We are extremely proud of our dedicated team. We hire only the best and most experienced employees to become a part of our team here at Leaf River Veterinary Services. Our team is filled with highly dedicated animal lovers who are well trained at their jobs. They will do anything possible for their patients and the owners who love them.

Learning and education are very important here at Leaf River Veterinary Services. We strive to have a state of the art hospital with a staff trained in the latest medical advances. Our patients deserve the very best veterinary care.

Basically, our team is full of animal lovers. They make it a goal to treat each patient like their own. They give each patient plenty of love and attention. They are prepared to discuss preventative medicine so that every pet can stay as healthy as possible. They will also do everything that they can to make a sick pet feel better as soon as possible.

If you would like to speak to someone on our team, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (601) 785-6910.


Lisa Ainsworth, DVM

Dr. Lisa earned her DVM degree from Mississippi State University in 1994 and has 25 years of veterinary experience. She grew up on a farm and has been around livestock her entire life. Immediately following graduation, Dr. Lisa worked for several large cattle operations for a couple of years before returning home to open her mixed veterinary practice. She truly loves all animals and has several pets of her own. Dr. Lisa is compassionate and considerate of every patient as well as their owners.

Dr. Lisa lives on the same property as Leaf River Veterinary Clinic and keeps a close watch on hospitalized patients as well as boarding animals.


Dr. Emily Vowell, DVM


Dr. Vowell completed her DVM degree in May 2023 at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. A native of Taylorsville, Emily grew up with 4-H and FFA livestock projects, and many various pets! She has always been compassionate toward all animals, and that passion has only been amplified during her vet school career. She is committed to the well-being and life quality of companion pets and also that of large animals.

During her tenure at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Emily spent many hours doing surgeries, delivering emergency care to small and large animals, participating in several large animal externships, and providing diagnostics and routine wellness care and vaccinations.

During her leisure time, Emily enjoys tending a few cattle of her own and spending time with her two heelers, June and Pearl. She also enjoys cooking and gardening.

Dr. Emily is energetic and eager to take care of your fur babies. She is also available for farm calls and herd health management. Please help us in welcoming Emily to our clinic. Come by and meet her or call the clinic and request an appointment. We appreciate all of our customers and look forward to seeing you!


Gale Smith, Vet Technician

Gale joined the staff as a vet tech at Leaf River Veterinary Services in 2010.

Prior to coming to LRVS, Gale worked in the vet industry as a groomer and office manager.

Gale is a very patient and compassionate listener and loves cats and dogs.

Gale lives in Hot Coffee, MS with her husband and their three beloved dogs.


Kayla, Vet Technician

Kayla has been working with Leaf River Veterinarian Services since 2017. She’s a native of Louin, MS. She resides in Old Taylorsville Community in the Stringer area with her husband Tony and their three children Levi, Kaleb, and Brooklyn. They are members of Liberty Baptist Church in Stinger MS. She loves helping animals and making sure they are well cared for. Kayla has several dogs and cats of her own at home. In her free time you can normally find her on the side lines of one her children’s ballgames cheering them on.


Betsy, Vet Technician

Betsy has been with Leaf River Veterinarian Services since 2019. She started working as a receptionist and has worked her way up to a technician. Betsy has a huge heart when it comes to animals and an even bigger heart for Great Danes. Betsy owns eight Great Danes: Lola, Boss, Mollie, Mack, Birdie, LeRoy Brown, Milo, and Hazel.

Betsy is from and resides in Bay Springs, MS. In her free time she loves crafting and DIY projects. She can build anything she puts her mind to. Betsy also known around the office as Bob the Builder.


E’Laina, Vet Technician

E’Laina has worked at Leaf River Veterinarian services since May 2021. She is a native of Leakesville, MS, but currently resides in Collins MS. E’Laina graduated from Judson College with a bachelor degree in Equine Sciences in 2019. She has been working in the veterinarian field ever since. E’Laina has worked several different positions in the animal health field. She’s groomed and has been a receptionist and a kennel worker and now a technician. She provides excellent service to all her furry patients and their families. In her down time she enjoys chilling and watching TV or taking naps with her dog Lil bit


Tammy, Vet Technician

Tammy Stringer has been working with the Leaf River Veterinarian Services since May 2023. She has been a Veterinarian Technician for the past nineteen years. Tammy was working for Seal Laird Veterinary Clinic or now Riverbirch Animal Care Center in meridian, MS. She’s a native of Butler, Alabama. Tammy is married to Shawn Opie Stringer . She has two bonus kids Colby and Madelyn. They have 4 dogs 4 horses and cows.They also have chicken houses. She loves her job very much.


Janice Sherman, Groomer

Janice has been grooming for sixteen years at Leaf River Veterinary Services. Janice was trained by Dr. Lisa many years ago out of necessity to have a groomer in the clinic! Janice does a variety of haircut styles on all breeds of dogs and cats. She stays extremely busy, so grooming appointments are required, but she can usually accommodate most requests within a day or two.

Janice has three dogs of her own and resides with her husband in Mize, Ms.