A Better Way to Operate

Dr. Alex Aguila completed his veterinary degree at the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University in 2000. Following veterinary school, he completed a year-long internship in small animal medicine and surgery in Springfield, Massachusetts, at Rowley Memorial Animal Hospital, and a year-long surgical internship in Pattersonville, New York, at the Capital District Veterinary Surgical Associates. Dr. Aguila then returned to Cornell, where he completed a three-year residency in small animal surgery. He earned board certification in small animal surgery in 2006.

Prior to joining Animal Surgical in 2008, Dr. Aguila gained substantial experience in a variety of surgical procedures while in private practice at Bay Area Veterinary Specialists in Houston. He has lectured extensively to the veterinary community, both in academic and private practice settings, and his published works include studies exploring the biomechanics of locking compression plates. His professional interest includes cranial cruciate ligament deficiency and minimally invasive surgery including fracture repair and locking plate technology. In his free time, Dr. Aguila likes to spend time with his family, getting outside as often as possible to go hiking, camping, skiing, running and expanding his newfound interest in cycling.

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Dr. Allen Johnson received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University in 1996, then completed a one-year rotating internship at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. He went on to complete a three-year surgical residency at Michigan State University, earning board certification in 2001.

Following his residency, Dr. Johnson remained at Michigan State University for two years as an assistant professor in small animal orthopedic surgery. While there, he was integral in helping develop MSU’s Canine Arthroscopy program. He moved to Seattle to join Animal Surgical in 2002.

Dr. Johnson’s research has been published in several veterinary journals and texts, and he has lectured at national and international veterinary surgical meetings. His professional interests include canine arthroscopy, patellar luxation, correction of angular limb deformities, and distraction osteogenesis.

Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, hiking, and exploring the Northwest with his wife and three sons. They share their home with their Golden Retriever, Annie, and a pointer mix named Frankie.

Dr. Jeff Mitchell completed his doctorate degree in Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University. Shortly after this, he finished a small animal internship at the College of Veterinary Medicine Texas A&M, before completing a residency program at UC Davis where he gained his board certification. Dr. Mitchell’s professional interests include fracture management, joint disease and arthroscopy. He is also adept at a wide array of minimally invasive surgical techniques. 

While not at work you can find him spending time with his wife Mariah, and their dog, Arya. They enjoy camping, bike rides, cooking and going on road trips which is why life in the Pacific Northwest suites them both to a tee!

Dr. Mike Thoesen completed his Veterinary Medicine degree from Kansas State University in 2002. Following this, he completed a year-long internship at Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine. He then finished a residency program at Cornell University of Veterinary Medicine, gaining his board certification in 2007. Prior to joining Animal Surgical, Dr. Thoesen worked for 11 years in Omaha, Nebraska, at Midwest Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center. In addition to clinical practice, he taught fourth-year veterinary students, lectured extensively to the surrounding veterinary community, and published multiple cases and research papers. 

His professional interests include regenerative bone healing and complex fracture management. 

It seems that animal health is a family affair as his wife, Keli Anne, is also a veterinarian. Dr. Thoesen and his family started a new adventure in July of 2017 by moving to Seattle — his wife’s hometown. They have two daughters, a black Labrador named Emma, and two cats, Kenny and Chief.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, mountain biking, fishing, and camping.

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Dr. Rappa earned his cum laude B.A. in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology from Drake University before completing his DVM at Iowa State University, where he received two competitive scholarships. With extensive experience as a surgeon across top-tier veterinary specialty centers, he has also contributed to advancements in veterinary science through published research and studies on canine stifle repairs. Passionate about teaching and animal welfare, Dr. Rappa has mentored future professionals and volunteers with local humane societies to make a meaningful impact.

Hethir grew up in the Central Valley of California and attended Humbolt State University, majoring in literature and philosophy. She had a few stints at various jobs, including a barista and a projectionist at a small movie theatre, but it was working at a spay and neuter clinic during a gap year that set the course of her life. She knew that veterinary medicine was where her heart was, so she moved up to Seattle for the rain and the trees in 1998 and started working at The Animal Eye Clinic where she remained until April of 2017. Although she enjoyed her long, rewarding career at AEC, she was looking to challenge herself and since she always had an interest in surgery, she jumped at the chance to work for Animal Surgical when a position became available. And we’re very glad she did! She also enjoys cooking tasty vegan dishes, camping, traveling, hiking and taking long walks with her doggie.

