HOSPITAL STAFF

Our Hospital Veterinary Team

Our compassionate team at Magic Valley Veterinary Hospital, prides themselves in taking the time needed to provide knowledgeable care by utilizing modern technology, medications, and methods. With dependable abilities and a delicate gentle touch, we care for your dogs as if they were our own pets.

Magic Valley Veterinary Hospital Room

MEET OUR CARING VETERINARY STAFF IN TWIN FALLS, ID

Magic Valley Veterinary Hospital in Twin Falls, ID is here to provide the best services possible to your animals at an affordable price. Our veterinarians will dedicate the time needed to deliver the most expert care available by utilizing state-of-the-art technology and techniques. We treat your pets as if they were our own with trusted skills and a gentle touch.

Our Veterinarians

Dr Connie Rippel
DR. CONNIE RIPPEL

Dr. Connie Rippel knew she wanted to be a veterinarian from a very early age.  In kindergarten, she drew a picture (stick figure of course) of what she wanted to be when she grew up and it was a veterinarian.  As a kid she worked as a kennel person for a local veterinarian as well as at the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas where she grew up.

She went to the University of Wyoming for her undergraduate studies and then back to Kansas State University where she graduated from veterinary school in 1988.  She moved to Twin Falls right out of college and worked at Green Cross Veterinary Hospital before opening up Magic Valley Veterinary Hospital in 1992.  She loves having the opportunity to see so many different pets and people.  She has been seeing some of her clients for over 30 years now and has watched some of them grow up since their parents are also clients.  It really does feel like we are all part of a big family.

In her free time she loves going on walks with her dogs as well as spending time taking care of her lawn and gardens.  Backpacking and hiking with her spouse and dog is a passion, but she laughingly admits that the backpacking trips have less altitude gain and are shorter than they used to be .  Much of her free time is spent with family and with her many nieces and nephews.

Dr Paula Cox
DR. PAULA COX

Dr. Paula Cox is an east coast transplant. But since she has been here since 1995, she can call Idaho home. Dr. Cox earned her undergraduate degree from Duke University in 1985. She then attended graduate school in New Orleans at Tulane University. In 1990 Dr. Cox received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from North Carolina State University.

While in veterinary school, Dr. Cox met and married her husband, Jay. After graduation, they moved to Wisconsin to start their veterinary careers. They enjoy hiking, fishing, and outdoor sports, but five long winters on Lake Michigan were enough. On to Idaho!

Dr. Cox joined the staff of Magic Valley Veterinary Hospital in June 1995. She enjoys the challenges of internal medicine and surgery. She appreciates seeing a wide variety of patients and spending time with their owners. When not at work, Dr. Cox can be found with her husband, two children, or any combination of dogs, cats, or cows.

Dr. Lisa Latshaw
DR. LISA LATSHAW
Dr. Lisa Latshaw was born, raised, and educated in Pennsylvania. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1985. She’s been working at Magic Valley since 2006. When not working, she can be found swimming, bicycling, running, skiing, or scuba diving.
Dr. Laura Schultz
DR. Laura Schultz

Dr. Laura Schultz moved to Twin Falls from Kansas after finishing veterinary school at Kansas State University and joined the Magic Valley Veterinary Hospital team in 2022. She attended Kansas State University in undergrad and got a degree in Animal Science. As a new graduate, she is excited to connect with clients and their furry friends. She grew up in Wichita, Kansas, and played volleyball and softball until she graduated high school. This helped instill Dr. Schultz’s love for working with a team. She has a passion for providing her patients with the best care possible while also providing a comfortable environment.

In her free time, Dr. Schultz enjoys exploring Idaho with her husband, Jordan, and two dogs, Otis and Cricket. During the winter months, you can find Dr. Schultz on the mountain, snowboarding with her husband.

Our Veterinary Care Staff

Michelle
MICHELLE, CVT

Michelle is a licensed veterinary technician. She started working for Magic Valley Veterinary Hospital in 1995 as a kennel assistant and found she enjoyed working in the veterinary hospital surrounded by animals and science. She graduated at the top of her class from the College of Southern Idaho Veterinary Technology Program as a member of the very first graduating class. She is an active advocate for the Vet Tech profession. She helped form the Idaho State Veterinary Technician & Assistant Association while in school and, after graduation, started the ISVTA Magic Valley Chapter and held the presidency for several years. Michelle is passionate about teaching and stays involved with the upcoming vet techs by sitting on the Advisory Board for CSI Vet Tech Program. When interns pass through the clinic, she enjoys helping them learn and sharing her love for their chosen career. You can always tell when she is working because she is generally chatting and singing whichever song suddenly pops into her head.

