Our Story
Lanier Animal Hospital was founded in June of 2002 and was originally located in a 1500 square foot strip mall close to Cumming, Buford, Sugar Hill and Suwanee. From the very beginning, our mantra has been to practice excellent medicine as well as to provide phenomenal service to our customers. Our focus on safety and cleanliness are unparalleled and helped drive our growth.
In 2012, Lanier Animal Hospital built a brand new 10,000 square foot facility across the street from its original location that is full of innovations that you will see nowhere else. We encourage you to come take a tour and see things for yourself - we truly are different from other animal hospitals. Stop by for a tour and feel free to contact us with any questions that you might have. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Doctors
Dr. Mavis McCormick-Rantze, DVM, VDP
Veterinarian
Dr. Mavis graduated in 2003 from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and also has undergraduate degrees in both Animal Science and Zoology. She has been the owner and Medical Director of Lanier Animal Hospital since 2006. Besides companion animals, Dr. Mavis has a strong interest in avian and exotic medicine and has continued her education getting her certifications in acupuncture.
In late 2022 Dr. Mavis underwent additional study, training and examination through IVDI to attain an advanced level of knowledge and skill in veterinary dentistry. She is now taking on what she has learned through this advanced training to benefit our other veterinarians to be the most qualified in a general veterinary practice to provide the most advanced, safe and proper oral care to all of our patients.
Way before she was a veterinarian she worked as a veterinary technician in private practice and at the Yerkes Primate Center. She lives in Suwanee with her husband, two daughters and her menagerie of dogs and cats.
Dr. Hannah Fearing
Veterinarian
Dr. Fearing graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 2016. She also has an undergraduate degree in Biology from Warren Wilson College. Dr. Fearing is especially interested in neurology and ophthalmology and particularly adores her feline patients. Outside of work, she enjoys riding her horse and running. She lives in Buford with her two cats.
Dr. Macie Joncas
Veterinarian
We are thrilled to have Dr. Macie Joncas join our LAH family in June 2022! She graduated from Auburn University in 2022 and received her undergraduate degree at Berry College majoring in Animal Science with minors in Chemistry and French. Dr. Macie’s veterinary interests are in feline, preventative and integrative medicine. Although she has spent most of her life in Sugar Hill, Macie was able to travel abroad to Paris, France to spend a summer studying Biochemistry and upper-level French. Photography is a favorite pastime along with spending time with her dog, Ralphie and her tuxedo kitty, Puddin. You will also find her fostering kittens whenever the opportunity comes up.
Dr. Ashley Gambon
Veterinarian
We are so lucky to have Dr. Ashley join us in June 2024 after graduating from UGA in May. When we met Ashley, we knew she would be a wonderful addition to our LAH family! She has worked in the industry for many years prior to starting her second career as a veterinarian. Ashley loves preventative and internal medicine and surgery. She enjoys family time with her husband and son and in her spare time you can find her running 5k races, crocheting or cheering on the GA Bulldawgs! Although Ashely doesn’t have any pets yet, we know working with us, she will be bringing home a much needed rescue very soon!
Management
Judi Bailey, CVPM
Hospital Administrator
Judi graduated with a degree in Veterinary Technology in 1987 from Truman University, formally known as Northeast Missouri State University. She worked in Jacksonville, FL as a Certified Veterinary Technician until she had the opportunity to step into Practice Management. Moving to Georgia in 1994, she continued her career in veterinary management. She is Founder/President of BG Southeast, Inc., a veterinary management consulting company, and in 2006, Judi became Founder and President of Georgia Veterinary Managers Association (GAVMA), where she continues to mentor and support managers all over Georgia. In 2014, she became a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager and in 2016 Judi had the honor of being named the first VHMA/DVM360 Practice Manager of the Year.
Although Judi has managed large multi-doctor practices, ER & Specialty hospitals & has been a regional manager in corporate medicine, her passion is making a difference in the small business community. Judi joined her friend, Dr. Mavis McCormick-Rantze to do just that at Lanier Animal Hospital in early 2021.
