Get To Know Us
Our Veterinary Team
Meet the Chagrin Animal Clinic team!
Lauren Binder, DVM
Managing Veterinarian
As a Chagrin Falls native, Dr. Binder takes great pride in caring for her hometown’s pets and their families. Her special interests in veterinary medicine are soft tissue surgery, geriatric canine health, and dermatology.
After graduating from Walsh Jesuit High School, Dr. Binder’s educational road trip began at the University of San Diego, where she graduated with a degree in Biology. The journey continued, graduating from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, followed by an internship at Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery in Weatherford, Texas. She remained in the Lone Star state for several years, practicing small animal medicine in Houston. Then, in 2021, she made her way back to Ohio to raise her three young boys nearer to family in the ideal setting of the Chagrin Valley.
When she’s not at Chagrin Animal Clinic, you can find Dr. Binder spending time with her husband and sons or on the local roads and trails training for marathons and Ironman triathlons.
Jillian Lubinger, DVM
Veterinarian
Originally from Brecksville, Dr. Lubinger graduated with the highest distinction from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She attended Michigan State University for her undergraduate education, majoring in Zoology (Go green!). She has three cats, Maui, Muffin, and Mitsi who are her pride and joy. You may even see her toting Maui around in his cat stroller on a nice day. Her areas of veterinary interest include feline medicine, soft tissue surgery, clinical pathology and dermatology. She is Fear-Free Certified, aiming to create the most hospitable and friendly environment for your pet when they visit us. When Dr. Lubinger isn’t taking care of pets in the clinic, you may find her reading books, traveling with her fiancée, or exercising at the gym. She is looking forward to meeting you and your pet soon!
Immy Underwood, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Underwood grew up in Kent where she stayed to earn her bachelor’s of science in zoology from Kent State University. She moved to Columbus to attend Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where she received her degree. Dr. Underwood adopted her first cat two weeks after starting vet school. After graduating, she moved to St. Louis with her partner to work at a small animal practice. There they adopted their second cat who has a rare disease called acromegaly. Dr. Underwood enjoyed living in St. Louis but missed Ohio too much, so they decided it was time to move home. She has a special interest in urgent care, surgery, and internal medicine. Dr. Underwood is passionate about helping sick and injured animal but also enjoys being able to prevent disease at routine wellness appointments. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, playing tennis, reading, and playing music.
Alicia
Practice Manager
Alicia graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Applied Communications and has been in the veterinary field since 2016. Alicia shares her home with five cats, two crested geckos, a turtle, and plenty of plants. In her spare time she enjoys playing tennis, kayaking, gardening, and traveling.
Kate
RVT
Kate is a registered veterinary technician that comes to Chagrin Animal Clinic with experience in both general practice and emergency veterinary medicine. She graduated from Kent State Trumbull’s veterinary technician program in 2019 with an associate of applied science. She then went on to complete her bachelor’s degree and began teaching for Kent State’s veterinary technician program.
She shares her home with her Golden Retriever, Chief as well as her two cats- Potato and Peeks.
Outside of work & teaching, Kate stays busy with her small farm of goats, chickens, and guinea hens. She is also an avid gardener and apiarist, and enjoys kayaking and boating.
Ashlee
Registered Veterinary Technician
Ashlee has been in the veterinary field since 2017, graduating from Tri-C in 2021 and becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician. Ashlee keeps busy with her daughter, husband, two dogs, and a cat (she’s hoping to add a snake and lizard soon!). When outside of the clinic, Ashlee cheers her daughter on at sporting events, horseback riding, and ice skating.
Josh
Veterinary Assistant
Josh is originally from Chardon and has been in the veterinary field for 8 years. He has two very spoiled dogs of his own – Xena and Juniper. Outside of work Josh enjoys taking his dogs for walks, going fishing, and spending time with family.
Amanda
Veterinary Assistant
Born and raised in Parma, Amanda graduated from the Valley College veterinary technician program. “I love all animals, but I’m a big sucker for Huskies!” In her free time, Amanda likes spending time with her family and taking her dog, Tanks, for many walks and adventures.
Alyssa
Veterinary Assistant
Alyssa’s love of animals began at a young age and grew when she volunteered at a local cat shelter during high school. While attending Kent State for zoology, she began working at the humane society. It was this experience that led Alyssa to pursuing veterinary technician school. Alyssa is currently a student in the Penn Foster program and continues to work her way towards her veterinary technician license. When not working, Alyssa enjoys cuddling with her cats while reading a good book.
