Our Doctors

Dr. Leonda Armstrong grew up on a farm in north eastern New Mexico. Her parents raised and bred both registered Angus cattle and Quarter horses. She was active in 4-H and FFA from age 9 to 19. Leonda showed horses and cattle in both organizations and even judged horses on a collegiate level.

She graduated from Clayton High School and proceeded to New Mexico State University where she graduated with a major in Animal Science and a double minor in Chemistry and Biology. Colorado State University was the next stop, where a single mom, she studied and graduated as a mixed animal veterinarian.

Upon graduation, Leonda moved to Chino Valley and began practice with Dr. Terry Miller at Circle L. She is very glad to call Circle L Animal Hospital her home away from home.

Dr. Megan Schaible is a native of Arizona and was raised in Chino Valley. She attended Chino Valley high school and was a member of the local FFA and 4-H programs, as well as being active in soccer and academics.  Being involved in her family’s hobby cattle ranch and raising and showing steers and pigs, she has always had an interest in livestock and animals.

Dr. Schaible received her undergraduate degree in Veterinary Science with a minor in Chemistry and Business from the University of Arizona in 2003. In May 2007 she graduated from Michigan Sate University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Schaible was employed at a mixed animal practice in southwest New Mexico, but is excited to relocate to her home town. She will miss her work with cattle, but looks forward to practicing high quality small animal medicine at Circle L Animal Hospital.

In her spare time she enjoys going to the lake and water sports, riding 4-wheelers, hunting and camping along with helping with her fathers small beef herd.  She also enjoys spending daily time playing with her dog, Durga, and catering to the demands of her cat, Scout.

Dr. Monica Mongini Ellis (Dr. Ellis) was born and raised in Cottonwood, Arizona. She grew up on the UVX Ranch which her family owns. The ranch primarily raises cattle and has had many other animals come and go on the 100 acres it entails. Dr. Ellis grew up knowing that practicing veterinary medicine was what she was meant to do. She was very active in her community being involved in the 4-H starting at the age of 6. Throughout high school she became involved with the FFA. During this time she raised and showed rabbits, sheep, and cattle. Dr. Ellis continues to manage a breeding herd of 30 Hereford/Angus cattle of her own along with her family’s herd.

Dr. Ellis received her Bachelor of Science in Zoology with a pre-health professional emphasis and a minor in Chemistry from Northern Arizona University in May 2003. She was then accepted to Veterinary Medical School at Colorado State University in Fort Collins where she graduated in May 2008.

Dr. Ellis and her husband Scott are very excited to move back to Arizona to be closer to family, friends, and the ranching life they love. She is looking forward to practicing the best medicine possible at Circle L Animal Hospital and having a new home away from home.