In her spare time, Judi enjoys reading, working out, and attending Alabama football games with her husband and son. She is also a devoted mom to her two Poodles, Champ and Cisco, who enjoy coming to work with her from time to time.
Rebecca
Operations Manager
Rebecca has been in the veterinary industry for over 10 years starting her career as a resort assistant, moving to client services and finally as a technician, including time at a specialty hospital in the Oncology department. Rebecca joined the LAH family in March 2022 to take her next step in her career into management as the Operations Manager, assisting our Hospital Administrator and Department Managers. She lives with her soon-to-be husband and her favorite dog, Olive. Besides being a HUGE Harry Potter fan, Rebecca loves reading, puzzles, hiking, and kayaking.
Client Services
Monica
Client Service Manager
Monica has been with Lanier Animal Hospital since 2012 way back before the move to the new facility. She has been in the veterinary field since 2000 and loves the interaction with all the clients and their fur babies. Monica and her son, Jackson, enjoy traveling to the mountains and the beach, attending area festivals and cheering on the UGA Bulldawgs and the Atlanta Braves. Momma Kitty and her litter of kittens were found in Monica’s back yard during a very cold winter in 2014. And although the kittens found forever homes, Momma Kitty is still queen of the house.
Jessica
Assistant Client Service Manager
Jessica had been working in the veterinary field for 3 years and had heard nothing but good things about Lanier Animal Hospital. She wanted a new challenge that was closer to home, so she joined the Lanier family in March of 2021. Before joining Lanier, Jessica had worked in retail and customer service and wanted to combine this experience with her passion for animals. She also worked with an amazing rescue group, You Lucky Dog, and is always pursuing as much knowledge as possible so she can help as many pet owners as she can. Although Jessica and her husband do not have children, their home is filled with a multitude of pets who get plenty of love. Reading, movies, travel and hiking are some of the many things Jess enjoys doing outside of work. Her fondest memory is getting to come face-to-face with a dolphin, her favorite animal. And Jessica is always counting down the days until Christmas, the season that gives her the most joy.
Tayler
Tayler joined Lanier Animal Hospital in 2019 but she was volunteering in the resort well before that during holidays and summer while in high school. Her mom was a lead technician at Lanier and when she moved away, it was only fitting that Tayler join the Lanier family in an official capacity using her customer service skills as a receptionist.
Tayler shares a new home with her high school sweetheart, Jonathan and her cat, Bean and her boxer mix, Chalupa. Not only did she rescue her own fur babies but Tayler spends most of her free time fostering kittens for a great rescue organization, Cat Rangers. Tayler loves meeting all the clients and their pets that come in every day and considers Lanier as her extended family.
Melissa
Melissa joined Lanier Animal Hospital in the summer of 2021 to pursue her love for animals and people. She took the long way around to veterinary medicine by way of EMT training, working at a funeral home and managing a carwash. Melissa’s favorite past time is watching Penn State Football and spending time with her husband, Joe, her 2 grown children and her sweet grandson, Logan. She has 3 dogs, Sadie, Ellie and Jessie.
Melana
Melana made the decision to join our LAH family October 2023 because she says she was amazed with how much Lanier truly cares for their patients. Melana got her Bachelor’s Degree in Animation but with the pandemic she couldn’t pursue her degree and ended up falling in love with the veterinary medicine field. There isn’t an animal she doesn’t love! And along with her wife, Emma, they share a home with a Chihuahua, Kenai, a tuxedo cat, Nami and their baby Yorkipoo, Rigby. In her spare time, Melana loves board games and playing on her Nintendo Switch.
Technician Team
Cara
Technician Manager
Cara started working at Lanier Animal Hospital in 2017 to continue to pursue her passion of working with animals. She is always looking for opportunities to further her knowledge in the veterinary field, especially to be able to provide the best care to her 5 dogs and 4 snakes. Cara loves hiking with her dogs, spending time with family and cheering on the University of Alabama football team. Roll Tide!