Katie
Veterinary Assistant
Katie is new to the veterinary field and is excited to start her career at Chagrin Animal Clinic! Her and her family share their homes with 3 dogs- Brandy, Rain and Moose 3 cats- Nuna, Bugs and Bunny and 11 chickens. In her free time, Katie likes to watch movies, go hiking, and spend time with her friends and family.
Jessica
Veterinary Assistant
Jessica has worked in veterinary medicine since 2002, starting as a Vet Assistant in high school. She earned her associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology in 2011. She absolutely loves what she does! It is more a passion than a job and her perfect career. She enjoys connecting with clients, providing the reassurance, knowledge and resources to help them care for their pets, while selfishly gaining all the snuggles from the pets. Fur is the perfect accessory to any outfit! Her interests in veterinary medicine are feline medicine and behavior, integrative medicine, surgery, and internal medicine. She is a self-proclaimed “crazy” cat lady and Disney enthusiast. She is a proud fur mom to 7 amazing kitties and 2 adorable bunnies.
Teliah
Veterinary Assistant
Teliah has been in the veterinary field for over a year and is currently working on her AAS in Veterinary Technology at Penn Foster. She has 1 “freeloading” cat at home named Mila that she loves very dearly. When not at the clinic, she is often found playing video games or roller skating outside. She is very glad to be part of the CAC team.
Ally
Prior to joining Chagrin Animal Clinic in 2023, Ally worked at a local boarding facility as a kennel technician. Ally shares her home with her four cats, Pip, Lily, Finn, and Moon. In her spare time, Ally enjoys spending time with her friends (most likely shopping) or creating art.
Bri
Client Services Representative
Bri has always had a passion for animals and has shown that through her work in animal care, she has done many things including making pet food, cleaning kennels, and now reception. Her passion for animal care started when she fostered a puppy who was only given 48 hours to live and nursed it back to health. This experience solidified her dreams of working in the veterinary field. She loves all of her fur babies which include two cats- Pumpkin and Aristole and two pups- Bambi and Tina! During her time away from the clinic, Bri enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and family.
Elliott
Elliott grew up here in the Chagrin area with his family’s cats, dogs, fish, and birds! He has been working with animals since his first job, and has never wanted to be in a different field! When he’s not working, he’s probably training his rescue GSD mix Monday, reading a good book, or gardening.
Krystyna
Veterinary Assistant
Krystyna began her animal welfare career in animal sheltering 12 years ago and is now a Veterinary Technology student. She enjoys spending time with her partner, four dogs, four cats, and four chickens. Her pastimes include horror novels, murder podcasts, and homesteading. At work, she particularly likes researching the latest Fear Free techniques and working with small, spicy dogs!
Teliah
Veterinary Assistant
Teliah has been in the veterinary field for over a year and is currently working on her AAS in Veterinary Technology at Penn Foster. She has 1 “freeloading” cat at home named Mila that she loves very dearly. When not at the clinic, she is often found playing video games or roller skating outside. She is very glad to be part of the CAC team.
Harper
Veterinary Assistant
Harper recently joined the CAC team after working in large animal medicine for quite some time. She has 5 children and 4 fur-babies at home. In her spare time she enjoys reading, writing, making music, and creating art. Harper has a soft spot for giant breeds or any dog with a short nose and smushed face. She is planning on enrolling in the RVT program through Penn Foster next year.
Jessica
Veterinary Assistant
Jessica has worked in veterinary medicine since 2002, starting as a Vet Assistant in high school. She earned her associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology in 2011. She absolutely loves what she does! It is more a passion than a job and her perfect career. She enjoys connecting with clients, providing the reassurance, knowledge and resources to help them care for their pets, while selfishly gaining all the snuggles from the pets. Fur is the perfect accessory to any outfit! Her interests in veterinary medicine are feline medicine and behavior, integrative medicine, surgery, and internal medicine. She is a self-proclaimed “crazy” cat lady and Disney enthusiast. She is a proud fur mom to 7 amazing kitties and 2 adorable bunnies.
Katie
Veterinary Assistant
Katie is new to the veterinary field and is excited to start her career at Chagrin Animal Clinic! Her and her family share their homes with 3 dogs- Brandy, Rain and Moose 3 cats- Nuna, Bugs and Bunny and 11 chickens. In her free time, Katie likes to watch movies, go hiking, and spend time with her friends and family.
Ashlee
Registered Veterinary Technician
Ashlee has been in the veterinary field since 2017, graduating from Tri-C in 2021 and becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician. Ashlee keeps busy with her daughter, husband, two dogs, and a cat (she’s hoping to add a snake and lizard soon!). When outside of the clinic, Ashlee cheers her daughter on at sporting events, horseback riding, and ice skating.
