Caring. Talented. Dedicated. The team at Buck Creek wakes up in the morning to make sure your pet receives the best care there is, every time.
Doctors
Dr. Chelsea Garner
We are very excited to welcome Dr. Chelsea Garner to our awesome team of veterinarians! You may have already met or seen Dr. Chelsea around when she was previously interning at our office over the past couple of summers and we couldn’t be happier to have her join us full time!
Dr. Chelsea grew up on a small grain and livestock farm near Linton, Indiana. She was an active member in 4-H and FFA. Most of her high school years were filled with caring for and showing livestock at the annual county fair.
Dr. Chelsea graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in 2016, and then from the University of Illinois with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. Her main areas of interest include ophthalmology, dermatology, and preventative medicine.
In her free time, Dr. Chelsea enjoys hiking, baking, trying new foods, and spending time with her husband (just married September 2020!) and their two cats, Tux and Navy. Dr. Chelsea and her husband, Jack, also love to travel to new places.
Dr. Chelsea looks forward to meeting you and your beloved pets!
Dr. Doug Schweikhardt
Dr. Doug Schweikhardt grew up in northern Rush County where his family farmed; it is here that he first began working with animals at a young age. He graduated from Tri High School in 1973, afterwards attending Purdue University to study veterinary medicine. He graduated with a doctorate of veterinary medicine in 1979.
He and his wife Ruth (Edwards) were married in 1982 and they opened Buck Creek Veterinary Clinic in 1983. They have two grown sons, Shawn who lives in Plainfield, In. with his wife Shelby and Ryan, who lives in Rushville, IN. They currently live near Mays and share their home with two happy Golden Retrievers, Teddy & Apollo. Dr. Schweikhardt and his family are active church members and feel blessed to be able to serve the Lord through the animals he has created and be a part of such a wonderful community.
Dr. Schweikhardt continues to love serving our community in providing compassionate, professional, and current veterinary care.
He and Ruth are excited about the services that are able to be offered by the current staff of full-time and part-time veterinarians, which includes Dr. Schweikhardt, Dr. Hineman, Dr. Caldwell, Dr. Ritter, and relief veterinarian, Dr. Klemens. The doctors and the rest of the team look forward to serving the patients and clients of Buck Creek Veterinary Clinic with compassion and professionalism.
Dr. Marti Caldwell
Dr. Marti Caldwell joined the team at Buck Creek Veterinary Clinic in 2009 and continues to work part time. She received her doctorate of veterinary medicine from Purdue University in 1974. She and her husband Dave have been married for over 50 years and have two children. Their daughter Sara is a Professor at Valparaiso University and their son Nathan is a videographer for Purdue University. Their family also includes their two dogs, Karma and Tick, two cats and 5 horses. Dr. Caldwell enjoys training horses, Competitive Mounted Orienteering, gardening, caring for the family farm, and working on the remodel of their old house in her spare time.
Dr. Ginger Pelger
Dr. Ginger Pelger joined our veterinary team in August 2022 and will soon be living in the Knightstown area. Dr. Pelger grew up in rural Ohio with a pet cat and horse. She then attended Mississippi State University where she received her Bachelor of Science from the College of Agriculture and later her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and Masters of Science.
After practicing food animal medicine in Iowa, Dr. Pelger joined Elanco Animal Health, where she focused on technical services and research. Ready to slow it down a bit, she is now balancing semi-retirement activities and seeing patients, where she can focus on companion animal preventive medicine and geriatric care.
Dr. Pelger enjoys playing golf, gardening, baking, and travelling internationally. Her family includes husband Matt, two grown children Nick and Daly, and Australian Cattle Dog Cass.
Dr. Tiffany Abernathy
Dr. Abernathy studied at Michigan State University and headed into research following graduation. After working in preclinical drug development for several years, she moved to Indiana with her family and enrolled at Purdue University to complete her DVM degree.
Dr. Abernathy, her husband, and three children share their home with an array of loved animals. Ask about her Polled Hereford Heifers, goats, chickens, a turkey, two cats, two dogs, and a bearded dragon – you can try and guess which came with her current home, and which was traded for a baby stroller! When not caring for her brood, Dr. Abernathy can be found fishing or cheering on the Detroit Tigers.
“There are no dumb questions. Ask, ask, ask until you understand,” sums up Dr. Abernathy’s approach with her clients and patients. She goes on, “Googling is OK, but double-check with us before trying anything at home.” Dr. Abernathy wants to earn your trust, and the only way to be on the same page is to fully understand her recommendations.
