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.

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Hover over each graphic, and a word should appear describing what it represents.

Dr. Sheila Dodson, DVM, CVA

Veterinarian/Owner
(she/her)

Dr. Sheila Dodson received her DVM from Kansas State University in 1999, and after a couple years practicing in Montana, she moved to the Kansas City area and has been here ever since. Dr. Sheila has a strong commitment to helping animals in the community. In 2007, she received the KVMA Distinguished Service Award, in part for her efforts in starting the Kansas State Animal Response Team (KSSART). She has also served on numerous boards, including Animal Haven, No More Homeless Pets, the Kansas City Veterinary Medical Association, and the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association (of which she was President in 2009-2010).

In 2011, she became the owner of Mariposa Veterinary Center and updated the name to Mariposa Veterinary Wellness Center. Her vision for animals and their people at Mariposa is to provide the best in integrated medicine, emphasizing preventative wellness care. She has a special fondness for helping owners struggling with inappropriate elimination issues with their cat.

Dr. Dodson is limiting her practice to acupuncture, feline behavior, and nutrition.

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Dr. J.C. Burcham, DVM

Veterinarian/Owner
(she/her)

Born and raised in Ames, IA, Dr. J.C. Burcham received her B.S. from the University of Minnesota and her DVM from Iowa State University. Birds and animal behavior have always fascinated her, and she enjoys focusing her attention on these fields in veterinary medicine. She was very fortunate to practice in a progressive small animal practice for 8 years prior to joining Mariposa, which allowed her to hone her skills with all types of exotic pets and foster an open mindset towards alternative therapies.

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 be Fear Free Avian certified!

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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 and two schnauzer mixes, Ollie and Andie. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping and playing guitar.

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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.

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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.

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