Dr. Elkins
Dr. Laura
Elkins is a native of Southern Indiana. She graduated from
Purdue University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology,
and again in 2008 with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
While studying at Purdue, Dr. Elkins was a varsity member of the
Purdue rowing team. Her interest in exotic animals led Dr.
Elkins to pursue externships at the Houston Zoo, the Lincoln Park
Zoo, and at the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. The experience
and training she acquired through these facilities helped foster
her desire to care for and treat exotic pets. Dr. Elkins
joined the Care-Pets team in 2008. She is a welcomed addition
to our staff, and brings great opportunity to expand our services
to include exotic animal medicine.
Dr. Elkins' Professional Memberships include:
- American Veterinary Medical Association
- Indiana Veterinary Medical Association
- American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
- Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians
- Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians
- Association of Sugar Glider Veterinarians
- Veterinary Information Network
On a personal note, Dr. Elkins enjoys spending time with her
husband James and their two dogs Java and Jet. Her hobbies
include traveling, water sports, hiking, and playing and watching
sports.
Dr. Evinger
Dr. Joan Evinger is a Southern Indiana native. She has
been associated with veterinary medicine since 1958 when she
started volunteering at a local veterinary office. After
graduation from Our Lady of Providence High School, she entered the
pre-veterinary curriculum at Purdue University. In 1967,
after being elected to Phi Zeta (a scholastic honorary society),
and earning her D.V.M. degree from Purdue, she returned home to
practice. After 12 years of practice, she took a 2 ½-year
sabbatical to study small animal internal medicine at Purdue.
Her solo practice started in 1985 when she returned home from
Purdue. Care-Pets Animal Hospital and Wellness Center has
been at its present location since 2001.
In 2004, Dr. Evinger's husband brought their first bird
home. This started an avian infatuation that has lead to
expanding the practice to include birds. Avian medicine,
surgery, and behavior take a large portion of her continuing
education time. In addition, Dr. Evinger attends the national
Association of Avian Veterinarians conference every year.
Dr. Evinger's Professional Memberships Include:
- American Veterinary Medical Association
- Indiana Veterinary Medical Association
- American Association of Feline Practitioners
- Association of Avian Veterinarians
- Veterinary Information Network
When not engaged in professional pursuits, Dr. Evinger enjoys
traveling, canoeing, hiking, camping, gardening, reading and
music. She also enjoys spending quality, quiet time with her
cat Gwendolyn and three birds Aurora (Patagonian Conure), Kona
(English Budgie), and Jasper (Goffin's Cockatoo). 
