Back on Track Staff

Michele Ball
Office Manager

I have worked in Veterinary medicine for over 15 years.  I started in an animal shelter and stayed there for 3 years in the capacity of adoption counselor, kennel worker, and then intake manager.  I also did some fostering including a boxer (one of my favorite breeds!) for about a year.  I was a technician/receptionist and then office manager for the past 12 years at a veterinary hospital before deciding to join the team at Back on Track Veterinary Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in my neck of the woods in O’Fallon, Missouri.  I chose this career not only because of my love for animals, but also to be an advocate for those who cannot speak or do for themselves.  I love to learn and educate about anything that provides the very best for them!
My favorite aspects of veterinary medicine are the relationships we build with owners and their pets and watching them go from puppy/kittenhood into their senior years.  I also enjoy educating owners about how best to keep their pets happy and healthy.  Additionally, I love some of the technical aspects of the job, including placing an IV (intravenous) catheter! I am passionate about creating a happy working environment for staff and believe that a growing healthy practice comes from that, as well as practicing high-quality medicine.
My special interests include rehabilitation and pain management (because my breeds always have orthopedic issues!) and Chinese herbal medicine.
My personal pets include a Boston Terrier and four Betta fish and I am looking to grow my pet family soon with the addition of a English Bulldog or Boxer.
In my free time I like to spend time with Tony, my husband of 24 years, our teenage daughter Izzy, and Kermit, our loveable Boston.  We all love to go camping as a family.  I’m also obsessed with reading and smushy faced dogs!

Nicole Schliemann
Veterinary Technician

I originally got interested in working with animals after I worked at a wildlife rescue center in high school.  It was there I discovered my passion for animals and that I wanted to pursue a job in the animal field. I have been working in veterinary medicine since 2005 after graduating from Midwest Vet Institute with a veterinary technician certification. 
My favorite aspect of my job is watching patients get better with the help of our treatments and owners being happy that we were able to help! 
My personal pets include 3 cats:  Kitty is a 9-year old long-haired grey tabby with one bad eye and that's what made me want to adopt her. Smudge is a 7-year old medium haired grey and white kitty that came with bad hips.  He has had 2 hip surgeries and I call him my bionic cat! I have compassion for cats with special needs! Lil’ B is a 6 year old domestic short-haired black and white kitty and he's my snuggler and lover! All three were rescues and they each have their own special personalities! They all love food and cat naps on anything soft! Smudge's particular favorite is his boat bed. 
My special interests are anesthesiology and maintaining the in-house diagnostic blood machines. My favorite technical skills include venipuncture (drawing blood), and I also enjoy monitoring patients while under anesthesia and helping them to have a smooth recovery period. 
In my free time, I love spoiling my cats and watching television. My guilty pleasure is having a free day of snuggling on the couch with all three kitties! I also enjoy some gardening and started a vegetable garden last year.

Melissa Minor
Veterinary Technician

I’ve been a veterinary technician since 2002 and have always lived in a house with lots of animals.  My very first job was at a privately owned pet store, where I learned to handle and appreciate many different species besides cats and dogs. At the moment, my own pets include four dogs, three cats, and two sugar gliders.

The most exciting thing working at a clinic is when a client gets a new pet.  I love educating new pet owners on preventive medicines and behavior, and watching their bond with their new family member grow. Working in this field also allows me to learn new ways to improve the lives of the furry critters that we love, and we get to pass that on to our clients.

I used to work as a full time vet tech.  Now I travel all over the country selling my husband’s artwork at comic and anime conventions.  While I do love getting to see new places and meet all sorts of people, I’m grateful for the opportunity to still have a hand in the animal medical field.

I grew up on a farm surrounded by animals of all kinds.  I always loved being with my dogs and keeping them well groomed! I have been formally grooming pets for 12 years.  
My favorite aspect of my job is seeing a previously challenged grooming client transform into a well behaved one!
I have five dogs of my own and a Caique Parrot.  I love terriers, especially soft-coated wheatons and Kerry blues.
In my free time, I like competing in Barn Hunt with my dogs and I am looking to soon start agility training.  I enjoy spending time with my husband and I love cooking and baking.

I have been working in veterinary medicine for 10 years, but I have been a part of the companion pet community in some capacity since I was born. My family bred, raised and competed with labradors in AKC field trials while I was a small child. I still remember being on the trial field with my grandfather, tagging along with duck calls and whistles around my neck. 

