Meet Our Veterinary Team
Meet the wonderful veterinarians and staff of Arch Animal Hospital West. We take great pride in providing excellent care for your pets!
Get to know our doctors.
Dr. Mike Richards
Veterinarian, Owner
Dr. Mike grew up in the Metro East since early childhood. After graduating from East Alton Wood River High School, he attended the University of Missouri-Rolla, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in biological science. He then attended the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2009. While in vet school, Dr. Mike married his high school sweetheart, Beth. After graduation, they moved back to the St. Louis area. Dr. Mike first practiced in Fairview Heights for 3 years, then in Waterloo for a year. They purchased Arch Animal Hospital in early 2013.
As a young child, Dr. Mike always had an affinity for animals of all kinds. The household that he grew up in with his older brother and younger sister always had pets around. Throughout childhood, they had four dogs, three cats, a guinea pig, a turtle, and several hamsters.
Dr. Mike became interested in veterinary medicine at a fairly early age, largely inspired by his uncle, Dr. Richard Vesper, who practices small animal medicine in Columbus, Ohio. His mother was also a major influence, herself an avid animal lover.
Dr. Mike and Beth have two amazing daughters, Audrey and Eleanor, and an awesome son, Charlie. In addition, they have Rylie, a golden retriever, and Crosby, an English retriever named Crosby. They love being a part of the St. Louis community and look forward to helping the pet owners of St. Louis by providing the best possible medical care for the furry family members all over St. Louis.
Dr. Samantha Heppermann
Veterinarian
Dr. Samantha was born in Chicago, IL but after a family move grew up in St. Louis. She had an interest in animals at a young age and came to work at Arch Animal Hospital in high school as a kennel attendant. Dr. Samantha graduated from Kennedy Catholic High School and went on to pursue a bachelor’s in science at Lindenwood University. Her relationship with Arch Animal Hospital continued throughout the years, helping in various positions with the now long-term goal to receive her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. She attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her clinical year at Kansas State University. Dr. Samantha graduated on January 31, 2023, and returned to STL to start her career as a DVM back at Arch Animal Hospital.
Dr. Samantha grew up with three siblings and always a large dog or two running around the house. Her parents took quite a liking to St. Bernards, so she is no stranger to lots of dog drool and barking. She now has her own large pup, Kodiak, a German Shepherd/Mastiff mix, whose favorite activities are squirrel chasing and playing with his best friend King, the golden retriever.
On her days off, Dr. Samantha enjoys exploring local coffee shops and travelling with her partner Eliot. They can be found out on the Ozark water in the summer and enjoying early mornings wake surfing.
Get to know our team.
Kate
Practice Manager/Inventory Manager
Kate started to work in the medical field early on and quickly discovered how much she was interested in helping others, more specifically animals. She decided to go into the veterinary field and pursue her degree as a Veterinary Technician. She graduated from Hickey College in 2015 and started working at Arch Animal Hospital West the very next day. At home with her fiancé, they enjoy spending time with their sassy Terrier Mix named Phineas and a goofy Pit Mix named Axel and are avid St. Louis Blues fans.
Lindsey
Lead Veterinary Technician, RVT
Lindsey started as an intern at Arch Animal Hospital West during her final semester at Midwest Institute, where she graduated in February 2019. Lindsey is excited to go to work every day and is shown daily why veterinary medicine is the right career path for her. From scales to feathers and everything in between, she loves all animals and can’t wait to meet your amazing pets!
Sami
Sami joined the Arch Animal West team in June 2021. She has had a lifelong passion for animals and turned that passion into a career in veterinary medicine. She has been in the veterinary field since 2016, beginning as a kennel technician and working her way up to a veterinary technician through years of hands-on experience and growth.
Outside of work, Sami is married and a proud mom to two beautiful daughters. At home, she has 2 dogs, 2 cats, and several fish tanks that reflect her love for animals in every form.
She is a huge nature lover and enjoys spending time outdoors camping with her family whenever she can. She is also deeply passionate about rescuing animals of all kinds and helping them find safety, care, and love.
Heather
Customer Service Representative
Heather Joined Arch in August of 2022. She truly enjoys assisting clients and building new and old relationships and helping them in any need possible. I have always had a love for vet med and continue to educate myself and clients with their pets. If I’m not assisting on the phones, I don’t mind assisting in the back. Even though I don’t tech fully anymore I don’t mind jumping in to help wherever needed. At home I spend time with my own zoo. Our pets Bonnie a 2-year-old Blk and Tan coonhound, Mc Skibblz a DSH cat, and our newly adopted 18 month Old English Black Lab Chance all rescues. We lost our yellow Lab Seamus a few months ago and will dearly miss him. We will be newlyweds come August 24th! Together we have 3 children together Caleb , Brennan, and Savanha. On our free time we enjoy camping, fishing and watching hockey, and football. GO CHIEFS and BLUES!!!
Brittany
Brittany started working here at Arch West in 2022! She has been working in the veterinary field since 2020. Her previous background in kennel and day camp with dogs and some cats helped her to discover that she wanted to do more and take care of pets from a medical standpoint! She hopes to grow her career more in the vet med field by learning more hands-on things. When not at work, she loves spending time with her husband, their two daughters, their two dogs Ivy and Denver, and cat Motley. They spend a lot of their time fishing, raising chickens and quail, riding four-wheelers, playing sports, watching football, taking care of their Koi fish and playing with their pets! Brittany loves meeting new faces in the clinic, cat or dog, and is grateful to be taking care of your pets!
“The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man”- Charles Darwin”
Leah
Veterinary Assistant
Leah joined the Arch Animal West team in September 2024. Originally from Kansas City, MO. She received her bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Missouri in Columbia. Spending five years in private practice at the beginning of her career as a Veterinary Technician. The last 7 years she has spent with Purnia as a Veterinary Technician in research in development in the Feline Department. Her husband Chris and her recently relocated to the St. Louis area with their sweet American bully named Bane. When she is not being an amazing technician, she is enjoying walking and hiking the trails. Leah looks forward to providing the highest level of care and compassion to your furry companions.