Together with our staff members, each with their individual talents and interests, are able to provide your pet with expert care.
Donald Loden, DVM, CVA, CVPP
I am privileged to be able to fulfill my childhood dream everyday. At six years of age, I told my parents I was going to be an animal doctor; I could not say “veterinarian” due to a speech impediment. My focus has never wavered from the dream. I was told I did not possess the capabilities to attend a university successfully, and certainly not a professional school. I persisted forward with encouragement from my family, especially my mother. Perseverance and determination blessed me with acceptance into Texas A&M’s School of Veterinary Medicine where I completed my childhood dream. For now over thirty years, I have been able to arise and go to work, daily having the opportunity to make a difference in an animal’s life.
In addition to providing standard medical and surgical care, I have developed several areas of special interest. Animal dentistry is one of these areas. I have learned how to perform advanced dental procedures such as root canals and periodontal surgical procedures. Recently, I have become very interested in preventative medicine and early detection of developing diseases in older animals. As solid protocols are developed for these older patients, we can expect to increase the quality of life as well as life expectancy for our older patients. I also am certified in veterinary acupuncture and pain management.
Dr. Loden grew up in central Texas, graduated from Gatesville High School, attended Texas A&M University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. When he began veterinary school at Texas A&M, Dr. Loden intended to be a large animal veterinarian. As he began his professional training, he relished the challenges of internal medicine and began solving the medical problems of dogs and cats. He changed his training focus and directed his attention to small animal medicine.
In 1979, Dr. Loden completed his veterinary doctorate at Texas A&M University-College of Veterinary Medicine. He joined the staff at Rutty Animal Hospital in Port Arthur, Texas, and after a year of practice felt the desire to return to the university for residency training(veterinarians are not required to do a residency- it is optional). He remains driven by the desire to improve his skills, and pursues his intern year at Purdue Univerisity, completing an internship in medicine and surgery while working with some of the top specialists in veterinary medicine. Next, he moves to Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine to do a residency in small animal internal medicine. At KSU, Dr. Loden was exposed to exotic medicine in which he began to develop yet another interest.
Dr. Loden’s career then took a new twist. A group of veterinarians from the Houston area, who desired to start an animal emergency hospital, selected Dr. Loden to manage and to run this specialty clinic. During the years at the Southwest Emergency Clinic, Dr. Loden had the opportunity to continue his training in exotic medicine. Dr Paulette Andrews, who was well recognized in the Houston area for her knowledge in exotic medicine, began working with Dr. Loden and helped him advance his knowledge in exotic medicine.
In 1985, Dr. Loden arrived in Joplin to assume the responsibility for the newly named Cornerstone Animal Hospital. Dr Loden begin providing care for dogs, cats, and exotic animals.
Dr. Loden believes continuing education and advanced training is very important in order to provide quality care for his patients. While Dr. Loden is required to complete ten hours of continuing education each year, he completes well over forty hours each year. He is a member of the Missouri Academy of Veterinary Practitioners – a small group of veterinarians committed to continuing education, requiring its members to complete at least forty hours of continuing education yearly.
Dr. Loden has a strong interest in working with older patients. He has found many of the chronic conditions of the older patient to be challenging to manage, as well as providing adequate pain management with conventional medications. Often, these patients require multiple medications that the patient were not able to tolerate well due to medication interactions or the function of their major organs (kidneys, liver, or heart).
In 2010, he began to study alternative forms of medicine, and to train in the art of acupuncture under the direction of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. In June 2011, Dr. Loden completed all the requirements of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society to become a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA). Dr. Loden uses acupuncture regularly to treat pain and increase muscle mass, as well as help, manage many chronic diseases.
In 2012, Dr Loden completed the requirements of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management to become a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP). Dr Loden uses traditional medicine with alternative medicine tp relieve and prevent suffering in his patients
In addition, he is the father of eight children and twenty-six grandchildren. He is actively involved with his local church and the lives of his children and grandchildren. In his spare time fishing is always available.
