Our Team in Branson
Ready to meet our wonderful team? Call us at 417-337-7389 or book an appointment online, we can't wait to meet you!
Amanda McGinty, DVM Owner and Veterinarian
Dr. Amanda grew up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and has wanted to be a veterinarian since she could talk and her family has always supported her dream. As a teenager she moved to the countryside of southeast Virginia on a small hobby farm where she discovered a passion for horse-back riding. She attended St. Andrews University where she showed on the Intercollegiate Horse Show Team and played lacrosse. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry with a concentration in pre-veterinary studies. She attended veterinary school at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on the island of St. Kitts in the British West Indies. During her time in vet school Dr. Amanda was selected for externships in South Africa at Krugar National Park shadowing a wild game veterinarian and in Kildare Ireland at a thoroughbred race horse veterinary facility. After her travels were over Dr. Amanda completed her clinical year of veterinary school at Oklahoma State University and graduated in 2010.
After working as an associate veterinarian at three different clinics in various parts of the state, she has now designed a clinic that will bring affordable quality care to people in the Branson area as well as provide the much-needed care and assistance to the local rescues Dr. Amanda and her husband decided to start Shepherd of the Hills Veterinary Clinic because they have a vision to transform the standard of care to a more transparent and affordable nature without sacrificing the quality and compassion. She and her family live on a small hobby farm with 3 horses, 2 dogs, 2 cats and a guinea pig. In her spare time Amanda enjoys horseback riding specifically hunter/jumper, dressage and mounted archery. As a family they enjoy camping, floating, hiking and traveling as well as snuggles on the couch with a good movie.
Darin McGinty, DPT Practice Manager and Chief Operations Officer
Hospital Administrator, co-owner and husband to Dr. Amanda, Darin brings a focus on excellent customer experience to the mission of Shepherd of the Hills Veterinary Clinic and 18 years of diverse experience in management, sales, carpentry, and physical therapy. Darin obtained his BA in sociology from UMKC, some Spanish proficiency from Centro Lenguas Modernas de Granada in Spain, and a doctorate in physical therapy from Missouri State University. Darin has treated patients in orthopedics, skilled nursing, home health, and rehab/training for professional and collegiate sports teams. He transitioned to entrepreneurship 4 years ago to start their family veterinary practice. When not at the vet clinic Darin can be found at Bull Shoals Lake fishing from his stand-up paddleboard, hiking, or running his adorable daughter around to various afterschool sports.
Nicki Jesky, DVM Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Jesky graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004 and has proudly practiced in Southwest Missouri ever since. Her professional interests include soft tissue surgery, clinical pathology, and shelter medicine.
Outside of the hospital, Dr. Jesky enjoys staying active through running, spending time in her garden, and competing in dog sports. She is also passionate about animal rescue and volunteers her time with Border Collie rescue organizations.
When she isn’t caring for animals, Dr. Jesky enjoys listening to true crime podcasts and traveling with her husband. Together, they have also enjoyed opening their home to five foreign exchange students, creating lasting friendships and connections around the world.
Ashley Poley, DVM Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Ashley was born and raised in Harrison, Arkansas, where her love of animals began early. At just five years old, when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she confidently answered: “a veterinarian or a doctor.” Growing up on a small farm helped shape her deep respect for animals and the bond they share with their families.
Dr. Ashley graduated as Valedictorian of Bergman High School in 2010 and went on to attend the University of Central Arkansas Honors College, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology (Magna Cum Laude) with a minor in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2014. She then completed her veterinary education at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2018.
After veterinary school, Dr. Ashley returned to Arkansas and began practicing in Berryville, where she built a strong reputation for compassionate care and thorough communication with pet owners.
Dr. Ashley is especially dedicated to diagnosing complex cases and strengthening the veterinarian-client relationship through education and open communication. She has a special passion for soft tissue surgery and truly enjoys working in the surgical setting.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Ashley is happily married to her husband, Jake, and together they have two wonderful children, Abigail and Andrew. Their family also includes three dogs and two rabbits. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, boating on Table Rock Lake, and traveling with her family.
Dr. Ashley is excited to join the team at Shepherd of the Hills Veterinary Clinic and looks forward to meeting you and your four-legged family members!
Amanda Practice Manager
Amanda joined the Shepherd of the Hills Veterinary Clinic team in 2025, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the veterinary industry. Since beginning her career in 2004, she has dedicated herself to supporting clients, advocating for patients, and helping veterinary professionals and teams succeed.
One of Amanda’s greatest passions is communication and building meaningful connections with others. Whether she is helping a pet owner navigate their pet’s care, supporting a team member, or simply being there for someone who needs a helping hand, she believes that compassion, communication, and advocacy can make a lasting difference.
