Meet Our Staff
Dr. Jerry S. Den Herder — Jerry is a 1972 Graduate of Iowa State University. He spent the first 11 years in a corporate veterinary practice prior to opening the doors to Den Herder Veterinary Hospital in 1983 and moved it to its current location in 1985. He is married to his wife Ronda (Vanderloo) and has 4 daughters, and 3 grandchildren. He considers veterinary medicine one of his hobbies and passions and spends the rest of his time with his family, running, boating, and in bible study. Jerry currently has two poodle puppies he is enjoying the challenge of housebreaking at home and has had 5 other pets in the past 37 years of practice. He has helped his previous pets through cases of Addison’s disease (a hormonal imbalance) and several bouts of pancreatitis. Going through these issues with his own pets has increased his empathy for clients who may have health concerns for their own pets.
Dr. Lori Cherney — Lori is a 1991 Graduate of Iowa State University. She joined the Den Herder Veterinary Hospital team in 1994. Lori’s specialties in the hospital are many but she specifically enjoys surgery, pain management, and exotic animal medicine. Lori also donates a large amount of her time to the Black Hawk Wildlife Rehabilitation organization. Lori married her high school sweetheart Ken, and they have three children, Hannah, Bryce, and Ty. Lori loves to garden and read in her spare time. She currently has 3 three dogs, all adopted from the local humane society, 3 birds, and 2 Madagascar hissing cockroaches.
Dr. Tom Taylor — Tom is a 2004 graduate of Iowa State University. He first came to Den Herder Veterinary Hospital as a kennel staff employee and veterinary assistant from 1998-2000 and rejoined the team after graduation from veterinary school. Special interests in the hospital include ultrasound and surgery, including orthopedics. Tom is married to his wife Mandy and has three little boys at home to keep him busy while away from the hospital. Tom spends any free time he might have with his family and two Vizslas hunting, fishing, camping, or running. Tom can appreciate the hard work it takes to care for two high energy dogs.
Kathy McFarland — Kathy began working at Den Herder Veterinary Hospital in 1984 as an office assistant and now is the Practice Manager. Kathy’s primary role in the hospital is customer relations, practice building, and bookkeeping. While at home, she keeps busy with her husband Rick, enjoys sports, crafts, and walking her two shih tzus, Mort and Larry. Kathy’s pups are better known as “The Boys” to the people in her neighborhood. “The Boys” are wonderful pets who have had their share of illnesses including bladder stones and pancreatitis.
Tracy — Tracy is a 2004 graduate of the Kirkwood Community College Certified Technician program and has been with Den Herder Veterinary Hospital since graduation. Tracy enjoys and excels in pet dentistry at the hospital. She also spends much of her time assisting in surgery. Tracy and her husband, Matt, have a one year old girl, Isabelle. They also have a basset hound named Britney, and a cat named Cosmo. Cosmo has had a history of heart disease that is being managed well with daily medication. Britney has dealt with several bouts of pancreatitis as well as luxating patellas. Tracy spends her free time reading, walking Britney, and spending time with family and friends.
Jeana — Jeana is a 2006 graduate of the Community College of Southern Nevada veterinary technician program. She then passed the Iowa board exam and joined the Den Herder team in August 2006. She spends her days at the hospital assisting in surgery, monitoring anesthetized patients, doing teeth cleans, and assisting Dr. Cherney with exotic and wildlife animals. Outside of work, Jeana enjoys being outdoors, fishing, playing sports, and being active with her husband Mark. Mark and Jeana are proud parents of Blake, born in June, 2009. Jeana has 2 cats, Midget and Bella, and 3 dogs, Scrubs, Boots, and Yankee. She has a group of healthy pets with special concern for Yankee, a heartworm infection survivor.
Tracey — Tracey graduated from Iowa State University with a B.A. in Biology in 1992. She then began work at the hospital while pursuing her degree as a Certified Veterinary Technician graduating from Kirkwood Community College in 1994. Tracey is now back working full-time at the hospital and helps run her husband's business, Liberty Electric. She spends her time at the hospital assisting doctors and staff with outpatients, laboratory testing, and radiology, but specializes in behavior training and positive reinforcement. Tracey and Joe have two children, Sam and Ben, two dogs, two guinea pigs, and one very old white dove. Sadly, Tracey’s family recently lost their beloved Liberty, a 15 year old lab-border collie cross, to cancer.