Michelle is married and has 2 grown children. Her favorite past time away from work includes being out in the sun fishing ( both locally & ocean), walking her beloved golden retrievers (Ole & Perry), chasing her gangster of a little dog (Capone, a chihuahua), spending time with her family, and going on Harley adventures with her husband, Darrin.

Of course, she is always hoping for world peace!

Connie
CONNIE, CVT
Connie is a licensed veterinary technician. She was born and raised in Idaho. She left after graduating from high school and came back in 1993. She started at Magic Valley Veterinary Hospital in 1997 as a kennel worker/veterinary assistant. She started college in 2004 and graduated as a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) from the College of Southern in 2011.

She loves reading, downhill skiing, camping, and traveling to see her family.

Kim
KIMBERLY, CVT

Kimberly has been working as a vet tech and receptionist at MVVH since 2006 and has worked in the veterinary industry since 2000. She feels rewarded by the challenges and really enjoys opportunities to assist our patients and their owners. She loves dogs, but cats will always hold a special place in her heart. She currently has two at home that appreciates a very spoiled life.

Mariah
Mariah, CVT

Originally from Washington, Mariah moved to the Twin Falls area in 2004. She graduated from the Vet Tech program at CSI in 2017 but has worked at Magic Valley Vet since 2016. She currently lives in Jerome with her boyfriend, four cats, a dog, a snake, and several saltwater fish. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, wood burning, working on home improvement projects, and taking her cat for walks.

Angela
Angela, CVT

Angela is a licensed veterinary technician. She had dreamed of becoming one since kindergarten and is so proud to be the first in her family to graduate college at the College of Southern Idaho. She will continue her education at the University of Idaho to better understand animal behavior and nutrition. She will be returning to Magic Valley Veterinary Hospital after completing her education. In Angela’s spare time, she loves spending time with her family, shopping, and taking long road trips.

Marie
Marie, CVT

Marie Hoffman has been working at MVVH since 2018. She graduated from CSI’s Vet Tech Program in 2019. She has two dogs and a bearded dragon.

Christine
Christine, Vet Assistant
Christine moved here from Henderson, Nevada, where she worked as a vet assistant at a feline-only hospital for five years, where she was trained in fear-free handling and became very comfortable with cats. She has three dogs and two cats and really enjoys adventures with her dogs. She loves to read, draw and spend time with her granddaughter.
Alicia
Alicia, Vet Assistant

Alicia has worked in the veterinary field since 2018. Born and raised in East Idaho, she loves the outdoors, especially horseback riding. Aside from being very passionate about the veterinary field, Alicia is also a mother and wife. She loves spending time with her husband and 2 children, as well as her animals, 2 dogs and 1 cat. Alicia prides herself on treating every animal she comes into contact with as her own.

Jessika Kemp
Jessika, Assistant
Hi, my name is Jessika. I am new to Magic Valley Veterinary Hospital and have enjoyed my time here. I have worked in the Veterinary world for about 3 years. I came to Twin Falls for school, and am currently attending CSI. I love trying new things. I enjoy fine arts such as music, dance, and art. I also love the outdoors and spending time with my friends and family.
Joshua, Vet Tech Student

Joshua recently moved to Twin Falls, Idaho to study Veterinary Technology at the Collge of Southern Idaho. He has been with Magic Valley Veterinary Hospital since October 2022.

Avery
Avery, Vet Tech Student

My name is Avery. I am currently a second-year student in the CSI Veterinary Technology Program. I will soon be done with school and taking my boards to become a certified technician. I’m originally from Nampa, ID, and recently moved to Twin Falls for school. I started working at MVVH during my first externship in the summer, and really enjoyed it and wanted to stay. I have a dog and a cat of my own that are very spoiled. In my spare time, I like to pursue my other passion for photography.

Sarah
Sarah, Kennel Assistant
My name is Sarah, I am a kennel assistant at MVVH. I started working in July of 2022 and have very much enjoyed the time I have spent here. In my free time, I enjoy taking my dogs for hikes, spending time with friends and family, going on road trips or traveling, doing art, and designing tattoos. I’ve lived in Twin Falls, Idaho, my entire life and am happy to be a part of such an amazing team.
Abigail
Abby, Receptionist

Bio coming soon!

Christine
Wilma, Clinic Mascot
Wilma joined Magic Valley Veterinary Hospital as a young kitten who was found badly injured by the road and brought to us by a good samartian. She specializes in entertaining our clients by being adorable in one of our front windows and taunting other cats at the hospital. Her attitude is very much, “You may look, but do not touch”, which only makes us, her care givers, feel that much more delighted when she request extra attention. She really is one of a kind and we look forawrd to many more shared years.