River's Edge Veterinarian Hospital

Penny grew up in Paducah, KY and obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Education from Murray State University. She taught in Paducah until she moved her family to Daytona Beach, FL. While in Florida she worked as an Administrative Assistant/Veterinary Assistant at an Animal Hospital. In 2020 Penny and her two youngest children Jeslyn and Trinity moved back to Kentucky where her older two children Quentin and Cheyenne still lived. Penny also has a granddaughter, Millie and a dog Skrappy. Penny joined River's Edge in July of 2023.

Katie comes to us as a veteran of the human healthcare world having 27 years of experience as a registered x-ray technologist and medical assistant. She has been involved in animal rescue and fostering for just as long and currently has a houseful of 5 dogs, three cats and two birds. Katie joined us in June of 2023 and has been amazed at how similar the two worlds are and is eagerly learning the differences.

Layla was born and raised in Massac County and graduated from Massac County High School in 2018. She then went on to the University of Illinois where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science in 2022. She now resides with her family and two cats, Macy and Blossom in Metropolis. Layla joined River's Edge team in the summer of 2022 following graduation.

Rachel was born in Elgin IL and moved to Metropolis IL in 1997 graduating from Massac County High School in 2000. She has always loved animals and her passion is helping others people and pets alike. When she has free time (and with 4 kids, husband, 2 dogs and grandson on the way its few and far between) she loves to read, craft and spend time with her family. Fun fact about her is her favorite movie is The Goonies and she will always claim to be 29. Rachel has been with us since July of 2023 and is so excited to love on your babies.

Jacob is a lifelong Southern Illinoisan and has lived in Massac County since 2000 where he attended Jefferson Elementary School and is a 2009 graduate of Massac County High school.   He graduated from Shawnee Community College in 2011 and then attended Murray State University until 2014 where he studied Biology and Psychology and conducted laboratory research in parasitology and histology. Jacob has 2 dogs, Sally and Buddy; and one cat, Mimi.   In his spare time, Jacob enjoys traveling, reading about history and psychology, writing, watching documentaries, eating fancy food, taking naps, and spending time with his younger brother; Joshua.  Jacob joined the River’s Edge team in October of 2021 and he looks forward to taking care of you and your pet's health at your next visit!

Carrie, a graduate of Shawnee Community College, lives with the love of her life, Joshua Cartwright & two sons – Marshall & Justus on a farm in rural Pope Co. They all have a passion for animals; large, small, tame, & wild. She currently has 4 dogs, 5 cats, 2 horses, & 1 mini donkey. She has been rehabbing animals since childhood when her dad brought her a baby raccoon, pigeon, squirrel, opossum, and fawn. As well as re-socializing neglected dogs & cats. Carrie enjoys the outdoors, hiking, foraging for wild medicinal & edible plants, riding ATVs, and reading classic literature, watching classic movies (all things Jane Austen) and spending time with family and friends around a bonfire! Carrie is a self-proclaimed “Flower Child” who loves essential oils & healing crystals & herbal teas! “I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF THE AMAZING TEAM AT RIVER’S EDGE!”, says Carrie.

Connie grew up in Central Illinois.  She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Management from the University of Illinois on 1998 and her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Illinois in 2001.  Connie and her husband Jack have lived in Pope County since 2011.  She worked in the utility industry for 23+ years and has successfully obtained and harvested 3 businesses. She retired from the University of Illinois Extension as a County Director in 2019 having served the lower east six counties (Saline, Gallatin, Pope, Hardin, White and Hamilton).

Connie joined the River’s Edge Veterinary Hospital Team in November of 2020 and has always had a love of people and animals.  She is a Master Gardener and enjoys spending time in the garden, with her family and reading.  Connie looks forward to building lifelong relationships with River’s Edge and its clients and patients.

Dr. Karla Cunningham is a 1996 graduate of the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine. She and her husband Ed live in Eddyville, Illinois with their terrific son Ethan, born in March 2010. She is very pleased to be providing medical care to pets in Massac and surrounding counties. Having served as an assistant professor for the U of I College of Veterinary Medicine from 1998 through 2007, she is dedicated to educating pet owners in the best way to care for their furry friends. When not at River’s Edge, Dr. Karla and Ed can usually be found with Ethan at a Scouting activity.

Dr. Cunningham’s interest in pet dental care began when she started River’s Edge in 2007.  Many of her small animal patients had severe dental disease that caused them pain of which their owners were unaware.  As she started treating these animals and received feedback from their owners about how much better they felt afterwards, the desire to learn more about dentistry grew. Over the years she has participated in many continuing education seminars focused on pet dentistry and learned even more about how best to treat and prevent dental disease. River’s Edge Veterinary Hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment modalities including digital dental radiography, electronic anesthetic monitoring devices, pain management and tooth saving procedures. These technologies along with Dr. Cunningham’s expertise will ensure that each of her patients receive superior care for their dental needs.
 
Her favorite quote is by Henry David Thoreau. “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”

Ellen has been working at River’s Edge Veterinary Hospital since October of 2008. Prior to that, she had been a Registered Veterinary Technician for over 35 years in Indiana and Michigan. She grew up in central Illinois and moved here to be close to her parents when the opportunity arose. She is now our inventory specialist. She semiretired two years ago to care for her aging parents.

She is married and has many pets including 4 cats, 3 dogs, 2 horses and 2 mules. She and her husband live on a farm in Pope county near the Shawnee National Forest, where they love to ride the trails. 

Jerri graduated From Hardin County High School in 2017. She resides in Hardin County where she has 2 horses, 1 cat, and 4 dogs. She enjoys spending her time going camping, fishing, and horseback riding. Jerri joined the River’s Edge team in the summer of 2018 after completing a one semester Veterinary Assistant course at Southeastern Illinois College.