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Dr. Adam Ballard
Dr. Adam Ballard became interested in veterinary medicine while working for a mixed animal practice in Creston, Ohio, in 1985. He is a 1993 graduate of Berea College, Kentucky, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology. He then graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997 and has been in general practice since.
Areas of interest for Dr. Ballard include internal medicine, cardiology, dermatology, dentistry, and laser surgery. He is an adjunct faculty member of The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center and has been on the Admissions Committee for the College of Veterinary Medicine since 2004. Dr. Ballard is also past president of both the Miami Valley Veterinary Medical Association and the Columbus Academy of Veterinary Medicine. When able, he also speaks to high school classes about veterinary medicine as a career. Dr. Ballard really enjoys teaching, and Cheshire Crossing Animal Hospital is an approved off-site location for senior vet students to do their Senior Clerkship Rotations.
In his spare time, Dr. Ballard enjoys cooking, working outside, landscaping, biking, reading, hiking, and traveling to the nearest beach with his family.
Dr. Leah Carpenter
Dr. Carpenter grew up in Lancaster, Ohio on a farm with horses, cattle, sheep, goats, cats and dogs. She spent a great deal of her time working with horses up to and throughout college. She went to Ohio University and earned a Bachelor Degree in English, with an emphasis in creative writing in 1990. In 1992, she received her Master’s Degree in English from Ohio University. Dr. Carpenter went on to teach at Wright State University for a year before deciding to return to school to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. In 1999, Dr. Carpenter earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University. It has been a long time dream of hers to have her own veterinary clinic that is much like the family-oriented practice that she grew up with. That dream came true in June of 2007, when Cheshire Crossing Animal Hospital opened its doors.
Dr. Carpenter has a strong interest in behavior medicine and strives to make your pets visit as stress free as possible. She is recognized as a Fear Free℠ Elite Certified Professional and a certified Low Stress Handling veterinarian.
Dr. Carpenter also enjoys feline medicine, pain management, internal medicine and providing both palliative and hospice care for chronically ill patients. .
When not at Cheshire Dr. Carpenter enjoys quilting, rug hooking, gardening and hiking.
Gina Swearingen, RVT, Hospital Administrator
Gina Swearingen, RVT, grew up in Pataskala Ohio and attended Columbus State Community College earning an associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology in 1999. She has been with us since 2011. Gina has a special interest and is well experienced in animal behavior. She assists Dr. Carpenter with many of her behavior cases and oversees ongoing client communication for these special patients.
When Gina isn’t at work, she shares a wonderful and very social life with her husband Matt, and two children Mason and Makenna. Being a mother has been her greatest reward. Now that both her children are out of high school and young adults making bright futures for themselves she is enjoying family life a little differently.
Gina also enjoys camping, coaching high school girls rugby, working out, taking trips to the beach and hanging at Buckeye Lake on the weekends with her large group of friends.
Tucker is Gina's sweet Am. Staff/Am. Bulldog mix that is often in Gina's office when you head to the scale for your pet's weight. Gina rescued Tucker at 7months in 2020. Yep one of those C@#!D dogs. He is Gina's Velcro dog 100% and he loves to be in the office with her or waiting for her -- or any treats offered to him.
Gina also has 2 kitties. Maverick and Goose. These 2 couldn't be more opposite but they are a great pair. They live their best life doing whatever they want.
Olivia Slykhuis, Client Services Director
Olivia has been in the veterinary field since high school, so that is over 25 years of experience. She is happily married to Rob and has a son, Wilson. She has a GIANT dog, Giovannni and 2 cats, Garbanzo and Gabriella. She likes to cook, hike, camp, garden, photography. But she really spends most of her time with her active son and his activities.
Berkley Brown, Client Services
Berkley graduated from The College of Wooster in 2015 with a degree in Communication Studies and Early Education. She has always been an animal lover. She has two precious pups of her own: Stella and Disco. Her hobbies include taking Disco to the dog park, reading, and making clay earrings. Her favorite artist is Taylor Swift and you will likely catch her playing it in the lobby when working.
Molly Tuchfarber, Client Services
Molly lives in Marysville, Ohio. She has an older sister who is married! Molly has two dogs. One is a Maltese dachshund whose name is Addy and the other one is a Jack Russel Dachshund who’s name is Mitchie.
Molly has a Business degree from Columbus State. In the Fall of 2024 Molly will be attending Columbus State to get her Vet Tech degree. Ever since she went to Seaworld with her family on vacation she knew she wanted to work with animals.
When Molly isn't working with animals she can be found both coaching and doing gymnastics. Molly also enjoys going camping with her family,traveling and going to concerts with her best friend.
Grace Smith, RVT
Grace has lived in Delaware for her entire life. She got married to her high school sweetheart Leo in September of 2023. She has always been an animal lover from day one. After high school, she was unsure what she wanted to do so she pursued working at the clinic and has never looked back. She has been apart of the Cheshire team since 2018. She attended Columbus State Community College to pursue her Veterinary Technician Degree and graduated in May of 2024. Her favorite thing to do is diagnostics, treatments, and surgical anesthesia.
In her free time, she can be found out at the barn working with her horses Cinch and Harley. They compete year-round at many different Quarter Horse events. Grace also has 2 fur babies Lucy Lou a pitbull and Agatha a boxer!
Corey Gedert, RVT
Corey was born and raised in the city of Columbus, OH. He has been a technician since 2011, Corey has completed several hundred hours of continuing education in Anesthesia, Fear Free, Low Stress Handling, feline medicine, and practice management. Passions outside of the field of medicine include general knowledge expansion, ducks, and napping. Corey looks forward to retiring from Cheshire Crossing Animal Hospital.
Mandy Bible, RVT
Mandy grew up in Worthington and has always been a lover of cats and dogs.
She has been working in the veterinary industry for over 20 years. Originally she started out as a receptionist and is now a Registered Veterinary Technician.
Mandy has one dog named Poppy, a black Pit Bull. She also has 2 cats, Buddy Keekers and Monster who are all rescues.
Megan Ward, Veterinary Assistant
Megan is a Delaware native. She has always had a passion for animals. She is the proud owner of Toby, a 6-year-old Yorkie Bichon. She has worked at Cheshire as a Veterinary Assistant for 3 years. Her favorite things about working at Cheshire are running diagnostics and treatments. Megan is currently enrolled in Columbus States Veterinary Technician Program. Her expected graduation date is Spring of 2026. In her free time, she loves cuddling with Toby and going out for hikes. She recently added the newest member to her family, a Himalayan named Tinkerbell
Cece
Maddie
Oliver
