Meet Dr. Courtney Anders - owner and veterinarian

Courtney Anders, DVM and Practice Owner

she/her

I was born in Annapolis, Maryland, and I received my undergraduate degree from Towson University with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. I then obtained my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2003 from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, VA. Immediately following graduation, I moved to Portland, OR, which I believe is one of the greatest cities in the world for its love of animals, people, the arts, and nature. I have a special interest in preventative medicine, client education, veterinary dentistry and senior care. My natural compassion and respect for animals is why I chose to become a veterinarian. Through my connection with my patients I am most grateful for the genuine connections I’ve made with my clients who I truly consider an extension of my family. Pearl Animal Hospital exists so that we may practice and promote excellence in veterinary medicine while supporting our amazing team of veterinary professionals and serving those who are committed to the very best health care for their companion animals. I currently live in Portland with my husband Nate, our twins Oliver and Scarlett, our two mischievous counter-surfing cats Santa Claws and Dax Shepard, our sweet whoodle Never, and our reclusive leopard gecko Swivels.


Meet Dr. Leslie Nies, associate veterinarian

Leslie Nies, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

she/her

I am a 2013 graduate of Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine. I originate from Missouri, but got my undergraduate degree in International Communications at DePauw University in Greencastle, IN. After a brief time tending bar in Scotland (you know, International Communications, and all), I landed in Manhattan working in book publishing (a few steps in between have been edited out of this summary). As incredible as that experience was, it paled in comparison to the draw of the northwest. I moved to Portland in 2004 and worked for the Sales Department of a local microbrew while attending classes to apply to vet school. During that long, circuitous route, the joy of the hard won benefits of finding a career that is finally the right fit are being appreciated. Still combining the ability to meet a wide variety of interesting people with giving the highest level of care to their pets in a profession that allows for continual learning and growth has been as rewarding as I hoped. The most meaningful part of this career remains connecting with pet owners, helping them navigate the road of their pets’ lives to make them as long and as high quality as possible.


Meet Dr. Christina Burger, associate veterinarian

Christina Burger, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

she/her

I grew up in northern California and attended UC Santa Cruz for my undergraduate degree, earning a BS in Marine Biology with a minor in Education and Teaching. I grew up always surrounded by animals and loved riding horses from a young age. During college, I worked as a marine mammal trainer at UCSC’s Long Marine Lab, where I was lucky enough to train dolphins, sea lions, and sea otters for physiologic research studies. I then attended veterinary school at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, on the beautiful island of St. Kitts, West Indies. After 3 years of living in a tropical paradise, I completed my clinical rotations at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, graduating in 2013. I survived a cold, snowy Wisconsin winter and then headed to southern California to complete an intensive emergency, surgery and medicine internship. After my internship I spent 4 years at a general practice in northern California, before relocating to Portland with my husband, Nick. We share our home with Olive, a long legged Chihuahua mix (who enjoys napping in the sun), and Gatsby, a talkative gray tabby (who enjoys knocking breakable objects off counter tops). We love exploring Portland’s amazing restaurant scene and enjoying the many dog friendly hiking spots. I love being a veterinarian because it is a consistently challenging, yet overwhelmingly rewarding career. Client education is my priority, and to me it is vital that every owner be thoroughly informed about their pet’s health and treatment options. My goal is to work together with my clients to help their pets have a happy, fun, healthy life.


Meet Dr. Rebecca Greene, associate veterinarian

Rebecca Greene, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

she/her

I love being a part of the Portland community and I enjoy working with the wonderful team at Pearl Animal Hospital! I was born in San Diego, but grew up mostly in Maryland (being part of a Navy family meant I also spent years in other places including England). I earned my B.S. from Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Baltimore, Maryland. My first career was as a human critical care nurse, including international experience (again in England). I decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine after I was inspired by volunteering with a variety of animals at rescue hospitals – cats, dogs, rabbits, seals and sea lions! I graduated from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia (just like Pearl Animal Hospital practice owner Dr. Anders – go Hokies)! When I was in school, I first came to Portland for an externship at the Oregon Zoo. Since graduation, I’ve worked with small animals and exotics, as well marine mammals along the Pacific Coast. I enjoy working with patients and their families on preventative care to maximize health, and utilize state of the art medical care when needed. In my free time I enjoy snowboarding, hiking, biking and traveling with my husband, as well as swimming and paddle boarding with my growing puppy Henry. I’m honored for the opportunity to provide high quality compassionate veterinary care for Portland’s pets!


Meet Dr. Anya Britvan, associate veterinarian

Anya Britvan, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

she/her

I am a California native who has lived in the Portland area since 2008. I received both my
Bachelors of Science in Biology degree and my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Oregon State University (go Beavs!). I grew up riding horses and working on farms surrounded by many species of animals, which inspired my interest in veterinary medicine. I have a special interest in soft tissue surgery, dentistry, feline medicine, and fear free pet handling. My favorite part of veterinary medicine is building relationships with clients and helping their pets live long, happy, healthy lives. I live in Portland with my partner and own a Border Collie cross named Frida (“Pita Chip”), a Domestic Long Hair cat named Ivy (“Ivy Bivy”), and a Thoroughbred Cross horse, Cruise (“Cruisey Boy”). In my free time I enjoy rock climbing, camping, gardening, and baking bread.


Meet Dr. Erik Grotbeck, associate veterinarian

Erik Grotbeck, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

He/HIM

I was born and raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and received my Bachelors of Science in Bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1994. After a short break, I returned to school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine and received my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. After graduating, I moved to southern California to complete an intensive emergency and surgery internship at the California Animal Hospital. After my internship, I spent four years working in general practice in Broomfield, Colorado. I then relocated to Portland with my wife, Ursula. I have been working in general practice in Oregon since 2006. We have one daughter that is now attending high school and who will soon be driving! We currently share our home with Bella, a calm senior English Pointer and Sir Monty Thistle, a little Chihuahua street mutt who enjoys protecting the house from birds, squirrels and Amazon delivery drivers. We love cooking at home as well as exploring Portland’s amazing food scene, from fine dining to food trucks. We like to travel, have been attempting to visit as many of our National Parks as possible and have recently found fascination with desert ecosystems. We also enjoy exploring the mountains, rivers, forests and coastline of the Pacific Northwest.


Meet Shawnese Kraemer, hospital manager

Shawnese Kraemer, Hospital Manager and CVT

she/her

I grew up in Washington and had been on the path of veterinary medicine since very early on in my life. I ended up going to Washington State University where I earned my Masters of Science in Animal Nutrition. After spending a summer interning with the nutrition team at the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park I made the decision to go back to school to earn my degree in Veterinary Technology. I graduated from Pierce College in Ft. Steilacoom, WA in 2012, earned my license, and moved to Oregon later that year. My love for the science of veterinary medicine as well as my respect and admiration for the bond that people have with their animal companions is what drives my passion for the field. I am proud to be a member of the Pearl Animal Hospital team, which works hard to preserve and foster that human-animal bond. My husband, daughter, and I live with our chaos, corgis, and cats.


Open Monday – Saturday to serve you and your pet!

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
8am-6pm 8am-6pm 8am-6pm 8am-6pm 8am-6pm 9am-4pm
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1250 NW 10th Ave
Portland, OR 97209

503-954-3393
ask_us@pearlanimalhospital.com

"Between Tanner Springs Park and The Fields Park"