Dr. Melinda Kelchen spent her early years in Ames, Iowa graduating from both Ames High School and Iowa State University. At Iowa State University she received a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science prior to graduating with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. She practiced small animal medicine and surgery in Fort Dodge, Iowa for 9 years prior to moving to the Des Moines Area. Dr. Mel’s veterinary interests include internal and preventative medicine and enhancing the human-animal bond. She also loves meeting new people and their special four-legged family members.

Dr. Mel has been married to her husband Chad for 19 years. They have two children, Sam and Nick. As a family, they enjoy boating, camping, biking, hiking, watching movies, and playing games. Most nights you can find them cheering on their teenagers at all their school activities.

The owners of the house are Goose, the 5-year-old Border Collie, and Maverick, the 2-year-old mixed hound they rescued in January 2020.