Our Team
If you’re looking for vets in West Knoxville who will love your pet just as much as you do, you’re in the right place! Lange Animal Hospital is staffed with friendly, experienced doctors who are committed to caring for pets with the same level of care that they’d want for their own pets.
Randall L. Lange, DVM • Retired
Education: Earned DVM from Iowa State University in 1975, along with my twin brother, Rick.
Personal life/career journey: I’m a farm boy from Iowa who has resided in beautiful east Tennessee for 40 years and is proud to say that my blood is definitely orange now! Go Vols! Rick and I opened up the original Lange Animal Hospital in December, 1977, but we were condemned by the Pellissippi Parkway and forced to relocate to our current location in March, 1993. Tragically, Dr. Rick was involved in a fatal automobile accident in November of 1999, but his spirit continues to guide all of us at LAH every day. He is missed very much!
Pets: Josh 4.0, a golden retriever, and the face of Lange Animal Hospital's non-profit for children, Josh and Friends
Family: Wife, Christy, and daughter, Jessica
Hobbies: Working out, basketball, biking, shooting, guitar, and writing children’s books (including ones about his golden retriever, Josh, as the main character)
Most rewarding part of your career: Becoming a part of so many families by caring for their family pets, and using the human-animal bond to help people, especially children in need
Greatest life accomplishment: Being a devoted husband and father
Favorite comfort food: Cookies and cream ice cream, chili, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
Three things you love: My Lord Jesus Christ, my family (including my dogs), and children, especially those in need
Advice for pet owners: 1) always be alpha in your pack of pets, 2) make time to become a big part of your pets’ lives, and 3) always feed the best diets to your pets (and not human food).
Wade Milam, DVM • Medical Director
Education: University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, 1995
Family: Wife, Courtney, and four children
Pets: Zion, a mixed breed, Darby, a golden doodle, and Naama, a doodle
Hobbies: Hiking, fly fishing, and reading
Favorite part of your career: Relationships built with people and their pets
Greatest life accomplishment: Convincing my wife to marry me
Favorite comfort food: Hamburgers and fries
Three things you love: Singing in church, reading history, and exploring national parks
Kelly Miller, DVM • Veterinarian
Education: University of Tennessee, 1992
Family: Husband, Kevin, and daughter, Josie
Pets: Nelli (Corgi) and Rufus (cat)
Most rewarding part of your career: All the wonderful relationships I have with the owners of my patients
Greatest life accomplishment: Being a mom
Favorite comfort food: Coffee and chocolate
Three things you love: My family, my pets, and afternoon naps
Advice for pet owners: Basic obedience is a must for all dogs, and preventative care is essential for a healthy pet.
Fun fact: I have run five marathons.
Melinda Shumpert, DVM • Veterinarian
Education: Graduated University of Tennessee CVM in 2004.
Family: I am married to my wonderful and supportive husband, Berry. We have three beautiful daughters - Naomi, Mikayla, and Lydia.
Pets: None currently. Yes, I am a vet with no pets! My husband and children have allergies to dogs and cats, so we have fish.
Favorite comfort food: chicken and dumplings, mint chocolate chip ice cream and dark chocolate.
Three things I love:
- The Lord, Jesus Christ and serving in my local church
- My family and spending time with them.
- The beach
Fun Fact: I was born in Ohio but have lived and practiced veterinary medicine in 5 states— Miami, FL; Surfside Beach, SC; West Lafayette, IN; Los Angeles, CA; Knoxville, TN. I have lived in the South more than anywhere else and now proclaim myself a Southerner.
Hobbies: gardening, baking, reading, exercise and fitness, and supporting my children’s activities.
Most rewarding part of my career: I find great joy in building relationships with clients and ministering to my patients throughout their entire lives.
Richie Burdeaux, DVM, DABVP • Veterinarian (Avian)
Education: University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, 2012; Board-certified bird specialist by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP - Avian Practice) and completed a residency with avian and exotic pets.
Pets: Peaches (Moluccan cockatoo), Sophie (Double yellow-headed Amazon parrot), Athena (dog), and two horses.
Hobbies: Hiking, cooking, gardening, bird watching, kayaking, and horseback riding.
