Meet our team!

Get to know our team!

Dr. Cook

Medical Director / Veterinarian

Joseph L. Cook, DVM graduated from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in May of 1986. He opened Family Pet Hospital, PA in June of 1995. Dr. Cook has served the community of Topeka in various ways. He has served as a board member of Helping Hands Humane Society. He is now serving on the board of Pet Assistance Network of Topeka (PANT) and has done so since 2008.

Dr. Cook helped raise 3 outstanding and very accomplished daughters. Through his second marriage to his wife, Cindy, he also enjoys a step daughter, step son and their families. Between Dr. and Mrs. Cook, they have and enjoy several granddaughters and grandsons.

Dr. Cook and his wife enjoy many hobbies together. They like to travel as much as time will allow. They like working on their house and yard, always fixing, changing, primping and being outside.
They have 2 dogs, Katnis and Peeta. Both are terrier crosses and are very active. Both were adopted from Helping Hands Humane Society.

Dr. Cook also is a musician and is part of 2 local bands. One called, Dr. Cook’s Medicine Show, plays classic country and western music. The other, Yesterday, plays oldies ‘50s and ‘60s rock and roll. The bands play at various clubs throughout Topeka and will keep you dancing all evening.

Dr. Cook enjoys many other hobbies. Trout fishing is his most loved outdoor activity and since there is minimal trout fishing in Kansas, he makes a trip to Arkansas, on the White River below Bull Shoals Reservoir at least 3 to 4 times a year.

Dr. Brown

Veterinarian

Dr. Brown graduated from El Paso High School, El Paso, IL in 1974. She enlisted in the Army in December 1974 & served at Ft. Sam Houston, TX, Ft. Ord CA and The Presidio of San Francisco, CA where she served at the chauffer and aide to the installation commander. During her tour she received the Army Commendation Medal, Sharp Shooter Badge and was the first woman to shoot skeet for the Army at Ft. Brag, NC.

Dr. Brown received her post secondary education at Seward County Community College graduating Magna Cum Laude with an Associate of Science Degree. She continued her undergraduate and graduate work at Kansas State University where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1986 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree in 1988.

After graduation Dr. Brown obtained a variety of work experience including mixed animal, exclusive small animal, associate and lead veterinarian at Kansas Sale Barns, provided mobile services to her community and was employed by the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission as Junior and Senior Animal Health Officer, did part time relief work and is currently an associate veterinarian at Family Pet Hospital.

She has five daughters and a step son that range in age from 24 to 45 years. She has four granddaughters and a grandson. She has a passion for softball that she has passed along to her children. She has been knitting and crocheting since she was 14, and keeps her family warm and cozy wearing her designs. She loves to draw and uses a variety of mediums and has recently discovered, thanks to her children and friends, watercolors and oil paints.

Dr. Brown’s pet family is also varied with a 4 year old Chihuahua named Zeus and a 14 year old cat named Shrimpy.
Dr. Brown spends much of her free time outside enjoying the flowers in her gardens and tramping in the timber and pasture at her home.

Dr. Steele

Veterinarian

Dr. Marcella Steele is a compassionate veterinarian with a strong background in veterinary medicine. She graduated from Kansas State University and has been practicing for six years, including a one-year rotating internship. Dr. Steele’s professional interests include preventative care, internal medicine, exotics, diagnostic imaging, and clinical pathology. She takes pride in her empathic approach and excellent bedside manner, prioritizing the well-being of her patients. In her free time, Dr. Steele enjoys arts and crafts, video games, traveling, and reading. She has a cat as her beloved pet.

Dr. Johnstone

Veterinarian

Dr. Kelly Johnstone is a dedicated veterinarian with over 11 years of experience in the field. She earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, and has developed a passion for emergency medicine and internal medicine, often collaborating with colleagues on challenging cases. Dr. Johnstone professional interests include soft tissue surgery and for caring for geriatric patients. She strives to ensure that all animals are as comfortable as possible during routine visits, hospital treatments, and surgeries, both in the clinic and at home. Outside of her professional life, Dr. Johnstone enjoys the outdoors, horseback riding and gardening. She values time spent with family and friends and loves to travel with her husband. A fun fact about her is that fall is her favorite season, and she eagerly anticipates the college football season each year. At home, Dr. Johnstone beloved pet’s include two dogs—Boots, a Pitbull, and Maggie, a Corgi—three cats named Arby, Bibs, and Milo, and two horses, Sugar and Sid.