Our Team

Dr. Diane Givler received her veterinary degree from Ross University in 2008 and spent her clinical year at LSU (Geaux Tigers!). She is originally from Pennsylvania, and has practiced small animal medicine in Rochester, NY, Columbia, SC, and Southport, NC. Dr. Givler has worked in small private-owned hospitals, large corporate hospitals, and on a non-profit surgically-equipped spay/neuter RV. Most recently she has been self-employed as a relief veterinarian and is currently living on a 58 foot sailboat with her husband, two dogs, and one cat. Dr. Givler joined FirstVet in 2020.

Dr. Julie Napier graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. She started work in a small animal, exotics, and emergency practice, with the intent of becoming a zoo and wildlife veterinarian. She spent almost 20 years in a variety of zoological institutions and did field work around the world including South Africa, Botswana, Madagascar, and Belize. Dr. Napier has a passion for animal welfare and conservation. Although she is no longer practicing in the wildlife field, she continues to be involved, writing book chapters and journal articles. She takes in senior dogs (over the years she has rescued 19 to date), has remained active in small animal medicine, and continues to consult in exotic pet and wildlife medicine. Dr. Napier joined FirstVet in September 2020.

Dr. Zack Beresin received his veterinary degree from The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. Following graduation, he completed a rotating internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the Veterinary Specialty Center of Delaware. Since completing his internship, Dr. Beresin has worked as a small animal general practitioner in Ohio and New Jersey. His veterinary interests include preventative care and client education, radiology, dermatology, and surgery. Dr. Beresin’s undergraduate degree is in Environmental Studies, and he is still passionate about environmental conservation and sustainability. Outside of work, Dr. Beresin enjoys exploring the outdoors, including hiking, biking, camping and travel, cooking, listening to music, and most of all, spending time with his family. Dr. Beresin joined Firstvet in 2021.

Dr. Cindy McCauley graduated from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. She knew from a very young age that she had a strong connection to animals and wanted to help them. So, it was no surprise that at eight years old her life would be changed by helping to pour blue antiseptic on an injured rooster. At the time, she had no idea what that “blue stuff” was, but can still remember where she was standing and what she was wearing. During her high school years, Dr. McCauley’s passion to help animals and advocate for their needs grew even stronger. Now, after more than 25 years in practice, she is still grateful to spend her life doing something she loves with people who all feel the same way! Dr. McCauley’s favorite part of being a veterinarian is that it allows her to make a difference. Whether it is preventative health care to keep animals healthy, helping a new life enter the world, performing a life- saving surgery, or assisting an old friend to pass with peace and dignity, she gets to make a difference every single day. Dr. McCauley feels blessed to have a supportive husband, daughter, son, and four-legged fur baby that understand her commitment to this career. Dr. McCauley joined FirstVet in 2021.

Dr. Monique Lewison obtained her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Husbandry with high honors and then went on to realize her childhood dream, graduating from the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1987. Since then, Dr. Lewison has had a mobile mixed animal practice in Northern Israel, worked in mixed and small animal practices in New York State, Chicagoland (where she also spent several years as an at home euthanasia veterinarian), Seattle, and East Tennessee. In 2013 she became an IVAS certified veterinary acupuncturist, and in 2015 she completed her veterinary chiropractic certification at the Healing Oasis in Wisconsin. Dr. Lewison is especially interested in animal communication and is dedicated to client education and holistic preventative care. She loves helping people better understand their pet’s issues and how to best care for them. She is currently following her husband’s dream (and now hers) of sailing around the world. While they organize to refit their 41 foot sailboat (in Kent, UK), care for her elderly mother in Israel, and care for their homestead in the foothills of the Smokies in Tennessee, Maximus, her rescued cat waits patiently for her to return from her travels each time. Dr. Lewison joined FirstVet in 2021.

Dr. Leah Talesnick is a 2015 graduate of Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a post-graduate internship and worked as an emergency veterinarian at one of the largest emergency/specialty hospitals in the country. Dr. Talesnick now works as a general practitioner at a non-profit private practice that is dedicated to community outreach for an underserved community. She also works with a rescue that takes animals from natural disasters worldwide and high-kill shelters. Dr. Talesnick has been a contributor to NPR’s podcast Talking Animals. She has a special interest in pain management, quality of life, alternative and physical therapy and is certified as a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. She currently lives in Maryland with her husband and Boston Terrier. Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr Talesnick enjoys cooking and playing tennis. Dr. Talesnick joined FirstVet in 2021.

