Companion Animal Clinic

Chris Smith

Chris was born and raised in Cedar Falls where she attended Price Lab from K-12.  She then ventured off to college at Lake Forest in Illinois where she graduated with a BA in Biology.  Her senior year she also won the National Diving Championship.  After college, Chris stayed in Illinois and became a Veterinary Technician.  She moved back to Iowa in 1993 where she began working for Dr. Melick.  She and her sister breed Spinone (Italian hunting dogs).  Chris lives in Fayette with her husband, Bob.  They raise and train mules, hunt, and love the outdoors.





 

Megan Engel

Megan began working at the clinic in 2005.  She lives in Waterloo with her husband Jason and four kids, Cole, Kaitlyn, Cody and Caden.  They all enjoy camping and canoeing in the BWCA along with their two dogs Abby and Phoebe.  This busy household is also shared with four feline friends.






 

Sandra Bird
 

Sandy is a long time pet owner/care giver.  She has worked for Dr. Melick part-time for several years.  Her main interests lie in the horse industry where she worked for 6 years for the BLM's adopt a horse program, managed several breeding and boarding stables and currently owns a breeding/boarding stable.  Sandy loves to trail ride and spend time with her other pets: 2 dogs, 3 house cats, 2 rabbits and 10 barn cats.









 

Jean Melick

Jean groomed dogs for twenty years before returning to school.  She graduated from UNI with degrees in Art and Anthropology.   Dr. Melick and Jean's menagerie includes horses, a pony, two dobermans, fifteen cats and four hens.  When she isn't caring for the animals, jean spends her time drawing dogs and horses, doing agility training with Alex and Chance, tending her flowers, and reading.














Bill Close

Bill taught art at Peet Junior High School in Cedar Falls for 33 years before retiring in 2002.  Many Cedar Falls residents recall his mega sculpture projects built on the lawn of the school each spring.  Bill designed the clinic building and now works as yard and building maintenance-man at the clinic as well as the Melick's acreage.  Bill has a cat named Kenzie.