VCA Northwood Animal Hospital

Bios

• Jeff Smith

  DVM

  Jeff Smith, DVM, DACVECC, graduated from Mississippi State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1996 and went on to complete a one year internship at Purdue University in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery. After completing one year of an Emergency and Critical Care residency at the Animal Emergency Center in Milwaukee, WI, Dr. Smith moved to Indianapolis to start his family. He worked in Indianapolis for several years, including nearly three years at the Animal Emergency Center in Northeast Indianapolis. He completed the final two years of his Emergency and Critical Care residency at Louisville Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Services in January 2005. Dr. Smith joined the staff of VCA Northwood Animal Hospital in 2009. He lives in Lapel with his wife, two sons, and numerous 4-legged family members.

• John Reutman

  DVM

  Dr. John Reutman has been working or VCA Northwood Animal Hospital part-time since the emergency practice opened in 1998. Dr. Reutman worked full time at the Animal Emergency Clinic in Indianapolis for 6 years. He graduated from Purdue University in 1982. He has special interests in dentistry and ear disease. Outside of practice Dr. Reutman loves spending time with his wife Marna and two children Michael and Rebecca. His hobbies include running, swimming, and biking.

• Melissa Justice

  DVM

  After graduating high school in 1990, Dr. Justice attended Purdue University where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science with an emphasis on Animal Welfare in 1994. She worked full time during the summer vacations and holidays as a veterinary assistant in Muncie, Indiana at a small animal clinic. She continued to work there for eight years while attending both undergraduate and veterinary school. Dr. Justice graduated from Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine in 1998 and returned to the same practice she had worked at before.

• Jill Sackash

  DVM

  Dr. Jill Sackash began working at VCA Northwood's emergency practice helping out on weekends, holidays, and as relief for vacations. After her veterinary school graduation from Purdue University in 1984, and having completed what she considers her 'internship' in 1987, she started a house call practice, Mobile Veterinary Services, in her hometown of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. In 1991-1992 and 1997-1998, she worked at the Animal Emergency Clinic in Indianapolis with Drs. Bassett and Reutman. In between the Indianapolis stints, she ventured back to Ft. Wayne to manage and work for three years at the Emergency Animal Clinic. While working emergency, she continued to run her house call practice, but decided that it was time to settle down. In 1995, she purchased Veterinary Services, a small animal practice on the Northwest side of Ft. Wayne where she continues to work Monday through Friday. She has one son, Mac, and too many animals to mention here. She enjoys traveling, kayaking, and believe it or not mowing! Most important to her though is spending quality time with her son.

• Jason Matthew

  DVM

  Dr. Jason Matthew graduated from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2003. His medical interests have always been emergency and critical care medicine. It remains challenging, stimulating, and keeps him very busy. Dr. Matthew has a 5 year old son named Justin who is the light of his life and they spend as much time together as possible.

• Ben Ealing

  DVM

  Dr. Ealing earned his undergraduate degree in Animal Science from Purdue University in 2002 and his DVM degree from the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. He began his career at the Frankfort Animal Hospital before moving to the Indianapolis area one year later. At the Broad Ripple Animal Clinic, Dr. Ealing was the Medical Director of their "Bark Tudor" canine training program. He also oversaw the reproductive services and stem cell therapy aspects of the practice. Dr. Ealing joined VCA Northwood in 2010. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association.

• Ben Ealing

  DVM

  Dr. Benjamin Ealing received his DVM from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. He earned his BS in animal science from Purdue University in 2002. Growing up in the military and traveling around the world, he developed an interest in animal care at an early age. He began working in the field of veterinary medicine at the age of 16 as a kennel assistant, veterinary assistant, and a volunteer at an emergency veterinary hospital in Ft. Wayne. During his first two years of veterinary school, he was a tutor and teaching assistant for the veterinary technician program at Purdue University. During his senior year of veterinary school he was able to work with veterinarians at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. In his spare time Ben enjoys playing with his three cats, an orange tabby named Zen, a visually impaired rescue named Blinkin, and his black and white spotted cat names Ziggy. His hobbies include running, watching sports, traveling, and playing roller hockey with his brothers. He now lives in Carmel with his wife, Mary who graduated from veterinary school in May 2007. Dr. Ealing enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine but has a special interest in feline medicine and reproductive.

• Chad Spah

  DVM