Dr. Patricia Banks graduated from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 1995. After graduation she worked in emergency and critical care before opening her own practice in 2001. She currently owns a small animal practice in Houston, TX where she focuses on internal medicine, geriatric health care, soft tissue surgery, and preventative care for dogs and cats. Dr. Banks loves cooking, quilting, gardening and spending an afternoon at the park with her pups. She lives in Houston with 2 dogs and 4 cats. Dr. Banks joined FirstVet in 2021.

Dr. Praadnya Shah earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College in Canada. Prior to that, she attended University of California, Davis and earned a Bachelor's degree in neurobiology, physiology and behavioral science. After graduation, Dr. Shah moved back to California to practice small animal medicine. She has a strong interest in animal behavior, welfare, is a Fear Free Certified Veterinarian and implements low stress handling in her practice. She enjoys working in small animal medicine, urgent care, and shelter medicine. Away from work, Dr. Shah enjoys good food, travel, and spending time with her golden retriever puppy, Zui. Dr. Shah joined FirstVet in 2021.

Shannon Brown is a Licensed Veterinary Technician who began her career in animal health in 1999. Her path to the veterinary field was laid out during her childhood when she took over caring for a special needs family pet. She has worked in small animal practices in California and Idaho. Shannon uses her skills to give back to her community by participating in monthly no-cost spay and neuter clinics. She enjoys cooking, gardening, and spending time with her husband, and son and their furry and feathered family members.

Dr. Lauren Aderholdt graduated from Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011 and pursued additional training as a small animal intern at Virginia Tech’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. After completing her internship, she practiced small animal medicine outside Denver, Colorado for five years. After getting married, Dr. Aderholdt relocated to Dallas, Texas where she has continued treating dogs and cats in general practice. She enjoys educating clients about the best preventive care choices for the furry members of their families. When not at home with her two cats and dog you can find her running after her toddler. Dr. Aderholdt joined FirstVet in 2021.

Katie lives in Illinois with her family, 2 dogs, and a cat. She has been a certified veterinary technician for 11 years and has extensive experience in emergency and critical care as well as general practice. She also has her Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science with an emphasis in Equine and Swine Management. When she is not saving the world one animal at a time, she enjoys spending time with her kids and reading.

Katherine is a licensed veterinary technician who received her Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Technology from Mercy University NY in 2022. Katherine's journey in the veterinary field began in 2017 soon after high school when she became a Veterinary Assistant, gaining valuable experience in animal care and client interaction. Her dedication to the well-being of animals led her to Cornell University Veterinary Specialists in Stamford, CT, where she excelled as a Vet Tech Student Extern, assisting in dermatology and ophthalmology. Katherine currently serves as a Laboratory Technician where she conducts a wide range of lab tests and diagnostic analyses, ensuring accurate and timely results for veterinarians. Additionally, she honed her technical skills providing remote triage and support for pet owners while contributing to blog posts. Beyond her professional achievements, Katherine is an avid traveler who finds solace in nature. She is a proud pet parent to two cats, Keanu and Nobu, and envisions a career that seamlessly blends her love for animals. Her journey as a recent graduate with a passion for veterinary science and technology is just beginning, and she is eager to make a meaningful impact in the field.

Crystal received her Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology from the University of Cincinnati in 2014. She’s working towards her Bachelor’s degree with Penn Foster to continue her education and expand her knowledge in veterinary medicine. She grew up in Kentucky; however, she currently resides in Utah. She’s an Elite Fear Free Veterinary Professional with certifications in Karen Pryor’s Better Veterinary Visits and Royal Canin’s Pet Nutrition Advisor program. Her areas of interest include behavior and parasitology. After graduation in 2014, she had the opportunity to volunteer for a spay/neuter clinic with World Vets in Nevis. They were able to help approximately 300 patients, 269 of whom were surgical, in three days. It was such a rewarding experience to offer care in an area that receives limited veterinary support. Currently, she is a foster for a local animal shelter. She is passionate about caring for animals and helping pet owners provide the best possible care for their furry family members. As a child, she grew up with dogs, cats, turtles, snakes, mice, and a rabbit, which fueled her love for animals. The first pet she had as an adult was a miniature dachshund named Nani, who inspired her to pursue a career as a technician. Despite developing IVDD at the age of four, Nani lived to be 14 years old thanks to the exceptional care she received from her veterinary team. Crystal hopes to provide the same care and support to other pet owners and their beloved animals. She currently has three furry family members: Rocco, a 17 year old Bengal cat; Kingston, a five year old black lab; and Ziggy, a one year old heeler/pointer mix, who was a foster fail. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing and yoga. However, her favorite pastime is traveling with her husband and six-year-old daughter. Over the past year, they have visited all five national parks in Utah and two in Wyoming.

