Independence Animal Hospital is proud to serve the Independence, KS area for everything pet-related. Our veterinary clinic and animal hospital is run by Dr. Bolton, Dr. Lemmons, and Dr. Woofter who are licensed, experienced Independence veterinarians. Our team is committed to educating our clients in how to keep your pets healthy year-round with good nutrition and exercise. Independence Animal Hospital stays on top of the latest advances in veterinarian technology and above all, remembers that all animals and pets need to be treated with loving care during every check-up, procedure, or surgery.
Veterinarians
Dr. Kathi Bolton, DVM
Dr. Bolton's Bio
Dr. Kathi Bolton joined Independence Animal Hospital in 2007 as an associate veterinarian. Before joining the Independence Animal Hospital staff, Dr. Bolton worked for 12 years in a four-doctor veterinary practice in Hot Springs, Arkansas specializing in small animal and exotics medicine.
Dr. Bolton works with Dr. Edward Epp and the staff to provide full-service veterinary care, which includes medicine, dentistry, surgery, in-house lab, and radiology, as well as preventive care and client education.
She was born and raised in the Fredonia, KS area and grew up on a farm that was the third largest hog farm in the state at the time. She attended Emporia State University and Kansas State University, where she received her bachelor’s degree and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
Dr. Bolton has returned to the family farm. She enjoys fishing, acrylic painting, woodworking, carpentry, doing wildlife rehabilitation, working with raptors, and taking care of her own fish, chickens, turkeys, cockatiels, several reptiles, and numerous dogs and cats.
Dr. Ashley Lemmons, DVM
Dr. Lemmons Bio
Dr. Ashley Lemmons, originally from Northwest Missouri, completed her bachelor’s degree and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State University. She enjoys caring for all kinds of animals, providing both acupuncture and alternative therapies in addition to traditional medicine. Dr. Lemmons knew as a young child that she wanted to work with animals. She interned with a veterinary doctor in her sophomore year of college and knew she’d found her passion. With an interest in acupuncture, she joined her vet school’s holistic club and went on to study at Chi University in Florida. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and hiking with her husband. A recent trip to Acadia, Maine, is her favorite destination so far. and spending time with her dog, two horses, three cats, and rabbit.
Dr. Woofter, DVM
Dr. Woofter Bio
I am originally from South-central Wisconsin. I graduated from UW-Platteville with a major in Biology and then moved to Kansas (KS) in 2018 for veterinary school. I graduated from KSU-CVM in 2022. While attending vet school, I met my husband, and we got married during my 4th year. Although I’ve worked with a wide variety of domestic and exotic species, my main area of interest is livestock medicine (cows, goats, sheep, and pigs) because I truly enjoy herd health management and helping producers achieve the highest level of success with their businesses. Something I’m eager to expand my knowledge in is small and large animal surgery so that I can offer more specialized procedures for my patients. In my spare time, I enjoy camping, hiking, kayaking, fishing, archery, gardening, cooking, antique shopping, spending time with my animals, and riding motorcycles with my husband.
Veterinary Technicians
Allie, RVT
TyLynn, RVT
Stephanie, RVT
Natasha
Abigail
Practice Manager
Laci
Kennel Technicians
Elizabeth
Receptionists
Jade
TEAM BIOS
Allie - Lead RVT
Allie has been with Independence Animal Hospital since 2013. She graduated from the Independence Community College Vet Tech program in 2013. Her education paired with her endless love and passion for animals makes her a great asset to the IAH team.
In Allie’s spare time, she loves to spend time at home with her family. Her immediate family consists of Morgan; Boozer, their 13-year-old Basset Hound; Lucky, their 12-year-old lab; Willow, their 2-year-old lab; and all their kitties, Flip, Frank, Khloe, Myles, and Stormy. Allie has always had a love for animals, and she always knew this would be what she does. Her hobbies include the Kansas Jayhawks, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Royals, She loves traveling and tries to go to Florida at least once a year when she isn’t traveling or at a ballgame. She enjoys walking the dogs and playing with the cats.
