At Columbia Veterinary Center, we believe that every pet deserves compassionate, personalized care.
Our team of veterinarians, technicians, and support staff share a genuine love for animals and a dedication to keeping your companions healthy and happy.
From the first hello at the front desk to the last tail wag on the way out, we’re here for you every step of the way.
MEET OUR TEAM
Dr. Tammy Cleveland - Veterinarian, Owner
Dr. Cleveland grew up in Western Washington. She earned her undergraduate degree at Central Washington University and then graduated from Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and has been practicing in Vancouver ever since. She purchased Columbia Veterinary Center in 1993 and has built a team of 30 who work together to provide excellent medical, surgical and dental services delivered with compassion and understanding. Dr. Cleveland has a passion for people and animals and has a deep respect of the bond between the two. Dr. Cleveland is a member of the AVMA, WSVMA, PVMA and the SWVMA.
Out of the clinic, Dr. Cleveland volunteers on a regular basis at Share House, providing exams and vaccines for the pets belonging to the families using Share House services. She enjoys her own dog, Brin, who is usually at work with her, and her cat, Makita Ilean, the three legged wonder. She also enjoys her family and friends, photography, hiking and motorcycle riding. She especially loves to travel and has had the opportunity to explore Mexico, Australia and the Caribbean. In 2007, she participated in a photograph safari in Kenya... the trip of a lifetime... so far!
Dr. Aisling Mac Neill - Veterinarian
Graduated from: University College Dublin, Ireland - Class of 2009
Joined the team in: May 2026
Hometown: Dublin, Ireland, but I’ve been living in the U.S. since 2010 and in the PNW since 2019.
Pets: My family has 3 dogs: Nina, Fluff Ball, and Banshee. We also have 2 guinea pigs.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: Witnessing the human-animal bond from a young age was magical! It drew me in.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I’m a member of the Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA), as well as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). My Cat Friendly Veterinarian Certificate was completed in 2025. I love seeing senior patients and partnering in managing their comfort and quality of life in their later years.
Hobbies: Reading, bookshops, libraries, exploring nature in the PNW wilderness, and playing board games with family and friends.
Dr. Garrett Downs - Veterinarian
Born and raised in Boone, Iowa and grew up 14 miles away from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine where I graduated in 2005. After graduating move to my forever home in the Pacific Northwest.
As a kid I always wanted to be a veterinarian and I started working in the profession at 17 years of age.
Pets: I have two English Pointers named Milly and Ōkii. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? If I could be any animal I would be a dog because I would get to stay at home, sleep and have somebody take care of me.
My interests outside of work include cooking, playing video games and lifting weights.
Dr. Karissa Dempewolf - Veterinarian
Joined the team in: 2025
Hometown: Modesto, CA
Pets: Winston is my rescue basset hound that joined my family in the beginning of 2025 after his previous owner went into assisted living. He enjoys long naps on the couch and Oravet chews in his free time. Hooey is my dachshund that I obtained at the beginning of veterinary school and has been by my side ever since. He enjoys barking at everyone that walks by and cuddling.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: If I could be any animal I would be a dog because they get to run around all the time.
Interesting fact(s) about me: Growing up I showed pigs, llamas, rabbits and horses which is where I first learned about my passion for working with animals.
Hobbies: I enjoy horseback riding and am currently taking lessons a few times a week.
Dr. Liz Grauer - Veterinarian
Joined the team in: 2018
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Pets: Fergie my Ragdoll cat won’t hold still when she’s being pet. My Boxer Gunner loves my neighbors’ kids, especially when they walk with him. Vinnie is my Maltese mix. He bosses Gunner around like he’s twice his size.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: A flamingo so I could play in the water all day long and fly whenever I want to.
Dr. Mark Witt - Veterinarian
Graduated from: Washington State University (Class of 2014)
Joined the team in: 2025
Hometown: Sheridan, MT
Pets: My family has 2 dogs: Jetty and Misty, and 2 cats: Willow and Birch.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: I’ve always been fascinated by orcas. I think it would be interesting to see the world from their perspective.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: Ever since grade school, I knew I wanted a career in medicine. I always thought I would be a human doctor, and I had never considered veterinary medicine until undergrad. I don’t know exactly what it was, but I changed my major in my sophomore year and never looked back.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I’m a certified swimming official. Funnily enough, I’m a terrible swimmer.
Hobbies: If I’m not at work, I’m at the pool with my kids, who are both in competitive swimming. I also like woodworking and DIY home projects.