Rebecca Conrad, DVM
Diagnostic radiography has always been an area of special interest for Dr. Conrad. In addition to providing standard veterinary service, Dr. Conrad is responsible for many of the behind the scene management details. While both Dr. Loden and Dr. Conrad are involved in exotic medicine, only Dr. Conrad is involved in aquatic medicine. On the opposite extreme, Dr. Conrad visits the homes of selected clients and friends to care for their horses.
Dr. Conrad grew up in central Kansas on a grain and livestock farm. After graduating from Haven High School in 1975, she attended Kansas State University and entered the College of Veterinarian Medicine where she obtained her degree as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1981. She completed an internship year in radiology at KSU. Next, she joined Dr. Loden as part of the veterinary staff at the Southwest Emergency Hospital in Stafford, Texas. In 1985, she arrived in Joplin to partner with Dr. Loden at Cornerstone Animal Hospital.
Dr. Conrad believes that in order to offer the latest and current therapy for her patients, continuing education and advanced training is very important. While Dr. Conrad is required to complete ten hours of continuing education each year, she completes well over thirty hours each year while only working part-time.
Dr Conrad background and interest is diagnostic imaging. She reviews radiographs for Dr Loden and Dr Scorse regularly. All diagnostic ultrasounds are performed by Dr. Conrad.
In addition to working at Cornerstone, Dr. Conrad, like Dr. Loden, is busy in the lives of their eight children and playing with twenty-six grandchildren.
Stephanie Stroud, DVM, CCRP
“You’d make a great vet” they said. “No,” I thought to myself. “I want to work with people.” My focus had always been on people. I love to see them smile, I love to make them laugh, and I am so honored when I get to walk beside them in the hard times – even if that meant shedding tears. Little did I realize that all of that was exactly what veterinary medicine was all about. I started pursuing my passion in veterinary medicine when I happened to land a college summer job in a veterinary hospital right after the Joplin tornado in 2011.
That summer, I got to see the pure joy as the hospital was able to reunite lost pets with their family and I also got to experience the sorrow as good news was not always deliverable. It was through that experience that I was able to see just how much I would be able to work with and serve people through veterinary medicine. And so began the lifelong passion that would pair my God given talent to work with animals with my ultimate desire to serve and love people.
From preventative medicine to dentistry to surgery to internal medicine to geriatric care, I enjoy it all. I know that your pets are part of your family, and I want to do everything I can to provide the best quality care to ensure a long quality life for both them and all the members of your family. I have an even higher interest in rehabilitation medicine, which is why I pursued further training and became certified as a Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner. I am overjoyed to be able to the director of Cornerstone’s Physical Rehabilitation Department.
This new field of rehabilitation and rehabilitation medicine is huge. Painful and arthritic patients, neurologic patients, post-operative patients, and agility training patients…so many animals are going to benefit and have an improved quality of life.
I grew up in Southwest Missouri, graduated from Joplin High School, attended Missouri State University in Springfield, and completed my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri in Columbia. Similarly to my colleagues at Cornerstone, I believe continuing education and advanced training is necessary in order to be able to provide quality care for patients in a quickly advancing veterinary field. I am committed to getting at least forty hours each year, but I often get more.
Outside of being a veterinarian, I am married and thoroughly enjoy spending time with my husband. I look forward to how God will continue to grow my family. My husband and I enjoy spending time outdoors hiking and kayaking.
Rachel, B.A., CVPM
Rachel, a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager writes,
I never dreamed that I would become the office manager for Cornerstone Animal Hospital. I started working for the practice in junior high as a kennel help with my main responsibility being cleaning. After a time, I moved into a role as a Veterinary Assistant; I helped the doctors and other technicians in the care of the pets. My most memorable experience was holding a very large gobbler (male turkey) for Dr. Loden. As he worked, the turkey suddenly starting gobbling (vocalizing) in my face. I was terrified, but I held onto the turkey until the task was complete. While in college, I had the opportunity to start working as a receptionist which gave me an opportunity to work with our many different clients. I realized I loved working with people as well as their pets. I also became interested in learning about time management of staff; this provides timely care for all of our patients. When I graduated from college, Dr. Loden and Dr. Conrad both recognized my gift in management and offered me the position of office manager. One of my many responsibilities is daily staff organization in order to be serve you, our clients, and your pets. I enjoy daily working and assisting you in providing care for your pet.
