Meet Our Team
Kris Harris, DVM
Diplomate ABVP (equine)
Dr. Kris Harris grew up in Russell, KS riding, showing and training horses with her father. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. Following her passion for horses, Dr. Harris continued her education beyond vet school becoming a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners specializing in equine. In addition, she is graduate of Options for Animals College for Animal Chiropractic and is certified through the International Chiropractic Veterinary Association. Dr. Harris is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Kansas Veterinary Medical Association, and American Association of Equine Practitioners. In 2019, she received the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association Veterinarian of the Year Award.
Dr. Harris’ first position after graduation was as an associate veterinarian in a busy mixed animal practice in York, NE. After her first son was born, her family moved to Ness City, KS where she assisted in building a new mixed animal facility. Eventually she purchased that practice and started Western Edge Veterinary Center which served clientele from all of southwest Kansas. In 2018, Dr. Harris moved to Hays, KS and established her current exclusive equine practice, Western Prairie Equine Service.
In her spare time, Kris enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband Jay have two grown sons, Kyle and Kade. Jay and Kris have two horses, Cash and Cinch, and a dog named Josie. Together they own a ranch in Ness County, ride horses, enjoy watching and playing sports, and are active in their local church.
'There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.' - Winston Churchill
Brekken Hoffman
Receptionist
Brekken is a graduate of Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor's in Animal Science and a minor in Biology. She is currently pursuing her Master's online through William Woods University out of Fulton, Missouri.
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Brekken has a love of breakaway and competes in the Kansas Professional Rodeo Association. She has rode under many accomplished trainers and credits them for helping develop such a strong passion for the equine industry. Whether it be on or off a horse, she will always greet you with a smile!
Kylie Land
Veterinary Technician
Kylie is a graduate of Colby Community College with an Associate’s of Applied Science of Veterinary Nursing. She has always enjoyed working with horses and grew up on her family’s farm raising American Quarter Horses. In her spare time she enjoys riding her horses and spending time with her friends and family.
Chloe Purinton
Barn Assistant
Chloe is a senior who attends TMP-Marian High School. She is an active member in FFA, National Honors Society, Key Club, and the Hays Catholic Youth Group. Most of Chloe’s free time is spent riding and caring for her own horses to keep them in shape for rodeos. She competes in the Kansas High School Rodeo for barrel racing and pole bending. One fun fact about her is that she has wanted to be a veterinarian since 2nd grade, and continues to work hard in and outside of school to achieve that goal.
Emma Schmidtberger
Barn Assistant
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Emma is the 17 year old daughter of Wade and Jody Schmidtberger. Emma is a junior at Victoria Jr/Sr High School and participates in volleyball and basketball. She is also the secretary of her FFA chapter. Emma enjoys competing at local barrel races and KWHA shows. In the little bit of free time Emma has she is training horses with her dad. Emma thanks her dad for her love of horses, and for teaching her everything she knows.
Jay Harris
Business Manager/Veterinarian Assistant
Jay grew up on a farm in Ransom, KS. He graduated from Kansas State University with a Masters degree in Agronomy. He works at Western Prairie Equine Service part-time as the business manager, takes care of the maintenance and provides after-hours veterinary assistance. Jay's full time career is working as the Cottonwood District Director for K-State Research and Extension. In his spare time, he enjoys riding horses, hunting, and sports.
