As defined by the AVMA Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics—REVISED/REFORMATTED Introduction Veterinarians are members of a scholarly profession who have earned academic degrees from comprehensive universities or similar educational institutions. Veterinarians practice veterinary medicine in a variety of situations and circumstances. Exemplary professional conduct upholds the dignity of the veterinary profession. All veterinarians are expected to adhere to a progressive code of ethical conduct known as the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics (PVME). The PVME comprises the following Principles, the Supporting Annotations, and the Glossary. The basis of the Principles is the Golden Rule. Veterinarians shall accept this rule as a guide to their general conduct and abide by the Principles. The AVMA Judicial Council is charged to advise on all questions relating to veterinary medical ethics and to review the Principles periodically to ensure that they remain current and appropriate. The Principles I. A veterinarian shall be dedicated to providing competent veterinary medical care, with compassion and respect for animal welfare and human health. II. A veterinarian shall provide veterinary medical clinical care under the terms of a veterinarian-client patient relationship (VCPR). III. A veterinarian shall uphold the standards of professionalism, be honest in all professional interactions, and report veterinarians who are deficient in character or competence to the appropriate entities. IV. A veterinarian shall respect the law and also recognize a responsibility to seek changes to laws and regulations which are contrary to the best interests of the patient and public health. V. A veterinarian shall respect the rights of clients, colleagues, and other health professionals, and shall safeguard medical information within the confines of the law. VI. A veterinarian shall continue to study, apply, and advance scientific knowledge, maintain a commitment to veterinary medical education, make relevant information available to clients, colleagues, the public, and obtain consultation or referral when indicated. VII. A veterinarian shall, in the provision of appropriate patient care, except in emergencies, be free to choose whom to serve, with whom to associate, and the environment in which to provide veterinary medical care. VIII. A veterinarian shall recognize a responsibility to participate in activities contributing to the improvement of the community and the betterment of public health.

Dr. Kenneth C. Skinner’s life-long dedication to animals naturally led to a veterinary career. He received his B.S. in Zoology from Northern Arizona University and completed graduate work in Agribusiness from Arizona State University. He earned his D.V.M. from Washington State University in 2001 and has been with PAH since 2003. Dr. Skinner’s professional interests include mixed animal medicine, soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. His passion for surgery and dentistry keep him learning new up to date surgical techniques including having completed over 150 TPLO surgeries and 1000’s of anterior cruciate repairs.

Since joining the PAH team he has seen many changes over the years. Dr. Skinner is most proud of winning the 2014 “AAHA Hospital of the Year” award. With this award comes great pride, but also a desire to continue to be the best practice and provide the best patient care. In January 2014, Dr. Skinner took over as the PAH medical director, as well as gaining a greater responsibility of practice ownership. He hopes to strive for practice excellence and honor those who have come before him.

He enjoys spending time with his family, which includes 2 growing (fast) daughters, 2 dogs, 4 exotic cats and a dedicated wife. During the down time and for a mental escape you will find him riding his road or mountain bikes or training for the next local race. Dr. Skinner also spends much of his free time providing care for the animals at multiple zoos and serving the local community.

Dr. Skinner has served on the board of directors and numerous committees for the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association since 2005. He had the honor of being of the AzVMA President in 2012-2013, and received an award for his dedication to his staff. Currently Dr. Skinner serves on the Animal disaster services and the Arizona Animal Response Team, helping animals across Arizona during emergencies.

What’s next for Dr. Skinner? He is currently pursuing a national position on the Board of directors for the American Animal Hospital Association, and training for the 104 miles Tour de Tucson Bike race.

Why did I become a veterinarian?
My grandmother was the first women racehorse trainer at Turf paradise. I remember from age 6, going to the track and watching her work those horses. I recall when the vets would treat the racehorses and she would help, that has always left a lasting memory of dedication, knowledge and passion. The night I think it truly began was when our vet came to the house to treat my pony. After a gallon of mineral oil and a tube up the nose, the pony was cured; I was forever indebted for his care and compassion that cold Arizona night. Besides that, I was never very good at baseball.

