Dr. Jeff Clinebell
Veterinarian, Practice Owner
Dr. Clinebell is a native of Mahomet, IL. He attended the University of Illinois where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Biosciences in 1981, and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1983. Jeff’s special interests during veterinary school were in the areas of small animal and equine medicine and surgery, as well as exotic animal medicine. Jeff is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Illinois Veterinary Medical Association (for which he serves on the Membership Committee) and the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
Jeff has lived and worked in the Monroe County area of Illinois since graduating from veterinary school. He and his wife, Deb, have two grown children, Chase and Lexi. Currently Jeff and Deb live in Waterloo, IL where they have a small horse farm. Both he and Deb enjoy the various aspects of raising, training, riding and showing their home raised horses. Some of Jeff’s other passions include: work with Helping Strays, (The Humane Society of Monroe County), and the local community theater group, Monroe Actor’s Stage Company (MASC). He also enjoys serving on committees at his church, singing in a couple of different local singing groups, and running in local races.
Dr. Rita Ryerson
Veterinarian, Practice Owner
Dr Ryerson is a co-owner of BAH since it opened in June 1991. She grew up in rural Chesterfield Missouri riding her horse in open fields. She received her dual Bachelor degree’s in Geology and Animal science and her doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from University of Missouri-Columbia. She is a member of AVMA, MVMA, ISVMA, AHS, AAFP and attends many continuing education programs through out the year.
She respects all aspects of veterinary medicine and prides herself in diagnosing and treating complex health issues. She has endless compassion for her patients and loves forming lasting friendships with her clients. Dr Ryerson excels in educating pet owners about their individual animal’s health.
In her spare time she prefers to spend it with her family but also enjoys horseback riding and driving, snow skiing, hiking, walking, yoga, traveling, cooking and listening to good music. Her family includes her husband Bill, their three childern, a few horses, dogs, cats, hens, and exotics pets. She spends a lot of time cleaning her barn and tending to the flock and herds.
Dr. Melody Gayheart
Veterinarian
I am originally from Louisville, Kentucky and attended Murray State University graduating with a Bachelor’s in Agriculture in 2019 after completing the pre-vet track. I graduated from Auburn University in 2023 with my DVM. Following graduation, I worked for 2 years at a mixed animal hospital in central Kentucky working with both large and small animal patients. My special interests include dermatology, surgery and internal medicine. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with family and friends, cooking, traveling, reading and walking my basset mix Huck at the park. I also have two tuxedo cats at home named Moon and Onyx. I am excited to provide high quality, compassionate care for patients at Bellson!