Meet Our Team
Dr. Laura Bynum
DVM
Dr. Bynum is from Kansas City, Kansas. She graduated from Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Bachelor of Arts in Music (Piano Performance), and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. She graduated this year with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. Dr. Bynum is passionate about small animal preventative care, surgery, client education, and shelter medicine. She and her partner live in Kansas City, Kansas where they care for 2 cool cats and 1 sweet dog. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano, reading, doing yoga, and traveling.
Dr. Erin Mapes Sako
DVM
Dr. Erin Mapes Sako grew up in northeastern Indiana. When she was only 6 years old, she decided she wanted to be a veterinarian someday. Every job she had along the way through high school and college was animal-related, from working in a local mixed animal practice, to pet sitting, cleaning horse stalls, being a zookeeper caring for orangutans and tigers, working with a horse vet in Arizona, and even learning to plow fields with horses. All of these experiences fueled her drive and helped her realize her dream of becoming a veterinarian. After high school, she attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in animal science before obtaining her doctorate of veterinary medicine in 2007 from the Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine.
While in vet school, she met her husband, Jeff. After graduation, they settled in the Chicagoland area of northwest Indiana with their daughter, Kaitlyn, where they have lived until their recent move to Kansas City. Dr. Erin enjoys being with her family and spending time outdoors. Whether it’s riding horses, camping, fishing, swimming, gardening, or playing with their dogs, Dr. Sako and her family love being outside!
Ashley
RVT & Hospital Manager
Ashley is a Registered Veterinary Technician, graduating from Brown Mackie College in 2015. She joined the team February 2022 with over 7 years of veterinary experience. Born and raised in Lansing, she graduated from Lansing High School in 2010. She stays busy with her husband, 2 boys, 3 dogs and 2 cats!
Pictured with her soul dog, Nike.
Amy
Assistant Manager & Clinic Fan Girl
Amy is a native of the Kansas City area, attending high school in Weston, Mo. She graduated college at University of Central Missouri in 1995. She enjoys volunteering for veterans and animals, traveling with friends, and meeting all dogs. She joined Lansing Veterinary Hospital in 2016.
Pictured with Maya and Roscoe.
Lauren
CSR
Lauren began working at Lansing Veterinary Hospital in January 2022 as a Customer Service Representative. She is originally from Missouri and has lived in Leavenworth since 2010. She has a love for all animals.
Pictured with her dog Jonesy
Meredith Johannes
Tech Assistant
Meredith grew up on the outskirts of Kearney, MO, and has worked with animals her entire adult life. She started as an assistant at 18 years old, did reception for a short time, and even did animal control for a few years. She finally landed the role of veterinary assistant in 2016 and joined our team in January of this year. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband (a Leavenworth native!), her very old schnauzer mix, and her spicy little chihuahua.
Pictured with Finn (small dog) and Bentley (black & white dog).
Tito
Clinic Cat
Tito was found as a stray in Lansing. At the time, the shelter had no open cages so we made room for him with us. He was with us for 2 weeks and we all fell in love with him. Dr. Bruner made the command decision that we needed another office cat so she opened the cage door and that was that. He and Romeo had a few spats at first but now they are BFFs. Believe it or not, Tito was at his ideal body weight when he was found. Even though he’s on a strict diet, he finds ways to over indulge. He tries to steal food from cages, he opens bags of food from the lobby, he thinks he is starving all the time. You will usually find him up front greeting people or laying on the xerox machine. It’s exhausting begging for food all the time.
Sabrina
Clinic Cat
Sabrina came to us a few years ago to visit and never left. She’s become a wonderful co-worker and friend to Tito. She can often be found up front looking for love or dishing out sass. Otherwise, she’s snoozing in her bed in the back.