During that time I was bit with the dog training bug. Once I was off to college I became very involved in animal rescue, holding board positions and ending my career in animal welfare as the Shelter Operations Manager of a mid-Missouri shelter.  

When I made my switch into veterinary medicine, I became extremely interested in providing low stress environments for our patients. I am currently enrolled in Jean Donaldson's Academy for Dog Trainers where I am learning the most up to date, science-based training methods around. I enjoy bringing that knowledge to the clinic to help keep everyone safe and as comfortable as they can be while under our care. Being somewhat of an animal behavior nerd, I love that I can use my training in nearly every aspect of my life.

I am married with two young children and 3 Presa Canarios. I compete with my dogs in conformation, lure coursing, barn hunt, dock diving, and hope to pick up nose work soon. I am also a Barn Hunt judge.

Since I am heavily involved in the dog sport world, I am proud of our clinic’s ability to offer clients our rehabilitation services. There is nothing more rewarding than helping a team get back up to 100% working ability so they are able to achieve their goals. 

If I am not doing something 'dog' I am probably at our beach house in Michigan trying to get away from it all......of course with the dogs in tow!

I graduated from Hickey College Vet Tech Institute in December,  2016 and started at Back on Track as an extern and they decided to keep me! It’s the perfect fit for me and I'm very lucky to be able to start off my career at such a great place.

I have always been passionate about animals and knew that I wanted to be an advocate for them in some way. I chose to become a vet tech so I could help people as well as animals. It is very rewarding to see a smile on someone's face because you helped take care of their best friend. I love getting to know clients and bonding with patients. I also love following patients' rehab journeys and seeing how much they improve. My favorite technical skills are drawing blood and assisting with surgeries.

I have two dogs. Dobby is a 4 year old border collie/lab retriever mix, (named after the Harry Potter character). I adopted him when he was 3 months old. He loves going for car rides and playing with his MANY toys. Cooper is a 4 year old pointer mix. We adopted him a year ago and he and Dobby are best buds. He loves to cuddle and make people laugh with his creepy smile.

Most of my free time is spent taking care of my dogs and hanging out with friends and family. I hate the cold, so during the winter months I'm usually inside watching movies or reading. Although I'm not the best at it, I love to cook and bake and I'm always attempting to try new recipes. When it's warm outside, I love swimming and taking my dogs to parks. 

Dr. Leanne Parker is a Board-Certified Doctor of Chiropractic, a graduate of Logan University, and owner of Sunny Rock Chiropractic and Sunny Rock Animal Chiropractic.

Dr. Parker received an Associate of Art Degree from Jefferson College in 2012. Through a personal journey with chiropractic care and her passion for helping others, she was driven to begin her education at Logan University. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology followed by a Doctor of Chiropractic degree in December 2016. Growing up in Jefferson County, and having a love for all things St. Louis, she decided to start and grow her practice in the place that has always been home.

Her passion for helping others is matched by her love for animals. With a strong desire to include animals in her career, she completed a Certification Course on Animal Chiropractic Care while finishing her chiropractic degree. Graduating from Options for Animals College of Animal Chiropractic in February 2017, she currently holds an Animal Chiropractor Certificate endorsed by the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association. This certification allows her to give beloved pets and livestock equal attention and care.

Dr. Parker has had horses and dogs throughout her life, and can’t imagine life without either one of them. She has successfully competed with her Arabian horses and continues to have a passion for riding and competing with them. If she is not caring for patients at their homes or in the barn, she is probably outside with her four-legged “children” (horses and dogs).

We are very happy to welcome Dr. Leanne Parker to our team as the chiropractic care provider for Back On Track Veterinary Hospital and Rehabilitation Center.

I have always had a passion for animals! It started off as feeding homeless cats that came to my backyard when I was six years old. I didn’t know how I wanted to impact the lives of animals, but I knew from that age on that I wanted to work with them. 

I became a vet tech in 2015, in hopes of gaining experience in veterinary medicine and one day becoming a veterinarian. My favorite aspect of this career is the reward I feel when I makes a difference in a pet’s life and the unconditional love that pets offer daily at work. I currently don’t own any pets due to being a full-time student and first-time mother, as pets require much love and attention. But I know that will not last very long, especially due to my daughter’s growing obsession and passion for dogs. 

During my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband Chris, and our 1-year old daughter, Charlie. My hobbies include praise dancing at church and singing in the shower. I am always eager to learn new things and always willing to help an animal in need!