Outside of the clinic, Amanda is a proud mom of two high schoolers and shares her home with quite the crew of four-legged family members: two German Shorthaired Pointers, Atas and Haze, and three cats, Jurge, Pibble, and Lu.
In her free time, Amanda enjoys being outdoors, spending time at the lake with her husband, and, whenever possible, settling in for some much needed snuggle time with her fur babies
Marissa Office Manager
Marissa was born and raised in South Dakota until she graduated high school. She then moved to Hawaii where she spent the next 9 years. During her time in Hawaii, she held different types of jobs, from working a snorkeling boat to selling high end pearl jewelry.
However, her favorite job was as a customer service supervisor to a large animal hospital. She spent 3 years there until she moved to Arkansas in 2016 with her 2 dogs. She has always had a passion for animals. Her fur family has grown a lot since moving from Hawaii. She currently has 4 dogs and 4 cats, all rescues. In her free time, Marissa enjoys being outside as much possible and hiking with her dogs.
Frankie Client Service Representative
Frankie was raised in the Branson area and graduated from Hollister in 1995. After being gone for 15 years, she moved back to Branson 5 years ago. She has always had a love for animals and have 2 fur babies of her own; Chloe and Maghra.
Frankie has worked in customer service for over 25 years, but this is her first experience working in a Vet Clinic. She has been a client here for a while and was very impressed at the care and attention the staff and Doc gave to her babies, so she was very excited for the opportunity to be part of our team. She looks forward to a long career here and the opportunity to serve the pets and their owners of our community!
Emely Client Service Representative
Emely was born in Houston, Texas, to parents originally from El Salvador. In 2011, her family moved to Missouri, where she was raised in Carthage and later graduated from Carthage High School in May 2023.
That same year brought several exciting changes as Emely met her husband and moved to Branson to begin a new chapter in her life. In 2025, that chapter became even more special when she joined the Shepherd of the Hills Veterinary Clinic team. She enjoys being part of a team that cares deeply for both pets and the people who love them.
Outside of the clinic, Emely loves spending time with her family and her two cats, Nala and Cielo. As a proud cat mom, she says they bring endless joy, personality, and plenty of special moments to her everyday life.
Jerry Client Service Representative
Jerry joined the Shepherd of the Hills Veterinary Clinic team in 2025 and has quickly enjoyed becoming part of the SHVC family.
Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, Jerry grew up in the small town of Cosby, where he lived for 27 years before making the move to Branson. He graduated from Savannah High School, where he was involved in FFA and developed an early appreciation for animals, agriculture, and hands-on care.
Jerry’s love for animals has followed him throughout his life. During high school, he had the opportunity to shadow at a veterinary clinic in St. Joseph, and he also helped care for a farm while living in Cosby. Before moving to Branson, he gained additional experience working as a dog walker, giving him even more opportunities to spend time with the animals he loves.
Jerry has a true heart for customer service and enjoys helping both people and pets however he can. He is excited to continue growing as part of the Shepherd of the Hills Veterinary Clinic team and especially loves getting to meet all of the wonderful fur babies who come through our doors.
Angel Veterinary Technician
Angel joined the Shepherd of the Hills Veterinary Clinic team in September 2024, bringing with her a strong work ethic, a kind heart, and a genuine appreciation for animals, family, and the outdoors.
Outside of the clinic, Angel enjoys life on a small farm, where she helps care for cows and her three dogs. One of those very special pups is Dolly Anne, her beloved German Shepherd and the first pet she welcomed as an adult. Dolly Anne has been a loyal companion ever since and holds an extra-special place in Angel’s heart.
Angel and her husband, Eli, share a close friendship and a love for spending time outdoors. Whether they are exploring, enjoying nature, or simply spending time together at home, family is at the center of Angel’s life. They are also excitedly preparing to welcome their baby in November and begin a wonderful new chapter together.
Looking toward the future, Angel hopes to grow her passion for leather tooling into a small side business. She loves the creativity and craftsmanship involved and looks forward to making it part of the life she is building alongside her family, animals, and farm.
Kaleb Veterinary Assistant
Kaleb has been working in the veterinary field since 2017, beginning his career shortly after graduating from high school. He has been part of the Shepherd of the Hills Veterinary Clinic team since 2023 and is grateful to work alongside a team that shares his passion for providing compassionate, high-quality care.
One of the things Kaleb values most about veterinary medicine is the opportunity to help patients receive the care they need while treating each pet with the same kindness and compassion he would want for his own.