Alyssa
Alyssa has been with Lanier Animal Hospital since 2019. She has been in the veterinary field since 2015 and received on the job training at a hospital in her home state of Utah before moving to Georgia in 2017. Alyssa worked at a small animal hospital in Milton, GA until an opportunity to be closer to home with Lanier Animal Hospital opened up. Alyssa and her amazing husband Jacob, are newlyweds, having just gotten married in October 2021. Their family consists of Alyssa’s pride and joy, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel named Winston Bishop and a very vocal cat named Leia. Alyssa loves working with animals and especially being able to provide them with the best health care to help them to live a long, happy, and healthy life!
Brook
Resort Manager
Brook joined us in August 2020, coming to us with a couple of years’ experience in the veterinary field even though she has a degree as a dental assistant. In her spare time, Brook has an awesome show truck and travels around the country competing in car shows. She also enjoys spending time with her friends and family. Brook has 3 cats, Cali, Roxie and Bailey and has taken on the role as “MOM” to our 2 clinic cats, PeeWee and Bully.
Taylor S.
Having recently moved to the area, Taylor wanted to pursue her veterinary medicine passion and stopped in for a tour at Lanier Animal Hospital. She immediately fell in love and joined the family in September 2021. Taylor is currently enrolled in the Penn Foster program to get her veterinary technology degree and become a Registered Veterinary Technician. Although she loves going to the mountains and trying out new coffee shops, all Taylor’s time is consumed with planning her fall wedding and getting settled in a new home. She shares her home and her heart with soon to be hubby, and her rescue kitties Binx and Clarence!
Genesis S.
Genesis joined the LAH family the summer of 2022 in search of an opportunity to learn and grow in the veterinary field. She is enrolled in the Veterinary Technician Program with Ashworth College and after becoming a Certified Technician, hopes to finish her studies at UGA. Genesis is from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, coming to this country 10 years ago in search of a better life. Reading, video games, traveling and learning new languages (currently Italian) are some of Genesis’s many hobbies! She lives with her family and two dogs Kiarabella and Dominic and hopes to one day become a wildlife rehabilitator!
Avery
I started working at LAH in March of 2023 for the opportunities to learn & grow in veterinary medicine as well as join a staff that is so kind & welcoming. I currently attend online college at the University of Kentucky & ride horses competitively both nationally & internationally.
I share a home with my dog and my foster cat as well as a few of my good friends. My main hobby is riding horses because that pretty much consumes all my free time!
Fostering is also a side gig, as I have 2 rescue horses, Vedette and a 26 yr old named Poppy. I also have a dog, Dallas, and a foster cat. and 2 horses. My love for animals and working at LAH go together because there is no better place to get such great care!
Brianna
Brianna grew up on a farm in Texas so it was only natural when she moved to GA her first job was as a kennel assistant at a veterinary clinic. She remained at the same clinic for 26 years, living, eating and breathing veterinary medicine, growing into a talented, experienced veterinary assistant. Brianna’s mission has always been to help save as many animals as possible. We are so excited to bring Brianna in to the Lanier family in October 2023. She currently lives in Cumming with her 2 chihuahua’s, Anthony Kiedis and Tony Roma and if you couldn’t tell by her dog’s names, she is a huge Dallas Cowboy fan and can’t get enough of the Red-Hot Chili Peppers! In her free time, Brianna loves to hang with her sweet nieces.
Cachet
Cachet joined us November 2023 to step away from veterinary corporate medicine and settle in with a place that feels like home. She went to Grayson Technical High School for the veterinary technician program in 11th and 12th grade while attending Peachtree Ridge. The majority of her veterinary assistant experience was with Banfield prior to joining LAH. Cachet is married with 2 beautiful children, Damien and Aeris and has a hound terrier mix named Riku. In her spare time, Cachet loves anime and playing video games. She also enjoys pet sitting on the side and loves to cook and bake. She is someone we call “home grown” having lived in Georgia her entire life. We are excited to have Cachet join our LAH family.
