Veterinary Technicians & Assistants

Westgate Pet & Bird Hospital has assembled a group of Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants who are extraordinarily talented and passionate individuals. Each team member has a unique and individualistic approach to the veterinary care provided at our one of a kind facility. Read more about our incredible Veterinary Technicians and Assistants below!

Robyn,
Licensed Veterinary Technician

Robyn joined the Westgate Pet & Bird Hospital team in July of 1988. She attended Sul Ross State University where she completed the Registered Veterinary Technician program. As a Licensed Veterinary Technician, some of her responsibilities include surgical assisting, monitoring critical care patients, and assisting the doctors with inpatient care.

She is a proud member of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA), Veterinary Technician Association of Texas (VTAT), National Veterinary Technician Association (NVTA), and the Academy of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Technicians (AVECCT).

When she isn’t working, Robyn cares for several pets of her own. They include three German Shepherds, a Peruvian Inca Orchid (pictured), two cats, a ferret, a Quarter Horse and an African Grey. She spends her free time volunteering with Austin’s Wildlife Rescue (AWR) raising and rehabilitating small mammals, including raccoons and squirrels. One of the highlights of volunteering with AWR is caring for their educational ambassador, Henry the Barn Owl. Robyn also enjoys horseback riding, camping, and spending time with family.

Tracy,
Licensed Veterinary Technician

Tracy is a Licensed Veterinary Technician here at Westgate Pet & Bird Hospital. She joined our staff in January of 2000. Tracy earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Anthropology from Southern Methodist University, and her Associates Degree in Veterinary Medical Technology from Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA. She is also a Certified Laboratory Animal Technologist.

With 25 years of experience in the animal care field, Tracy refers to Westgate as “the most progressive hospital” that she has ever worked for. She appreciates being a part of a dedicated and caring staff that is always applying new techniques and procedures.

At home, Tracy cares for five dogs, four birds, three cats and a turtle named Olive. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, swimming, traveling and camping. She is also an avid reader and hobbyist bird watcher.

Amy, Certified Veterinary Assistant

Amy is our resident guinea pig fanatic and is also known for her love of learning and unique sense of humor. She joined our team in December 2016 as a full time Veterinary Assistant. She helps with patient check ins and discharges, processes lab tests, assists in surgery, cares for inpatient and boarding pets and provides client education. With her knowledge and her desire to improve patient care, she makes a great addition to our hospital.

Amy has a major in Animal Science and a minor in Biochemistry. Her animal care background includes two years of volunteering at the Williamson County Animal Shelter and one year with the Guinea Pig Rescue Shelter.

Regarding her time here at Westgate Pet & Bird Hospital, Amy enjoys “working closely with intense cases and working with a lot of exotics.” She appreciates learning from the veterinarians and increasing her knowledge in microscopic analysis and laboratory technique.

At home, Amy has a Papillion/American Eskimo dog named Dirk and two guinea pigs, Patsqal, and Patton. In her free time, she enjoys mead making, bouldering, running and studying for the Certified Veterinary Assistant Level II program.

Sarah, Veterinary Assistant

Sarah joined our team in January 2016 as a full-time Veterinary Assistant. Sarah received her Associates of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology from the Indiana Vet Tech Institute and is currently pursuing a Veterinary Assistant Certification and studying to take the Licensed Veterinary Technician Exam.

Sarah is one of our lead surgery technicians and coordinates patient care and work flow in the surgery and treatment areas. In addition, she assists our veterinarians in exam rooms, collects and processes lab samples, and checks up on patients after major procedures.

Sarah enjoys spending her free time swimming, watching Netflix, and listening to True Crime podcasts. She has one pet of her own a Siamese/Tabby cat named Patsy.

Bonnie, Veterinary Assistant

Bonnie is a full time Veterinary Assistant who joined our team in December 2015. Clients often comment on her friendly personality and her ability to make their pets comfortable during their visits. Bonnie assists in surgery, feeding and medicating patients, processing labwork, dental procedures and more. She's currently enrolled in the Certified Veterinary Assistant Program that our hospital offers to the staff.

Bonnie takes pride in the exceptional patient care offered here at Westgate Pet & Bird Hospital. "I love hearing when the owner or doctor tells us that the patient feels better or is on the road to recovery after receiving treatment.”

At home, Bonnie has three pets, a Chow Mix named Nala, a domestic shorthair named Taco, and a Cockatiel named Luna. While she enjoys being a "homebody," she also likes attending shows at the different music venues throughout Austin.