Dr. Matthew Lamare received his veterinary degree from Lincoln Memorial College of Veterinary Medicine in Harrogate, TN. After graduating, he spent time practicing Emergency Medicine in a busy specialty hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. He then went on to complete an internship in Towson, MD and is currently in an Emergency and Critical Care Residency located in Rhode Island. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his dogs and taking care of his reptiles. Dr. Lamare enjoys establishing a good client relationship and educating pet owners.

Dr. Elizabeth Wesson received her veterinary degree from the University of Sydney in 2014. Before pursuing veterinary medicine, she started her career as an environmental scientist and worked as a microbat rehabilitator and educator during her undergraduate degree. Since then Dr. Wesson has worked as a general practitioner for small animals and exotics in the U.K. and the U.S. She is passionate about improving the quality of life of animals and educating owners on caring for their pets. Her special interests are feline and exotic medicine, geriatric care and ultrasonography. In her spare time, she enjoys pottery, gardening, yoga and any outdoor activity. She lives in Florida with her husband, son and Devon Rex. Dr. Wesson joined FirstVet in 2023.

Dr. Janice Thomas left cold Cleveland, Ohio and headed south for warmer weather and less snow! She completed her medical studies at Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine. Since then, she has practiced in Florida, where she adopted her dog Desi (Arnez), North Carolina, Kentucky & Indiana. Although a “city-girl” at heart, she has developed an appreciation for the south’s more relaxed nature and outdoor activities! When not working you can find Dr. Thomas riding her bike, shopping for shoes or meeting people, ready to share some good news! “My passion for pets started when I was young, after I noticed a bird hobbling, in an empty parking lot. The wing of the bird was injured, so I ran home with the bird in hand, dedicated to nursing it back to health. At age 4, I told my family, ‘I am going to be an animal doctor!’” Dr. Thomas joined FirstVet in 2021.

Dr. Cathryn Doyle earned her veterinary degree at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in May 2013 and also earned a Masters of Public Health from Virginia Tech University in December 2013. She then went on to train in a small animal rotating internship in Virginia Beach, VA from 2014 to 2015 before making her way into working as an Emergency and Critical Care veterinarian since 2015. Dr. Doyle has a keen interest in wildlife and conservation medicine and spent much of her time during her veterinary training learning and working at various zoos and wildlife rehabilitation centers. In her spare time, she enjoys snuggling up with a good book and her rescued cat, Edana, as well as taking in spectacular views while hiking atop the Rocky Mountains. Dr. Doyle joined FirstVet in 2021.

Dr. Hudspeth was born and raised in central Louisiana. She spent a large portion of her childhood outdoors with animals to keep her company. Dr. Hudspeth also lived a few years of her childhood on a farm tending to many different types of animals. It was then, around age 6, she developed her love for all animals and decided she wanted to be their doctor. Dr. Hudspeth obtained her undergraduate education from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana and graduated from LSU School of Veterinary Medicine in 2016. Before being accepted to LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, she worked as a registered veterinary technician for 8 years. She had the fortunate opportunity to work in many aspects of veterinary medicine including a mixed animal practice, emergency animal practice, a small animal practice, and was an instructor at a veterinary technology program. During her time as a technician, Dr. Hudspeth assisted many families during their last moments with their pets and always felt a special connection with clients during that delicate time. Since graduation, Dr. Hudspeth has gained valuable experience in small and exotic animal medicine, end of life care/hospice, telehealth, and as a relief veterinarian in the Houston area. Dr. Hudspeth is a certified Companion Animal Euthanasia Veterinarian and is actively pursuing certification for Fear Free Certified Practitioner. She also aspires to obtain certification in hospice and palliative care as well as acupuncture. In her spare time, Dr. Hudspeth enjoys attending horror/comic conventions, participating in medieval historical reenactment, going to renaissance festivals, attending continued education conferences, reading, watching television, and spending time with her family and little zoo. Dr. Hudspeth lives with her fiancé, Edward, their 3-year-old identical twin daughters, Madeleine and Adelaide, 4 dogs, 8 cats, 4 birds and a chinchilla. Yes, she knows she has a lot of pets! She is incredibly soft-hearted and has rescued many animals during her 22 years working in veterinary medicine.

Dr. Arras graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. She is certified in acupuncture, and integrative rehabilitation and physical medicine. She has worked as a small animal general practitioner since graduation. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and spending time with her family.

