Dr. Darryl B. Leslie, DVM
Darryl B. Leslie was born and raised in Alamogordo, New Mexico. He attended New Mexico State University for his undergraduate studies and then attended Colorado State University and received his doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1991. This added a third veterinarian to the family, as his father and his oldest brother, Earl, are also veterinarians. Dr. Leslie joined his father’s practice in June 1991and purchased the practice from him in 1994. The practice, Leslie Animal Clinic, was set up By Dr. Earl Leslie in 1959 and it was a proud day for the family as it passed from one generation to the next.
Dr. Leslie believes it is important to listen to client needs and provide compassionate veterinary health care. He tells us “I believe in working to improve the veterinary profession by being involved in the state and national associations”. He demonstrates this commitment to veterinary medicine by serving in the following positions:
- President of the New Mexico Veterinary Medical Association (NMVMA) 2003-2004
- Southwest Director of the NMVMA 1995-2003, 2006-2007
- Represented NM on the Southwest Veterinary Symposium (SWVS) 2009-2016 and served as Treasurer and as President during his term
- NM Representative to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) as the alternate delegate from 2016-2019 and as Delegate from 2019 to present
In addition to his community and professional work, he is accredited with the National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) as a Category 1 veterinarian. He can fulfill pet import and export requirements and issue international health certificates for dogs and cats.
Dr. Leslie married his wife Kim in 1990 and they have three children: Caysen, Dara, and Londyn. Caysen and Dara are married and still live in the Alamogordo area and Londyn is still at home and in middle school. The Leslie’s also have a high spirited Labradoodle named “Dizzy” and a miniature Goldendoodle named “Baylee Grace”. Outside of work, Dr. Leslie’s interests include his family, church (he is a deacon at Bethel Baptist Church), shooting sports, woodworking, gardening, traveling and general “tinkering” with household projects.
Dr. Derek Turner, DVM
Dr. Turner grew up in a ranching community in central New Mexico. Developing a special interest in biology and chemistry while in high school, veterinary medicine seemed a perfect fit for a challenging and rewarding career. Dr. Turner received his Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from New Mexico State University and went on to receive his Doctor of Medicine from Colorado State University in 1989. He has practiced veterinary medicine in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. His special interests include soft tissue and orthopedic surgery as well as critical care. Dr. Turner is married to Cheryl Louder Turner who was born and raised in Alamogordo. They have two adult children and a standard poodle named Reba. In his spare time, Dr. Turner enjoys oil painting, sculpting, and traveling.
June
Client Relations
June has been with Leslie Animal Clinic the longest. She started in September of 1995. She has been an animal lover all of her life. Born and raised in Alamogordo, everybody in town knows and loves June. Her smile and vibrant personality make you feel like family the minute you meet her. June is the proud mother of two girls, two bulldogs, a chihuahua, two cats, and a horse. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and shopping.
Cathy
Practice Manager
A new puppy in one hand and a resume in the other, Cathy’s journey with Leslie Animal Clinic began in October 2003. After graduating from Alamogordo High School, her career started with the USAF where she excelled in Communications and Computer Systems. She pursued the service industry becoming a manager of a hotel and then becoming involved in Dentistry and Orthodontics.
Growing up with many pets, her love of animals was always close to her heart, so it was a perfect time and fit for this opportunity. Cathy is currently raising a spirited husky “Silver”, a Frisbee-loving Border Collie “Jacky”, and the terror blue heeler “Turbo”. In her spare time, she enjoys fishing, gardening, and traveling.
Kristina
Veterinary Nurse
Kristina’s start as a temporary employee during a family emergency has turned out to become full time employment with Leslie Animal Clinic since October 2011. Kristina received her Bachelors in Radiographic Technology and is now qualified to perform Abdominal Ultrasounds. She has decided to stay close to family and now utilizes her skills with the “4-legged furry kind.” Kristina enjoys hiking, concerts and hanging out with friends. Kristina has finally found the BEST hiking buddy ever…a rescued Husky named “Shilo”.
