The whole Candlewood team in navy scrubs outside the clinic’s brick wall — The whole team

Katie and Cole in front of the clinic’s brick wall — Katie and Cole, the office team

Nancy and Misty of the client care team in front of the brick wall — Nancy and Misty, client care

Home / Our team

The people who care for your pets

Candlewood has served small animals in the Manhattan area since the early 1980s. In 2019 Dr. Alex Grieves became the owner, committed to continuing that legacy and the family culture the team has built.

or call (785) 537-0537

Our story

Our mission is to advocate for the well-being of cats and dogs, and to advance the partnership between pets and their people.

We put our patients’ physical and emotional well-being first, and we aim to inspire and educate owners to make the best decisions for their pets. We keep advancing the medical and surgical care we offer, while keeping the family culture our team has worked hard to build. We would be honored to be your family’s veterinarian.

Dr. Alex Grieves

Owner and veterinarian

Dr. Grieves was born and raised in Hays, Kansas. She earned a degree in Animal Science and her DVM in 2016 at Kansas State University, practiced in Hays and Topeka, and bought Candlewood in 2019.

She has a strong interest in feline pain management, shelter medicine and dentistry, and serves as the managing veterinarian for the T. Russell Reitz Animal Shelter. The love of her life, and her biggest reason for becoming a veterinarian, was her black cat, Little Bear, who lived to 17.

At home are her husband Cole, their two little ones, Laine and Parker, and two dogs: Pax, a border collie mix, expert ball chaser and counter surfer, and Finn, a cattle dog mix and sock eater extraordinaire.

Fear Free Certified professional. Member of the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Grieves is the best veterinary in the MHK area! 10/10

Bryan K., November 2025, Google review

Dr. Christine White

Veterinarian

Dr. White grew up in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and graduated from the University of Missouri veterinary school in 1997, where she met her husband. After years in practice in Southeast Missouri, K-State brought the family to Manhattan.

She is passionate about senior pet health care, helping kitties and their people have smoother visits, and working with clients to meet their pets’ needs together. After all these years, she still thinks this is the best job in the world.

The Whites have four boys and live on 10 acres outside Manhattan with chickens (some suggest too many), bottle calves, horses, kitties and dogs.

Interests: senior pet health, smoother visits for cats.

Candlewood Vet is top notch! They are all compassionate and caring not only to pets but their owners! They listen, share knowledge, do research where needed, and provide excellent care! Our family takes five cats to Dr. White and her knowledge & understanding of felines is exceptional!

Stacey L., January 2026, Google review

Dr. Kellie Lewis

Veterinarian

Dr. Lewis is a south central Kansas native who has called the Manhattan area home for many years. She started as a kennel technician at 15 and earned her DVM from Kansas State University in 2014.

Her interests include soft tissue surgery, obesity prevention and weight management, and helping puppies build the behavioral skills they need for a lifetime of success. She believes every patient deserves gentleness, patience and respect.

She and her husband of 18 years are raising three children on a hobby farm with three cats, two dogs, two guinea pigs, a horse, a donkey and chickens.

Fear Free Certified professional.

Dr. Lewis and the whole staff are so friendly, patient and wonderful to work with! We appreciate the mindset that Dr. Grieves, Dr. Lewis, Katie and the rest of the staff share by wanting to give back to the community to help those in need. All around wonderful practice!!

Stephanie G., August 2026, Google review

The rest of the crew

The office, client care and medical care teams: the friendly faces at the front desk, on the phone and in the treatment room.

Katie, in navy Candlewood scrubs, outside the clinic — Katie, Practice Manager

Caring for pets since 2008. Hometown: Olsburg, Kansas.

Pets: Judy Jones Werner, a bootylicious pitbull; Gus, a black German shorthair; a cat named, oddly enough, Cat; and a bunch of chickens

Favorite part of the job

Communicating with clients and building that bond, and seeing how big a role animals play in the lives of their families.

Cole, in navy Candlewood scrubs, outside the clinic — Cole, Business Manager

Caring for pets since 2023. Hometown: Topeka, Kansas.

Pets: Pax, a border collie mix, and Finn, a cattle dog mix

Favorite part of the job

Seeing the positive impact our team makes on a very important part of people’s lives: their pets.

Nancy, in navy Candlewood scrubs, outside the clinic — Nancy, Client Care Team

Caring for pets since 2013. Hometown: Parkston, South Dakota.

Pets: Three cats: Zaphod, Izzy and Cruiser

Favorite part of the job

Over my 39 years in the business I have met so many wonderful people and pets. I hope I have helped them as much as they have helped me.

Misty, in navy Candlewood scrubs, outside the clinic — Misty, Client Care Coordinator

Caring for pets since 2021. Hometown: Topeka, Kansas.

Pets: Echo, a boxer mix, and cats Baxter and Zoey

Favorite part of the job

I have always cared deeply about animals. I love that every day I get to advocate for them and meet the humans they love.

Monica, in navy Candlewood scrubs, outside the clinic — Monica, Registered Veterinary Technician

Caring for pets since 2017. Hometown: Council Grove, Kansas.

Pets: Ace, a Dalmatian

Favorite part of the job

Learning something new every day and seeing the difference we make taking care of pets.

Jenny, in navy Candlewood scrubs, outside the clinic — Jenny, Registered Veterinary Technician

Caring for pets since 2025. Hometown: Everywhere: Alaska, Utah, Texas, Colorado and Kansas.

Pets: None right now, but she grew up with cats and dogs and hopes to get a cat soon

Favorite part of the job

Helping improve the lives of the patients I see (I especially love dentistry) and educating clients about the best care for their pet.

Ian, in navy Candlewood scrubs, outside the clinic — Ian, Medical Care Team

Sarah, in navy Candlewood scrubs, outside the clinic — Sarah, Veterinary Assistant

Caring for pets since 2024. Hometown: Austin, Texas.

Pets: Daisy, a tortoiseshell cat

Favorite part of the job

Learning the science behind every condition.

Nai, in navy Candlewood scrubs, outside the clinic — Nai, Kennel Technician

Caring for pets since 2024. Hometown: Manhattan, Kansas.

Pets: Luna and Sol, both mini schnauzers

Favorite part of the job

I love that you are constantly learning, and knowing that what you do helps others.