Most rewarding part of your career: Building relationships with my clients and making the world a better place for their pets.
Favorite comfort food: Pizza and chocolate.
Three things you love: Jesus, my family, the outdoors.
Sarah Estep, DVM • Veterinarian
Education: University of Tennessee CVM, 2021
Family: Husband, Mark
Pets: Ellie (Boston Terrier), Shyla & Oliver (Cats), Dorris (Tortoise), Ralph (Rabbit), Stitch (Flying Squirrel)
Most rewarding part of your career: Using my passion for helping animals everyday to make a positive impact on families and their pets lives.
Favorite comfort food: Chick-fil-A all the way
Three things you love: My family, my pets, and enjoying the outdoors
Hobbies: Cooking & baking, gardening, hiking, crocheting and running with my dog!
Ally Upchurch, DVM • Veterinarian
Education: University of Tennessee CVM
Family: Husband and fur babies!
Pets: Two dogs (Talia and Nyssa) and three cats (Kai, Kala and Tigger!).
Most rewarding part of your career: Giving a voice to those who don't have one.
Favorite comfort food: Spaghetti and sweet treats!
Three things you love: My family, my fur babies and helping others.
Hobbies: Movies with the husband.
Shannon Cruze • Practice Manager
Family: Husband, Michael, and four kids including the newest addition, Gabe, (often seen at the hospital).
Pets: Lulu (lab), Sophie (tabby cat), and Night terror (demon cat).
Most rewarding part of career: Getting to do what I love and build relationships both with employees and clients.
Greatest life accomplishment: So far, keeping four tiny humans alive.
Favorite comfort food: Mac and cheese.
Three things I love: My family, watching my kids play sports, and reading in silence (with a nice glass of wine).
Hannah • Lead Veterinary Assistant
Education: University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Pets: 3 precious kitties - Bizzie (black and white long hair), Binx (grey short hair), Nubby (black short hair with no tail)
Most Rewarding Part of Your Career: Connecting with and building relationships with clients and pets
Favorite Comfort Food: Meatloaf and anything sweet
Three Things You Love: The Lord, my family, and spending time with friends
Hobbies: Reading, hiking, drawing, soccer, arranging flowers
Arwen • Lead Customer Service Representative
Family: Fiancé, Brody, and our son, Killian
Pets: Dakotah (Blue Nose Pit), Nimue (German Shepherd), Baelfire (German Shepherd)
Most rewarding part of career: Learning new things every single day and bettering myself and helping others with that knowledge
Greatest life accomplishment: Becoming a mom has been the best accomplishment by far
Favorite comfort food: Mexican food 100%
Three things I love: My family, competing in shows with my dogs, and cooking/baking
Summer • Kennel Manager
Education: Roane State Community College
Pets: Remi (lab), Riley (Border Collie), River (Husky mix, receptionist at LAH), Luna, Stanley, Autumn (cats), and all of our fish
Hobbies: Hiking and backpacking
Most rewarding part of your career: Getting to spend time with pets and making them feel at ease and stress-free
Favorite comfort food: Mashed potatoes and rolls
Three things you love: I am loved by my 3 dogs and 3 cats who like to take up lots of my time and energy. I enjoy being outside hiking and camping and just playing with my dogs. I also have a passion for naps and tacos.
Brittany • Online Pharmacy Technician - OPRA Team
Brittany oversees the online pharmacy program for our veterinary practice, ensuring clients receive savings, convenience, and peace of mind when purchasing medications and products for their pet's optimal health and well-being.
Education: Florida International University, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences and a minor in Chemistry while on a Pre-veterinary track.
Pet: My Husky, Bleu
Hobbies: Volunteering at shelter centers, hiking, biking, kayaking
Personal History: Born to a Puerto Rican and Salvadorian family, I was raised in Miami, Florida.
Career Journey: Brittany has worked under a shelter clinic, two general practices, and a 24-hour emergency and trauma center for animals. Being in the field for 6 years, she worked as a kennel assistant, then a technician, a customer service representative, and a patient care coordinator on our team. These roles have molded her into the person she is today: a skilled communicator that connects clients and patients to the best veterinary care.
Most rewarding part of your career: Building relationships between patients/clients and their doctors.