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Meet Our Gentle Care Team

Get to know the dedicated team passionate about providing exceptional care to your beloved pets.

Our team consists of experienced veterinarians, compassionate veterinary technicians, and caring support staff,

We all work together to ensure the well-being of your furry family members. With a shared love for animals and a commitment to staying updated on the latest advancements in veterinary medicine, our team is equipped to provide personalized and comprehensive care to meet your pet’s unique needs.

Our Gentle Care Team

Dr. Bruner

Veterinarian

Dr. Bruner graduated from the University of Kansas with a B.A. in Biology in 1991 and then went on to KSU for her DVM, graduating in 1997.

She has been working with Gentle Care since January. Dr Bruner loves working with dogs and cats and has special interests in soft tissue surgery and internal medicine.

In her free time, she enjoys time at her cabin in Colorado with her husband, Mike. She has 2 grown children, 2 dogs and 2 cats.

Dr. MacLeay

Veterinarian

We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. MacLeay as the newest member of our veterinary team! A New Jersey native, Dr. MacLeay brings a wealth of experience from across the country, having practiced in Virginia, Minnesota, Colorado, North Carolina, Missouri, and Kansas. Her career has included work in large animal internal medicine, small animal nutrition, philanthropy, and now general practice

Dr. Smith

Veterinarian
I was born and raised in Shawnee, KS. I started my veterinary career at Quivira Road Animal Clinic as a kennel assistant in high school. I moved to Manhattan, KS in 2010 to attend undergraduate and veterinary school at Kansas State University. I gained more skills in the veterinary field prior to veterinary school by working at Candlewood Animal Hospital in Manhattan, KS as a veterinary assistant.

During veterinary school, I was a part of Dr. Dryden’s Flea Team and did research in Florida on flea prevention. I spent that summer learning about dermatology from a board-certified dermatologist and developed a great fondness for it.

I graduated in May of 2017 from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and spent 7 years in Topeka working at the AAHA accredited Veterinary Medical and Surgical Hospital of Topeka. While working there, I spent time expanding my skills in endoscopy, ultrasound, dental procedures, and soft tissue surgeries. I also became Penn Hip certified.

I began my time at Gardner Animal Hospital in May of 2024. There, I began to dive more into orthopedics and continued to expand my soft tissue surgical and dental procedure skills.
I am currently working on my orthopedics skills and hoping to expand what I can offer to patients in that area in the near future.
I moved back to the Kansas City area to be closer to my family. I am married with wonderful two little girls. I have two dogs, three cats, and a pet snake. I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family- camping, hunting, and fishing.
My husband wants to take an updated picture but attached you will find the picture I have from a few years ago.

Our Staff

Ashley Holt

Practice Manager

Ashley Holt-Clark is a dedicated and experienced Practice Manager at Gentle Care, where she has been an integral part of the team. Ashley’s journey in the veterinary field began with her studies in veterinary technology. However, her keen interest in the operations and management aspect of veterinary medicine led her to pursue a rewarding career in practice management. Ashley is deeply motivated by the opportunity to help animals live long, healthy lives alongside their owners. She finds it incredibly fulfilling to contribute to the growth of the clinic and the development of her staff, guiding them as they expand their expertise across various areas of the clinic. Her leadership is rooted in a genuine commitment to both patient care and team development. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys spending quality time outdoors with her children, exploring their property on a UTV, and watching her kids grow and thrive. A lifelong animal lover, Ashley is the proud owner of a horse named Apache, who she has cared for since he was just two years old.

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Jessie

Veterinary Assistant

Jessie Ray started her career at Gentle Care after moving to Lawrence in 2008. Throughout the years she has enjoyed learning all aspects of veterinary medicine. She loves being able to form lasting relationships with both Gentle Care’s clients and their pets. When not working, Jessie spends her time chasing after her two little ones and cheering on her Jayhawks and Chiefs with her husband.

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Kim

Veterinary Assistant

Kim has been at Gentle Care Animal Hospital for 7 years. When not working she enjoys spending time with her family. She has two grown dogs, Soffie and Grace, her newest edition French bulldog puppy Louis, and cat Roo.
She loves pet sitting and loves growing flowers in her garden and summertime. Her passion for all creatures big and small shows through.

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Payton

Veterinary Assistant

Payton has experience in emergency veterinary medicine and is currently studying at KU. She loves helping optimize social media outreach and has a special passion for caring for puppies. Dedicated to providing compassionate care, Payton strives to support both pets and their owners while continuing to expand her knowledge in the veterinary field.

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Lyndsey

Receptionist

As a veterinary receptionist, I enjoy helping clients and making every visit a positive experience for both pets and their families. My love of animals is what drew to me to veterinary medicine, and I enjoy being part of a team dedicated to their pet care. Ive called Lawrence Kansas my home since 2015. Outside of work, I love reading books and spending time with my two cats Ralph and Fiona. 

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