Mon: 7:30am–6pm
Tues: 7:30am-6pm*
Staff Learning: 12pm-2pm
Wed – Fri: 7:30am–6pm
Sat: 8am–5pm
Sun: Closed

Our Doctors

Our Specialized Veterinarians in Phoenix Are Ready to Help

Dr. Bryan Neidigh

MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Dr. Bryan Neidigh moved to Phoenix in 2002 and opened his Desert Hills Animal Clinic in July 2003. He grew up in Palmyra, PA and is a 1994 honors graduate in Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University in Pullman, WA. He received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA. Honors earned in college include scholarships, 1987 Blue Key Honor Society and 1990 Wrestling All-American & Academic All-American.

Before moving to Phoenix, Dr. Neidigh worked at A-Plus Animal Hospitals of Reno, NV from 1996 to 2002. In this practice, Dr. Neidigh developed his strategies in practicing in a high volume clinic without compromising the quality of care for each patient.

Dr. Neidigh’s interests include coaching youth football, golfing, fishing, hiking and spending time with his family.

Dr. Cheryl Rahal

Founding Veterinarian | Internal Medicine

Dr. Rahal also came to Phoenix in 2002 with her husband, Dr. Neidigh, and their daughter, Reanne.

Dr. Rahal received a BS in Zoology from the University of Washington, Seattle in December 1988, a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University in Pullman, WA in May 1994 and earned Board Certification from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in August 1999 after completing a 3-year residency program in Large Animal Medicine at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of University of California-Davis.  Dr. Rahal’s specialties focused in on equine and camelid perinatalogy, exercise physiology, and equine geriatrics.

In 2004 Dr. Rahal shifted her career focus to fit the needs of her family and became a small animal practitioner. Dr Rahal practiced in small animal emergency and critical care from 2004 to 2007, utilizing her knowledge of the critically ill patient.

Then the Neidighs adopted their son, Samuel, from Ethiopia, so Dr. Rahal joined the team, part-time, at Desert Hills Animal Clinic.   In 2017, as the needs for veterinary care increased with the growing north valley, Dr. Rahal founded The Pet Wellness Center.

Currently, Dr. Rahal is seeing patients at Desert Hills Animal Clinic and continues to enjoy caring for cats, dogs, miniature horses, goats, sheep, pot-bellied pigs, llamas, alpacas or anything else that can walk in the door. (We’ll leave the slithering and flying to Dr. Neidigh.)

In her “free” time Dr. Rahal enjoys hiking with her 2 labs, Mabel and Legend, and Jack Russel mix Tootsie; riding her horses; attending her son’s sporting events; and spreading the good news of Jesus.

Dr. Heather Fowler

Associate Veterinarian | Internal Medicine & Geriatric

Dr. Heather Fowler grew up in New River, AZ, moving here with her family at the beginning of fourth grade and attending New River Elementary School. She graduated from Deer Valley High School in 1987 then went to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona. She received a B.S. in Agriculture (Animal Health Science degree) from U of A and was the Outstanding Senior in the Veterinary Science Department in 1991. She then went to Colorado State University where she received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1995, graduating with honors. After completing an additional one year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Southwest Veterinary Specialty Center in Tucson, she went into private practice.
In 2001, Dr. Fowler moved from Tucson back to New River and continued practicing medicine. From 2009 to 2016, she left practice to be a full time mom. She went back to work when her youngest child started school and she enjoys being in the the veterinary medical world again.

Dr. Fowler’s professional interests mainly center around internal medicine, and she has a soft spot for geriatric patients with all their various metabolic diseases. Although her professional training has been in dog and cat medicine almost exclusively, she raised and showed dairy goats growing up and is willing to work with goat owners as needed to try and help their small ruminant critters.

Dr. Fowler is married (to a CSU vet school classmate) and they have 3 children, 1 boy and 2 girls. Her family, their numerous critters (2 dogs, 2 cats, 7 chickens, 5 peafowl, 1 horse, 1 pony, 1 burro, 3 fire belly toads, 2 poison dart frogs, 1 desert tortoise, lots of fish), and her church service keep her plenty busy when not at the clinic. For fun, she loves to read, hike, bike, and ride her horse – though she rarely, if ever, gets to do all those things in the same week!

Dr. Raemi Gipson

Associate Veterinarian | Soft Tissue Surgery & Internal Medicine

Dr. Raemi Gipson was born and raised in Lubbock, Texas. She received her Bachelor of Science from Texas Tech University in 2016 and earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University in 2021 (Gig ‘Em!). She then completed an intensive, year-long equine internship at Brazos Valley Equine Hospital in Navasota, Texas. During her internship year, she developed a passion for internal medicine, and realized this passion could be pursued best by becoming a Small Animal Veterinarian. Ask her all your horse questions while you’re in for a visit though, she still misses working on them!

Dr. Gipson relocated to Cave Creek in the summer of 2022 with her significant other, Evan, who is an Equine Veterinarian. They brought along their two horses, Bertha and Kid, and their three dogs, Lou, Tuck, and Carlos. In her free time you can find her gardening, riding her horses, or hiking a new trail with her pups!

Dr. Michelle Marinich

Associate Veterinarian | Ultrasound & Urgent Care

Meet Dr. Marinich, a recent veterinary graduate bringing experience and a passion for animal care to our team! Originally from upstate New York, she started her veterinary journey at Cornell University and obtained her license as a Vet Tech. She ventured to Georgia, where she was an assistant manager for the state’s largest dairy cow farm, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in animal husbandry and management. Moving to the bustling city of Atlanta, Dr. Marinich immersed herself in the world of small animal emergency medicine, working as a critical care vet tech in a busy multi-specialty center. Her dedication to the field extended beyond the hospital walls, as she traveled throughout Atlanta imparting her expertise to train other vet techs, as well as working at a local animal blood bank. Inspired by the doctors she worked alongside, Dr. Marinich made the decision to become a veterinarian herself.
Her journey led her to Ross University in the Caribbean Islands. Heading a project on parvo virus in puppies, Dr. Marinich showcased her leadership and dedication to combating diseases affecting animals. Furthermore, she remained deeply connected to the community by volunteering in local shelter days, providing essential veterinary care to those in need. After completing her clinical training at the University of Florida, Dr. Marinich found her calling in companion animal family medicine. With an interest in ultrasound, urgent care, and surgery, she is eager to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to your furry companions! Dr. Marinich left her family in Georgia to explore the west. Outside the clinic, you’ll find Dr. Marinich adventuring with Ollie, her loyal rescue pup. Whether hiking mountains or lounging on the beach, they’re always up for making new friends!
Mon: 7:30am–6pm
Tues: 7:30am-6pm*
Staff Learning: 12pm-2pm
Wed - Fri: 7:30am–6pm
Sat: 8am–5pm
Sun: Closed