Bryan Road Veterinarians
Amberle Vricella, DVM, Owner
Born and raised in Lincoln County, Missouri, Dr. Amberle Vricella's lifelong journey in veterinary medicine was ignited by her father's compassionate work with animals. Dr. William Wright, her father and a fellow practitioner at Bryan Road Animal Hospital, introduced her to a diverse collection of pets from a very early age. Parrots, prairie dogs, pot belly pigs, cats, dogs, horses, and even donkeys—these creatures were not just pets; they were part of her everyday life. As a child, Amberle found joy in watching her father's dedication to their care, and it was then she realized her dream of becoming a veterinarian.
Her veterinary journey took her to the University of Missouri - Columbia where she swiftly moved on to the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine due to her exceptional dedication and competence. During her time there, she served as the president of the Pre-Vet Club, showcasing her leadership qualities. By 2010, she was a proud holder of a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
As a member of esteemed professional organizations such as the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, the Greater St. Louis Area Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Vricella carries a unique set of interests within the field. Surgery, preventive medicine, and canine reproduction are areas that particularly engage her.
Before she opened the doors of Bryan Road Animal Hospital, Dr. Vricella gathered valuable experience during her four-year stint as an associate in a bustling practice with six veterinarians. When she's not busy with her practice, you can find her immersed in DIY and crafting projects or enjoying the great outdoors with her pair of Chihuahuas, Sharky and Guppy. Also sharing her home are two cats, Ezio and Rambo, a cheerful cockatiel named Kiki, and a charming Senegal parrot named Bogart.
What truly moves Dr. Vricella is the profound bond between people and their pets. As she beautifully articulates, "I enjoy the relationships that people have with their pets and that I get to be a small part of their life from baby to senior." This empathetic understanding of the human-animal bond is, undoubtedly, at the heart of her lifelong dedication to veterinary medicine.
Anne Marie Clapper, DVM
A St. Charles, Mo. native, Dr. Anne Clapper began working in a veterinary clinic at the age of 16. The experience was both heart-wrenching and inspiring. It was working at a kennel during high school that led her to choose a career in veterinary medicine.
One day, a good samaritan delivered a stray cat who had been hit by a car. Sick and badly injured, the cat's prospects did not look good and it was recommended that he be put down since he had no owner and no one to care for him. Instead, Dr. Clapper assumed responsibility for him and after he was treated at the hospital, took him home to nurse him back to health. Once he recovered, Dr. Clapper, with the help of a woman named Bev at All Paws Rescue, found him a happy "forever home."
"I didn't realize then how much this stray cat would teach me or how many doors he would open for me. The overwhelming good feeling was something I will never let go of," she says. "It was this abandoned cat and this kind-hearted woman that showed me a way to give back to my community and these beautiful voiceless animals. Determined, I became a veterinarian and have never looked back."
Dr. Clapper majored in biology as an undergraduate at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. While there, she participated in the creation of a trap-and-neuter release program called Operation Sterile Feral. Since 2003, the organization has spayed and neutered over 5,000 cats and is expanding its area of service to the surrounding communities. Dr. Clapper was accepted to the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, where she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. At graduation, she received the Emergency and Critical Care Award.
Dr. Clapper has spent over eight years as a veterinarian in private practice. She has also gained invaluable experience by doing relief work at the Animal Emergency Clinic and AVS (Associated Veterinary Specialists). She has continued her promise to give voiceless animals a chance and continues to volunteer at the trap-neuter release clinic as the veterinarian in charge.
Dr. Clapper is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, the Greater St. Louis Veterinary Medical Association and the Veterinary Information Network. Her professional interests include pain management, dermatology, senior pet health and wellness, client communication and education, shelter/rescue medicine and soft tissue surgery.
"The most satisfying thing for me about being a veterinarian is the chance to not only save lives, but also change them — both human and animal alike," she says. "Not every case is an emergency, but every case is important. It is my goal to treat every patient as if they are my only patient; giving each case the attention and time that we all want and deserve. I love every minute of what I do, even when it becomes emotionally difficult. I cannot image doing anything else."
Outside work, Dr. Clapper enjoys sand volleyball, fishing, do-it-yourself projects and random acts of kindness. She has been blessed with a wonderful family, an amazing husband and a beautiful daughter.
William B. Wright, DVM
Dr. William Wright joined the team at Bryan Road Animal Hospital in January 2015, but pets and their care have been one of his lifelong passions. "I always tagged along with my Dad when he took our family's dogs to the vet, and I collected pets, too," he says. "During my teenage years I worked at Beldt's Aquarium and several other pet stores, raising and selling many types of tropical fish."
Dr. Wright continued to refine his knowledge of animal care over the years, completing a preceptorship at St. Louis Zoo, and achieving his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri. His professional interests include canine reproduction, canine sports medicine, surgery, and exotic animals. Dr. Wright is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, and the Greater St. Louis Veterinary Medical Association. He's volunteered as a surgeon and as a trail veterinarian at the Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Alaska, and traveled on an expedition down the Amazon River, in which he collected tropical fish and treated village animals.
Joining him on his Amazonian travels was Dr. Wright's daughter, Amberle - the owner and a veterinarian at Bryan Road Animal Hospital. Dr. Wright's family also includes wife Gail, the bookkeeper and receptionist at Bryan Road Animal Hospital, as well as their son Trevor and his wife Jenea. He's thrilled to have joined his wife and daughter in working to care for pets. "I enjoy being able to use the latest technology and medicine to help pet owners, whether they have one special animal they love or a kennel full of competition dogs," he says.
When he's not at the hospital, Dr. Wright enjoys farming, gardening, beekeeping, prairie restoration, wildlife habitat management, horseback riding, and training bird dogs. He and his wife care for Iris, a 17-year-old domestic long hair cat; Steve, a Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix; Lily, a miniature Dachshund; Ozark, a Missouri Foxtrotter they use for trail riding and dog training; and 3 Gordon Setters and 11 English Setters that Dr. Wright trains for field trial competition and hunting. Dr. Wright and his wife also raise chickens, guineas and honeybees.
Virginia Loder, DVM
With a wealth of experience and expertise, Dr. Virginia Loder brings over 27 years of veterinary experience to Bryan Road Animal Hospital. She has been working in the animal related field since the age of 17. Prior to her involvement at our facility, Dr. Loder worked for private small animal practices in St. Louis, Philadelphia, and St. Charles. She has worked over 10 years as an emergency veterinarian in the St. Louis area.
Dr. Loder attended the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, and graduated in 1990. It was in September of 2017 that we welcomed Dr. Loder as a full-time member of our veterinarian staff.
Outside of the office, Dr. Loder enjoys spending her free time with her family and reading. She owns 2 dogs, a Labrador Retriever named Sammy, and a Beagle named Summer. Both of her canine companions were obtained through rescue efforts, and have found a lovely safe haven with Dr. Loder and her family.
Kaitlyn Fieser, DVM
Growing up in O’Fallon, MO, Dr. Kaitlyn Fieser has always been drawn to animals, science, and medicine, finding great satisfaction in educating clients to help their pets live longer and happier lives. She received an undergraduate degree in Animal Science from Crowder College in 2016, then graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2021. Before becoming a veterinarian, Dr. Fieser fostered dogs and rabbits, volunteered at her local shelter, and was a receptionist in college at a vet clinic.
She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, Greater St. Louis Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinary Information Network, and is also Fear Free Certified.
Dr. Fieser has a beagle named Bagel, a cat named Opossum, and a Chinchilla named Daisy. In her free time, she loves camping, boating at the lake, hiking, bonfires, and spending time with her family.