Meet Our Team at Verden
When you walk in the door, you’ll feel the warmth of our team and the passion we have for our clients and their animals. The team here is a tight nit family and when you become one of our clients, we like to think of you as part of our family too.
Our Doctors
Dr. Jake Brown
Veterinarian
I grew up on a cow-calf ranch in southwest Missouri raising charolais-cross cattle. As I grew up, I realized the impact a veterinarian can have on both the people and cattle within an operation. This impact was the driving force behind my choice to become a veterinarian. I graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelors in Animal Sciences in 2018 to be followed by a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and Masters of Business Administration in 2022. When not at work I enjoy hunting, fishing, and woodworking. I am the proud owner of a Catahoula Leopard Dog, Icsi, and my Ragdoll cat, Freya.
Dr. Jessica Stone
Veterinarian
I grew up in rural Southern Illinois. I graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with my bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness with an emphasis in Animal Science and a biology minor. I received my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri. I love being a mixed animal veterinarian because of the variety of work I see and the people I get to meet. When I’m not at the clinic I enjoy spending time with my dog and my cat, Maya and Nigel.
Dr. Clay McKinney
Veterinarian, Owner
Dr. McKinney was raised in northeast Oklahoma. He grew up watching his father practice veterinary medicine. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2005 from Oklahoma State University. After graduation, he practiced in the flint hills of Kansas for 2 1⁄2 years. In the fall of 2007, Dr. McKinney moved his wife and children to Chickasha and began practicing at Verden Veterinary Clinic with Dr. Bruss Horn. Dr. McKinney enjoys working in a true mixed animal clinic and the challenges associated with being versed in the treatment of multiple species. He and his wife Holly, have been married for 22 years and have 3 children, Logan, Keaton and Cooper. He enjoys fishing, upland game hunting and training pointing dogs.
Our Staff
Diana Barber
Receptionist / Groomer
Hello my name is Diana. I grew up on a dairy farm in California until I was in the 6th grade then moved to Oklahoma for 5 years then moved back to California. I became a dog groomer and have been doing that for 9 years. In 2018 I moved back here and groomed for a short time before starting at this clinic in March 2020. When I’m not at the clinic I enjoy my time with my family and pets.
Silke Barthelme
Office Manager
I was born in Germany and came to the US in ’94. I lived in Kansas for 18 years before moving to Oklahoma.
I have been in the veterinary field for 23 years. I started as a receptionist and worked my way up thru the exam rooms to surgery, to office manager.
I enjoy working with animals and that flows over in to my personal life. I’m glad my husband is an animal lover also (he won’t admit to that). We have 14 horses which several of them are rescue horses out of the slaughter pipeline, 6 dogs, 2 cats and we raise longhorn cattle.
In my spare time I run my own business as a massage therapist, quilt, crochet, paint, work in my flower beds and many more things. But my favorite thing is spending time with my husband, children and grandchildren.
Lexi Lara
Veterinary Technician
I am originally from Ninnekah, Oklahoma. I graduated college from the OSU Veterinary Technician Program in 2015, and I have been a registered Veterinary Technician for the past 7 years.
After graduating, I worked in the surgery department for the OSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital. My areas of interest at the time involved orthopedics and bandaging/wound care management.
My husband and I made the decision to move closer to family in 2020. I am so happy to have the opportunity to care for clients in my hometown area. It means so much to be able to give back to the community I grew up in.
My outside of work hobbies include anything outdoors, reading, or spending time with my husband and our fur babies.
SeAnna Mantooth
Veterinary Assistant
My name is SeAnna Mantooth. I have worked for Alliance as a large animal veterinarian assistant for over a year now. Growing up on a farm I always loved riding horses with my father and eight siblings. I enjoy learning about the medical side of an animal’s life as well as cracking the occasional joke with the other employees, and now, friends on the job.
Jillian Stanley
Veterinary Assistant and Kennel Technician
Hi! My name is Jillian Stanley, and I’m 18 years old. I grew up in Yukon and graduated not only from the highschool there, but also Canadian Valley Technology Center with a license in Cosmetology. Currently, I attend the University of Science and Arts during the day where I’m pursuing a degree in Environmental Science in hopes of becoming a Marine Biologist. After school, I work as a Vet Assistant and Kennel Technician through the clinic!
At the end of the day I usually draw and look after my tank full of vibrant fish before playing with my shelter cat, Serafina.
Leila Wedel
Veterinary Assistant
My name is Leila Wedel, and I started as a veterinary assistant at this clinic in October of 2020. When I was younger, my sister and I always tried to nurse any sick or suffering creature back to health—bunnies, kittens, chicks, dogs, even a mouse once. Right now I have one dog, her name is Pupples. She is a parvo survivor, and quite possibly my biggest fan.
I am currently enrolled in an online high school program and upon graduating I hope to go on to tech school and become a Registered Veterinary Technician. I am so proud to be a part of this team; the veterinarians and my coworkers here are the most supportive people and I wouldn’t trade my job for anything. I am eager to continue learning and working hard for each of you as our clients and your pets!
Jayden Hill
Lab Tech/Veterinary Assistant
Hi! My name is Jayden Hill, I am 23 years old. I work at the Verden Vet Clinic as a lab tech and Veterinary Assistant. I attended school at Morris high school and after that I attended Connors State College to obtain an associates degree in science. I have a two year old son Capper Joe, who I love to spend time with. I have two rescue dogs that go everywhere I go, and I also enjoy riding horses, gardening or anything outside.