For several years I have been in the process of training to become a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM). Among veterinarians and veterinary leaders, the CVPM designation is known and appreciated as the highest credentials for professional veterinary managers. There are only about eight hundred CVPMs in the USA. On April 21, 2021, I passed my credential examination, the last step in receiving recognition as a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM).
Rhonda, RVT
Rhonda, a Certified Veterinary Technician, part of the team since 2006, writes,
I have had a passion to work with animals since I was a young girl. I am eager to increase my knowledge about all species. I enjoy working with our team because we are close, like a family. Seeing animals and people grow brings me happiness; it is great to be a small part in the life changes of patients and their owners. I graduated from Crowder College as a Registered Veterinary Technician in 2006. I am married and had a son in July 2014; I also have two dogs and one cat. I tell my friends and family about every exciting day at work and plans on passing down many stories to my son. We laugh and cry together; we do our best to be the best at keeping your furry family member happy and healthy for as long as possible.
Jessica, RVT
Jessica, a Certified Veterinary Technician, writes,
Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to work with animals. In 2016, during high school, I had the opportunity to get my CVA (Certified Veterinary Assistant) and since that time my passion for animals and their care has just grown. I attended Crowder College where I obtained my Veterinary Technician degree and graduated in the Spring of 2020. My fur baby at home is Harley, my German Shepard. I joined Cornerstone in January 2022. One of my favorite aspects of my job since starting with Cornerstone is learning about exotics and pocket pets.
Lindsey, RVT
Lindsey, a Certified Veterinary Technician, writes,
I graduated from Crowder College in 2020 after being in their Veterinary Technician Program. I joined the Cornerstone Animal Hospital team in November 2022. Since I can remember, I have always wanted to take care of animals. I especially love taking care of hospital patients and seeing them go home once they are nursed back to health. Although that may not always be the case, it is a privilege to be entrusted with each one of them. One of the hardest parts of the job is the end-of-life care for patients. My goal is to make it a peaceful experience and for every patient to experience the utmost love in those final moments. It is a great honor and a profound privilege to be entrusted with beloved patients in their final moments. When I’m not at the hospital, I am spending time with those whom I love the most, my family and friends.
Eden, RVT
Eden, a Veterinary Technician student in training, writes,
I’ve always had an interest in jobs that involve physical activity and movement, rather than an office-based role. Cornerstone provides a wonderful opportunity to do that. I had an opportunity to intern at Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield while in college, and it cemented my decision that I wanted to work with animals, or at least in nature. I graduated from MSSU with my Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Conservation in December 2022. I love being able to continue to learn here in a more hands-on approach. I am currently working towards my Veterinary Technician certification (RVT), and I’m excited to see all the furry friends every day. Cornerstone Animal Hospital has provided me with a place where I am able to earn my Technician certification while doing what I enjoy.
Casey, CVA
Casey, a Certified Veterinary Assistant, writes
My mission at Cornerstone Animal Hospital is to continually advance my knowledge and skills so that I am better equipped to assist each patient and client. As a Veterinary Assistant, I take pride in my work and find comfort in knowing that while not every day will be easy or without heartache, I have done everything within my power to enhance an animal’s quality of life. Moreover, I truly enjoy the unpredictability of what each new day may bring despite challenges. Above all, since I have worked here, I have learned that God, being the Cornerstone in one’s foundation, coupled with teamwork, enables my progression and successes, big or small. Genuinely, I love what I do and hope to aid many more animals as my journey continues.
Lo, CVA
Lo, a Certified Veterinary Assistant, writes
I have been passionate about animals since I was a child, and always found some outside critter to coddle. As I grew older, the desire to help animals also grew. I started at Cornerstone with no experence in the veterinary field aside from personal pets. Now I am a level one certified Veterinary Assistant, headed toward level two. I decided to work for Cornerstone Animal Hospital because they hold to values that I haven’t been able to find elsewhere.