Dexter is a dedicated registered veterinary technician, trainer, and all-around animal enthusiast with a passion for fostering harmony between dogs and their owners. With over 15 years of experience in the field of animal health technology, he specializes in positive behavior modification and training techniques, always emphasizing praise and rewards. Beyond veterinary medicine, he is an advocate for inclusivity and a trans man, bringing a unique perspective on empathy and understanding. Dexter's aspirations include creating a haven for animals on a small plot of land and running an elder dog hospice, all while maintaining a love for games, movies, and music.

Alyssa was born and raised in a small town located in Southwest, WI. In 2012, she earned her Certified Veterinary Technician degree from Globe University.

She began her career working at a non-profit Humane Society in Iowa where she got lots of experience in surgery and working with a variety of different animals. In 2015, she started at a small two doctor practice where she gained even more experience in surgery assisting and using her knowledge with clients in primary care. In 2018, Alyssa and her boyfriend moved to the Racine/Kenosha area where she landed a job at her first AAHA accredited hospital. This is where she found her love for surgery assisting and working in a fast-paced environment with multiple doctors.

Outside of work Alyssa enjoys spending time with family, staying active, going on adventures with her boyfriend, and spending time outside with her two pets Sabrina and Zibby. Sabrina, who is pictured above, is a 11 year old Siamese mix who she leash trained to go outside on walks. Zibby is a 4.5 year old Rottweiler/French Bulldog mix who she enjoys going for runs with in her spare time.

Barbara graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 2006 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Animal Health Science. She obtained her Veterinary Technologist License in 2009. Barbara has wanted to work with animals since she was 4 years old and started volunteering at her local veterinary hospital at the age of 15. She has worked in a variety of practice types from Emergency, Internal Medicine/Critical Care, Cat Only to General Medicine. One of her favorite aspects of working in the veterinary field is Client Communication and Education. She believes that to give the best patient care she must start with thoroughly understanding the owner and pet themselves. Barbara currently resides in Surf City USA (Huntington Beach, CA) with her husband, daughter, 2 indoor cats, many outdoor cats, and a 13 year old goldfish. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family, visiting Disneyland, cooking/baking and crafting.

Dr. Lauren Hulse graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2016. She has wanted to be a veterinarian since she learned what jobs were in second grade. After completion of her BS and MBA, she fulfilled that dream. Since graduating, she has worked in emergency, general practice, and relief. She loves helping animals and the families they mean so much to. Dr. Hulse lives in Northern California with her husband and two small children. When not working, she can be found on her small farm taking care of everything from sheep to cut flowers.

Dr. Jessica Scholl graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas A&M University-College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating, she worked 4 years in a busy mixed animal practice outside of Dallas. There, she saw dogs, cats, horses, alpacas, llamas, pigs, cattle, small ruminants, and the occasional chicken. Dr. Scholl has also worked for over 7 years in small animal emergency medicine near Dallas. Currently, she works as a small animal veterinarian while continuing to pursue equine medicine. Dr. Scholl has a passion for low stress cattle and equine handling, ultrasonography, equine reproduction and emergency medicine. In her spare time, she enjoys working on her farm, reading, traveling, and spending time with family. Dr. Scholl joined FirstVet in 2021 and is excited to be a part of the Firstvet team!

Dr. Angela Moorhead graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary medicine in 2018 and completed her clinical training at Texas A&M University. She is originally from New York, but now calls Texas home! She has worked in equine, mixed animal, and small animal medicine. She is currently working in emergency small animal medicine as a relief veterinarian in various areas of Texas. When she is not working, she enjoys going to rodeos around the country with her husband and their three dogs!

Dr. Kirstin Kamps received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2011 from Western University of Health Sciences outside of Los Angeles. The last 10 years she has been a self employed traveling veterinarian working with small animal clinics all over California. She is currently in the UK working as a clinician with a veterinary school. In her free time she enjoys traveling for theater festivals and volunteer work.

Lori is a licensed technician who started her veterinary journey in 2003 and developed a special love for dentistry and dermatology. When not working, she can be found hanging out with her two pugs, seven chickens, and one husband. Their house is also home to special needs pugs they foster for a pug rescue. When she isn't medicating pugs, trimming nails, cleaning up "accidents" in the house, and being chased by a surly rooster, she can be found skiing, cycling and just generally enjoying life. Her future plans include having emus if she can somehow convince her husband that it's a fabulous idea.

Nedra James is a licensed veterinary technician from New York. She earned her Bachelor's Degree from Pace University before pursuing a second degree in Veterinary Technology at LaGuardia Community College. She then earned her Master's Degree in Biology at Miami University. Nedra has experience in both clinical and laboratory animal medicine, working with several species ranging from mice, rabbits, cats and dogs to non-human primates. Nedra’s special interests include emergency and critical care, wildlife conservation and would love to learn about zoo medicine. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, Broadway shows and learning about new cultures. She currently lives in Brooklyn with her family and her 3 cats.

