Meet Our Staff

FRONT ROW:
Jennifer Poplin-Practice Manager, Michelle DeGeorge-Receptionist, Dr. Joy Isbell, DVM, Candice Smith-Technician, Trish Cope-Technician, Donna Ritchey-Kennel Assistant, Terrah Macon-Volunteer.
 
BACK ROW:
Emily Johnson-Kennel Assistant, Sara Blankenship--Lead Technician, Cheryl Isbell--Accountant

 

Joy Isbell, DVM

Joy was born and raised in Lindale, a small town in East Texas. She aspired to be a veterinarian in high school and pursued her dreams by attending Texas A&M University. After obtaining her bachelor's degree, she was accepted into veterinary school and was a 2002 graduate of Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating, she worked in an equine and small animal practice for two years, before deciding she wanted to focus primarily on companion animals. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, as well as the Texas Veterinary Medical Association. Her interests in veterinary medicine are internal medicine cases and preventative health, and she loves to work with geriatrics. In her free time, she likes to go to rodeos to compete in barrel racing or watch her husband in the steer wrestling event. She also loves watching Aggie football, working with junior high youth at her church, traveling to exotic locales and reading anything she can get her hands on!

Jennifer Poplin - Practice Manager

Jennifer began working with Krum Vet in 2007 and was promoted to Practice Manager in September 2008. She loves meeting our clients and keeping current on all of the exciting news about their pets! Jennifer and her family live in Krum. Jennifer and her husband, Wes, enjoy working with their horses and attending the kids' sporting events. Jennifer and her family have several animals—three house dogs: Bart, Jewel & Jake. In the barn reside three horses: Duke, Belle and Rocky. Last, but not least, are the four barn cats: Skippy, Shrek, Puss & Fiona.

 

Sara Blankenship - Lead Technician

Sara came to KVH in December 2008 with more than 6 years of technician experience and quickly transitioned into the private practice atmosphere. She enjoys the many aspects of veterinary medicine and patient care. However, her specialized interest is in dentistry. Sara is very passionate about dental health and educating all Krum Vet clients about how important dental care is to their pets' overall health. Sara graduated from UNT in May of 2008 with a B.A. in English and will be starting her Master's in the Fall. Sara has a German Shepherd named Eli that she adopted from the SPCA in December of 2007. He gladly shares his space with three cats of various origins named Sassy, Zubie, and Bella. Bella is the litter mate to Jennifer's cat Teddy and Candice's cat Hurley. They came to KVH in April of 2009 when they were just a day or two old and were bottle fed everyday for 2 months before they were old enough to start eating on their own! Sara also lives with a pug name Tilly (who is Eli's best friend) and two other cats name Pickle and Morris who belong to her roommate. Sara enjoys spending time with her dogs at Wiggly Field in Denton and spending time with her wonderful friends and family.

 

Trish Cope - Technician

Trish is Dr. Isbell's right hand lady and does every job you can imagine at Krum Veterinary Hospital. She went to "that other school" of Texas Tech University, but we try not to hold that against her! She obtained a bachelor's degree in music, but later decided that her true desire was to work with people's pets, and she began working as a technician in veterinary hospitals. Through this, she met Dr. Isbell and a team was born! Trish's hobbies are still music, however, and she likes to play the guitar in her spare time. Trish and her husband, Steve, go home to their dog Ralphie and two precious kitties, Mariah and Owen, every night in Pilot Point, Texas.

 

Cheryl Isbell - Accountant

Cheryl is the lady who keeps the business side of our hospital together and keeps us out of the red. She graduated with a business degree from Texas A&M University, so we know she must be smart! While at A&M, she met her husband, Jeff, and the rest is history. They now have two boys, Zachary, who is 3 and Wyatt who is 1 year old (and, by the way, these are Dr. Isbell's nephews!) and they live in Valley View, Texas. Besides raising kids, Cheryl has two dogs, Lady & Sam, as well as a barn full of horses (with her favorite being Cinnamon). Cheryl is happy to come back to work a few days a week, and she looks forward to meeting all the patients (especially the large breeds).

 

Candice Smith - Technician

Candice has been working for KVH for 2 years now. She is attending North Central Texas College. Candice has high hopes of pursuing a career in the medical field. She currently lives at home with her parents, Ernie and Cindy Smith and her younger brother Zach. Candice has 3 dogs and 1 cat. Daisy and Dandi, who are both teacup poodles, are 13 and 9. They are the smallest babies of the family! Candice has 1 large baby which she adopted through KVH. His name is Bear and he is a 3 year old Bernese Mountain Dog.  Bear loves his momma and you will often see him up here at the clinic being spoiled for the day. Candice and her boyfriend Austin adopted their cat Hurley last year in April. Hurley was brought to the clinic with his other litter mates (Teddy and Bella- Jennifer and Sara adopted them when they were 2 days old). Candice's hobbies are exercising, playing basketball, swimming, and hanging out with her family, friends, and boyfriend Austin.  Candice enjoys working at KVH because she loves to educate clients about  the health of their pets, helping others, and working with the current staff.  Her special interest is in radiology.

 

Emily Johnson - Kennel Assistant

Emily came to KVH in August 2009. Currently a senior at Krum High School, she plans on attending Grayson County Community  College after graduation, studying radiology as well as cosmetology. Emily is currently living with her aunt and uncle, Kristin and Paul Mcmeen with their two younger daughters, Claire and Madeline. As a family, they have two cats, Gonzo and Calvin, as well as one dog, Darcy. Emily's hobbies are reading, drawing, doing puzzles, running, and hanging out with her family and friends. Emily enjoys working at KVH because she likes to bathe and walk the dogs, and learning new things everyday, and helping others.  

 

Donna Ritchey - Kennel Assistant

 

Smokey - Resident Good Will Ambassador

Smokey is KVH's good-will ambassador and resident. She is a 2 year old cat that Dr. Isbell found as a stray one cold day in January a year ago. Dr. Isbell's inside cats didn't get along with Smokey, so she worked her way up to the clinic cat and she has found her niche. She will greet any visitors at the door and will demand to be petted right away, and she doesn't take NO for an answer. She has figured out which dogs like to chase her, but no fear, she can climb the tallest of cabinets in a single bound.  She loves to meet new people, so come by and visit her and make her day!