Dr. Mark Hayden graduated for the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998 and worked at a large and small animal practice in Moses Lake until 2000, when he and his wife moved to Ellensburg.  Dr. Hayden purchased Valley Vet and Cascade East in 2003 from long time practice owner, Dr. Gary Schmid. 
Dr. Hayden enjoys spending time with his wife and three young children in the great outdoors, and is active in his church.  Besides 2 dogs and a family cat, he enjoys trail riding with his two horses, including going on pack trips in the high country.  His special veterinary interests include small animal and equine internal medicine, equine dentistry, and reproduction.

Dr. Ben Rizor grew up in Wilbur, WA and attended college here at CWU.  He graduated from Washington State Universtiy of Veterinary Medicine in 2002 and finally moved back to Ellensburg in 2006.  Dr. Rizor tries to remain active in all things outdoors, including:  hunting, fishing, rock-climbing, and camping, among others.  He enjoys the variety of mixed animal practice and is striving to expand Valley Veterinary Hospital's orthopedic surgery and food animal medicine capabilities.

Dr. Joan D. Sackett grew up in the suburbs of Seattle dreaming of horses.  She attended college at Willamette University in Salem Oregon and graduated from WSU Veterinary Medicine in 2007.  She joined the practice here immediately on gradation and has enjoyed the small town life Ellensburg offers.  She enjoys riding her horse and taking hikes with her two rescued beagles.  Her veterinary interests included the recent addition of a Companion Therapeutic Laser to the practice, for use on sport injuries and non-healing wounds, lameness and dentistry.

Dr. Liz Ritzenthaler’s focus is on the small animal side of the practice, but she enjoys mixed animal work. Her special interests include feline medicine, complementary medicine, and small ruminants. She graduated from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009, and her family moved to Ellensburg later that year. She juggles life as a working mother of two elementary aged children. She enjoys yoga, gardening, and spending time with her family, including her cats and a young rescue dog. The Ritzenthaler family loves outdoor adventures together, especially hiking, camping, and paddling.

Dr. Hannah MacDonald graduated from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine this year, May of 2017. She grew up working on a beef ranch in northern California, and enjoyed being active in 4H and participating in running barrels and other events at the local rodeo. Dr. MacDonald enjoys being involved in her local church, going on international veterinary mission trips, and being with her family in Gig Harbor. She loves spending time with her basset hound Betty Zane, and her horse Monarch, as well as enjoying the outdoors in activities such as hiking, water sports, snowboarding, and camping. Dr. MacDonald’s special veterinary interests include large animal medicine, specifically livestock medicine, surgery, and reproduction.