Our Veterinarians

• Dr. Rita Lesczynski
• Dr. Anne Remmers
• Dr. Brooke Smith
• Dr. D.W. Allgood

Dr. Lesczynski was born and raised on a dairy farm in Northern Wisconsin. Following high school, she attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison where she achieved her undergraduate. Dr. Lesczynski then received her doctor of veterinary medicine degree at Iowa State University in 1975. She then joined the Allgood Animal Hospital team in June of 1975. Some of her favorite activities include softball, racquetball and hiking. She is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, and American Animal Hospital Association. She now shares her home with multiple cats and wildlife.

Dr. Remmers has been practicing for seven years with extensive experience in small animal soft and orthopedic surgery; she also enjoys working with avian and exotic animals. She is a Burlington native who attended Iowa State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Ecology with a specialization in Behavior before entering the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine. While studying there, she served as a nutrition representative for the Mark Morris Institute (researcher and developer of Hill’s Science Diet and Zu/Preem brand pet foods). She was the recipient of the Marjorie E. Green Memorial Scholarship for integrity and leadership, the Bellin/Pelzer Pocket Pet Scholarship for academic and clinical competency in pocket pet medicine. She also received the R.W. Carithers Award for high quality small animal veterinary practice and patient care. After earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, Dr. Remmers headed to the ocean to practice small and exotic animal medicine on the New Jersey shore for a few years before returning to the Mississippi River and her hometown. She currently volunteers for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Des Moines County Department of Conservation, helping with wildlife rehabilitation efforts. She is a member of the American Veterinary Association, Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, and the Association of Avian Veterinarians.

Dr. Smith has been with the practice since 2005. She was raised in New London, leaving shortly after high school to attend Iowa State to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. Upon graduation, she moved to Burlington and began working at Allgood Animal Hospital. She has several pets at home, including two dogs, multiple cats, and several smaller pets, and fish. She is also "addicted" to houseplants and in her spare time, enjoys being outdoors and doing craft projects, especially crochet.

Dr. Allgood earned his veterinary medicine degree in June of 1957. He opened his veterinary practice in Burlington that following summer on June 18th. Dr. Allgood and his wife, Sandra, are proud parents of seven married children and twenty grandchildren. He is also proud of the fact that they hold 14 college degrees between them.

In the veterinary profession, Dr. Allgood has served as president of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association. In 1986, he was named Iowa’s Small Animal Veterinarian of the Year. Dr. Allgood has also been active in his community, he has served as President of the Burlington Community School Board, the Burlington United Way Board, and the Burlington Educational Foundation. He has also been a member of the Burlington Bank and Trust Board for over 30 years, where he served as Board Chairman for five years. He has also headed several community bond fund drives.

In 1972, Allgood Animal Hospital was one of twelve in the nation to earn a Merit Award from Veterinary Economics Magazine.