Alicia
Practice Manager
Alicia graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Applied Communications and has been in the veterinary field since 2016. Alicia shares her home with five cats, two crested geckos, a turtle, and plenty of plants. In her spare time she enjoys playing tennis, kayaking, gardening, and traveling.
Bri
Client Services Representative
Bri has always had a passion for animals and has shown that through her work in animal care, she has done many things including making pet food, cleaning kennels, and now reception. Her passion for animal care started when she fostered a puppy who was only given 48 hours to live and nursed it back to health. This experience solidified her dreams of working in the veterinary field. She loves all of her fur babies which include two cats- Pumpkin and Aristole and two pups- Bambi and Tina! During her time away from the clinic, Bri enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and family.
Ally
Client Services Representative
Prior to joining Chagrin Animal Clinic in 2023, Ally worked at a local boarding facility as a kennel technician. Ally shares her home with her four cats, Pip, Lily, Finn, and Moon. In her spare time, Ally enjoys spending time with her friends (most likely shopping) or creating art.
Elliott
Client Services Representative
Elliott grew up here in the Chagrin area with his family’s cats, dogs, fish, and birds! He has been working with animals since his first job, and has never wanted to be in a different field! When he’s not working, he’s probably training his rescue GSD mix Monday, reading a good book, or gardening.
Alyssa
Veterinary Assistant
Alyssa’s love of animals began at a young age and grew when she volunteered at a local cat shelter during high school. While attending Kent State for zoology, she began working at the humane society. It was this experience that led Alyssa to pursuing veterinary technician school. Alyssa is currently a student in the Penn Foster program and continues to work her way towards her veterinary technician license. When not working, Alyssa enjoys cuddling with her cats while reading a good book.
Amanda
Veterinary Assistant
Born and raised in Parma, Amanda graduated from the Valley College veterinary technician program. “I love all animals, but I’m a big sucker for Huskies!” In her free time, Amanda likes spending time with her family and taking her dog, Tanks, for many walks and adventures.
Andrea
Registered Veterinary Technician/Lead Surgical Technician
Andrea graduated from Cuyahoga Community Colleges Veterinary Technology program in 2002 and began working for Chagrin Animal Clinic in 2004 as an RVT. She was with the clinic in its early years in its old building on Chagrin Rd and has thoroughly enjoyed working in the updated, new facility. In her spare time, Andrea enjoys tending to her many animals, taking her beloved Rat Terrier, Finn to agility, and riding horses.
Stacie
Registered Veterinary Technician
Stacie is from Southington, Ohio. She graduated from Cuyahoga Community College Vet Tech program in 2013. Stacie has been working as a Registered Veterinary Technician ever since. In her free time, Stacie likes to go horse back riding, hiking with her dogs, and spending time with her family.
Mariesa
Veterinary Assistant
Mariesa has been in the veterinary field since 1998. She lives in the Hiram area with her husband, 3 children, dog (June, the beautiful Boxer pictured), and 3 cats. When Mariesa isn’t in the clinic, she enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.
Jonai
Veterinary Assistant
Jonai is currently attending Cuyahoga Community College and then plans to pursue Registered Veterinary Technician schooling. Jonai has many years of experience as a dog groomer. In her free time, Jonai enjoys spending time with her two fur babies, hiking with her dog, reading and snuggling with her cat, and watching movies.)
Michelle
Registered Veterinary Technician
Michelle has her Bachelors of Science and Biology degree from Cleveland State and is preparing for graduation from Penn Foster this summer for her Veterinary Technician degree. She enjoys being around animals, reading, crafting, hiking with her dog, and being on the lake. She has a 4-year-old rescue Golden Retriever named Henry and two aquatic turtles, Penny and Peso.
Josh
Veterinary Assistant
Josh is originally from Chardon and has been in the veterinary field for 8 years. He has two very spoiled dogs of his own – Xena and Juniper. Outside of work Josh enjoys taking his dogs for walks, going fishing, and spending time with family.
Kate
RVT
Kate is a registered veterinary technician that comes to Chagrin Animal Clinic with experience in both general practice and emergency veterinary medicine. She graduated from Kent State Trumbull’s veterinary technician program in 2019 with an associate of applied science. She then went on to complete her bachelor’s degree and began teaching for Kent State’s veterinary technician program.
She shares her home with her Golden Retriever, Chief as well as her two cats- Potato and Peeks.
Outside of work & teaching, Kate stays busy with her small farm of goats, chickens, and guinea hens. She is also an avid gardener and apiarist, and enjoys kayaking and boating.