Keely - Keely began working at Den Herder Veterinary Hospital in 2006 as a receptionist. Keely loves to greet people and has deep sense of commitment to helping clients and their patients as they enter or leave the hospital. Keely is married to Tim and they spend as much time as they can fishing or riding their Harley. Keely and Tim have a soft spot in their hearts for the late “Queen of the Household,” Ruby, who passed away March 22, 2010. Ruby was a beautiful black lab and is missed every day.
Kirsten - Kirsten has been with Den Herder Veterinary Hospital since 2004. She spends most of her time managing the hospital’s inventory needs, computer issues and online communications. Kirsten and her husband Emerson have three little boys, Emerson, J.D. and John. They have two elderly cats (Ernie and Thumper). In her free time she adjuncts night classes for UNI.
Sandy - Sandy is the newest staff member to the DHVH family. She has been a wonderful client for 29 years before joining the team in the fall of 2010. She is married to Dan and they are enjoying their first grandson from their daughter Kaley and son-in-law Mike. Sandy has been in retail management for 33 years and loves working with people. She also loves pets, so the transition to DHVH was a fun move for Sandy. She spends her free time with her family, cooking/baking, or taking trips to the ocean whenever she can. Her four dogs Lexi, Lacey, Murphy (Old English Sheepdogs), and beagle Wilbur, keep her and Dan very busy.
Natalie - Natalie is a 2001 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and spent 4 years working for a cat only clinic as a veterinary assistant in the Minneapolis area. She decided to move closer to home and joined Den Herder Veterinary Hospital in 2005. Natalie enjoys working with all cats in the hospital and has been nicknamed the “Cat Whisperer” with her invaluable talent of calming and holding nervous cats. She is a lover of all animals and enjoys helping Dr. Cherney with the wildlife animals in the hospital. She enjoys spending time with her fiancé John doing anything outdoors including watching live music, camping, biking, and bonfires. She also enjoys painting, drawing, and making jewelry. Natalie and John have 5 cats, Willow, Chunkerton, Cubbie, Noah, and Goulash.
Rachel - Rachel began working at Den Herder Veterinary Hospital in 2006. She started as a kennel staff member and now is a veterinary assistant. She is currently a student at Hawkeye Community College pursuing an Animal Science degree and plans to attend Iowa State University to become a veterinarian. She would like to specialize in wildlife and small animals. Rachel loves working with Dr. Cherney and the variety of “pocket pets” that come into the hospital. She has a range of pets herself, including two dogs, Darcie and Hannah, two rabbits, Oreo and Paisly, a guinea pig named Chuckles, three mice, Parmesan, Provolone, and Gouda, and a Russian tortoise named Gallop. Rachel enjoys camping, reading, drawing, and painting in her free time.
Kacie - Kacie started at Den Herder Veterinary Hospital in 2008 in the kennel staff and also spends time assisting the doctors with outpatients and lab work. She graduated from Hawkeye Community College in 2004 with a degree in photography, and spends much of her free time taking beautiful photos and has recently started taking photos for weddings, children, and pets. Kacie took many of the pictures for our website. She and her husband Mike own and operate a power-washing service “Siding Cleaning Specialists” that keeps them very busy. They are expecting their first child, a boy, this September. They own two wonderful pets, Chloe the cat, and Tucker, a Boxer. In the little free time they have, they enjoy traveling, spending time with family, and fishing.
Deb - Deb joined the Den Herder team in 2008 with the task of starting the grooming department and has done a phenomenal job. Deb has served the Cedar Valley pet community in various roles for 15 years. She has experience as a veterinary assistant, Humane Society director and medical technician, and groomer for 10 years. When not here grooming, Deb lives with her 11 year old grandson, Cole. Deb has a passion for French Bulldogs and she is owned and trained by Spot and Sully (2 young Frenchies). Deb enjoys creatures of all types and has an African Grey and a Sun Conure at home.