TyLynn - RVT
TyLynn has been with Independence Animal Hospital since 2011. She started working for IAH when she was a sophomore in high school. She graduated from the Independence Community College Vet Tech program in 2017. Her education and work ethic along with her love for animals, especially cows, allow her to enjoy what she does to the fullest.
In TyLynn’s free time, she loves to go riding in her buggy with her boyfriend, Talon. If they aren’t out riding, you can find them at the lake on the pontoon. TyLynn and Talon are parents to 10-year-old coonhound named Chevy and a 9-year-old Heinz 57 named Daisy, along with their sibling kitties, Billie, Bob and Kitten Poo, and two peacocks, Bonnie and Clyde.
Stephanie - RVT
Stephanie has been with Independence Animal Hospital since 2019. She graduated from the Independence Community College Vet Tech program in 2019. Stephanie’s ability to think outside the box and her laid back, calm, cool, and collected personality is just what this team needs on our busiest of days.
Stephanie’s quirky and sarcastic personality fit in just right with the rest of us of here at IAH. When she is not working here, she is spending time with her family and her church family or working out at the gym or playing with her black lab, Lily. She enjoys trying new recipes and finding different ways to stay motivated for her daily workouts.
Natasha - VT
Natasha (AKA Nash) has been with Independence Animal Hospital since 2018. She graduated from the Independence Community College Vet Tech program in 2018. Her education and deep connection with and love of animals are what give her the drive to do her best work here at IAH. She brings much joy to the team and is an excellent role model in showing love for the animals and clients in her care.
In Nash’s free time, you can find her parasailing at Lake Tahoe or hiking the canyons and deserts of Las Vegas. If she isn’t traveling, she is caring for all her furbabies: Baby Girl, Cooper, Delilah, Hank, Jersey, Juniper, Lucy, Toby, Tux, and Zara. She also enjoys trying different foods and could eat the hot dog champion of the world under the table!
Abigail - VT
Bio coming soon!
Laci - Practice Manager
Laci has been working in veterinary medicine since 2017, as an assistant for two years and front desk receptionist for three, and has since taken on the role of practice manager. The best part of her job is her passion and love for caring for the animals and making sure our clients feel good about the services they were provided. She loves everyone she works with and enjoys the camaraderie between the team at Independence Animal Hospital.
In her spare time, she is a very busy mom of three kids, Maddy, Mattox, and Maesyn. Finishing up her family is her husband, Jay, and her cat Binx She also has a grandkitty named Karl. All of her animals are hazards of the job and were brought home due to needing a home through work.
Laci’s hobbies include going to her children’s sporting events. Maddy, a college student. Mattox runs track, Maesyn goes to gymnastics, softball and volleyball to top it all off. When Laci isn’t cheering on one of her kiddos, she likes to ride her side by side with her husband and attend music festivals and concerts.
Jade - Receptionist
Jade has been with the IAH team since 2020. She came to us with hopes to further her education in veterinary medicine. She is learning and catching on quickly. She has been a longtime client of IAH, and we couldn’t be happier to have as part of the team!
In Jade’s spare time, she loves to read and go hiking with her BFF, Jackson, who is a two-year-old collie mix. You can also find her traveling around the country finding new adventures. She loves spending time with her friends and family the most!
Linus – Clinic Cat
Linus' Bio
Linus was admitted to our hospital in 2016. He came to us injured from being caught in a running car engine. He was soon surrendered to us, when we tended to his invasive wounds for several months. Dr. Epp thought he was such a good patient that we would just adopt him as our clinic cat. He has been with us ever since. He is a very laid back, lazy but handsome kitty. He keeps us all in line here at IAH, and he trolls the clinic daily, eating all the fur balls off the floor and making sure all the doctors and techs are doing what they are supposed to be doing. He gets lots of love from all the clients and lots of treats, too!