Dr. Nikki Johnson is a Florida native who received her veterinary degree from the University of Florida in 2016. She currently travels and works as a traveling relief veterinarian throughout the United States, practicing small animal medicine in general practice and urgent care. She has one dog named Piccolo, and they both love to hike and camp. She joined the team in 2023 and is excited to provide care for clients across the US.

Dr. Sam has been in the veterinary field for over 20 years, and has harbored her passion for the field since the age of four years old. She has practiced in various states, currently holding licenses in both Illinois and Florida, as well as a USDA certification to provide both international and domestic health certificates. Her incredible passion extends to every patient; she is driven to collaborate closely with families to ensure the best quality of life for all household members. Dr. Sam specializes in pain management, mobility, and senior care, emphasizing transparent and consistent communication to address all aspects of their pets' lives. Dr. Sam lives with her husband, two doggos (Piper and Soka, rescued mixed breeds), and her long-haired Russian Blue cat, Floki.

Katelyn is a Registered Veterinary Technician and received her Veterinary Medical Technology degree from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College in Asheville, NC in 2020. Since graduating as a veterinary technician, Katelyn has pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Business with a concentration in Veterinary Health and Management from The University of Tennessee at Martin. Since becoming a technician, Katelyn has become well rounded in emergency and critical care, small animal general practice, large animal medicine, and ultrasonography. She lives on her own farm in Lenoir, NC where she enjoys riding her horses, caring for her goats, alpaca (Sid), and loving on her cow (Petunia). She enjoys exploring the mountains with her horses and dogs around Boone, NC. Katelyn joined FirstVet in 2023.

Jessie graduated from Globe University in 2013 with her associate degree in veterinary technology. She works in a small animal clinic that gives her the opportunity to explore more avenues in vet med such as acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and other non traditional medicine practices. She has a soft spot for large breed dogs, but loves to care for all furry friends. She lives in Minnesota with her husband, 2 two legged children, 2 dogs (Pebbles the English Mastiff and Shamrock the Rottweiler), and 3 cats (Wishbone, Midnight, and Charlie). Her hobbies include playing Monopoly with the family and baking sculptured cakes for friends and family.

Brandi is from a small town in Indiana surrounded by cows and corn. She attended the Vet Tech Institute in Indianapolis and graduated with her associates degree in 2012. Most of her experience in veterinary medicine is in emergency/CCU and oncology. She enjoys spending time with her kids, baking, reading, and making jam in her free time. She also has 2 dogs (Emmet and Ivy) and 1 cat (Tina).

Michelle graduated from Western Career College and became a Registered Veterinary Technician in 1994. Since then she’s worked on and off in small animal clinics in between raising 2 sons and working in the family locksmith business. In her free time, she enjoys watching both of her sons college sports games and spending time with her dogs walking through their nearby woods. Michelle lives in a small mountain town in El Dorado County, California with her husband Ernie, 4 cats, 3 dogs and Fiona the Bearded Dragon.

Amber has her Bachelor of Animal Science and has worked in the veterinary field for 20 years, she became a licensed veterinary technician in 2018. Over her career she has worked in many different aspects of the veterinary field which include: general practice, surgery and anesthesia, emergency critical care and intensive care. When she is not focusing on patient care, in her spare time she enjoys traveling, being a foodie and hanging out with her lab mix Lou and German shepherd Shardik on the farm (they are also foodies).

Natalie grew up as a military child and finally put down roots in Maryland. She has been in the veterinary field since 2008. After graduating with a BA in English, she decided to go back to school to get an AA in veterinary technology in 2018. She has worked in small animal general practice for over 10 years before going into specialty medicine. She currently lives in wonderful Hawaii. She enjoys hiking, running, reading, and spending time with her newly rescued dog.

Hope graduated from Manor College in 2012 with her associates degree in veterinary medicine and again in 2022 with her bachelors degree in veterinary medicine and practice management. Since graduating Hope has worked with small animals in a variety of specialty and general practice settings. In her down time she is spending her time exploring, cooking, reading, and spending time with her cats, french bulldog, and son.

Crystal loves her job as a veterinary technician and has been passionately helping pets and their owners for 15 years. She obtained her technician license in 2009 from SUNY Delhi and since then has worked in all aspects of veterinary medicine including internal medicine, surgery, oncology, neurology, ophthalmology and general practice. A majority of her career has been spent work with exotic pets and wildlife - both of which she enjoys! When Crystal isn't helping all things feathered, scaled or furry - she enjoys spending time with family and helping her son with sports. She has a full house of pets at home including her 3 cats - Willow, Maple and Tango, her Budgie- Poppyseed, 2 ferrets - Taco and Loki, 2 lizards - Rock and Toothless and snake - Fang. Her hobbies include baking and crystal hounding. Her favorite colors are black and pink and her favorite genre of music is country.