Dr. Cameron S. Dow, a Prescott High School graduate, is a distinguished graduate of the University of Arizona with a B.S. in Biology and minors in chemistry/math/physics and Spanish. He was also elected into the Prescott High School Hall of Fame for Football and Wrestling achievements. He received a D.V.M. from Iowa State University in 2009. Dr. Cameron Dow is a former Army Ranger and Captain who served tours in Kosovo, Iraq and Europe. His professional interests include ophthalmology, oncology, pharmacology, and internal medicine.

Why did I become a veterinarian?
While deployed in Iraq after coming off a deployment with the United Nations Peacekeeping in Kosovo, I had an epiphany. I was living in a bunker previously occupied by the People’s Mujahideen of Iran (a terrorist organization that Saddam Hussein allowed to operate in his country) and I came to realize that I did not want to return to the Middle East every other year for the rest of my life. I decided to focus my time and energy towards the healing and care for our animal friends. It was a dramatic shift going from an instrument of destruction towards reestablishing the peace and harmony of biological systems (and helping human relationships). It has been a very rewarding and spiritually fulfilling aspect of my life. I feel blessed to be in this occupation.

Dr. D. Raenell Killian grew up in Chino Valley surrounded by animals. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.A. in Animal Science and earned her D.V.M. from Oregon State University in 2006. She enjoys mixed animal practice with a special interest in Camelids, surgical procedures and the human-animal bond. Dr. Killian has recently won the Morris Animal Foundation’s “Award of Excellence,” recognizing Outstanding Veterinary Service.

In addition to her interest in animals, Dr. Killian volunteers with organizations that help children/youth grow, through education and scholarships. These organizations help build confidence and ethics, and build future leaders.

One such organization is 4-H. “I believe in this organization. I was a 4-Her for 10 years as a youth. I now volunteer my time giving clinics and supporting 4-H leaders in their educational endeavors. I support the 4-H/FFA Expo every year. I perform a vet check on all animals prior to the show and buy animals at the auction.”

Dr. Killian is also a member of the Sun Up Rotary Club. The club has many youth programs. Examples are the Rotary foreign exchange program and RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards).

She also volunteers with the Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo organization. “In the past, I have been the Royalty Chairman. I continue to volunteer my time in that department, primarily in horsemanship clinics.”

Dr. Killian has 3 cats, 2 dogs, and 2 horses. In her spare time she enjoys riding horses and crocheting.

Why did I become a veterinarian?
I became a veterinarian because I wanted to help educate people about their pets. In this way I could improve the human-animal bond and prevent or relieve animal illness.

Dr. Amie M. Dow grew up in Glendale and graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Animal Science. She earned her D.V.M. in 2007 from Iowa State University. Upon graduation, Dr. Amie Dow returned to her home state of Arizona and is enjoying the patients and clients of PAH. Her professional interests include dentistry, wellness medicine and quality of life. She also enjoys playing the violin, sewing, running marathons, and taking care of her young sons.

Why did I become a veterinarian?
I really appreciate the companionship my animals give me and I wanted to make sure they lived happy and healthy lives. I believe every animal deserves a good home and strive to help rescue animals. Animals are a benefit to us emotionally and physically and we should respect them in the same way. Teeth are important to me; I have a strong interest in dental care as good preventatives can do a lot for a patient.

Dr. Ashley K. Joy grew up in Prescott and spent several years as a member of the PAH staff before moving to attend Arizona State University, where she graduated as Magna Cum Laude and earned a BS in Agribusiness as well as a minor in art history. She then went on to the University of Florida where she graduated with her DVM in May of 2014. Dr. Joy’s professional interests include dentistry, nutrition, and exotic animal medicine. Outside of the hospital, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling, being outdoors, yoga, and quilting.

Why did I become a veterinarian?
There was never any other path! Some of my first memories are of the utter joy I felt while in the presence of and interacting with animals. I have experienced mutual understanding and respect with them since before I could walk; an amazing bond that feeds my very soul. I want nothing more than to be an advocate for those who don’t have their own voice, and to help people recognize and nurture their own bonds with their animal companions.