Dr. Sofia Valle - Veterinarian
Graduated from: The Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University
Joined the team in: August 2026
Hometown: São Paulo, Brazil
Pets: Louie is my 2-year-old English Setter; he’s also a goober. Donna is my 2-year-old “trash cat.”
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: A sea otter! I like to sit in the sunshine, swim, and eat sushi, so I’d love to do all of those at the same time.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: I graduated towards general practice because I enjoy talking to and connecting with people, and their most loved ones!
Interesting fact(s) about me: I was in the movie The Incredible Hulk as a kid and I used my royalties to adopt my third dog.
Hobbies: Swimming, hiking with my dog and cat, going to the beach, eating fancy food sometimes.
Elise Hashimoto - Licensed Veterinary Technician
Joined the team in: 2018
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Pets: Sweetums is my kitty that does not like to walk up the stairs, so she cries at the bottom until we carry her up.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: A cat, so I could nap all day, and be a carnivore. Or, I would be a wombat because they have square poops.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: I always wanted to take care of animals.
Hobbies: Sewing, crocheting, and cooking.
Jehny Klein - Licensed Veterinary Technician
Hometown: Kirkland, WA
Pets: A 35-year-old box turtle named Sampson.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: If I could be any animal I would be an elephant because they are gentle giants that have an impressive memory and strength. Plus, I want to roll around in the mud and spray water from my trunk.
What brought you to Veterinary medicine: I always knew I wanted to work with animals. I went to school and followed my dreams.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I went to Woodstock 99'! What a wild ride that was!
Hobby: I love doing things outdoors like hiking and camping with my family.
Lisa Pollard - Licensed Veterinary Technician
Joined the team in: February 2025
Hometown: South Lyon, MI
Pets: Brinkley - Standard Poodle born in 2015 and Kenzo - Standard Poodle born in 2023
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: A dog. My dogs live their best lives with their favorite toys and lots of love and snooze time. What could be better?
Interesting fact(s) about me: I have allergies to most all animals but I love what I do! I took a huge leap on a scary new adventure and moved from California to Washington by myself without knowing anyone here! I LOVE the weather and the green trees here!
Hobbies: I consider myself a foodie and love trying new restaurants or food trucks! I also have a passion for photography and you will find me taking tons of pictures when out and about or while traveling or enjoying new scenery.
Rose House - Licensed Veterinary Technician
Hometown: Vancouver, WA since age 5!
Pets: I have 5 tabby cats all in a variance of colors along with a Great Pyrenees, bearded dragon, two marsupials, and a very special rodent.
If you could be any animal, what would it be and why: Oh super easy answer, a cabybara. They're super cute, excellent swimmers, they can run up to 21 mph which is amazing because we only see them being lazy and chilling, I aspire for that lifestyle.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I was born in Dhaka Bangladesh and lived there until I was 5 with my family when we weren’t traveling around the world.
Hobbies: I enjoy playing guitar, piano, and singing. You can also catch me trying to learn various crafts and reading. Oh also sleeping.
Amy Andrea - Senior Veterinary Assistant
Joined the team in: 2011
Hometown: Ridgefield, WA
Pets: I have 3 amazing rescue pets. Mazie is my beautiful Husky who is just as smart. My big grey kitty, Merlin, who I call my trash panda because he will eat absolutely anything. And then I have King Arthur, who is my snuggly, scaredy cat, pika boy.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: I would absolutely love to be a panda bear; my spirit animal! They are so laid-back and friendly. And I would love to live like them: climbing trees, eating, and playing in the snow.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: Helping animals, of course!
Interesting fact(s) about me: In the flood of ‘96, my family lived on the 2nd story of our house for almost 2 weeks, waiting for the water to recede. I rescued our chickens from hypothermia, and they lived in my room until the water went down!
Hobbies: I love snowboarding, anything on a boat, camping, and adventuring.
Nicole Colgrove - Senior Veterinary Assistant
Joined the team in: October 2018
Hometown: I was born in California and lived there until I was 13 years old. I moved to the PNW in 2002 after high school. I love it here!
Pets: Clover is my family’s 13-year-old Pitty mix; she’s an old lady. Rose is our 4-year-old kitty that was rehomed to us through the clinic. Our newest addition is Thomas, a little orange kitten that we also got through the clinic!
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: I would be a wolf. I’ve always admired their intelligence, loyalty, independence, and strong sense of family. Wolves are incredibly resilient and work together as a pack while still having their own individuality. I think those qualities are pretty cool.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: My journey into veterinary medicine started when I was 18 years old. It has become such a big part of who I am! I began working as a dog walker until I saw an ad for a kennel attendant position; that opened the door to my career.
