Veterinarian
Dr. Brad Cooper, DVM
Dr. Cooper is a Danville native and first worked at East Lake Hospital for Animals as a kennel attendant while in high school. He pursued his passion and completed the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 1978. After spending a few years at other practices, he returned to ELHA in 1981 and purchased the clinic in 1990.
He and his wife, Meggin, reside in Danville and have raised three wonderful children in this community. They are now the proud grandparents to seven beautiful grandchildren!
Technicians
Alinda Higgins, CVT/Office Manager
Alinda became a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) in 1990 after finishing the Veterinary Technology program at Parkland College that same year. She started working at ELHA in1988 while attending classes to become a CVT.
She and her husband, Brent, share their home with their two cats, Nestlé and Pecan, and their black Labrador, Gnocchi. She is involved in dog training and has a special interest in Rally Obedience and Hunt Testing / Retriever work. They have achieved numerous titles with Gnocchi including Rally Novice, Rally Intermediate, Rally Advanced, Achiever Dog, Tricks Novice, Tricks Intermediate, Tricks Advanced and Tricks Performer. Gnocchi earned his UKC Started Hunting Retriever Title spring of 2019 and AKC Junior Hunt Test Title fall of 2020. The next goals are UKC Seasoned Hunter and AKC Senior Hunter titles.
She loves taking fun Christmas photos with her furry family members. She also enjoys baking, reading, sewing, and experimenting with new technology. She enjoys the family farm and helping with the cattle. She has one favorite cow, Cocoa Puff, and has fun taking pictures with her.
Shannon Rannebarger, CVT
Shannon first joined ELHA in 2001 as an intern while in Parkland College's Veterinary Technology Program. After achieving her certification in 2002, she began working at the clinic full-time. Shannon and her husband have a very active daughter and love cheering her on in gymnastics and softball. They also share their home with Chunk the French Bulldog. When not at work, she enjoys sports and other outdoor activities.
Hannah Thompson, CVT
Hannah came to ELHA in 2015 after finishing the Veterinary Technology Program at Parkland College and attaining her CVT license. Hannah is particularly interested in laboratory and diagnostic medicine. She enjoys spending time outdoors and exploring local parks with her dog, Hampton. In her free time she loves mushroom hunting, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Client Service Specialists
Nicole Martin
Nicole joined ELHA in 2019 after completing six years in the Marine Corps. She graduated with her associates from Miami Dade College and is using this break to enjoy her life-long love for animals here in her hometown. She has a daughter who loves to play sports and spend time playing with her cousins. The other loves in her life would be staying active, spending time with family and friends, traveling and experimenting with tea.
Brooke Hamilton
Brooke joined ELHA in the summer of 2020. When she isn't working at East Lake, she enjoys hiking, cooking, baking and explores her artistic nature in coloring and butterfly watching. Her lifelong love of animals extends from her own three pets, Cheeto Puff, Truffles and Teddy to all the patients at East Lake. Working with animals has been a passion for as long as she can remember and she loves it when puppies and kittens come in for a visit.
(Real Picture Coming Soon)
Groomer
Donna Lappin
Donna began her career at ELHA as a kennel staff in 1984. She found she has a special interest in grooming and started grooming in 1988. She has been our sole groomer since 1989. She grooms everything from Great Pyrenees to teacup poodles and even cats! When not working at East Lake Hospital for Animals, Donna likes to house sit, spend time with family and friends as well as attend local events.