Outside of the clinic, Kaleb enjoys spending as much time outdoors as possible, especially hiking and kayaking. He shares his adventures with his dog, Calypso, who often joins him on the trails and is known for having a personality every bit as big as her sense of adventure.
Amber Veterinary Technician
Amber has been working in veterinary medicine since 2021 and joined the Shepherd of the Hills Veterinary Clinic team in July 2025. One of her favorite parts of veterinary medicine is building meaningful relationships with both her patients and the people who love them.
Amber takes pride in being a calm and reassuring presence, especially during the more difficult moments of a pet’s care. She values the trust pet parents place in the veterinary team and enjoys helping make each visit feel as comfortable and supportive as possible.
Outside of the clinic, Amber enjoys spending time with her dogs, getting lost in a good book, and keeping herself busy with an ever-changing collection of projects and hobbies.
Tay Veterinary Technician
Tay joined the Shepherd of the Hills Veterinary Clinic team in 2026 and brings a fun, down-to-earth personality to the practice. She is a proud mom of two and shares her home with four beloved pets, three dogs and one cat.
Outside of work, Tay spends most of her time with her kids and animals, keeping life busy, active, and full of personality. She also enjoys taxidermy and preservation, along with relaxing with a good video game.
Whether she is spending time with family, caring for animals, or working on one of her hobbies, Tay enjoys staying busy and making the most of the things she loves.
Falon Veterinary Technician
Falon transitioned into veterinary medicine after spending several years caring for people in human healthcare as a CNA and CMT. Her natural compassion for others, combined with a lifelong love of animals, made veterinary medicine a perfect next chapter for her.
She enjoys helping both pets and their families feel comfortable, supported, and cared for during their time at the clinic. Falon believes pets are truly part of the family and values the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in their lives each day.
Outside of work, Falon loves spending time with her husband and daughter, especially outdoors. Whether they are hiking, exploring, or simply enjoying time together, family is at the heart of what she enjoys most. She feels fortunate to have found a career that allows her to combine her passion for caring for others with her love of animals.
Victoria Veterinary Assistant/Technician
Victoria grew up on a farm in Missouri, where animals were simply part of everyday life. From an early age, she knew she wanted to build a future working with them, and that lifelong love for animals is what ultimately led her to veterinary medicine.
She especially enjoys being part of a team that helps pets feel safe, comfortable, and cared for while supporting the families who love them. Tori is excited to continue learning, growing, and building relationships with the patients and clients she meets along the way.
Outside of the clinic, Victoria loves spending time with her family, getting outdoors for hikes with her dogs, Jojo and ZsuZsu, and spending time in the kitchen baking something delicious. Her happiest moments are often the simple ones—being surrounded by family, fresh air, and, of course, animals.
Holly Veterinary Technician
Holly’s passion for our planet, nature, and animal advocacy began in childhood and has continued to shape both her personal and professional life. Her dedication to animal welfare blossomed when she enrolled in a veterinary technology program and began her career in 2011 at an open-door animal shelter in St. Louis, Missouri.
In 2013, Holly earned her Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology. Since then, she has been fortunate to gain experience across shelter medicine, general practice, and emergency medicine. Each chapter of her career has deepened her understanding of the human-animal bond and strengthened her commitment to providing compassionate care.
Holly is excited to bring her experience, heart, and lifelong passion for animal welfare to our community. She believes every animal deserves kindness, respect, and the opportunity to thrive, and she is grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of both pets and their families.
Outside of the clinic, Holly enjoys tending to her garden, finding balance on her yoga mat, exploring the beauty of the great outdoors, and spending quality time with her family and their cats.
Lex Custodian/Veterinary Assistant
Raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Lex spent most of his formative years surrounded by a lifelong love for animals. During the summers, he enjoyed volunteering at a local pet shelter whenever he could, finding fulfillment in caring for animals and helping them find brighter futures.
After moving to Branson in 2019, Lex eventually found his way into veterinary medicine in 2024, joining the practice as a part-time clinic custodian. Though the position was unconventional, Lex embraced the opportunity wholeheartedly and took pride in pioneering the role. His dedication and enthusiasm quickly became an important part of the practice.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Lex was temporarily away from the practice, but he was thrilled to return in 2026. Today, he continues to bring the same compassion and enthusiasm to every aspect of his new position, eager to contribute to the team and help create a welcoming, caring environment for both patients and their families.
Outside of the clinic, Lex shares his home with his three rescued cats, Mabel, Willow, and Ghibli, who keep him happily surrounded by plenty of feline personality. His lifelong love for animals continues to inspire him both personally and professionally.