The Team at Desert Tails Animal Clinic

Your veterinary team in Scottsdale, AZ.

The Team of Desert Tails Animal Clinic!

Aric Remen, DVM

Medical Director, Owner

Aric Remen was born in Puerto Rico and was raised in Scottsdale, Arizona. He earned a B.S. in Environmental Resources, with a concentration in Wildlife Habitat Management from Arizona State University in 1995. Before starting veterinary school, he worked on a variety of wildlife projects, including Urban Coyote Project in Tucson. In 2000, Aric then went on to Ross University in St. Kitts, West Indies. He attended Colorado State University for one year of clinical studies and earned his D.V.M from Ross in 2003. Aric’s hobbies include watching the Colts play, traveling, fishing, and playing poker. He shares his home with his wife, their two daughters, a Golden Retriever, a Boxer, and tortoises.

Rhiannon McKnight, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Rhiannon McKnight earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College in 1990. She then completed an internship in Large Animal Medicine and Surgery at the University of Georgia. Dr. McKnight worked with large animals for 3 years before transitioning into small animal medicine almost 30 years ago. Dr. McKnight is particularly interested in general practice and preventive medicine, with a strong desire to help senior patients and perpetuate the human-animal bond as long as possible. A fun fact about Dr. McKnight: She has been privileged to work with critically endangered wolves for the last 10 years, as the veterinarian for the Endangered Wolf Center in Missouri and hopes to continue working with them here in Arizona. She has 2 children, Raechel and Rhys, both grown and left the nest. Dr. McKnight is the proud parent of a Doberman named Danika, a 17-year-old Chihuahua called Chicka Maya, and a rather obnoxious Tonkinese named Apollo.

Stacey Thomas, CVT

Practice Manager

Stacey has always enjoyed being around animals. Throughout her life, she has been “owned” by several different species of pets including: hamsters, fish, rabbits, birds, tortoises, lizards, snakes, dogs and cats. Stacey was born in Phoenix, AZ and has been working in the veterinary field since 1997. She passed her National and State boards to become a Certified Veterinary Technician in 2004. Throughout her career, Stacey has worked with large animals, small animals, exotic pets and wildlife. She joined the Desert Tails team in 2017. Stacey shares her home with her husband, her two young sons (whom she commonly refers to as her resident primates), and her dog Tessa (a rescued pit mix). During her free time (if she can ever find any), Stacey enjoys being outdoors, crafting, swimming, cross-stitching, reading, and rock painting.

Katie Stover-Blackburn

Technician Manager

Katie joined the Desert Tails team in the fall of 2023 as our Technician Manager. Katie has been in the veterinary field for over 12 years and went to Maricopa Community College. Katie’s favorite thing about being a veterinary technician is being able to help pet owners gain the knowledge they need to be able to care for their furry family members. She loves educating clients acting as an advocate for their pet’s care and needs. When Katie isn’t here at the office working alongside our technician team, she is home spending time with her husband and four children. Katie’s family has 2 dogs they share their home with. Katie also loves country music and loves going to concerts.

Lisa Megaw

Lead CSR

Lisa joined the Desert Tails Team in 2020 after moving back to the valley from Pinetop-Lakeside. Lisa enjoys being in the outdoors as much as possible. When she isn’t here in the clinic, she can usually be found at the lake grilling and boating, or off camping and hiking. Lisa also enjoys going to concerts and having a fun night on the town. Lisa is a proud mother of her son, who is attending NAU, and shares her home with 3 cats.

Molly Leon, CVT

Certified Veterinary Technician

Molly joined the Desert Tails team in January of 2021. Molly has an associate degree in applied sciences in veterinary medicine from the Vet Tech Institute of Bradford Schools in Columbus, Ohio. Molly started working as a veterinary technician in 2014 in Ohio before moving back to her home state of Michigan in 2015. She continued working as a technician until 2020 when she took a year off to work as an electrician apprentice. Shortly after moving to AZ in Oct 2020 Molly decided to jump back into the field of vet medicine and that is when she found Desert Tails. In her free time, Molly enjoys spending time with her 3 dogs (Ziva, Navi and Stitch) and her 2 cats (Tsubaki and Carl).

Allie Patton

Veterinary Assistant

Allie joined the Desert Tails Team in May of 2022 as her first position in the veterinary field. Allie’s family have been clients of Dr. Remen’s for several years and we are so glad she decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine and joined our team. Allie is working on becoming a vet and was recently accepted to Midwestern University to continue pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian. Allie loves that her role within our team allows her to continue to learn and grow alongside Dr. Remen. Allie loves that our clinic is a fast-paced environment where she gets to see a variety of different patients that she can help assist in feeling their best. Allie also loves art, reading and anime. Allie shares her home with multiple dogs and her “spicy” cat Shoto.

Emi Cuevas

Veterinary Assistant

Emi joined the Desert Tails team in Sept 2022 as her first position in the veterinary field. Emi is currently enrolled in pre-vet studies and is hoping to be accepted to vet school soon to continue to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian. Emi loves being able to support our clients and their pets through difficult situations and strives to provide compassion in all her actions. Emi enjoys crafting in her free time including crocheting, embroidery, and also loves anime.

Gil Davalos

Veterinary Assistant

Gil joined the Desert Tails team in June 2023. Being a vet tech isn’t a simple job, but it is definitely Gil’s passion. Gil’s love and aspiration for every pet that walks through our front doors gives him a sense of purpose and reminds him of how blessed he feels that he’s able to make a difference in someone’s life. When Gil isn’t here at the clinic, he loves to go longboarding, gaming, socializing, and making new friends. Gil shares his home with 6 fur kids (4 dogs, 1 cat, and a ferret).

Marge Moreno

Groomer

Marge Moreno was born in S.A. Colombia and moved with her family to the US in 1963. Marge graduated from The New York School of Dog Grooming in 1986. Three months after her graduation, she opened her own grooming and boarding facility. Eleven years later and a lot of snow, Marge decided to relocate and start grooming here in Arizona. After all, there are a lot of dusty animals here in the desert!!! She believes that a clean, well groomed pet is one that is healthy and more welcomed into their families. Marge shares her home with her dog, Chanley. In her free time, Marge enjoys cooking, reading, camping, and hiking.