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Born in Seoul, Korea, and raised amidst the verdant landscapes of Puyallup, Washington, Erika Kim's journey into veterinary medicine was inevitable. With a heart drawn to those with four legs and a tail, she found her calling in caring for our furry companions. At home, Erika shares her space with a lively menagerie: 5 chickens, 2 dogs—Denna and Nandor—and a cat, each adding their own unique touch to her life. Outside the clinic, you'll often find her amidst nature, foraging for mushrooms alongside her faithful canine companions.

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Sari started her first career as a vocalist, traveling throughout the US, Canada and many of the Caribbean Islands in a variety of venues. But her love of animals drew her to pursue veterinary medicine. She joined Animal Surgical in 2000 after receiving her AA from Harcum College and interning at the University of Pennsylvania. She particularly enjoys her role as a resident gardener. She is also in charge of instructing the many interns and externs that rotate through our clinic.

Sari shares her home with Ramona, a terrier mix, and Winnie, a mix of all kinds! She enjoys gardening, bicycling, paddle boarding, yoga, singing in the shower and impersonating her coworkers!

After working for five years in general and emergency practice, Sarah came to Animal Surgical as a relief assistant and moved to full-time in 2002. Shortly thereafter, she sat for and passed her boards to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician. As our surgery/nursing coordinator, Sarah makes sure that the day’s surgical schedule runs smoothly. Her particular interests are anesthetic pharmacology, surgical nursing, client education and instruction. She also conducts CE courses on veterinary anesthetic protocols. She shares her home with her Great Danes, Edith and Doug, and two cats, Dieter and Fat Hamster.

In her spare time, Sarah competes in carriage-driving events with her Friesian horses. She also volunteers as a board member for Equestrian Institution NW, an equestrian 501C3, and as a steward for one of Seattle’s off-leash dog parks.  She also enjoys skiing and traveling the world.

Leah was born in Spokane, WA, endowed with an innate love of animals. Her mother explained that ever since she could talk, she told everyone she met that she was going to be a vegetarian — meaning, veterinarian, of course, although she dabbled with the former as well.

A month after graduating high school she started the veterinary technician program at PIMA and became licensed in 2011. She worked in general practice for four years and volunteered at the Humane Society. During that time, she discovered her passion for surgery and anesthesia and felt her place was in the O.R. So when a position became available at our clinic, she jumped at the chance to become part of our team.

She says she loves what she does and has no doubt that she’s found her calling. Her love of specialty medicine is inspiring her to consider taking it a step further and become certified as a Veterinary Technician Anesthetist. 

She shares her home with a 2-year-old rescued cattle dog mix named Jazz (a.k.a. Mr. Jazzy Fizzle), quite the diva of a Netherland Dwarf bunny rabbit named Ninja, and newlywed husband, Justin. She enjoys camping, spending time with family, lazy days, food and traveling. Ever the animal lover, she spent time volunteering for an animal rescue while in the Dominican Republic on her honeymoon!

Jenny joined Animal Surgical in 2000 after receiving her AA from Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Denver and interning at Alameda East Veterinary Hospital. Her particular interests are radiology and critical care of the surgical patient. She is our in-house Pitbull expert (the dog breed, not the singer) and advocate, and she shares her home with Salvador, her handsome pitty rescue.

Hayley graduated with a degree in Veterinary Technology from Baker College in Flint, MI. She relocated to the Pacific Northwest in 2016 with her two cats, Peanut and Isabelle, and recently welcomed Seymour the Great Dane to her family. When she isn’t providing the very best patient care at work, she is camping, fishing, running and loves to travel as well as spending time with her growing family and fur babies.

Vanessa graduated from the University of California in 2011 and got her A.S Degree in Veterinary Technology in 2015. She has worked in GP, ER, and with exotics! After hiking the PCT she was led to love Washington State! She enjoys being out in nature and has a creative side and enjoys painting, pottery and playing the violin!

Courtney is no ordinary veterinary professional – she's a licensed veterinary technician with 14 years of dedicated service in the field. Her journey has been a unique blend of administrative excellence and hands-on compassion, making her a valuable asset to the world of animal care.

After dedicating 7 years to management roles in the veterinary industry, Courtney felt a calling to return to her roots and rekindle her love for direct patient care. This profound passion led her to pursue her veterinary technician license, allowing her to once again work hands-on with the animals she adores.

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Meet Lauren, our dedicated Licensed Veterinary Technician from sunny Southern California. Lauren chose veterinary medicine because she wanted a meaningful career where she could make a difference in animals' lives every day. She's thrilled to join our team and eager to learn from our experienced staff and doctors.