Brittany
Third time is a charm for Brittany, who worked for us from 2016-2019, joined us again for a year in 2022 and missed us so much, she rejoined us part-time in April 2023! During her time away she worked at Walton County Animal Control and is currently working in the medical field as a pediatric lab technician. Britt is excited to have the opportunity to be back with her Lanier family because she has missed working with all the people who shaped her love for animals. Brittany spends all of her free time enjoying her daughter, Kelly, and keeping up with her 3 dogs.
Resort Team
Kelsey
Kelsey joined the LAH family in June 2021 as she was headed to Reinhardt University on an athlete scholarship for Lacrosse. Kelsey is majoring in Biology/Pre-Vet and works for LAH during her summer and holiday breaks. When she is not on campus or traveling with her Lacrosse team, she lives at home with a menagerie of animals, 2 dogs, 2 Russian blue cats, 2 guinea pigs and 9 rabbits!
Kyla
Kyla was working at Publix and studying to be a veterinary technician when she met one of our employees, who told her to apply and join our LAH family. We are excited to have Kyla join our resort team. She has been with us since May 2022 and has a love for all animals. Kyla lives at home with her mom, grandmother, siblings and her dog named Baby. In her spare time, Kyla enjoys singing and painting.
Daniela
Daniela joined LAH in February 2023. She was looking for a job in the veterinary field close to home with a friendly environment and she feels like she hit the jackpot! She was a babysitter for more than 6 years but got the itch to pursue the veterinary field and will start in the Veterinary Technology Program at Gwinnett Technical College. Daniela is bilingual and enjoys watching youtube videos, working out and shopping! Her two dogs, Buttercup and Rocco have to put up with 4 cats that were added to the family when Daniela rescued them from behind a church. Even though Daniela will just be with us seasonally once she starts school, we are so lucky to have her on our team!
Sarah M
I started an internship at Lanier AH as a senior at Forsyth Central High School in August 2022. After graduation, I loved it so much I was able to be hired on as a Resort Assistant. I have always loved animals and nature and although my pets include chickens and lovebirds, I really enjoy taking care of all the dog, cat & exotic guests that stay in our resort. In my free time, I enjoy working with resin, crocheting and other crafts. I also have 3 beehives and enjoy collecting honey from them. I am fluent in ASL (American Sign language) and although I am deaf, I wear hearing aids to assist in my daily life.
Jason R
Jason started in the resort July 2023 and although he is quiet and shy, working with a bunch of women is finally bringing him out of his shell! He loves taking care of all the boarding guests, especially during playtimes! Jason lives at home with 2 golden retrievers, Tiko and Tobie. In his spare time, he loves to draw and catch up on his sleep!
Groomers
Aprile
Aprile has a Bachelors Degree in Social work but found her true passion for grooming dogs working for a large veterinary corporation for 15 years. After taking a couple years off to start a family, Aprile joined Lanier Animal Hospital part-time in 2015. She really missed grooming as well as the interaction with clients and educating them on proper hygiene of their pets. Aprile also volunteers with the Gwinnett County Jail Dog program teaching inmates how to care for pets in the program. In her spare time, Aprile loves to shop, attend country music concerts, travel and of course cheer for the Atlanta Braves. Besides a wonderful husband and 3 beautiful children, April is mom to 2 Boston terriers, Daphne and Dixie and a rescue Aussie named Georgia.
Dana
Dana joined the grooming team on Valentines Day 2024 at the insistence of her daughters who have been clients of LAH for years. She became a licensed hairdresser just out of high school, but in 2016, when people got to be too much, she switched to dogs and has never look back! Dana grew up in New York but ended up moving to GA to be closer to her sister. Dana has a Great Dane/Boxer mix named Cash Money and enjoys spending time with him and her family, however, she will tell you her only “hobby” is grooming all the different dog breeds that come to our spa!