Dr. Melanie DeHaan
Dr. deHaan is the founder and Medical Director of SOS of Ohio. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, class of 2006. Dr. deHaan was the founder and president of the The Ohio State University’s Shelter Medicine Club, a co-chair of the Community Service Committee, and received the American Veterinary Medical Association’s award for Outstanding Senior Service her graduating year. Dr. deHaan is a member of the OVMA, AVMA, and Association of Shelter Veterinarians. She does relief work for private practices across the city, but her special interest is Shelter Medicine with a focus on high-volume spay and neuter surgery.

Dr. Hannah Naples
Dr. Hannah Naples started at SOS of Ohio as a fourth year veterinary extern. She has always had a strong interest in shelter medicine, and was on the path to doing a residency to be Board Certified in Shelter Medicine when we met her. Dr. Naples started as one of our doctors when she graduated before going on to complete an internship in shelter medicine at the University of Florida. Once her internship was complete, Dr. Naples rejoined our team where she helps thousands of shelter animals in Central Ohio.

Dr. Hayley Apple
Dr. Apple graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2023. She is a gifted surgeon and has already spayed/neutered over 2,000 animals since receiving her license. Dr. Apple started at SOS of Ohio in 2018 as a receptionist and has since learned every other position in the clinic. We are proud to have contributed to Dr. Apple's growth as a veterinarian and cannot wait to see everything she does in the future. During her free time, Dr. Apple enjoys CrossFit, tending to her chickens, and spending time with her husband and soon to be baby girl!

Dr. Gwen Duncan
Dr. Duncan is a 2007 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. During vet school she volunteered on several trips with Rural Area Veterinary Services providing high-quality high-volume spay and neuter services to underserved areas. Dr duncan has worked in the HQHVSN field since graduating. In 2013, she transitioned to traditional general practice as her main job but has continued to work part time for SOS. She loves the variety this brings to her work life and is happy to use her surgical skills to help the community. Dr. Duncan is Low Stress Handling Silver Certified and Fear Free Shelter Certified.

Dr. Wendy Tsai-Nguyenba
Dr. Wendy Tsai is a 2003 graduate of Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. She has practiced small animal medicine in North Carolina, Minnesota, and now Ohio. After moving to Columbus over 16 years ago, she has continued to expand her interests in soft tissue surgery, feline medicine and shelter medicine. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her loving family, exploring nature trails with their dogs, leisure biking, and reading books of all genres.

Jennifer Bell, RVT
Bell started her career as a Vet Tech at Columbus Humane, and went on to spend a number of years helping shelter dogs at the Franklin County Dog Shelter. We are so happy to have her on our SOS team as our RVT Medical Lead! When she’s not helping pups, you can find her spending time with her kids and relaxing at the beach.

Daniel, RVT student
Daniel got to join the SOS team in October of 2021 as a receptionist. He spent his free time at the Franklin County Dog Shelter, where he found the most beautiful girl in the world. Her name is Torry and she's a very good girl yes she is! They spend their days reading together and studying to become a veterinary technician. Together. As one. With the adoption of his second dog, Percy, Daniel is well on his way to starting his own basketball team comprised solely of dogs, Air-Bud-style.

Tyler, Director of Operations
Tyler is originally from New Jersey where she volunteered and interned at a variety of non-profit animal organizations. She graduated from The Ohio State University in 2009 and joined the SOS team in 2012. Tyler has worked a variety of positions at SOS and is currently the Director of Operations. She is a sucker for calico cats and has one of her own named Peaches. During her free time, Tyler enjoys spending time with her friends, going to concerts, and skateboarding.

Naya, Vet Assistant
Naya is another one of our great team members that is Fear-Free Certified as well as obtaining an Associates of Arts from Columbus State Community College. Naya has been dedicated to rescue since the age of 14. She has volunteered for the ASPCA as well as starting her own rescue group, A Brighter Day Animal League. Their focus is to help dogs, cats, and small animals, with a foster-to-adopt program and a future project of a TNR program. Naya has seven cats at home and one incredibly lucky rat, named Opal. She spends her free time with her husband, animals, and trying to save as many animals as possible through her rescue.

Becca, Vet Assistant
Becca started wtih SOS in June of 2021. She is the mom of four cats and a bearded dragon. She grew up in a home lovingly referred to as a zoo, caring for birds, guinea pigs, an iguana, and even some milipedes! Becca has always loved animals and has finally found a career where she can both help animals and cuddle them!

Abby, Vet Assistant
Abby relocated to Columbus from out of state towards the end of 2021. She took her previous shelter and spay/neuter clinic experience and started volunteering with SOS at the beginning of 2022. After a couple of months, she came on as a Vet Assistant. She has a passion for helping animals and people and loves learning all aspects of the practice. Abby lives in Franklinton with her husband, 10 year old dog Fez, and two cats, Lokii (16), and Thor (3).

Naudia, Vet Assistant
Naudia came to us from a doggy daycare at the end of 2022! She helps to clean kennels, to wrap packs, and to make sure your pets have a smooth recovery after surgery. Naudia is passionate about positive reinforcement training and hopes to be able to provide such training at an affordable price in the near future.

Zoe, Vet Assistant
Zoe is currently an undergraduate at The Ohio State University. She hopes to pursue vet school upon graduation. Zoey helps all of our patients recovery after surgery .

Liz, Receptionist
Liz joined our team in August 2022. She sampled several careers before finding her passion working with animals. She attends Columbus State's Vet Tech program and volunteers for Columbus Humane. When not working she can be found reading urban fantasy, watching crime documentaries, and playing classic video games. She and her husband are owned by three cats- Remy, Fancy, and Mayday the Creamsicle Assassin- and a rotating clowder of fosters.

Roger, Receptionist
Roger received his undergraduate degree at the The University of Michigan (but we love him anyway). Roger originally followed his first passion and was a chef in the Columbus area for around a decade, but he has always had a passion for animals. Wanting a change from the kitchens of your favorite area restaurants, Roger decided to pursue his other love and joined our team in 2023. Roger currently works for us as a receptionist and is responsible for getting all of our morning patients checked in (and for keeping our clinic cats out of trouble)!

Melissa
Melissa helps keep the clinic in order, making sure laundry's done and vaccines are ready. We appreciate everything she does!

Jade
Jade graduated from The Ohio State University with a Major in Animal Sciences and minor in Biosciences and Meat Science in 2018. She then went on to receive her Masters of Animal Sciences in May of 2020. Jade knew from a very young age that she wanted to become a veterinarian as she grew up on a small family farm in Northern Ohio, and has worked in the veterinary field since she was 15. Jade started working with us in June of 2020 and has since fallen in love with HVHQSN and shelter medicine. Her favorite part of working at SOS is being able to help those who need it most - both the people and pets! She hopes to continue working in shelter medicine as well as with equine and large livestock in her veterinary future. She started school at tOSU College of Veterinary Medicine in Autumn 2022 to pursue her dream! When Jade is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her fiancé, family, and friends, as well as her 4 Labrador Retrievers and 5 rescue kitties at home!