Over the years, I’ve had the great opportunity to work closely with surgeons and emergency doctors, which gave me lots of hands-on experience developing my skills. I’m currently working my way through the Penn Foster program to achieve my goal of becoming a vet tech.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I have a deep love for the spiritual side of life. I really connect with nature because it brings me such a sense of peace and wonder. I’m fascinated by the connection between animals, nature and the world around us.
Hobbies: I enjoy LARPing (live action role-playing) with my husband - it lets us step into another world, get creative, and have a lot of fun together. I recently started playing pickleball, so I’m enjoying learning something new and staying active!
Nikki Behrens - Senior Veterinary Assistant
Joined the team in: 2020
Hometown: Pleasant Hill, CA
Pets: My family has 3 cats: Isshin (Dibber), Katappa (Pappa), and Nokstella. We have a lizard too; we call him PeePaw.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: I’d love to be a whale shark so I can bask in tropical waters all day.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: I’ve been a pet owner all my life and come from a family of pet lovers. I enjoy working with animals and helping to keep them healthy and happy.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I have never been bitten by a mosquito. Jealous?
Hobbies: I enjoy gardening, reading, and playing video games.
Alina Kustanovych - Veterinary Assistant
Joined the team in: April 2023
Hometown: Kharkiv, Ukraine
Pets: Arnold, my lovely Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: I would love to be a dolphin because they are incredibly smart, playful, and always seem to be enjoying life. Plus, getting to explore the underwater world would be amazing. I find it beautiful and fascinating.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: I think, like many other people, my love of animals and the desire to help them. I always had animals at home, so I know how difficult it is when they get sick and you don’t know how to help them.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I lived in Ukraine all my life and worked there as a Junior Veterinary Doctor. Now I have started a new life here in the United States. I speak Ukrainian, Russian, and English. Also, I know how to drive a stick shift.
Hobbies: Cross-stitching, hiking, reading books, and camping.
Andy Schwartz - Veterinary Assistant
Joined the team in: October 2026
Hometown: Vancouver, WA
Pets: My family has 3 dogs: Watson, Ponzu, and Koji. We also have 3 cats named Morimoto, Mufasa, and Rooster.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: I’d be an owl. They’re very quiet.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: My love for animals of course.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I’m always busy; I’m a mom of 4!
Hobbies: I love anything crafty, including using my 3D printer.
Angelee Long - Veterinary Assistant
Joined the team in: April 2026
Hometown: Centralia, WA
Pets: My oldest is Sherman; he’s an 11-year-old Wire-Haired Terrier. Then I have two cats, Tatum who is 7, and Bailey who is 5. Tatum is a handsome tuxedo, and Bailey is a sassy calico.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: A dragonfly because they are so fast and whimsical! I’d love to be able to fly.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: I love pets and their owners! I wanted to become a part of keeping our furry family members healthy and happy.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I come from a large family; I have 6 siblings. I’m currently in school to become a veterinary technician, and I work as a barefoot farrier for horses.
Hobbies: I love to rock climb, and I just started getting into making sourdough bread.
Clarissa Herrera - Veterinary Assistant
Joined the team in: August 2024
Hometown: Las Cruces, NM
Pets: I actually don’t have any, but my dream pet would be a Golden Retriever.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: I would be a butterfly because of how free and graceful they are. Even though their wings are colorful and beautiful, butterflies aren’t aware of their own beauty. I connect with that idea because it reminds me that even when I struggle to see my own “wings,” there is still beauty and strength within me.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: Ever since I was a kid, I dreamt of helping animals in need. Advocating for them is so fulfilling!
Interesting fact(s) about me: I did a lot of dancing growing up; hip hop and contemporary mostly.
Hobbies: I like coloring, reading, journaling, and hanging out with my friends and family, including my daughter.
Dawn Skelton - Veterinary Assistant
Joined the team in: 2020
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Pets: Kota, Benjamin, Morgue
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: Newt, because I can thrive in a cave and there's no rent!
What brought you to veterinary medicine: Fostering kittens made me realize I love animals and want to help them.
Hobbies: Roller skating, retro video games, paper Mache.
Jade Bahnsen - Veterinary Assistant
Hometown: Vancouver, WA
Pets: I have one orange and white feisty cat named Liam
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: I would be a tiger. They are so majestic and also my favorite animal!