Dr. Sara N. Armon, originally from the Midwest (Illinois), moved to the Wild West in the fall of 2015 shortly after graduating from the University College Dublin in Ireland. My career began in Kingman where I was a mixed animal practitioner; seeing everything from dogs and cats to horses, goats, ferrets, snakes and even the occasional rooster! Prior to becoming a veterinarian, I worked as a small animal kennel attendant and then technician for 7 years at a large hospital in Illinois. I received my Bachelors in Biology from Blackburn College, a private liberal arts school in Carlinville, Illinois.

I moved to Prescott at the beginning of 2017 in order to join the PAH team and continue my passion for all creatures great and small. My professional interests include: small animal surgery, exotic and large animal medicine, as well as hospice care. Outside of work I enjoy traveling, outdoor adventures, Cross Fit, kickboxing and live trivia. I also enjoy spending time with my animals: two cats named Tim and Charlie who came with me from Ireland and two dogs; Jesta and Dakota both whom are American.

Why did I become a veterinarian?
Ever since I can remember animals have been a part of my life! I was always bringing home strays, rescuing wildlife and trying to care for them. It wasn’t until I experienced the loss of my best fur friend that I realized becoming a veterinarian was my calling. Not only do I want to help ease the pain of a pet crossing the rainbow bridge, but also preserve the joy and happiness animals bring to people by providing quality care, education and medicine. No greater satisfaction is felt than seeing an animal returned to its owner after being treated in the hospital; butt wiggles and smiles for everyone!

Dr. Lauren A. Peters grew up in Maryland, along the Chesapeake Bay. Throughout her childhood, she spent most of her time pestering the neighbors' barn cats and horses, as she did not have any of her own. She attended Johns Hopkins University following high school and earned a B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology, before graduating early and working on a small cattle operation on the Eastern shore of Maryland. Dr. Peters was then accepted to Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterniary Medicine on the Virginia Tech campus. Dr. Peters graduated veterinary school in 2015 and immediately packed her bags to move west. She began her career in Rock Springs, Wyoming at a small mixed animal practice. After almost two years in Wyoming, Dr. Peters relocated to beautiful Prescott, Arizona, eager to begin her new employment with Prescott Animal Hospital.

In her spare time, Dr. Lauren Peters enjoys anything that involves being outdoors. Hiking, mountain biking, running, camping, and exploring her new environment are some of her favorite things to do on her days off. She has two pets of her own these days: a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed Siberian Husky named Kita and a handicapped, hair-tie eating cat named Weebles.

Why did I become a veterinarian?
When I was very young, I was sure I wanted to be a jockey, ride in the Kentucky Derby, and win. When reality set in, I was much taller than any jockey could ever be. I thought to myself, if I can't ride horses in races, I might as well be able to fix them! The idea stuck, though I became a mixed animal veterinarian rather than strictly equine. I truly enjoy medicine, the logic and problem solving that goes along with it. I love meeting new people, hearing their stories, and helping their pets!

Dr. Leigh Jason was born and raised in the Hudson Valley of New York State. She grew up around animals - numerous dogs, cats, horses, squirrels, birds and reptiles have felt her love and ministrations from the time of her youth until today. Leigh was an active member of Pony Club and owned horses beginning around age 8 and continuing until she matriculated at the University of Richmond, where she was Captain of the Richmond Equestrian Team. Dr. Jason’s undergraduate fields of study were Biology and Philosophy, and she graduated in 2005 with a double major in these disciplines.

Upon graduating from Richmond, Dr. Jason decided to enter the veterinary workforce in order to determine the extent of her passion for the profession. To that end she worked as a veterinary technician in Lexington Kentucky at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, perhaps the premier veterinary clinic in the nation addressing the needs of the racehorse industry. While there, she also was involved as a groom and handler in the racehorse auction industry at Fasig Tipton. Within a short period of time, however, her frustrations with the limits placed on her as a veterinary technician, with respect to treatment and diagnosis, convinced her that her passion for the profession was real and would not be satisfied until she attained a veterinary degree.

Leigh enrolled and 4 years later, in 2012, graduated from Ross University, with an intermediate stop at Cornell University. For the past 5 or so years, Dr. Jason worked at a busy mixed animal practice in New York, where she treated a wide range of animals and developed strong bonds with their devoted owners. It is that experience as a seasoned surgeon and diagnostician, as well as a caring and dedicated bedside manner, that Dr. Jason brings to the Prescott Animal Hospital.

