She worked at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo for several years before entering general practice, where she has been for the last 17 years. She has a strong interest in animal dentistry, nutrition and client education. She dedicates herself to aiding animals and being their advocate. She had her husband have a Golden Retriever named Luna, and 5 cats: Hobbes, Wally, Lenny, Penny and Winnie.
Michelle
Assistants
Amanda
Amanda has been part of the Animal Hospital of Syracuse team since 2012. Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, she now lives in Columbia City with her growing family. Over the years, Amanda has been a dedicated and dependable member of the team, and she currently provides relief support for the hospital as her family continues to grow.
At home, Amanda enjoys life with her two dogs, Lexi and Vito, and her two cats, Loki and Sprinkles. Her love for animals and her long-term commitment to the practice make her a valued and trusted member of the AHS family.
Paige
Paige is a valued veterinary assistant who joined the practice in 2023. She holds an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology, which complements her compassionate approach and technical skills in patient care.
Her love for animals extends well beyond the clinic. At home, Paige enjoys spending time with her dog, Briggs, and her two cats, Dax and Bruce, who continually inspire her dedication to the veterinary field.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn has been part of our team since 2023 and brings a calm, patient, and knowledgeable approach to every dog she works with. As a Certified Fear Free Dog Trainer, she focuses on creating positive experiences that support confidence, trust, and emotional well-being in pets and their families.
At home, Brooklyn enjoys life with her two dogs, Peppa and Jinxy. She and Jinxy also participate in dog shows, where he has proudly earned the title of Champion, a testament to their hard work and strong bond.
Jaime
Jaime joined the practice in early 2025 and brings a strong passion for large animal medicine, especially horses. She holds an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology, which provides a solid foundation as she transitions from large animal care into small animal medicine. Jaime is enjoying expanding her skills and learning all she can in her new role, and her enthusiasm makes her a wonderful addition to the team.
A devoted French Bulldog lover, Jaime recently rescued her sweet Frenchie, Coco, who has quickly become a cherished part of her life.
Abby
Abby holds an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology and brings a strong technical background paired with a warm, compassionate approach to patient care. She is dedicated to supporting both pets and their families, and her calm presence makes her a valued part of the team.
Outside of the clinic, Abby enjoys spending time with her husband and their two sons, who keep her busy and smiling. Her family is her greatest joy and the heart behind her passion for veterinary medicine.
Anna
Anna joined our team a few months ago and has already made a wonderful impression with her enthusiasm and dedication. She is currently completing her Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology, and is steadily growing her knowledge and skill set each day. Her eagerness to learn and her positive attitude make her a valuable addition to the practice.
Outside of her veterinary interests, Anna is passionate about the arts. She enjoys painting and singing, finding creativity to be a fulfilling balance to her work with animals.
Eliza
Eliza has been with us since 2023 and is a dedicated mother and wife who brings warmth and reliability to everything she does. She began her journey with the practice as a Client Service Representative, and through hard work and a strong desire to grow, she has been training and working as a veterinary assistant.
Eliza has transitioned into her new role with ease and enthusiasm. She continues to develop her skills and knowledge every day, and her dedication to both learning and patient care makes her an invaluable part of our team.
Client Relations Specialists
Jacquelynn grew up as a local to the Syracuse area where she enjoyed spending time with her pets, family, and friends. After graduating from Wawasee High School, she continued her education at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne where she studied hospitality. While spending a short time working outside of the veterinary profession, she quickly realized her interest in the field. She thoroughly enjoys the daily interactions with clients, their pets, and the opportunity this profession provides to learn and grow.
Jacquelynn
Amy grew up in North Webster and graduated from Wawasee High School in 2005. She has been married to her husband named Aaron since 2009 and has one daughter named Emma. She also shares her home with her two dogs named Sprocket and Gidget and one cat named Oreo. Her family also raises cattle on their farm in Cromwell. She started working at the Animal Hospital of Syracuse as a kennel technician in 2002 and completed the CO-OP program through Wawasee High School to become a veterinary assistant. In 2005, she became a client communications specialist. Amy’s favorite part of her job is being able to assist clients with their pets, all while creating long term relationships with them. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors and camping with her family and pets.
Amy
Janae
Janae joined the team as a Client Service Representative in 2025. She graduated from Grace College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Communication Design, bringing a strong creative background and excellent attention to detail to her role.
Quiet, thoughtful, and dependable, Janae contributes a steady and organized presence at the front desk. Her creativity extends beyond the clinic as well—she dreams of designing children’s books, where her artistic talent and imagination can shine.
Adina
Adina joined our team in 2025 as a Client Service Representative and has quickly become a great addition to the hospital. With several years of customer service experience, she brings professionalism, reliability, and strong communication skills to every interaction.
Dedicated, kind, and caring, Adina consistently goes above and beyond to support clients and their pets. Her positive attitude and commitment to excellent service make her a valued member of our team.
Grooming
Karen grew up in Syracuse and graduated from Syracuse High School in 1967. She has been married to her husband, Terry, since 2002 and has four kids and eight grandchildren. Karen also shares her house with three cats named Tom, Sweet Pea, and Sparkle. She spent most of her childhood summers enjoying the lake and water skiing. Karen’s sister-in-law introduced her to grooming in 1988 and has not stopped since. She has now been grooming at the Animal Hospital of Syracuse since July of 2000. Karen most enjoys the friendships she has created with the clients and coworkers, along with helping animals feel their best with a new haircut. Outside of work, Karen spends much of her time traveling with her friends, doing photography, and water skiing.