What brought you into Veterinary Medicine: I have always had a strong bond with animals since I was very little and wanted a job I would feel passionate about every single day. Going into veterinary medicine always made sense to me.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I collect keychains and my favorite movie is The Wizard of Oz
Hobbies: sewing, screen printing/airbrushing clothes and photography.
Jenn Hattenburg - Veterinary Assistant
Joined the team in: April 2026
Hometown: Out in the sticks in Oregon City, OR
Pets: Pepé is my Pomeranian and the love of my life. Cooper is a Miniature Dachshund; he brightens our lives and makes us laugh every day. Both dogs are very sweet and rule our lives.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: I’d be a Pomeranian. I’d love to be pampered and get my hair brushed.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: When I was 12 years old, our family dog stepped on a cactus. We were out of town and couldn’t get him to a vet clinic, so I spent hours picking the quills out of his paws. My mom told me, “You should work with animals when you grow up,” and I guess that stuck with me!
Interesting fact(s) about me: In the 70s, my grandpa built a road with his tractor in Oregon City. More of my family ended up living on that road, and the city let us name it. Our family name is Kepler, so we named it Kepler Drive. Another thing about me is that I lived on my family’s boat every summer growing up. It was a lot of sun and a lot of fun!
Hobbies: Anything on the boat! My dogs are great boat dogs; they always come with us.
Karla Kysar - Veterinary Assistant
Joined the team in: 2024
Hometown: Vancouver, WA
Pets: Cats, Dogs, chickens, rabbits
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: A squirrel, so I could travel through the tree canopy of the forest.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I lived in a yurt for a year through a Colorado winter.
Hobbies: In my free time I enjoy kayaking, hiking, horses, gardening, woodworking, weaving, painting, and spending time with my pets.
Mackenzie Keele - Veterinary Assistant
Joined the team in: October 2026
Hometown: Kalama, WA
Pets: Just one guinea pig for now. Her name is Marshmallow Rebecca. I plan on getting a cat in the near future though.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: Probably a guinea pig. I could lie around and do nothing all day and eat whenever I wanted to. Also, you can scream for no reason and no one would care.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: I wanted to be a wildlife photographer in middle school. I would hide around the house and take pictures of my cat, pretending I was with National Geographic.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I was a volunteer firefighter and an EMT in training for a very short time when I lived in Maryland. I also play the drums and do ballet!
Hobbies: Ballet, music, spending time with my daughter and husband, sleeping, art projects.
Ryenn Capitani - Vetenary Assistant
Joined the team in: July 2026
Hometown: Vacaville, CA
Pets: We have Sadie and Piper, a chocolate lab and a black lab.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: I’d like to be an Ermine, or a Stoat, because they are adorable, and I love that they change colors with the seasons.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: I grew up near 2 animal shelters and volunteered for them for years, which made me curious to see what goes on behind the scenes. I ended up working at a clinic that did a lot of neuter and spay procedures (like more than 60 a day) and absolutely fell in love with it!
Interesting fact(s) about me: I used to race BMX bikes from 3 years old to 16 years old. I was #1 in the country for my age 6 times! I also competed in the UCI BMX World Championship having a concussion and broken thumb. I still made the main event and placed 5th place. I still hold the record for being the youngest person to make the main event!
Hobbies: I enjoy drawing, hiking, painting pottery, volunteering for Bradford’s Second Chance Rescue, camping, riding dirt bikes and going to the beach.
Kassidy Davenport - Veterinary Assistant
Joined the team in: December 2024
Hometown: Battle Ground, WA
Pets: I have three cats; Nugget my lazy orange boy, Milah (a.k.a Minah) the delicate flower, and Leilah Bug- my chubby, very opinionated, tabby.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: I wouldn’t just be any animal, I would be my cat Leilah; fat, sassy, and sleeps all day.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I like to hike in the PNW, I hunt and fish with my handsome boyfriend, and like to travel and be outdoors as much as I possibly can. Also my dream dog is a Doberman.
Kayla Rohde - Veterinary Assistant
Joined the team in: 2019
Hometown: Camas, WA
Pets: Butters is my pug who loves everyone. Stoner is my cat who likes to do zoomies in the middle of the night. Rex is my spoiled rotten old man lab-mix that meets us at the door with full body wiggles and his whip-like tail.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: I would be a koala because they like to eat and cuddle.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: I have always loved animals but wasn’t sure about being in the field until I got guinea pigs. They are very fragile animals, and it is hard to find an exotic vet to see them. Being able to help animals is the most rewarding job, and it makes going to work enjoyable.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I love to sing and taught myself how to play 5 different instruments.
