Meet the staff
Patricia Riggs, DVM
Dr. Riggs is a 2003 graduate of Ross University which included a clinical year at the University of Florida and undergraduate studies at the University of Kentucky. She has practiced in Central Kentucky for 14 years and purchased Eastland Animal Clinic in August of 2016. Her number one goal is to simply keep animals healthy so that her clients can enjoy them for many years.
She has a husband, Garry, three children, Jessica, Patrick and JEM, two grandchildren, Cailet and Emma along with two Labradors, Layla and Maggie and several cats. In her spare time she loves spending time with family and pets along with gardening, landscaping her back yard and running.
Ali Whipple - Groomer/Technician
Ali is from California and is a graduate of the Petsmart Grooming Academy and has been with Eastland for 5 years. She has 10+ years of experience working in the veterinary industry and brings plenty of valuable experience and knowledge to the practice.
Ali has a Poodle named Apollo and a cat named Mooch. She spends her spare time hiking, camping, kayaking, taking nature photography and participates in a kickball league along with costumes/cos play.
Rebekah Sams - Technician
Bekah, as we refer to her, just graduated from the University of Kentucky with a B.S. in Animal Sciences as well as a minor in German studies. After doing a basic training stint with the Army this summer and fall she plans on attending vet school. She has an admiration for all species of animals which brings plenty of compassion to the job.
She has two cats, Macy and Ringo, a Ball Python (Drake) and gecko (Loki). Bekah played volleyball and ran track at St. Catharine College and still plays and coach’s volleyball, loves running, reading and watching sports with UK Basketball being her team.
Caryn Mullikin-Reception/Technician
Caryn is a graduate of Animal Behavioral College and takes care of the front desk but, is always willing to step in wherever she is needed and is a great team player. Her love of animals brings plenty of passion and dedication to the job.
Outside of work she loves to spend time with her dog, Dodger, and cat, Buttercup. Caryn’s hobbies include designing homes, gardening, cooking and she plays softball and volleyball.
Crystal Little-Reception
Crystal majored in journalism at the University of Kentucky and is a former features writer for the Kentucky Kernel and the Lexington Herald-Leader.
She loves reading, binge-watching Netflix and baking. Crystal also has an abiding love for popular culture and loves all creatures great and small.
Tara Tubbs-Technician
Tara is a 2013 graduate of Brown Mackie College, became a licensed technician in 2016 and has 4 years of experience in mixed and small animal medicine.
She spends time with her three children, Ethan, Maci and Bentley along with her two dogs Scarlet and Lil Brit. Tara enjoys outdoor activities with hiking at the top of the list.
Jessica Yost - Reception/Groomer
Jessica is a 2018 graduate of Nash Academy grooming school and grew up around animals. She has been caring for horses, dogs and cats from a very young age and brings plenty of hands on experience to the clinic.
She enjoys spending time with her fiancé Adam, two daughters, Cailet and Emma, along with her cats Daisuki, Orion, Cinna and Carmen Sandiego. ll.�
Stephanie Salvato-Technician
Stephanie is from Saratoga New York and is a graduate of the State University of New York at Cobleskill with BT in Animal Science and enjoys working will all animals large and small.
She loves spending time with her Retriever/lab mix Bailey and enjoys movies, arts and crafts, reading, dancing, shopping, traveling, boating, camping, hiking, baking and visiting Saratoga Race Course.