Our doctors all practice to the highest standards of patient care and professionalism.  To this end each is active in updating their skills by attending the finest professional continuing education available.They are all members of the elective Texas Academy of Veterinary Practice, an organization requiring four times more professional continuing education than mandated by the state.  Indeed, our doctors are frequently invited to give lectures to veterinarians and public groups to share our knowledge and experience.  Combined, our doctors have over 62 years practice experience and continuing education, and we regularly consult each other and outside specialists to find the best way to manage your pet's health and illness.

We all agree it is the variety of cases /animals and the importance of pet health in our clients' lives that keep us enthusiastic about veterinary medicine.  See how this enthusiasm translates into excellent patient care and client education at Westgate Pet & Bird Hospital.

Dr. Harry A. Miller III

Dr. Miller is a 1977 graduate of Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine and founder of Westgate Pet & Bird Hospital.  A nationally recognized practitioner in exotic animal medicine,  he serves as Adjunct Clinical Professor of Exotic Animal Medicine for the university and has received the honor of Exotic Animal Practitioner of the Year from the Texas Veterinary Medical Association.  Dr. Miller retired in August of 2006, but still spends time at the practice. 

Dr. Miller's outside interests include exploring the abundance and diversity in nature, especially at his ranch in West Texas.  He enjoys Texas history, archaeology,  geology and wildlife.  His wife, Dayna, is an assistant District Attorney for Travis county, and uses this authority to keep him in line.

Dr. Paul Brandt

Dr. Brandt is a 1991 graduate of Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine. He is the medical director of Westgate Pet & Bird Hospital and the past president of the Capital Area Veterinary Medical Association. His special clinical interests include general and orthopedic surgery, veterinary dentistry, diagnostic medicine and diseases of the skin and ears.

Dr. Brandt is married to Dr. Miller's daughter, Tiena, and they have three young children to keep them busy.  They enjoy family activities like camping, exploring, fishing and children's birthday parties!  They have two dogs and two rats to join in the household mayhem!

Dr. Rick Lusk

Dr. Lusk is a 1991 graduate of Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine. In addition to exotic animal medicine, his special interests include veterinary endocrinology and oncology.  Dr. Lusk enjoys teaching and is regularly involved with student training at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine.  He was named by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association as Exotic Animal Practitioner of the Year in 2000.

Dr. Lusk and his wife, Laura, enjoy travel and fitness activities in their off time.  They were very excited with the birth of their first child, Liam in November 2005.  Liam hasn't been able to join in on the rollerblading just yet, but I'm sure that an active life is in his future.

Dr. Scott Echols, Diplomate ABVP, Avian Practice

Dr. Echols is a 1995 graduate of Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine. He has completed a residency at the Oakley Veterinary Medical Center in California and is Board Certified in Avian Medicine. His special interests include aviculture/production consultation, advanced surgical procedures, internal medicine, and kidney disease.  He also enjoys preventative medicine and husbandry/nutritional management of diseases.

Dr. Echols was awarded the prestigious T.J. Lafeber, Avian Practitioner of the Year award in 2005.  This is an International award.  In 2007 he was honored as Non-Traditional Species Veterinarian of the Year by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Echol's is married to another local veterinaria, Layle Griffieon.  They are proud parents to a herd of Italian greyhounds, multiple birds, and two cats.  They enjoy outdoor activities like camping, hiking, fishing, etc.

Dr. Ginger Davis

Dr. Davis is a 2006 graduate of  Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine.   Dr. Davis recently completed a one-year internship at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists in Avian and Exotics.  Her special interests include avian medicine, small animal internal medicine and general surgery.

Dr. Davis is a native Austinite and is happy to be back in this beautiful city.  Austin is where her family lives, including her brand new nephew.  She enjoys running, weight lifting, roller blading and other outdoor activities.  She also enjoys working with children and volunteers regularly in the classroom with first graders at Davis Elementary.   Molly, an 11-year-old Umbrella Cockatoo and Sammy, a 15-year-old Cockatiel keep Dr. Davis busy and entertained at her home.

We are proud of the staff we have at Westgate Pet & Bird Hospital.  The staff strives  to provide the very best care for our patients and their owners.  Trying to use certain parts  of the human health care model, our staff is highly trained to do more than hold pets and mop floors.  They are integrally involved in patient care and client service.  This training and trust gives them pride and job satisfaction, and may, in part, explain why our veterinary nurses have an average tenure of employment of 8.5 years while the industry average for registered vet techs is only 4 yeras in the veterinary field.

Below are abbreviated job descriptions of our paraprofessional staff so you better understand their role on our team.

Veterinary Assistants

Veterinary Assistants provide basic care for your pets as well as keep up with the cleanliness of the hospital. They assist the doctors and nurses when examinations and treatments are performed and are trained to closely observe all animals in the hospital and kennel reporting any changes to a veterinarian.

Veterinary Nurses

Veterinary Nurses are involved in all aspects of animal care including surgery, preparation and monitoring, dental cleanings, laboratory analysis, inpatient and outpatient nursing care, and treatments. They handle many client questions involving general animal care, treatments, and progress reports with clients after a patient has left our hospital.

Client Relations Specialists

Among the Client Relations Specialist's many responsibilities are scheduling and confirming appointments, providing client service, admitting and discharging patients, handling reminders for vaccines and other appointments, client correspondence and numerous other duties.

Kennel Assistants

Kennel Assistants are the employees who take care of the basic housing and monitoring needs of the non-critical patients and boarders.  They feed and medicate patients, clean the cages, walk the dogs, and inform the medical staff of any problems observed. They are also largely responsible for the cleanliness of the hospital and for keeping supplies and inventory stocked.