At home, Lauren cherishes moments with Penny, her lively lab/collie mix, and loves the antics of Boo and Harley, her two mischievous cats. Beyond work, she finds joy hiking, horseback riding, and paddle boarding in beautiful landscapes. Lauren's passion for animals and commitment to their well-being make her a valued member of our team at ASOC.

Riley joined ASOC after working in the tech industry. Her father Dr. Patterson used to own ASOC before retiring, and so returning to her roots felt like a natural decision! She shares her home with Quincy a terrier x corgi mix. She one day hopes to pursue a career as a veterinary technician!

Bio to come!

Dakota grew up in Montana and decided to move to Washington with his girlfriend Amanda, two dogs, Lilly and Sully as well as his pet snake Oreo. He has a big interest in film and has a weekly movie night and is happy to share his most recent ratings! He loves to talk and is very excited to join the ASOC assistant team!

Originally from West Seattle, Halle's fascination with surgery drew her to our practice. Beyond the operating room, she's a baseball fan and a force to be reckoned with on the fastpitch softball field. With dreams of becoming an exceptional technician, Halle is dedicated to continuous growth and learning. At home, she's accompanied by Toby, her eight-year-old Australian shepherd. When she's not at work, Halle cherishes moments spent with her family.

Crystal always held an interest in science and animals since childhood. It was this that drove her to get a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Washington State University in 2017. She went on to volunteer with raptors for three years and started working at various general practice clinics as a kennel assistant and then a veterinary assistant. Crystal started working for Animal Surgical in the Fall of 2020 as our overnight assistant and has never looked back. She loves caring for our post-op patients and ensuring their recovery is smooth and comfortable. 

Outside of working Crystal enjoys spending time with her family dogs, Apollo and Katy, and has special interests in the plant world, and birding in the Springtime.

Jerrica was born and raised here in Washington. Animals have always been a big part of her life. Prior to working with us, Jerrica worked at a local general practice clinic. Looking to expand her knowledge and experience she made the decision to move to a more specialized field, which is when she hopped on the opportunity to work for Animal Surgical. 

In her free time, she and her husband enjoy spending time with their four dogs, watching movies, camping, and traveling. Her favorite spot so far has been Disneyland!

After a life-long admiration of animals, Tricia attended Sno-Isle Skill Center to become a veterinary assistant during her senior year of high school in 2013. A year after graduating, she got a job at a general practice and worked there for seven years, excelling as a cross-trained receptionist/veterinary assistant. Looking for a change of pace, she started at ASOC in 2021 and looks at the transition as an incredible decision. In her free time, she helps make short films (mostly horror or comedy) with her boyfriend who is an aspiring director. She also enjoys defeating her boyfriend in Mario Kart. Her cat, Coco Marley, is practically her daughter and is spoiled as such. Nothing brings her more joy than taking care of animals and she found the perfect fit here at ASOC.

Paul joined Animal Surgical in 1999. As the pack room manager, he is responsible for sterilization, maintenance and inventory control for all surgical instruments and equipment and making sure the surgeons have the necessary paraphernalia for the many procedures they perform. Paul’s quick wit and sense of humor lend a bit of comic relief in our somewhat serious environment! Paul enjoys traversing the trails of Discovery Park with his wife, Lisa, traveling to the United Kingdom and chilling on the couch with his kitty, Mina. Paul is also an avid reader of a wide range of literature, from Lord of the Rings to historical novels.

Ellie was born and raised in Washington State and has always had a passion for animals. In high school she moonlighted as a dog walker and worked on a ranch with all kinds of farm animals including 40 horses! Growing up with a rural lifestyle she learned the foundations of animal care and first aid loving every second. After living in Wyoming, she soon realized Washington will always be home and decided to move to Seattle with her boyfriend, Dalmation named Moxie, and her horse, Brazen, and then joined the ASOC team! Outside of work Ellie enjoys rock climbing, hiking, riding her motorcycle and spending time with her loved ones.

Meet Eman, a passionate veterinary assistant originally from Veracruz, who grew up in Orange County before moving to Washington State. With a strong background in general practice, Eman is now focused on specializing in surgery, driven by his love for animals since his first job as a kennel attendant.

At home, Eman shares his life with two sphynx cats named Ludwig and Laurence. He finds joy in gaming with his wife and is dedicated to expanding his skills in veterinary medicine. Eman's journey is marked by a deep-seated passion for animal care and a commitment to making a difference in their lives.