Morgan
Patient Care Coordinator
Morgan has been with Leslie Animal Clinic since 2017 and is our Patient Care Coordinator. She is certified in abdominal and cardiac ultrasound. She was born and raised in Alamogordo and her love for animals came at an early age. Morgan is currently raising her 3 fur babies, a red heeler named “Paisley” and two Aussie’s, “Remi” and “Nova”, with her high school sweet heart who she married in 2022.
Carise
Clinical Training Coordinator
Carise has been with Leslie Animal Clinic since November of 2019. Carise knew she wanted to work in the veterinary field ever since she was three. She saw an episode of Sesame Street that featured a veterinarian and told her mom she knew she wanted to care for animals when she grew up. Fast forward to today, Carise is currently working to achieve her degree through Penn Foster’s Veterinary Technician program. She can frequently be found singing to her patients and coworkers while trying to provide the best care she can for each and every pet. At home, she and her husband happily parent their one human son, two dogs, four cats, several chickens, and a tarantula.”
Tina
Inventory Manager
Tina has been with Leslie Animal Clinic since December of 2019. Her first career as a math teacher lasted 26 years. During the two summers Tina worked as a veterinary nurse here at LAC, she fell in love with the people and the clinic. After leaving the education world, she was happy to return to the Leslie Animal Clinic family. She started out in a Client Relations position and has since moved into an Inventory Manager position. Tina is married to her husband Dale, and they have had many German shorthair pointers over the years. They currently have four females; Abby, Emma, Liesl, and Tilli.
Kristen
Veterinary Nurse
Kristen was born and raised in Alamogordo. She graduated from Alamogordo High School and then attended New Mexico Tech University where she received her B.S in Biology. She is currently in the process of applying to vet school and hopes to be accepted for the 2022 school year. Kristen has been working for Leslie Animal Clinic since August of 2021 but has been working in the field for three years.
Kristen is very much an animal lover. She is the “mom” of three dogs, two cats, and two snakes.
Makayla
Client Relations
Makayla started with us in March 2022. She worked in customer service for 10 years as an assistant manager at Tractor Supply prior to joining our team. Whether it was showing animals in FFA or doing rodeos at a young age. Makayla has always had a love for animals. She and her husband have a small ranch outside of Alamogordo where she raises 2 horses, 4 dogs, cows, chickens, a wild 2-year-old daughter, and has a little one on the way!
Anyssa
Veterinary nurse
Anyssa has been our most recent addition to our team here at Leslie Animal Clinic. She came to us from Deming, NM. She carries six years of technician experience and has a huge passion for the field. She is currently working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Pre-Law. In her downtime, she enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her German Shepherd, Buddy. Anyssa is very excited to join our team and cannot wait to start building relationships with you and your furry friends!
Carolyn
Veterinary Nurse”
Carolyn started working with us in March 2023. Carolyn has known her whole life that she wanted to work with animals, and working in veterinary medicine has taught her that she also loves working with the people the animals bring in. Her favorite thing about her job is seeing the difference and joy our team makes by doing what we love, helping animals. She has 10 years of experience and is a certified Euthanasia technician, being sure to help others get through that hard time with compassion and care. She’s a sucker for bottle babies and regularly dedicates time to care for some kittens or puppies. When she’s not working, you’ll still find her around animals, either with her own pets (3 dogs and 4 cats), playing her switch, or going on adventures.
Payton
Veterinary Nurse
Payton started with Leslie Animal Clinic in March 2023. She was born and raised in Alamogordo and has spent the past year in the healthcare field earning a CMA certificate. She has always had a passion for animals and decided to join us! In her free time, she enjoys anything outdoors or having Harry Potter marathons. She has one fur baby, an American Bulldog, named Jax! She is excited to be a part of our team and can’t wait to meet you all!