Meet the Team
Every member of our team is an animal lover committed to treating your pets with the love, respect, and kindness they deserve.
We understand the emotional bond you share with your furry friends and strive to make each visit a comforting experience.
We have a deep understanding of pets, considering both their physical and psychological needs. Recognizing what brings them comfort or causes anxiety, our veterinary team is ready to deliver quick, expert care with genuine love and compassion when your cat or dog is under the weather.
DVM, Medical Director
Dr. Arden Roderick is an Arkansas native whose journey has taken her across the southern
United States and abroad. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, along with
a minor in Business Management, from Louisiana State University. Dr. Roderick went on to
receive her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary
Medicine in St. Kitts, completing her clinical training at Texas A&M College of Veterinary
Medicine.
She has practiced veterinary medicine in both North Carolina and Colorado, gaining
extensive experience before ultimately choosing to return home to Arkansas. Dr. Roderick
has a strong professional interest in urgent and emergency medicine.
Outside of her veterinary practice, Dr. Roderick enjoys hiking, boating, and exploring the
outdoors with her Dutch Shepherd, Kaos.
With a deep-rooted passion for animal care and a career defined by compassion and
clinical excellence, Dr. Roderick is a vital member of our team, bringing both warmth and
expertise to every patient she treats.
DVM, Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Dinkins was born and raised in South Louisiana and earned her Doctorate of Veterinary
Medicine from Louisiana State University. After graduation, she and her husband relocated
to Mississippi, where she spent six years practicing emergency medicine at the Animal
Emergency & Referral Center.
In 2018, after visiting Northwest Arkansas and falling in love with the area, Dr. Dinkins and
her family of four made the move to Bella Vista. Since 2019, she has been a part of the
team at the Animal Emergency and Specialty Center of NWA, where she has continued to
grow her expertise in emergency and urgent care medicine.
Dr. Dinkins recently joined the AUC family to further her commitment to urgent care and
emergency veterinary services. Outside of work, she enjoys a vibrant farm life with a variety
of animals—including dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, geese, guinea fowl, snakes, tortoises,
and a chameleon. Her family loves spending time on the creek and exploring the natural
beauty of Northwest Arkansas.
Practice Manager
Heather is a proud Arkansan, born and raised, who has called Northwest Arkansas home
since 2006. After graduating from Fayetteville High School, Heather briefly ventured to
West Texas, but her love for the Natural State brought her back—this time with her
husband, of now 16 years, by her side.
Her journey into veterinary medicine began in 2014, when she took her first role as a
veterinary assistant at Animal Emergency and Specialty Center of NWA. Originally working
nights in emergency medicine while pursuing a nursing degree, Heather discovered her
true passion was caring for animals and made a bold career pivot.
Over the years, Heather has gained a wealth of experience across a wide array of veterinary
fields. From work with local shelters and high-volume spay/neuter programs to general
practice, urgent care, 24-hour emergency care, and internal medicine, she’s done it all—
always with an unwavering dedication to every creature, big or small, furry or scaled.
While at home, life is just as lively! She and her husband share their space with a
menagerie of pets: three handsome feline boys, six dachshunds (of all sizes), a beagle mix,
a toy poodle, a shih tzu, and a charismatic bearded dragon named Cali. And when they
aren’t busy with their own furry (and scaly) family, they often open their home to fosters in
need.
With her deep-rooted love for animals and a career built on compassion and expertise,
Heather is an invaluable part of our team, bringing warmth and skill to every pet she cares
for.