Staff Members

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Dr. Brock Wagner
Veterinarian, DVM
Dr. Brock Wagner grew up on a farm in south-central Illinois (Tower Hill). Dr. Wagner graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 1978. After working in two practices in Illinois and Indiana, he moved to the Columbus are in the fall of 1980 and practiced with a local group for seven and a half years. Dr. Wagner then became a relief veterinarian for three years filling in for veterinarians from South Bend to Carbondale, IL.  In addition, he worked at the Airport Animal Emergency Center in Indianapolis one night each week for five years. These experiences allowed Dr. Wagner an opportunity to expand his medical and surgical skills and see a wide range of veterinary facilities.

In June 1991, Dr. Wagner opened Best Friends Animal Care, Inc., a mobile house call/farm call based practice. His clientele composed of 60% small animal and 40% large animal. March 1993 found "Best Friends" in a new facility at Two Mile House Road with continued mobile veterinary services. After six years at the Two Mile location, Dr. Wagner moved "Best Friends" to its present larger facility on Pine Ridge Drive. In the spring of 2006, Dr. Wagner changed the name to Best Friends Animal Healthcare & Laser Center to better reflect the mission of the practice.  In December 2006, after twenty-eight years of large animal practice, Dr. Wagner retired from equine practice to devote full time to his expanding small animal practice.

Dr. Wagner and his wife, Judy, have enjoyed raising their family, Jennifer and Bryce, in the Columbus area since 1980 with the help of "Sophi" and "Grace." Golf, wood projects, remodeling and 80-100 hours of continuing education per year occupy much of Dr. Wagner's spare time. He is a member of AVMA, IVMA, CIVMA, AAFP, and ADS.

Dr. Kaija Platacis
Veterinarian, DVM
Dr. Kaija Platacis was born and raised in Indiana with her younger sister. She has always taken a special interest in animal welfare by being involved with local humane societies and other rescue programs.

Dr. Platacis received her DVM from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. She volunteers for Indy Feral’s spay, neuter and release program once a month. She joined the staff at Best Friends Animal Healthcare and Laser Center in July 2008 where her goal is to provide, along with the rest of the staff, consistent, comprehensive and compassionate health care for your “Best Friend.”

Dr. Platacis and her husband Jonathon currently live in Whiteland with their rescue cats Sidda & Ella, lovebird Trinity and lab mix Samantha. Dr. Platacis is a member of AVMA, IVMA, CIVMA, and AAV.

Judy Wagner
Office Manager
Judy has been involved with Best Friends Animal Healthcare and Laser Center since its establishment. As a RN and Nurse Practicioner, Judy brings views from the human healthcare field to better the management side of Best Friends. Judy compassionately deals with the various financial issues that arise, and is very helpful with clients that need to make special monetary arrangements to provide for their 'Best Friends' healthcare needs.

Christy 
Registered Veterinary Technologist 
Christy graduated from Purdue Veterinary Technology School after completing a four year program to become a registered Veterinary Technologist. She graduated with high honors and was the recipient of the Veterinary Technology Award. Since coming to Best Friends Animal Healthcare & Laser Center she has added to the quailty of the compassionate care provided for your 'Best Friend'. Christy also has a special interest in behavior and has established a puppy training program at Best Friends. 

She lives with her husband, Patrick, their two cats, Bond and Jinx, and their dog Jamie. In her spare time she enjoys reading, spending time with her family and watching action movies. Christy is also a member of the Central Indiana Veterinary Medical Association (CIVMA) and St. Bartholomew Catholic Church.

Crystal
Veterinary Technician
Crystal comes to Best Friends with several years experience in the veterinary field and is currently a student in Purdue's Veterinary Technician Distance Learning Program to become a registered Veterinary Technician.  She brings a caring hand to Best Friends to elevate the standard of care for your 'Best Friend'.  Her background in management while working for a major retailer gives her great insight into customer service. 

Involvement in various rescue programs has allowed Crystal to extend her compassion to other less fortunate dogs and cats.  She and her husband Tony have been married for over twenty-six years and are the proud parents of A.J..  Together they care for a menagerie of animals including dogs, cats, swans, geese and ducks.  Her memberships include the Central Indiana Veterinary Medical Association (CIVMA), The Shelbyville Firefighters' Auxiliary, Smaller Paws & Poms Rescue.  She has volunteered for over fifteen years at the Shelbyville/Shelby County Animal Shelter.

Stacie
Veterinary Assistant 
Stacie has worked at Best Friends since 1999 in a variety of roles.  Currently she fills the role of Veterinary Assistant.

Stacie, her husband Todd, and her daughter Erica, raise and show miniature horses as well as rescue and care for horses of all sizes. She also has many cows, dogs, and a miniature donkey named Amos.  Stacie holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Equine Studies from St. Mary of the Woods College and is an active member in ABATE. 

Hannah
Veterinary Assistant
Hannah began working at Best Friends as part of a high school mentor program in January 2005. She has always had a passion for animals and really enjoys working in the veterinary field. She finds that working as a Veterinary Assistant is a very fullfilling job and hopes to obtain a Veterinary Technician degree in the future.

While she plans on returning to school in the future, her current focus is on starting a family with her fiance Robert.  She has two dogs, Peyton and Killer, a cat, Piper, and her African Cichlad Angelina .

Kelly
Veterinary Assistant
Kelly joined Best Friends in the fall of 2008 after moving to Columbus, Indiana from Ohio. She obtained certification as a human Surgical Technologist prior to joining us and brings those skills to her position at Best Friends as a Veterinary Assistant. She is picking up quickly on skills in the veterinary field.

She enjoys spending time with her husband, Devon, and their dog, Riley. 

Sarah
Receptionist
Sarah has had the opportunity to work at Best Friends since 2007 as a Customer Service Representative. Although her background is in Early Childhood Development and Care, she has greatly enjoyed caring for our clients and their pets. 

She has been blessed with a wonderful family. Her oldest son, Chris, is in the Army and is stationed with his wife, Annie, in Texas. Her daughter, Amanda, recently began attending IUPUI and maintains a part time job. Her youngest son, Benjamin, is in the second grade. He is a very creative young man and loves to have fun!

She looks forward to meeting you and sharing the honor of being involved in a small part of your life. .

Jessica 
Receptionist
Jessica grew up in Indiana and, in 2002, moved to California to pursue a degree in graphic design and film production. She returned to Columbus in 2008 and began working at Best Friends Animal Healthcare and Laser Center in the fall of 2008. Jessica hopes to go back to school for International Business at Indiana University in the future.   She is owned by her cat, Puka, and is frequently found in the company of our greeter, Teka. 

Fred, Teka, Shep
Greeters
Shep, Teka and Fred live at Best Friends and help greet our clients.  Teka can often be found "assisting" the customer service representatives, while Fred offers his support in the treatment area.  Being the oldest, Shep helps keep Teka and Fred in line!