Jennifer, Veterinary Assistant

Jennifer is soft spoken and diligent with a vast knowledge of avian care and behavior that she readily shares with clients and coworkers. She joined our team in March 2016 as a full-time Veterinary Assistant. Some of her responsibilities include client communication and education, assisting our veterinarians with surgery and dental procedures, taking radiographs and processing lab samples.

With a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology and an Associates degree in Science-Zoo Animal Technology, Jennifer has acquired 22 plus years of experience in the animal care field. Some of her roles included a supervisor and senior keeper position in the Bird Department at the San Antonio Zoo, and the Bird Department manager at Gallery of Pets.

Jennifer has 8 birds of her own including an African Grey Parrot named Scarlet, Jade the Eclectus, Mary Ann, a Golden Conure, a Sun Conure by the name of Tequila, a Brown Throated Conure called Shu Shu, Q the Quaker Parrot, Lovey the Lovebird and a Cockatiel named Skipper. When she has free time, she enjoys swimming, reading, cooking, watching “The Office” and camping.

Nick, Veterinary Assistant

Nick joined Westgate Pet & Bird Hospital in September 2016. He takes pride in helping patients get the highest quality care possible while treating them and their caregivers with compassion and professionalism. Nick’s typical work day includes assisting our veterinarians in the exam room, providing client education, and assisting with surgical cases, treatments and dental procedures.

He enjoys working with exotic animals and has a vast knowledge of reptiles and chinchillas. Nick has a Chinchilla of his own named Misha, and he enjoys climbing and swimming in his free time.

Bekah, Veterinary Assistant

Bekah joined Westgate Pet & Bird Hospital in September 2016 as a full time Veterinary Assistant. She is also a Fear Free certified veterinary professional with a primary focus on preventing and alleviating fear, anxiety and stress in pets during their visits. She is always a great resource for the staff when we are caring for an especially nervous pet.

Bekah has been in the animal-related field for four years, previously working as a veterinary technician at Austin Pets Alive for two years before joining our team. Some of her current responsibilities include surgical prep and assistance, anesthetic monitoring, lab collection, radiology, nursing care for hospitalized patients and more.

"Westgate Pet & Bird Hospital provides a great environment to learn and move forward. I love working at the most reliant exotic hospital for miles around," Bekah says.

Bekah loves yoga, hiking/exploring, and exercise in her free time. She also has a Chow Chow named Chiquita and a Pittie Mix named Friend.

Caroline, Veterinary Assistant

Caroline joined our team as a full time Veterinary Assistant in August 2017. Her confidence and professionalism are great assets to Westgate Pet & Bird Hospital. She assists our veterinarians in surgery and examinations, filling prescriptions, taking radiographs, and so much more.

"I enjoy veterinary nursing and I really like the variety of cases we see here at Westgate Pet & Bird Hospital," Caroline says. "I get a lot of experience with all sorts of disease processes and treatment techniques."

Caroline has two pets, a hedgehog named Randall and a senior Chihuahua named Chiquita, who is the self-entitled queen of the house! In her free time, Caroline likes to boulder, hike, play the piano, and help her sister repair and flip clothes. She also enjoys role-playing video games.

Mason, Veterinary Assistant

Mason is a part-time Veterinary Assistant at Westgate Pet & Bird Hospital. As a high-school student, he is currently enrolled in the Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA) program. Some of his responsibilities include assisting the veterinarians in the exam rooms, lab sample collection and processing, and caring for boarding and daycare patients.

Mason has four dogs of his own, two German Shorthair Pointers named Puck and Pi, a Labrador Retriever named Cash, and a Dachshund Mix named Chili. In his free time, he enjoys swimming, hunting and fishing.

Tom, Veterinary Assistant

Our clients may recognize Tom as a TV celebrity from the National Geographic series Dr K’s Exotic Animal ER. Tom received his Associate of Applied Sciences in Veterinary Technology from the Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Denver Colorado, “Go Ground Squirrels!”

With 16 years of animal care experience, Tom is a soft-spoken, calming influence who is always willing to lend a hand and share his knowledge with staff and clients. Some of his daily responsibilities include technical support for our veterinarians, anesthetic monitoring of various species, radiography and phlebotomy. He also assists with dental care and the administering of meds and vaccines.

At work, Tom loves playing with the happy dogs and working with large parrots and reptiles. At home, Tom cares for two pets of his own, a 47-year-old Double Yellow Headed Amazon named Sunshine, and a terrier mix named Kupcake. In his free time, he enjoys fly-fishing, fly-tying and collecting antique Halloween decorations and Charles Shultz “Peanuts” books.