Dr. Leslie Winner
Education: DVM at OSU
Interests: Small Animal Medicine
Dr. Winner lives in Egypt, Ohio with her husband of 30 years, Jon Werling. She and Jon have 2 children, Sam and Sophie. Their pet rescue family consists of 5 dogs, 6 cats . Leslie graduated from Coldwater High School. She acquired a B.S. in Natural Resources from OSU in 1989 and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association and Animal Resource Foundation along with other animal rescue agencies. She is also a member of the Southwestern Auglaize Co Chamber of Commerce. On a personal note, Les enjoys vacationing and camping with her family and she is involved in St. Augustine Catholic Church.
Leslie has been practicing Veterinary Medicine in the area for the past 30 years and is licensed and accredited in both Ohio and Indiana. Her practice is accredited and a member of AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association). She is certified in Fear Free and Low Stress Handling for Companion Animals. Dr Winner graduated from CRI (Canine Rehabilitation Institute) as a CCRT (Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist) in 2020. Dr. Winner is known for the personalized care she gives all of her patients and their owners. Her exceptional diagnostic abilities set her apart in her profession. She is always looking for the answers with a focus on preventative care and quality of life. Starting her own practice, Mile Creek Animal Hospital, named after the family farm, is a dream fulfilled.
Dr. Deb Welsh, DVM
Dr. Deb Welsh grew up in Mercer County graduating in 1982 from CelinaSenior High School. After completing a bachelors degree in nursing she worked as a Pediatric RN for 8 years. Looking for a change, she then graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996 and has absolutely loved working with cats, dogs and their families in a variety of small animal practices throughout the US. Dr.Welsh has special interests in feline medicine, behavioral issues, preventative medicine and general nutrition. She is Fear Free and LowStress Handling certified and is a member of the OVMA and AVMA.
She and her husband, Matt have raised 4 awesome kids and currently have several pets – a fun loving Golden Retriever and 3 very privileged and personable cats. When she’s not working, she loves spending time with friends and family, working on their old farmhouse, gardening, exercising, hiking and cooking.Dr. Welsh joined Mile Creek Animal Hospital in 2016 and is very honored to be part of such a wonderful team.
Sarah Kittle, RVT
Registered Veterinary Technician
Education: Columbus State Community College, A.A.S. in Veterinary Technology
Interests: Client Education
Sarah graduated in 2004 from Columbus State Community College with an Applied Associate of Science degree in Veterinary Technology. She has been applying her knowledge and compassionate care to the veterinary industry for more than 20 years. A life-long animal lover, she is a former 4-H member and advisor (horses) and her career path started out in several mixed-animal practices. Sarah landed firmly in small animal medicine in 2011 and has been with Mile Creek Animal Hospital from the beginning, having previously worked with Dr. Winner. Veterinary technicians possess a wide range of skills that are essential to ensuring the well-being of their patients. From administering medications and vaccines to monitoring anesthesia, assisting in surgeries and providing critical post-operative care. Sarah is passionate about preventative medicine, recognizing the body language of pain and fear, and educating clients. She is Low Stress Handling-Silver Level and Fear Free Handling certified. She believes in the importance of strengthening the human-animal bond to benefit the pet and pet owner, knowing the joy, comfort, and support that pets bring to our lives.
Emma Pax
Registered Veterinary Technician
Education: Sinclair Community College, A.A.S. in Veterinary Technology
Emma is currently working towards receiving her specialty license in behavior as a RVT. She will also be attending a behavior training facility to become a professional dog trainer. She graduated in May 2024 with an Associates of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology. She graduated from Upper Valley Career Center and Botkins High School in 2022. At UVCC she was a part of their Veterinary Science program. Through this program she discovered her love for helping animals. Emma has a labrador retriever mix named Beau. In her free time Emma still volunteers her time to 4-H as an advisor. She also spends a lot of her free time being outside. Emma loves to go kayaking, camping, and hiking.
