Our Team

At Spencer Springs Animal Hospital, we strive for a warm and friendly relationship with you and your pet. This page highlights the staff - our training, experience and dedication to veterinary medicine.

The Outstanding Team Member Award

Jim Hicks, D.V.M., Owner

Dr. Hicks is a native Nevadan who grew up in Las Vegas when it was a small town. After graduating from Las Vegas High School, he attended UNLV before transferring to Washington State University, where he earned a degree in Veterinary Medicine in 1973. He operated his first practice at Carey Animal Clinic in Las Vegas for eighteen years before building his dream hospital in 1995 at Spencer Springs. In his opinion, "We have the best clients in town, and I'm very proud to have an excellent facility as well as a highly-educated, talented, and caring staff who provide our clientele with excellent service and quality care for the pets they cherish. We've all worked hard to create an environment dedicated to promoting the highest standards in our industry. It makes coming to work each day a pleasure." Dr. Hicks and his wife, Marith, have been married over thirty five years, and they have two grown children and one grandson. They share their home with a dog, two cats, and two conures. In his spare time, Dr. Hicks enjoys skiing, mountain hiking, rebuilding antique autos, and touring rural Nevada. Dr. Hicks is a member of several veterinary associations, including AVMA, (American Veterinary Medical Association) and NVMA (Nevada Veterinary Medical Association).

Chad Bower, D.V.M.

Dr. Bower was born in Coon Rapids, Iowa, where he attended high school and enjoyed playing on basketball and golf teams. After graduation, he attended Simpson College on an honors scholarship and was awarded a degree in biology and chemistry in 1993. He was admitted to the lowa State University School of Veterinary Medicine that same year and graduated with honors in 1997. After enduring many cold winters in the Midwest, he wanted a change of scenery. He moved to Las Vegas, where he began working at Spencer Springs in 1998. Dr. Bower especially enjoys surgery and internal medicine. His hobbies include golf, snowboarding, and fishing (catch and release). He is a member of AVMA and NVMA.

Dr. Taryn Griffith D.V.M.

Dr. Griffith was born and raised in the wonderful state of Michigan, She received her Doctorate degree from Michigan State University in 2004 and then moved to sunny Southern California for a one year internship. During her internship, Dr. Griffith developed a love for Cardiology and decided to complete an additional year of study in that before entering private practice for an additional five years. Dr. Griffith is engaged and it’s her fiancés job that brought them out to Las Vegas and allowed her to join the Spencer Springs family. Between the two of them, they have 3 two legged children and 3 four-legged (furry) children which keep them very busy. They also enjoy the outdoors, playing sports, dining out and UFC.

Jessica Graham, D.V.M.

Dr. Jessica Graham comes to us from the slow-rolling hills of Charleston, West Virginia. Growing up, she was surrounded by nature, and animals were always a big part of her life. She was known for saving box turtles from traffic, bringing home stray dogs and cats, and nursing orphaned and injured wildlife back to health. Dr. Graham received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Marshall University in her home state, then ventured south to the University of Georgia, where she obtained her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2010 (Go Dawgs!). She excelled at UGA, holding leadership positions in many organizations --- such as emergency medicine and internal medicine, and she was inducted into Phi Zeta, the honor society of Veterinary Medicine.

After receiving her doctorate, Dr. Graham moved to Las Vegas with her husband, Matt, a scorpion biologist at UNLV. Their Las Vegas family includes two very spoiled Miniature Australian Shepherds (one named Vegas by the rescue group in Georgia from which she was adopted --- it was meant to be!).

In her free time, Dr. Graham likes to travel, camp, and explore the Southwest with her fur-covered ‘kids.’ Dr. Graham also enjoys shelter medicine and does her part to mitigate pet overpopulation by working as a shelter relief veterinarian.

Dr. Holly Rice

Dr. Rice was born in northern Ohio and spent her childhood in Ohio, Maryland, and West Virginia. Always a lover and caregiver of animals, she set her heart on becoming a veterinarian at the tender age of nine. In 2005 she graduated with honors from West Virginia University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Animal and Veterinary Sciences. Following her dream, she went on to graduate from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2009, surviving Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Gustav in the process. After graduation Dr. Rice moved to Las Vegas to see what the West had to offer. For her to begin working at Spencer Springs was meant to be! Her professional interests include geriatric medicine, surgery, and dermatology. Dr. Rice also works as a shelter relief veterinarian performing high-volume spay and neuter surgery to help control pet overpopulation. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, yoga, and spending time with her boyfriend Chris and their four dogs. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Gauntner

Dr. Gauntner was born and raised in Cleveland Ohio, where she attended Cleveland State University and graduated in 2004. She was admitted to Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 1998. That same year, she moved to Las Vegas and started practicing as a small animal Veterinarian. Dr. Gauntner also works as a shelter relief veterinarian and volunteers for Heaven Can Wait in her spare time. She lives in Henderson with her husband and two Boxers, Diablo and Dexter, both adopted from the Animal Foundation. Her hobbies include hiking, water and jet skiing, travel and theatre. Dr. Gauntner is a member of the NVMA, AVMA and the OSU Alumni Association.

Jillian Spaulding, Assistant Hospital Manager & Hospital Director

Jillian, who hails from Boston, Massachusetts, helped establish an emergency Shelter there for pets belonging to those who were temporarily homeless resulting from fire, domestic violence, or other life crises. After returning from active duty in the U.S. Army, Jillian spent eight years in the Boston Area working at several practices as a veterinary technician, where she helped establish the Alliance for Animals, a low-cost spay and neuter clinic. Upon re-location to Las Vegas in 2007, Jillian has worked at Spencer Springs Animal Hospital, first as a Veterinary Assistant, and subsequently as the Assistant Hospital Manager and the Hospital Director. Her duties include overseeing all aspects of hospital operations as well as working hand-in-hand with our Veterinarians, Supervisors, and Staff to fulfill our goal of providing quality care to pets and excellent service to our clients. She is currently enrolled in the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager Program offered by a prestigious association, which certifies practice managers after completion of a continuing education curriculum. This will greatly benefit our hospital as we strive for excellence in a rapidly changing environment. "Being the practice manager and director of a great practice has been a life-long dream," she says. "I could not have found a better hospital to engage in the work I that love best." And we are most lucky to have found such a capable, strong leader who will help promote our practice. We're proud of you Jillian!