Dr. Michael Gerber graduated from Western University of Health Sciences in 2010 and completed a rotating internship at The Animal Medical Center in New York City immediately thereafter. He has been practicing both emergency medicine and general medicine since completing his formal veterinary training. His professional interests include emergency/critical care, reproduction, and dentistry. In his spare time he enjoys anything out on the water and spending time with his human and canine family members.

Dr. Nilufer (Nil) Wilkins graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1983. When she was in the ninth grade, her Civics class gave students the project to select three careers they were interested in and to interview someone in the community in each career. Given from a young age Dr. Wilkins had always wanted to help animals, she could only choose one career – to be a veterinarian. Dr. Wilkins has over 39 years as a practicing veterinarian, including working as an associate and relief veterinarian in several small animal practices; as staff veterinarian at two different county animal shelters, adopting several “foster failures” so that at one point their family had six cats; and providing hospice and end of life care for family pets in the home. Dr. Wilkins believes in practicing preventative medicine and educating families on its benefits for both the families and their pets. Her special interests include cats (no surprise!) and helping guide families in end-of-life decisions. Dr. Wilkins enjoys reading, listening to classical music (especially Baroque), traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She currently lives in Florida with her husband of 40 years and three cats. They also have two grown daughters. Dr. Wilkins joined FirstVet in 2023.

Dr. McKayla Meyer is a 2021 graduate from CSU that has been working as an emergency veterinarian since July 2021. She’s from the Big Island of Hawai’i originally and worked in small animal general practice prior to attending veterinary school and in veterinary school itself. She is very passionate about client communication and education, emergency and preventative medicine, and end of life quality of care. She recently moved to San Diego and is so excited to be closer to family and back on the west coast. Her hobbies include hiking, camping, surfing, and traveling to new places! She recently began embroidering her own clothes and doing pottery on her days off, and loves spending time exercising different parts of her brain. She has 2 Boston Terriers, Kaia and Cava, that love to go on adventures with her and keep her busy!

Dr. Rebecca Bohlmann has been involved with the veterinary industry for over 30 years, 20 of those as a veterinarian. She enjoys talking to people and helping keep people's pets not only healthy but also happy. She currently has a rescue terrier, rescue roadside ditch kitten, along with her husband and 2 busy/crazy girls.

Lyndesey has been in vet med for 7 years now and just recently got her CVT license about a year ago. Her interests are emergency medicine and she enjoys building a connection with every patient and making them comfortable so they can live their best life. She currently has 4 fur babies: 3 cats and 1 dog. Outside of work, Lyndesey likes to spend time with her partner and their two kids. She likes spending time outdoors, either going hiking or to the lake.

Makayla received her Associates of Veterinary Technology from the University of Cincinnati in 2015. She has been working in the veterinary field for the last 13 years, as not only a registered technician, but also kennel help and receptionist in earlier years before earning her degree. Her areas of interest include parasitology and dentistry. She also has certification from Royal Canin’s Pet Nutrition Advisor Program. She is passionate about the care each patient gets, helping owners achieve the best care for their pets possible. She has had numerous areas of experience from emergency medicine, small animals, as well as with livestock. Makayla and her fiancé reside in Ohio on their farm where they raise pigs and cows. Along with their livestock, they have 3 dogs; Beau, a 9 year old Blue Heeler; Kaiah, a 5 year old Labrador Retriever; Dixie, a 1 year old Golden Retriever. In her spare time, Makayla enjoys spending time with her friends and family, as well as running their custom application business and farming with her fiancé.

Dr. David Leatherman earned his Bachelor's degree at the University of California Davis before heading to the southern hemisphere for 5 years to earn his veterinary degree from Murdoch University in Western Australia. Dr. Leatherman practices small animal medicine (dogs and cats) with a keen interest in Canine dermatological issues, including food allergies, and other disease processes that lead to pruritus. It is his firm belief that being constantly itchy has got to be one of the worst existences he can imagine. Outside of work Dr. Leatherman loves to surf his home break at Doheny state beach in Southern California.

Samantha grew up in the Bay Area and always had a love for animals. She went to UC Davis and majored in animal science and after graduation, decided to get her certification to become an RVT. She’s worked in general practice clinics and specialty hospitals across the country in California, Oregon, New York and most recently, Hawaii! She loves taking her dog on hikes and out paddle boarding!

