Staff

Mike Tarrant DVM, CVA, CVCHM (IVAS),Graduate Diploma VCHM (CIVT)

Owner/Head Veterinarian
Mike grew up in a small farming town in Oklahoma. He attended college at the University of Kansas and Oklahoma State University where he graduated in 2003 as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). Mike worked in a mixed animal practice for 3 years and then he decided to open Arbor Creek Animal Hospital in 2006. Opening Arbor Creek Animal Hospital would enable him to provide high quality medicine in a family friendly and warm environment. Some of Dr. Tarrant’s professional interests include anesthesia and pain management, dentistry, nutrition, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Dr. Tarrant became certified in Veterinary Acupuncture in 2004 through the International Association of Acupuncture and received his certifications in Chinese Herbal Therapy in 2013. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Kansas Veterinary Medical Association, Kansas City Veterinary Medical Association, International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and the Olathe Chamber of Commerce. When not at work, he enjoys time with his family and friends, watching movies, motorsports, archery, helping his 2 boys with music lessons and learning guitar. Mike is also restoring his 1966 Chevelle in his garage.

Pamela S. Smith DVM, CVA

Associate Veterinarian
In September of 2013, Dr. Smith joined the practice at Arbor Creek Animal Hospital. She graduated from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984 and has been a practicing veterinarian ever since. She has been involved in many aspects of veterinary medicine over the years, and has enjoyed learning from patients, clients, colleagues, and respected mentors. She became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist in 2011 at Colorado State University, and has seen the benefits of adding acupuncture to her pain management protocol. She is especially interested in relieving chronic pain in our older pets using a combination of medication (both traditional and herbal), acupuncture, laser therapy, supplements, and diets. “The profession of veterinary medicine has changed so dramatically over the years with improved medicine, surgery, preventative medicine, the huge growth and acceptance of alternative methods of therapy, and it has opened up a wide avenue of options to improve both the length and the quality of life for our four-legged friends that they deserve. Arbor Creek Animal Hospital has the perfect blend of traditional and alternative veterinary practice, and we work together as a team to come up with a plan to help your pet live longer, healthier and more pain-free lives.” Dr. Smith has two grown children, Emma and Grant, and of course, her 4 year old Chihuahua, “Ollie”.

Matt Mayerske DVM

Full Time Veterinarian
Dr. Mayerske graduated from Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. He served in the US Army Veterinary Corps as a Captain from 2002 to 2005, as base veterinarian at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas and Millington Naval Support Activity in Tennessee. He learned a lot from his time in the military and is proud to have served his country. Right out of the military, Matt had dreams of owning a veterinary practice in his hometown of Pittsburg, KS. He proceeded to purchase land and prepared to build. While preparing for that chapter, he worked in the Kansas City area as a relief veterinarian for a few months and fell in love with the area. He took a position in Prairie Village as an Associate Veterinarian at an established practice and worked there for 7 years prior to starting Elite Animal Care, a mobile veterinary concierge service that he has owned since 2010. He also was the staff veterinarian at a large boarding facility in Olathe for 7 years. Dr. Mayerske resides in Olathe with his wife, Jackie, who has been a reading specialist with the Olathe School district since 2012. They share their home with 2 small dogs, Zorro and Lulu, who bring them much happiness and are doted over daily. Matt is also quite blessed to have his parents and sister and her family live in the surrounding community. Jackie and Matt enjoy keeping up with the local sports scene in Kansas City and are active supporters of the Chiefs and Royals. They celebrate times with family and friends and try to make the most of want Kansas City has to offer when together.

John H.

Veterinary Technician
John has lived in the Overland Park/Olathe area since 1977. He loves living in Kansas City, but could do without the freezing cold winters we have. John started his Veterinary Technician career in September of 1988 in Overland Park, Kansas. He attended Kansas State University and has two degrees in Business and Business Administration Management, however, he has found he loves working with the animals more. He has 2 dogs, Lillie (a Catahoula Leopard Brindle) and Maddie (an Australian Shepherd). He also has a cat named Puma. In March of 2019, he married the love of his life, Julie, and they combined their family of two sons and a daughter, Griffin, Jessica and Matthew. John loves spending as much time as possible with his family and friends by exploring new restaurants and going to the Royals, Chiefs and Sporting KC games.

Stevey M.

Veterinary Technician
Stevey began her Arbor Creek career in May of 2020. She loves all animals, but has a soft spot for the weird ones. Stevey is dedicated to giving the best care to all of our patients, specifically enjoying assisting in surgeries. She shares her home with her husband, Ty and their son, Kam, who you might catch assisting during appointments as well! In her time away from the clinic, she enjoys going to concerts and traveling to see her best friend (previous receptionist, Aleena), as well as spending time with her 2 rescues dogs Will and Skye, retired k9, Zeke and k9 in training, Chapo.

Dawn W-B.

Receptionist
Dawn joined Arbor Creek as a receptionist when she decided to make a career change after over 20 years of assisting people with intellectual disabilities. Always an animal lover, she goes home to her own small zoo: a bearded dragon, Donkey; two crested geckos, Moose and Squirrell; a betta fish, Kitty; two dogs, Reggie and Gmork; a husband; and two kids, all of whom rely heavily on her for their day to day survival. While her family firmly believes her hobby is doing laundry, she actually prefers good books, board games with friends, and live music.

Katie H.

Receptionist
Katie was born, and raised in Dodge City, KS. She worked at the public library there for six years, until relocating to the Kansas City metro to be with her fiancé Rusty. Katie, and Rusty enjoy going on fishing, and hiking trips, or just lounging at home with their cat Buck. They also enjoy saving animals! In the three years that Katie, and Rusty have lived in the KC Metro they have saved; three baby raccoons, and around ten cats, and kittens, by nursing them back to health, and rehoming them! Katie also enjoys movies, and reading in her alone time.

Pamela T.

Receptionist
Pam was raised in Northeastern Pennsylvania, where she played field hockey and basketball in high school and college, as well as officiating high school volleyball. As she says "That explains why my legs have decided to go on strike in my senior years!" She raised her two sons Dan and Josh after the death of their Dad, then went back to school in her 30's to get a nursing degree from Mohegan College in Connecticut. She worked for over 25 years as a Hospice RN and Director. After "failing" her first retirement attempt, she went to work in client services at a local veterinary practice for 13 years. During that time she volunteered with two cat rescues where she fostered and found homes for over 50 cats...mostly the old, "unadoptable" ones. In 2021, she retired (again) and moved to Kansas to be near her son Dan and his family. Josh is still in PA but they talk often. She "failed" retirement (again) and came to Arbor Creek in early 2022. In her spare time she hangs out with her grandkids, Emma and Hanna, her dog Bennett and cat Blaire, and also volunteers at Kitty City Kansas Cat Rescue.