The most rewarding part of her day is when Dr. Abernathy can remove the feeling of helplessness a pet owner may feel when their animal is ill, and she can provide hope. She wants to be another trusted opinion for their pet that meets them where they are in life and provides solutions that fit their needs.
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened. ”
–Anatole France
Customer Service Representatives
Missy
I joined Buck Creek in August 2024 with the front desk team. My duties include greeting clients and assisting with phones calls. I was previously a Level 5 Area Manager with Amazon for 6.5 years. I have always been a pet owner and lover of animals. I am very excited for the opportunity to work with them everyday and use my empathy and understanding to help pet parents. I have 2 children, Tayler and Tanner as well as 2 fur children, Cocoa and Oakley. Outside of work, I enjoy family time and thrifting for interesting glass items.
“Choose a job you love and you never have to work a day in your life” – Confucious
Morgan
Hi, I am Morgan and I joined the Buck Creek reception team in September 2024. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to work with both animals and humans. This career is giving me the opportunity to enjoy both pets and their human parents. I graduated from New Castle High School in 2023 and have future plans to attend vet school. In my free time, you can find me spending time with my boyfriend and our 2 dogs, Thackery and Theodore.
Abby
I joined the Buck Creek team in September 2024 as a customer service rep but also help take care of the boarding pets, making sure they feel safe and loved while their parents are away. I had spent time previously during a high school externship for veterinary sciences and I am thrilled to be back with them. I have a passion to work with animals while also caring for my own family of furry pets. I am currently attending Ivy Tech working towards a degree in Cyber Crime
“One small cat changes coming home to an empty house to coming home.”
–Pam Brown
Veterinary Assistants & Technician
Lauren
Lauren started in kennels in 2018 and obtained her CVA with us where she is now a full time assistant. She showed cattle in 4-H and enjoys hanging out with her family and friends in her spare time.
Makenna
Makenna is a CVA who is attending IUPUI for a bachelor’s degree in biology to pursue her doctorate in veterinary medicine. Her hobbies include dancing which she has done for 13 years & her passion is caring for animals.
Shelbey
Shelbey recently graduated from International Business College with an associates in Veterinary Technology. She grew up on her family’s grain and livestock farm and was an active FFA and 4-H member. In her spare time she enjoys working on the farm and spending time with family and friends!
Caitlin
Caitlin started with us through a veterinary technician program provided through her high school. After graduation she attended IBCs veterinary technician program and came back to our clinic as a registered veterinary technician! She loves all things Disney and in her free time enjoys hanging out with her family and her friends.
Robin
Robin has been in veterinary medicine since 2001. In 2004 she obtained her CVA. She has experience in general practice, emergency, and specialty medicine. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, her 4 fur babies, and family. They enjoy camping, fishing and exploring new places!
Elly
Elly joined us as an intern in 2020. She has since obtained her CVA license and is now working here as a veterinary assistant. She is currently attending school as a pre-vet student and plans on being a mixed practice veterinarian when she is finished! She has an American Quarter horse and 2 dogs that keep her busy outside of work.
Hope
It has always been a passion of mine to work with animals and makes it easy to love my job! I recently started school to become a veterinary assistant so that I can grow in this field. I have three fur babies of my own and I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling!
“An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.”
–Martin Buber
Groomer & Kennel Attendants
Stephanie
Stephanie (Johnson) Land joined our staff in 2010 as a dog groomer. She has always enjoyed working with animals. She worked with race horses for years, which enabled her to move all around the country. She is married to her best friend, Chris Land, and they live in Rushville. She enjoys taking trips in classic cars and loves to be in the sun and near water. She also enjoys singing on the praise team at her church, where her husband plays the drums.
“When I look into the eyes of an animal, I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul.”
-AD Williams
Administrative
Tacy
Tacy’s original plan in life was to be a veterinarian but life had other plans. After spending several years in quality control in pharmaceuticals, I returned to my passion of being an advocate for animals. I obtained my degree in veterinary technology and have worked as a veterinary nurse for over 12 years with the last several years in management. I have a special passion for dermatology and nutrition. I enjoy creating bonds with clients and their pets and strive to create positive experiences at the vet office. When I am not at work, I can be found spending time with my family, husband Adam, our 2 children and our lab mix, Piper.