Our mission is to provide the most beneficial combination of therapies for each individual pet and family in a friendly, home-like, environmentally responsible setting. We will meet our patient’s needs with respect and compassion. We will provide our clients with information and support, empowering them in their choices for their pet family members.
Use the picture guides to identify our veterinarians’ areas of interests, so you can choose someone who matches your pet’s needs.
Hover over each graphic, and a word should appear describing what it represents.
Dr. JC Burcham, DVM
Veterinarian/Owner
(she/her)
Born and raised in Ames, IA, Dr. JC Burcham received her B.S. from the University of Minnesota and her DVM from Iowa State University. Birds and exotic animal medicine have always fascinated her, and she enjoys focusing her attention on these fields.
With a strong sense of commitment to community service, Dr. JC has enjoyed volunteering for No More Homeless Pets KC, the Olathe Noon Rotary Club, and served six years on the board of the Kansas City Veterinary Medical Association (President in 2011). She also founded the Johnson County Animal Response Team (JoCART) and served as president 2010-2012. She is past president of the Lenexa Rotary Club (2016-17) and an advisory board member for Kansas KC Metro Animal Response Team.
She is proud to have achieved Level 3 Fear Free Certification as well as being Fear Free Avian certified!
Dr. Erin Runnels, DVM, CVA, VCHM
Veterinarian
(she/her)
Dr. Erin Runnels joined Mariposa in Nov. 2013. An Overland Park native, she received her DVM from Kansas State University in 2011. She spent her first two years of practice in New Jersey at an integrative practice, gaining experience with conventional and alternative medicine. Her passion for alternative medicine began at a young age. During high school and veterinary school, she shadowed holistic veterinarians and started a chapter of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association at K-State.
In addition to Western medicine, Dr. Runnels’ interest in herbal medicine led her to attend the Chi Institute in the spring of 2014 to complete training in veterinary acupuncture. She also received her Certification of Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine from the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies in early 2018. Dr. Runnels shares her home with her daughter Finlee, wife Cortney, and schnoodle Ollie. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, camping and playing guitar.
Dr. Anthony Carrier, DVM, CVMMP
Veterinarian
(he/him)
With more than 17 years of veterinary experience, Dr. Anthony Carrier’s passion for animals ranges from the smallest furry friends to those with scales. Dr. Carrier completed his Bachelor’s degree at Kansas State University with a focus in Animal Sciences and he received his DVM from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California. He takes a special interest in examining exotics and small animals as he enjoys the opportunity to work with their unique healthcare needs.
At home in Gardner, Dr. Carrier and his wife, Hillary, are parents to two cats and a 25+ year old albino burmese python. They welcomed their baby boy in June 2021! At home and at work, trust is vital to Dr. Carrier and he enjoys establishing a bond with his animal clients and their owners–ensuring they know they’re in the care of kind and capable hands. He strives to make a personal connection with each owner and patient. Dr. Carrier joined Mariposa Veterinary Wellness Center because he’s able to provide quality care by utilizing both Western and Eastern medicine approaches to ensure the best for his patients. At Mariposa Veterinary Wellness Center, no two days are every alike, and that’s a challenge Dr. Carrier accepts with pride.
Dr. Amanda Kinnon, DVM
Veterinarian
(she/her)
Since graduating from vet school at K-State in 2018, Dr. Kinnon has worked with companion animals in the greater Kansas City area with a special interest in feline behavior/medicine and is excited to work with exotic animals again. In 2022, she completed the Small Animal Certified Veterinary Acupuncture course through Chi University and has been steadily improving her new skills while working on completing the certification process. At home, Dr. Kinnon loves to nap with her kitties, work on arts and crafts or knit, and take walks in nature with her partner and dog.
Dr. Sheila Dodson, DVM, CVA
Retired
(she/her)
Dr. Sheila Dodson retired at the end of 2025 after a remarkable career dedicated to compassionate, integrative veterinary care. She became owner of Mariposa Veterinary Wellness Center in 2011 and played a pivotal role in shaping the practice’s whole-health philosophy and community-focused culture. Dr. Sheila’s leadership, mentorship, and advocacy for pets and their families have left a lasting legacy that continues to guide our team today.
We are seeking to hire a veterinarian!
Our ideal candidate is a compassionate veterinarian who is either certified in veterinary acupuncture, herbal medicine, medical manipulation, or other alternative field, or is interested in becoming certified. An interest in exotic animal medicine is welcome but not required.
Our status as an AAHA-accredited hospital, a gold-level Feline Friendly Practice and the fact that every team member has received extensive Fear Free training reflects our commitment to our core values: compassion, honesty, integrity, safety, teamwork, service excellence and the highest standards of veterinary care.
Mariposa Veterinary Wellness Center is recognized as the premier small animal hospital providing integrative veterinary care in the greater Kansas City area. Our mission is to improve the quality of life of our patients and their families through the integration of conventional veterinary medicine, Chinese veterinary medicine and other non-traditional therapies, and nutritional and behavioral counseling. We seek to promote, improve and defend the well-being of our patients through education and collaboration with pet owners and referring veterinarians. We are committed to providing our services in an ethical and environmentally responsible manner.
For more information, please respond with your cover letter and resume! Send to taylor@mariposavet.com