Kennedy Stachler
Registered Veterinary Technician
Education: Morehead State University, A.A.S in Veterinary Technology
I am currently working towards my bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology. While I am waiting to sit for my board’s exam here in the next coming months. I graduated from Mississinawa Valley High School in 2022 and from Morehead State University in 2025. I have always had a love for animals through all the livestock that we had on our family farm while I was growing up. Through FFA I was a part of our veterinary science team and grew my love for working with animals and animal medicine. In my free time I spend my time helping on our family farm anywhere that is needing assistance.
Michelle Jutte
Practice Manager
Michelle currently lives in Carthagena, Ohio with her rescue dog Olivia and 2 cats, Kimber, and Socks. She has 2 daughters, Maranda, and Briana, and 5 amazing grandchildren. She is a 1985 graduate from Delphos Jefferson Sr. High School. She decided to further her education and in 2016 she graduated with honors from James A. Rhodes State College with an Associate of Applied Business with a focus on Human Resource Management and is looking to achieve her next goal in becoming a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM). Michelle began her career at Mile Creek Animal Hospital in February 2021 and brought with her almost 9 years of experience in the veterinary industry.
Outside of work her favorite thing to do is traveling to visit her children and grandchildren who now live in Tennessee and Georgia, and since her youngest daughter is in the military she has had the opportunity to see some amazing places. She is an avid DIY’er, and loves to read anything from mystery, thriller, to romance.
Melissa Scearce
Veterinary Assistant
Hi! I’m Melissa and I’ve been at Mile Creek Animal Hospital since 2019. Working and caring for animals has always been a huge dream of mine since I was a little girl.
When my classmates were busy playing “house”, I was gathering all the stuffed animals, toy stethoscope and thermometer, put on some ridiculous over-sized Tshirt that I’d pretend were scrubs, and would play “vet.” I grew up in Vandalia Ohio where I scored my first job as an 11 year old, caring for children at my church and with that came so. much. babysitting! I loved it though. It led me to work at a few different early learning centers over the next several years. As fulfilling as it was, I had the opportunity to become part of Mile Creek’s team and I was not about to pass it up. I absolutely love what I do.
It’s challenging and there are many opportunities to learn. Dr. Winner and Dr. Welsh gently cares for my 2 dogs and 4 cats while educating myself to be the best fur mom I can be!
Lisa Faust
Rehabilitation Coordinator
Lisa operates the Canine Rehabilitation Department at Mile Creek Animal Hospital. The Rehabilitation Department works to promote more rapid recovery from neurological, orthopedic disorders and surgery. Plus it can help avoid complications associated with a prolonged inability to walk. In otherwise healthier patients, the therapy can improve or maintain strength, stamina and body condition. Lisa and Dr Leslie enjoy their workplace with the clients to help pets restore their abilities to function daily with families. Lisa is Low Stress Handling and Fear Free Handling certified.
Additionally, Lisa is a Master Instructor for the PET TECH eight-hour PETSAVER ™ Pet First Aid Course and a 3-day Instructor Training. She has worked in a retail environment as a corporate field trainer for over 22 years before starting as a pet services company in 2004 in Denver, CO. This experience enabled her to bring Mile Creek Animal Hospital the skills to help daily operations of our two facilities. In 2015, she completed course work, study & testing for certification as a National Registry Medical Technician (EMT-B) with volunteers locally. EMS squad performance is done in her spare time. Lisa resides near Celina, Ohio with her partner Kathy of 34+ years; with a rescued canine named Clover and 3 “saved-from-danger” felines named Ruth-Bader, Gouda and Simon!
Aria Sutter
Paw Purs Place Client Coordinator
Aria is a high school graduate from Minster High School, Class of 2018. She attended Purdue University in veterinary nursing and is continuing education in animal behaviors as well as leadership. She started her career with us back in 2015, branching out in 2020 to expand her skills in the medical field and operations management, while working with endangered horses. Her love of animals and family has returned her back home for her next steps in life; which includes welcoming their first born daughter in spring of 2025.
Aria and her husband reside in Fort Recovery, Ohio. This includes their newest baby to join the pack of two dogs, four cats, two lizards, and the occasional fosters.