Hobbies: Reading and crafting
Maddy Brink - Veterinary Assistant
Joined the team in: 2025
Hometown: Welches, OR
Pets and descriptions: I have Charlie, or Charles Franklin, who is a terrier mix who loves to chase things.
If you could be an animal, what would you be and why: I think I’d be a prairie dog because they are loud and always look anxious.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: I’ve loved animals for as long as I can remember. The first book I remember was an AKC book, which was all about the different recognised breeds and how they came to be.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I’m basically a dog encyclopedia. I love recognizing different dog breeds, especially ones that aren’t as common.
Hobbies: I like to read, hike, bake, and go thrifting.
Molly Lederer - Veterinary Assistant
Joined the team in: September 2024
Hometown: Clarinda, IA. I moved to Vancouver, WA in 2020.
Pets: I have three pets. Barry is the oldest; he’s an 11-year-old Staffy/Boxer mix. I adopted him 9 years ago, and he has been my favorite “stinky butt” ever since. In 2022, I adopted a Ragdoll kitten; that’s Korra, but we lovingly refer to her as “the queen”. In 2024, I decided to add one more member to our furry family. Josie is my “little monster” and is full of energy at 2 years old.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: I think I would be either a sloth or a koala, because many of my favorite activities involve eating and sleeping.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: I thought it would be so cool to work at the zoo with exotic animals, but that’s more challenging to get into. Working in a clinic that helps treat people’s pets has turned out to be so rewarding!
Interesting fact(s) about me: During college, I got to be one of the mascots for my university. It was a lot of fun, and many of my favorite memories from college are from that time.
Hobbies: My favorite hobbies include reading, watching movies, and going on walks with my dogs.
Skyler Knight - Veterinary Assistant
Joined the team in: 2018
Hometown: Woodland, WA
Pets: My husband and I have two dogs: a chocolate lab named Marty and a black lab named Winnie. Winnie is actually Marty’s daughter. We also have a black cat named Fang and recently got an orange kitten and named him Tang. They get along just like brothers.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: I’d love to be some type of owl. They’re mysterious, intelligent, and have the power of silent flight. I just think they look so cool.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: An ad on Craigslist! I started as a kennel attendant and worked my way up to be an assistant. My passion for animals drew me to the field, but now I really appreciate the personable aspect. Building a relationship with owners and being a part of the care team for their loved one is a great feeling.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I used to work as a zipline guide; that was a lot of fun!
Hobbies: Most of my time outside of work is spent with my daughter. Some of my hobbies include photography, playing Animal Crossing, building LEGO, and watching old movies and reality shows.
Veronique Pena - Veterinary Assistant
Joined the team in: 2024
Hometown: Las Cruces, NM
Pets: I have two gray tabby cats that I adopted. One is named Storm, and the other is Nube, which means cloud in Spanish. Storm is around 5 years old, and I adopted her from my hometown. She definitely brings a lot of that middle child energy . Nube, which I adopted here in Washington, is 2 years old. She is my calmest cat and truly enjoys her alone time away from the chaos. I would say she has an old lady's spirit.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: If I had the chance to be any animal, I would choose to be a horse. I've always had a soft spot for horses, and I've always wanted to own one. They are, in my opinion, free-spirited creatures, and I feel very at ease just being around them.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I proudly served in the United States Marines.
Hobbies: going to the gym, and my current video game obsession is Stardew Valley.
Kinsey Lytle - Client Service Representative
Joined the team in: 2025
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT
Pets: I’ve always had animals in my life and adopted two rescue dogs, Memphis and Moe, shortly after getting married. They were with us for nearly 13 years before crossing the rainbow bridge in 2022. These days, my husband and I care for a ‘community cat’ we call ‘Cheddar’, an affectionate orange tabby who loves making biscuits, naps, and cuddles.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: I would choose to be a raven. They’re intelligent, resourceful, and have a little mystery about them. Plus, who wouldn’t want to fly?
Interesting fact(s) about me: I was born and raised in Utah. I grew up spending a lot of time outdoors: hiking, camping, riding horses, and spending time with friends and family. As a teen, I began attending poetry readings at my local library and fell in love with writing. Later on, I graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in English. My husband and I moved from Utah to Oregon in early 2021, and then moved to Washington in late 2023.
Hobbies: Outside of work, I enjoy rockhounding and beachcombing, hiking, traveling and exploring new places, reading, gardening, and being creative with various arts and crafts projects..