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Born and raised in Colombia, Mayra brings her passion for animals and dedication to helping others to every aspect of her work. As a graduate of Universidad La Salle - Bogota, Colombia, she is eager to expand her knowledge and skills in veterinary medicine here in the United States, with the goal of becoming a licensed veterinarian.

Mayra loves Italian food and is a proud cat mom to two feline companions. Her heart is filled by serving others, and she finds joy in making a difference in the lives of pets and their families.

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Noelle has one of the longest tenures at Animal Surgical, joining the practice in 1997 as a referral coordinator. Her passion has always been creating lasting relationships with the clients and making sure that everything runs smoothly for the practice. Since becoming a Practice Manager in 2014, she became a Veterinary Management Institute Graduate, solidifying her position here at ASOC. She looks forward to continuing to help the practice to grow. Noelle and her husband spend their free time mountain biking and trying to keep up with their two Labradors, Wallice and Hitch.

Issy, short for Isabella, hails from Nottingham, England, where she inherited her love of animals, big and small. She has been working with animals since she was 17 years old. She became a certified Animal Care Assistant for the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals (RSPCA) and after completing her certification she moved to Thailand where she managed a small street animal clinic named PhaNgan Animal Care. It was there where she met her American-born husband, Chase, and the two of them took off to China where they both taught English to children in Beijing and Chongqing.

After a while, they both yearned to put down roots, so they moved to the Seattle area where her husband is originally from. She dove right back into the animal care field and worked at PAWS as Animal Care Lead before making her way to ASOC.

She may have settled down, but her adventurous spirit remains. She has climbed Mt. Rainier and is currently in training to become a marathon runner! She shares her love of corgis with The Queen and enjoys spending time with her spunky corgi, Arthur. She also enjoys cooking, trying exotic cuisines and traveling. She believes that if you dance for 10 minutes a day, you’ll increase your happiness by at least 50%. When you encounter Issy, be prepared to be charmed by her English accent and her infectious positivity!

Introducing Gianna, our dedicated Referral Coordinator with roots in Sacramento. Gianna shares her home with her beloved husband and two adorable pets, affectionately named Waffle and Tofu. Beyond her passion for connecting pet owners with specialized care, Gianna has a love for basketball, watching figure skating, and finds joy in dancing. Her journey into animal care began at a local shelter, where she discovered a deep satisfaction in helping people. This realization led her to join ASOC, where her commitment to facilitating exceptional care for both pets and their owners aligns seamlessly with her inherent passion for assistance and compassion.

Aubrey's roots trace back to a cozy corner of New Jersey, where they cultivated a passion for adventure. ASOC's welcoming environment and top-notch care, they felt like they had found their professional home. Outside of work, Aubrey thrives on the challenge of rock climbing, finding solace in the mountains and one day hopes to further their education in the veterinary field. They share their home with partner and two cats Ash and Teddy.

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​​Holly is originally from the far corner of Eastern Oregon and she moved here 6 years ago to play softball at Shoreline Community College. After college she went into the human health care field, working as a home care aid, but recently made the switch to the veterinary field and she’s glad she did because she absolutely loves it!

When you meet Holly the first thing you might notice is her laugh. And maybe that’s because she is currently active in two comedy groups that perform in the area. One is called the Honey Roasted Hams, which, as you might guess, specializes in roasting — so watch out if you attend any of their shows! The other is a sketch comedy group called Lois, after a funny aunt. Check your local listings!

Holly lives with her boyfriend and when she’s not working or performing, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her loved ones, and making people laugh.

Kaitlyn was born and raised in Alabama before moving to Alaska as a teenager. This is where her love for the outdoors grew so, of course, Seattle was a top pick for her next destination. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, seeing new places and going on grand adventures. When she isn’t hitting the trails you can find her in the kitchen cooking up a storm or puzzling with her husband and two dogs, Vader and Kyder. 

Prior to moving to Seattle she has worked in multiple veterinary clinics and has shown dogs since a very young age. Kaitlyn’s favorite animal is tied between Shibas and Otters, although to some it’s more of an obsession than an interest.

Ceara started her career as a licensed veterinary technician before spending time in real estate and business management. While those roles offered new experiences, it was her love for animals that brought her back to the veterinary field. Ceara is happy to be part of a team that helps pets feel better and is looking forward to continuing to grow her skills. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her dog, Dave.