Alyson Snelling, NCCMT, RP
Canine Massage

After spending 20+ years in advertising as an Art Director, I needed a new direction with my career and went after a life-long dream of working with animals. In 2015, I gained my certification in Canine Massage Therapy, Pet CPR and First Aid through the Chicago School of Canine Massage. I am Nationally Certified through the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupuncture & Massage (NBCAAM) and an attuned Animal and Human Reiki Practitioner. I have been involved with several local rescue groups as both a foster parent and volunteer, and am a lead instructor with Canis Bodyworks teaching canine massage and bodywork in STL. I’m dedicated to continuing to build my knowledge of canine massage, holistic modalities, animal behavior and communication. My goal as a Canine Massage Therapist is to provide comfort and healing to those in need, and educate parents on helping maintain a healthy lifestyle for their pets.

Aside from my love of animals, I’m an avid gardener, foodie, and occasional knitter. I live in Old Historic Ferguson with my husband Sam, our three rescue dogs Ibbie, Arturo, and Bishop, and two rescue cats Miles and Thelonius.

After volunteering at the same animal shelter for more than 3 years and loving it, I decided to make a career out of caring for animals. In 2017, I graduated with honors from the Vet Tech Institute at Hickey College and I was fortunate to take a position from Back on Track. In 2018, I passed all my tests and became a Registered Veterinary Technician. 

I have always loved animals, starting when I was young, and have owned quite a zoo throughout my life. Currently, I own 2 Chihuahuas that are 5 years old, 3 cats that are 3, 5, and 9 years old, a ton of fish ranging from a 75 gallon fresh water tank to 4 Beta tanks that are 1- 5 gallon, a Quaker Parrot, and an Albino Corn snake. My chihuahuas are my babies, they go everywhere with me. My husband and I have taken them hiking in several states and on a couple of kayaking trips. Wherever we are is home to them so they are happy doing whatever it is we are doing.

Watching puppies grow is one of the best things I get to do here. Hearing how happy owners are as their pets receive therapy and they see improvement in their health is very heartwarming, and sharing knowledge with clients along the way is very rewarding. 

In my free time, if I’m not walking dogs or cleaning tanks, I like to hike with my dogs, garden with mostly bonsai and succulents, read action/adventure/fantasy, and play video games. My husband and I have been together for 6 years and will soon celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary.

When I was a little girl, I knew working with animals would be part of my life. In 2015, I started working as a veterinary technician because I can’t imagine myself in any job that doesn’t allow me to work with them. 

While I have experience in both emergency medicine and general practice, my special interests are in rehabilitation and emergency care. My favorite part of working as a veterinary technician is making a difference in the lives of our patients. Sometimes that means trying to make them feel better and other times it means working with our clients to keep their pet healthy.

In my free time, I like to walk or hike with my dogs, (Loki, a lab terrier mix, and Shelby, a German Shepard), or relax with my family, friends and my three cats: Sprout, Riddler, and Sweet Pea.

I graduated with my Associates degree from Hickey College Vet Tech Institute in May, 2018. I worked at another animal hospital as an extern before deciding to join the Back On Track team in September of 2018.

I knew I wanted to work with animals in some way ever since I was very young. I started riding horses starting when I was 7 years old, and fell in love with almost every animal I came across. I chose to become a vet tech so I could help a variety of different animals, from small to large. I also love getting to form relationships with patient’s owners so I have a bond with the clients I work with on a daily basis. What I love about being a vet tech is the hands-on experience I have gained; from drawing blood, to assisting the doctors, to helping intubate an animal for surgical procedures.

Currently, I own a 1 year old crazy energetic Labrador Retriever mix named Harley, who I adopted straight out of my school’s program when he was 5 months old, and a 2 year old very fluffy and cuddly Sugar Glider named Noel. I also live with my mom’s 10 year old Shih Tzu, Oddie, who my dog loves to annoy and chase around the house, and Frankie, our Ragdoll cat of 15 years, who is the queen of all the animals.

If I am not having a blast with my co-workers at Back on Track, you will probably find me with my friends or family at home laying around with my puppy or spending time with my wonderful boyfriend Jacob at his Motocross events or on his farm helping with the cattle. I enjoy being surrounded by those I love in my free time, having bonfires and making s’mores in the colder months, swimming, Six Flags road trips, or running errands.