Born and raised on a ranch in Louisiana, Erin began working with and learning from animals before she could even walk or talk. Throughout her career she has had the opportunity to work with a variety of species as a zookeeper, marine mammal trainer, and veterinarian. Each experience teaching her more as she performed and practiced positive reinforcement training techniques and veterinary medicine on reptiles, birds, dolphins, rhinos, and more. As a small animal practitioner she implements these same concepts with her patients and educates veterinary clinic staff and pet families about the importance and success of Fear Free in veterinary medicine. She is also passionate about integrative medicine, and is certified in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture. After multiple years in clinical practice, she transitioned to telehealth and veterinary relief work.

In her free time, she enjoys water skiing, hiking, and traveling. She has 2 incredible senior rescue pups, and a very special horse who takes her on beautiful trail rides along the coast of California where she lives. Each year she is lucky to spend time in the Adirondack wilderness of upstate New York to enjoy lake life and time with family in the forested outdoors.

Dr. Brass is a 2011 graduate of University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and the College of Public Health and Health Professions. His career has spanned over twenty years with work on numerous species in multiple countries. He has maintained a deep passion for public health throughout his multidisciplinary work in small animal medicine, food animal medicine, and biorisk management. This work extends to board certification with the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. He is committed to serving as a resource to empower pet owners and to nurture the human/animal bond. Dr. Brass is a Louisiana native and current resident of Ohio with two cats.

Dr. Emilee Repp obtained her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University. Following graduation, she practiced small animal medicine at a fast pace and quickly growing private practice. She enjoys working with clients to provide the highest standard of care to their 4-legged family members. In practice, she enjoys helping with client education, preventative medicine, as well as management of difficult medical conditions. In her free time, Dr. Repp loves to spend time with her family and friends and enjoys any outdoor activity.

Dr Ashley Word graduated from the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine in 2021. She has employment experience in both emergency medicine and critical care as well as routine practice. As a veterinarian, Dr Ashley strives to provide the utmost care to pets by treating each as a unique individual, requiring tailored health recommendations. Her goal is to work as a team with pet parents through thorough, concise, and easy-to-understand language so the best outcomes can be achievable for their pets. Dr Ashley currently resides on the North Carolina coast. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, and fossil hunting. Dr Ashley also owns a horse and competes in three-day eventing horse trials.

Samantha started her career initially in marine biology where she participated in shark research all over the world. However, she found herself at an emergency veterinary practice and fell in love with small animal medicine. She then became a registered veterinary technician in the state of Hawaii. She is currently a mom to one son as well as a kitten that she rescued. She enjoys traveling the world with her family as well as hiking and being in the ocean.

Dr. Hill has enjoyed practicing Veterinary Medicine since graduating from UC Davis in 1995. Initially she practiced mixed animal in a fairly rural area doing on-call and field service for all species. She has practiced in a variety of small animal clinics, with a stay of 20 years at her current practice concentrating on small animals. Dr. Hill enjoys all aspects of Veterinary medicine, particularly the variety it brings, ranging from educating a family about a new puppy or kitten, providing needed medicine and surgery through that pet’s life, and even gently assisting with end of life decisions. Most recently she has been participating in shelter medicine surgery and first hand seeing the dilemmas of overpopulation.

Dr. Hill loves the outdoors, is an avid horsewoman, trail riding and doing endurance rides on her Rocky Mountain Mare ‘Willow’. She also loves traveling and backpacking and enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters doing these things. Her family includes their crazy yellow lab Baloo, 3 geriatric cats, two horses and a multitude of chickens.

Overall she is grateful that veterinary medicine has allowed her to devote her life to the wellbeing of pets and their people and hopes to continue to do so through FirstVet.

After earning her Master's degree in Geology and serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine, Amy realized her passion was working with animals. She grew up with dogs and was always taking care of pets in the neighborhood as a young girl. She started as a receptionist in a small one-doctor general practice in Georgia and five years later was a Lead ICU Technician for a world-renowned animal hospital in Boston. She has been a veterinary technician for 18 years, thirteen of which have been spent strictly in the ECC department. Amy currently resides in Honolulu, Hawaii where she continues to work in the veterinary field as an ICU technician. She also makes time for work at a cat sanctuary on a neighboring island, hiking, swimming, traveling, and spending time with friends.

