Small Animal Staff

Small Animal Veterinarians

Alison Ariano, DVM

Small Animal General Practice

Dr. Ariano joined Chaparral Veterinary Medical Center in 2014 after practicing in North Scottsdale and Tempe for 15 years. She grew up in Chicago, Illinois, attended Cornell University for undergrad and Ross University for veterinary school. After practicing in New York, she and her husband relocated to North Scottsdale in 1999 where they currently reside with their two sons, Enzo and Nico. Dr. Ariano uses her 20 years of experience to head up our small animal practice, specializing in internal medicine, surgery, geriatric care and canine and feline dentistry. Dr. Ariano chooses to donate her time and services with a number of rescue groups in the area. Her family currently has two rescued dogs - Campari (a red Heeler) and Corey (a Heeler mix), a cat, Mr. Shiney, from a litter the hospital nursed since birth, hamsters and a family of snakes. Dr. A (as we like to refer to her) enjoys spending her free time running marathons, traveling and spending time with her family.

Courtney Ells, DVM

Small Animal General Practice

Dr. Courtney Ells has lived in Phoenix for over 15 years and received a Bachelors of Science from Arizona State University in 2013. Dr. Ells joined Chaparral Veterinary Medical Center in 2018 after Graduating from Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine with honors and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. She currently has a horde of animals; two rescued dogs [Blueberry (a deaf Australian shepherd) and Athena, (a golden retriever mix)], a horse named Libbie, a bunny named Oatmeal, and a ferret named Bailey. Professionally, Dr. Ells interests include small animal practice, focusing on internal medicine, general surgery, geriatric care and canine and feline dentistry. Outside of work, she enjoys spending her free time riding horses, hiking and traveling.

Small Animal Technicians

Anna Leuci

Small Animal Technician

Anna was born and raised in Arizona. Her passion for animals started off at a young age. From having her own pets to even volunteering at a horse and canine rescue witnessing the good and bad that came with it. Anna knew she wanted to be an advocate for animals. She graduated from Pima Medical Institute as Certified Veterinary Assistant in 2018 and continued on to Pima Medical Institute's Veterinary Technician program and achieved an Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology in 2020. Anna has a beautiful family with her husband, two sons, and four dogs. In her free time, she loves to read, spend time with her boys, and catching up on some sleep.

Administration/Support

Holly Taranton

Office Manager

Holly recently joined the Chaparral team and is enjoying our clients and her colleagues. She has a long history of administrative work in the legal, real estate development, construction and shopping center management industries and has always had a love of animals. She started off her oldest daughter at the age of 3 riding horses and her love of horses continued with her other 2 daughters. She now enjoys spending time with her husband, 3 grown daughters, her grandson and their many rescue dogs and horses. She, her husband, middle daughter, and grandson recently moved back to the United States from living in Melbourne Australia.

Merle Black

Bookkeeper

Merle recently came to Chaparral Veterinary Medical Center as our new bookkeeper. She recently moved to Arizona from Southern California after many years working in the non-profit sector. The need to assist our fellow man and four-legged friends never leaves our heart, which makes Chaparral a perfect fit for her.

Suzan Rockvam

Accounts Receivable Specialist

Suzan is originally from central California, but she has lived in the Scottsdale area for decades. She has always had a passion for animals and raised poodles and Lhasa Apsos in the past. She satisfied her equine passion by completing the Equine Science program at Scottsdale Community College resulting in a degree in Equine Science. Suzan spent many years as the office manager at Southwest Equine Hospital in Scottsdale. She was also employed in administrative positions in retail, real estate, health care and she now has returned to the veterinary world. She is the proud owner of 2 rescue dogs: Sally (a jet-black corgi mix,) & Sunny (a buff cockapoo mix.) Her many hobbies include fitness, music, and travel, but she spends most of her time enjoying her home and teenage son, Robert.

Small Animal Staff

Small Animal Veterinarians

Small Animal Technicians

Administration/Support

Consulting Veterinarians

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