Marie Leland - Client Services Manager
Joined the team in: 2020
Hometown: Vancouver, WA
Pets: Sage, my 4 years old feline, with an adventurous attitude. I’ve always had a connection with my animals. They’re great companions, are loyal and get right into my soul.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: A cat! They love snuggles, are very compassionate and have great views from high up.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: I volunteered for CVC for a while, then made the decision not to return to the IT world. This job is far more rewarding!
Interesting fact(s) about me: I’m the youngest of 7 children. Nana to 5 grandchildren. Spent 35 years in the IT field within the Insurance and Financial industries.
Hobbies: Gardening, and volunteering. I love to travel! I've visited Paris, France, Eleuthera Island, Bahamas, Cabo, Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Hawaii and a few states in the US. I can’t wait to go again!
Meg Nordlum - Client Services Representative
Joined the team in: November 2024
Hometown: Eau Claire, WI
Pets: Bandit the Siberian Husky.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: A panda bear, because eating and napping every day sounds like the best life.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: I grew up on a farm, and I’ve always loved animals.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I have visited all 50 states, and I make costumes for Renaissance fairs and Halloween!
Hobbies: Nature exploration, video games, and crafty stuff like cross-stitching and painting.
Nicole Brown - Client Services Representative
Joined the team in: 2022
Hometown: Vancouver, WA
Pets: Kili is my 8-year-old golden retriever. He smiles when he is excited.
If you could be any animal what would it be and why: If I could be any animal, I would be an elephant. They are family oriented, gentle giants and strong when they need to be.
What brought you to veterinary medicine? I have always had a passion to help animals and people. Ever since I was 7 years old, I dream of becoming a veterinarian.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I have been to a lot of concerts! My favorites include KISS, Alice Copper, One Republic and Eddie Money. I have seen the rock band KISS three times and One Republic twice!
Hobbies: Reading, Painting, K-Pop and Playing Video Games
Joined the team in: 2021
Hometown: Grants Pass, OR
Pets: Drucilla and Yuji
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: I would be an Octopus. I love how adaptable and colorful they are.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: I wanted to do something I felt passionate about and didn’t just feel like a job I had to do to get by. Since I have never gotten bored of talking about cats, it seemed like a perfect fit.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I worked at the Oregon Country Fair for many years, you may have seen me if you visited!
Hobbies: All types of fiber arts (especially felting and embroidery) gardening and reading fantasy books.
Zoie Bessette - Client Services Representative
Cole Behrens - Kennel Attendant
Hi, I'm Cole. I'm currently a third-year student in high school at Hela High School, which is a specialty school where we can choose pathways such as mechanical engineering, biotechnology, public health and more. This year, I’m starting my pathway in Nursing because I believe the skills I learn there will be most beneficial for my career path.
Hometown: Pleasant Hill, CA
Pets: I have three cats, but I mostly hang out with two of them because the third one belongs to my roommate and is rarely around. Pappa is the best, he’s annoying but also the fluffiest and sweetest boy ever. Isshin is a wonderful cat; he’s never really annoying, just a little freaky, but once he gets to know you, he’ll become the best cat ever.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: Probably a sea turtle. I think it would be a lot of fun to swim around the ocean without having to worry about sharks or anything because I’m a turtle with a strong shell.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: I’ve had a lot of pets in my life, and in turn, I’ve lost a lot of pets as well. I’ve always known I wanted to work with animals, but nothing felt right for a long time. For a while, I was certain that veterinary medicine wasn’t the field for me because I couldn’t handle seeing animals in pain. However, after losing my own pets, I realized that I want to help people give their pets the best lives possible, and the only way to do that effectively is through veterinary medicine.
Interesting fact(s) about me: One time, my sister hit me in the forehead with a metal baseball bat (that’s probably why my handwriting is so bad).
Hobbies: Watching anime and TV, reading manga, playing video games, hanging out with my cats, cooking, baking, and doing art.
Cody Gray - Practice Manager
Joined the team in: 2016
Hometown: Independence, OR
Pets: Zola, my dog, moans when she hugs you. Citra, my cat, always rolls over to get her belly rubbed and my chicken, Summer, jumps on my shoulder.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why: I would be a Canadian goose because they get to see Earth from above and travel to cool places each year.
What brought you to veterinary medicine: A friend introduced me to animal medicine and with my business background and love of animals, it was a good fit.
Interesting fact(s) about me: I lived in Germany for four years while serving in the Army as an M1A1 armor crewman and served in Desert Storm with the Big Red One.
Hobbies: Fishing, gardening, brewing beer.