08/20/2025
**************MEET OUR VETERAN STAFF*****************
These familiar faces have been with Dr Linkenheimer for 18+ years. Every day is a new adventure at River Valley. Our veteran staff is here to help make your experience an exceptional one.
Dr. Richard Linkenheimer - Owner
The idea of wanting to be a veterinarian started at a very young age for Dr. Linkenheimer. He attended Edinboro University and received a Bachelors in Biology degree and a secondary education teaching certification. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Mississippi State University in 1995.
He worked emergency medicine for 5 years. His dream of opening his own practice was fulfilled in 2000, when River Valley Veterinary Hospital opened its doors. Dr. Linkenheimer and his family are controlled by four dogs, Sam and Ella (Katrina rescues), Piper and Jewel, two sisters from West Virginia, along with two rescue cats, Peek-a-boo and Bob and multiple fish. He loves collecting eclectic music for his 1990’s iPod, reading and cooking.
Linda - General Manager
Linda has wanted to put her time and effort toward the betterment of animals for as long as she can remember—she prides herself on her listening skills, and loves being able to problem-solve and find solutions for the area’s pet owners! Linda serves as the General Manager of River Valley Veterinary Services. Linda first joined the hospital team in 2006, when she signed on as a Veterinary Technician, and was promoted to the General Manager position in the summer of 2014. When she’s not assisting a veterinarian, you can find Linda managing her talented staff, ordering supplies, and making sure the clinic is functioning smoothly in order to best serve the area’s animal parents. In her time away from work, Linda enjoys landscaping, gardening, vacationing, and spending time with her own pets. She lives with two dogs, Phantom and Oliver, as well as a pair of cats named Mr. Kitters and Biff.
Lauren - Office Manager
Lauren has always adored the company of animals. and she knew· that she’d like to use her passion in a meaningful way to impact others. Here at River Valley Veterinary Hospital, she’s able to better the lives of pets and their owners daily as the Office Manager!
Lauren joined the River Valley Veterinary family in the fall of 2007: she learned upon interviewing that she would be cross-trained as a Technician! Now, Lauren is able to use her skill set every day to make every patient as comfortable as possible. She makes it her personal mission to ensure that every visitor to the clinic – furry and otherwise –feels welcome. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys spending time with her family, especially traveling to Ocean City with her husband, and daughters. She volunteers at her children’s school and is a proud cheerleader coach for Ar-Ken Youth Football and Cheer. At home the family is completed by a pair of pups named Nico and Bo**ie and a trio of bunnies named Chocolate Chip, Cookie Dough and Nutter Butter
Bretta - Receptionist
What better way to satisfy her love of animals, than to work at a veterinary hospital? Bretta joined our team at River Valley Veterinary Hospital in August of 2007. Bretta serves as one of River Valley Veterinary Hospital’s veteran Customer Care Specialists Bretta strives to make sure all our patient’s needs have been met. She particularly likes getting the clinic’s four legged visitors in the lobby with a treat.
In her time away from work, Bretta likes to camp and spend time in the great outdoors. She mostly enjoys chilling with family and friends around a good fire.
Bretta has three children and is G-Ma to two little cuties. Her home is made up of a trio of trouble-making Labradors.