Dr. Leigh Jason’s motivation as a veterinarian is to share her passion for animals with her clients and patients through the healing process. Dr. Jason believes that as caregivers to nature’s wonderful creatures, we have an obligation to provide the best life experiences possible to animals that cannot care for themselves. Especially with regard to our devoted companions, who enrich our lives in so many ways, Dr. Jason is committed to providing superior care to the patient and sympathetic understanding to the client. Visits to the vet are usually stressful situations involving a non-communicative patient and an anxious client. It is Dr. Jason’s desire that in your’s and your pet’s interactions with her, she is able to be the stabilizing force that addresses the patient’s needs in an effective and efficient manner, and the needs of the client for reassurance and information about the issue which brought the patient to Prescott Animal Hospital.

Dr. Jason and her companion, Sean Tinston, their two dogs, Nico and Toby, and their three cats, Rambo, Bart and Ralphie, recently settled in Prescott where they hope to become long-term engaged members of the community. Sean is a veteran of the Iraq war and is a master automotive technician. The two of them found the Prescott area on a vacation visit that included a visit with Dr. Skinner. They immediately became enthralled by the scenic beauty and natural wonders surrounding Prescott as well as with the opportunity to work, live and play in such special place. It took little convincing for them to decide to relocate here.

Why did I become a veterinarian?
As for why I decided to become a veterinarian, I am engaged in and endeavor to become the voice for my patients. I am devoted to doing everything I can to apply the science of veterinary medicine to address the individual needs each and every patient that visits me at Prescott Animal Hospital. That passion is innate to my sense of who I am, a sense that coalesced in me during my youth and adolescence and blossomed during my studies to become a veterinarian. I hope to fulfill that passion here in Prescott.

Dr. Lauren Taylor grew up in Lake Havasu City, AZ where she started her veterinary career as a veterinary assistant at the age of 16. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Science and Chemistry from The University of Arizona in 2011. During college, she continued to work in the veterinary field as a veterinary technician, was involved in farm animal reproductive research, and interned at Reid Park Zoo. She graduated with her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine as a part of the inaugural class at Midwestern University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018. As a veterinary student, Dr. Taylor spent part of her clinical year externing at PAH’s Equine Center and fell in love with the hospital and city. She enjoys mixed animal practice with particular interest in anesthesia, emergency medicine, and exotic animal medicine.

Why I became a veterinarian?
I was born and lived in Oceanside, CA before moving to Arizona, and spent many summers and school breaks visiting my grandparents there while growing up. My absolute favorite thing to do with my grandparents was to visit the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and Birch Aquarium, and treat the neighborhood cats as my own. It never mattered what type of animal it was, I was always fascinated by them all, their health, and conservation. I do not remember ever wanting to be anything other than a veterinarian, and my path through the veterinary field has lead me to develop a great respect for all animals; large, small, domestic, or wild.

Dr. Raegan Chambers grew up in Hanford, CA. She graduated from UC Davis with a bachelor's in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior in 2010. While attending school at UC Davis she worked as a veterinary technician at the university hospital and volunteered at the Sacramento Zoo as a zoo keeper. In 2010 Dr. Chambers was accepted to attend Midwestern University where she obtained her Master's in Biomedical Research, with her research emphasizing in Parkinson's disease. She graduated with her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine as a part of the inaugural class at Midwestern University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018. After spending several months at the PAH Equine Center during her extern year she decided Prescott was the perfect fit. Dr. Chambers loves the never ending surprises of mixed animal medicine and especially enjoys surgery, internal medicine, and neurology.

Why did I become a veterinarian?
There has not been a time in my life where I didn't want to be a veterinarian. As a little girl I was happiest when I was able to interact with animals of all types and decided early on I wanted to dedicate my life to being an advocate for their health and conservation. What I love most about veterinary medicine is being able to play a variety of different roles every day. On any given day I can go from a canine surgeon, to a feline dentist, to an equine optometrist, and on some days even a tiger anesthesiologist. I truly have one of the coolest jobs in the world.