Dr. Matthew Drozd was adopted from Poland at the age of three and relocated to the United States, where he grew up in New Jersey. During his teenage years, he nurtured a variety of animals including ducks, gerbils, rabbits, and cockatiels, igniting his passion for veterinary medicine. He earned a Bachelor's of Science from Fordham University and later obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine. Matthew's expertise encompasses both specialty and general medicine for small animal species. In his leisure time, he finds joy in tending to his diverse collection of plants, unwinding outdoors, and engaging with his beloved cat, dog, rabbit, and bearded dragon.

Dr. Strause attended East Stroudsburg University and went on to obtain her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Strause has a special interest in dermatology and is an active member of the AVMA.

Dr. Victoria Lama began her veterinary career at an early age in general practice as an animal shelter volunteer and veterinary assistant in companion animal hospitals where she grew up in Brooklyn, New York. She then went on to receive her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Animal Science from Cornell University followed by her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University. In vet school, her career area of emphasis was on the Spectrum of care, as well as research on lower urinary tract disease in domestic species, so she knows much about pee! Before joining FirstVet in 2023, she worked as a full-time associate and relief primary care veterinarian for dogs and cats, and still currently works in the clinic providing relief care in areas of need. Her interests include fear-free canine and feline medicine, especially: client education, preventative care, upper and lower urinary tract disease, dermatology, behavior, and ophthalmology. In her spare time, she enjoys practicing yoga, weight-lifting, swimming, hiking and relaxing with her three adopted felines and French bulldog. She is a big fan of teamwork and effective modes of communication, and looks forward to helping you and your critters!

Dr. Freeman is a 2005 graduate of Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine with 18 years experience as a small animal and equine veterinarian and additional certification in acupuncture for pets. Professionally, Dr Freeman enjoys geriatrics and is especially known for helping very old cats live their best life. She is active in the local veterinary association and has served on the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association Board of Directors since graduation. Her hobbies include gourmet food and cooking, reading, horseback riding, shooting and anything ocean, including SCUBA diving. She also is a licensed EMT.

Lindsey has been a Certified Veterinary Technician in the state of Wisconsin for approximately 15 years. She lives with her dog Marlo, and cat Squid. She has had experience in both small and large animal medicine, along with exotics. She has always found fulfillment in helping strengthen the human-animal bond, whether that's between her and her patients or between pets and their caregivers. Pets are such amazing additions to our lives, and keeping them healthy and helping them in times of need is what drives her each and every day. She has worked in private practice and emergency care most of her career and is excited to be a part of this innovative and convenient way for people to access healthcare for their pets. In her free time you can find her hiking with her dog, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Aerial has always been surrounded by animals of all species, she felt a need to protect and nurture them. As she grew up, she realized that her passion for animals was more than just wanting to have a pet at home. She found that medicine was a true calling, and wanted to be the one on the ground fighting for these wondrous creatures. She graduated from the Vet Tech Institute of Houston and has been a Licensed Veterinary Technician since 2016. Her career started in the emergency room, but she felt a strong pull to in-patient care and preventative care. She values strong client education and enjoys talking with pet owners. She has also been honored to have had the opportunities to volunteer in helping spay and neuter clinics in Hawaii and Aruba. Currently, Aerial has her ride or die old man pup, Austin, her big sweet 110 lb lap dog, Dante, and her two rescue cats - Senor Sawyer Pounce and Shuri Pounce. In her free time, Aerial enjoys spending her time with her family outdoors as well as country music and dancing.

Michaela is a certified veterinary technician who always knew from a young age how special animals could be to a person's life. After growing up with dogs all of her life, she decided to study to become a Veterinary Technician. She began her educational journey at Mount Ida College in Newton, MA before transferring to Becker College in Leicester, MA to finish her studies. During her last year of school, she began working at a general practice in her home town of Worcester, MA. After working there for 7 years, she decided to move to Boston, MA and is currently working as a technician for a Dermatology Specialty in Watertown, MA. She joined FirstVet in 2024.

Dr. Catherine Adams graduated from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. After graduation, she worked in a mixed animal practice serving both small and large animals, as well as community vaccination clinics. She has a passion for helping both pets and their families, as well as increasing access to veterinary healthcare via community vaccination clinics and veterinary telehealth. She is a Fear Free Certified Veterinarian and an AAFP Cat Friendly Veterinarian. In her free time, Dr. Adams enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, traveling, antique shopping, and reading. She currently has 3 horses, 2 dogs, and a cat that adopted her family. Dr. Adams joined FirstVet in 2024.

Paige is a graduate of Purdue University’s Veterinary Technology program. She has worked at a swine farm, large animal ambulatory practice, dairy general practice and research, parasitology laboratory, and small animal general practices. Her areas of interest include client education, herd health, anesthesia, and parasitology. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. Pigs and cows are her favorite animals.