“hearts that care, hands that heal”
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 DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) degree 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, wine, art, and nature. Before opening Pearl Animal Hospital, I worked as a veterinarian at Raleigh Hills Animal Hospital, where I developed 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 connection 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 and so that we may serve those who are committed to the very best health care for their companion animals. I currently live in NE Portland with my loving husband Nate, our wonderful twins Oliver and Scarlett, our two mischievous counter-surfing cats Santa Claws and Dax Shepard, and our sweet senior miniature dachshund Stella.
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.
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.
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, dolphins 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 in both small animal and exotics practice. I enjoy working with patients and their families to maximize health, and provide state of the art medical or surgical care when needed. I also worked part-time as a marine mammal veterinarian, and I try to stay involved with seal and sea lion health projects on the Pacific Coast. In my free time I enjoy snowboarding, hiking, biking and traveling with my husband, as well as kayaking and swimming with my rescue dog Rio. I’m honored for the opportunity to provide high quality compassionate veterinary care for Portland’s pets!
Brittany Lauman, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
she/her
Dr. Brittany Lauman is a Portland native and is excited to be a part of the Pearl Animal Hospital team! She became interested in veterinary medicine at a young age, and got her start as a veterinary assistant in 2004. She graduated from Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2016, and has been practicing as a small animal general practitioner. She has a passion for preventive medicine and dentistry, and enjoys partnering with her clients to strengthen the human-animal bond, and create lasting relationships. She believes in the fear free approach to patient care, and wants to ensure that pets are living long, pain-free lives. She is a member of a local veterinary leadership group, the Portland Veterinary Medical Association’s Power of 10, and actively attends continuing education courses. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, young son, two dogs (French bulldog/Boston terrier mix named Ayla and a Yellow Labrador named Barli), and her cat (Tiki).
Cheryl Trempala, DVM, DACVECC
she/her
Dr. Cheryl Trempala entered the veterinary profession in 2000, working as a technician in a clinic in NW Portland. Since then, she graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison veterinary school, completed an internship in emergency medicine and a residency in Emergency and Critical Care at Dove Lewis Emergency Hospital, and in 2013 earned Diplomate status with the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. The most important thing I’ve learned in 20+ years of service is that excellent care for patients and their owners starts with compassion, honesty, and respect. Outside of work, I spend time working out, mostly failing at home improvement projects, and lounging about with my cats and dogs.
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 and I currently live in Beaverton with our wonderful and hilarious corgis.
Maggie, Administrative Lead and Client Care
she/her
I grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and first made my way to the west coast in 2012 to attend the San Francisco Art Institute. The culture shock of moving from the sleepy Midwest to the hustle and bustle of San Francisco ultimately brought me back to Madison, Wisconsin. In 2018, I obtained by BS in Sociology from the Univerity of Wisconsin – Madison. After graduation, I was ready to give west coast living another try. Portland is the perfect ‘just right’ city in my Goldilocks fairytale. Not too big, and not too small. I found my perfect city, but I was still on the hunt for a job that was ‘just right’ – and I found Pearl Animal Hospital. As a receptionist, I am fortunate to be the friendly face to greet Portland’s community of animal lovers and, of course, animals! When I’m not at the hospital, I am adventuring with my dog, Badger or curling up at home on the couch with my cat, Money.
Andi, Client Care
she/her
I was born and raised here in Oregon, out in the country between Woodburn and Canby. I’ve had animals my whole life, and have been an animal lover the entire time too. I grew up with big dogs, barn cats, horses, parakeets, and pigs. I have a love for reptiles! Turtles, snakes, lizards – I love them! At the moment though, I only have eyes for my monster dog. Her name is Calliope. She’s a South African Boerboel, a total fat kid (therefore my spirit animal), and, yes, she has totally kicked me out of my own bed… more than once. I LOVE tacos. Like I could live on tacos… and I have. Oooh! And I came to join this fantastical team after almost a decade of decorating cakes
Zaji, Client Care
she/her
I was a child of both the desert and the forest, having spent my first four years in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and then moving to Oregon and being here for most of my life. The hundred-and-ten year old house I grew up in, which attracted numerous feral cats—mostly black—was the central point of my childhood, and in addition to our own pet cats, Jerry and Neo, this was where my love and connection to animals formed. I later lived with two dogs named Beaker and Ruby, a black lab mix and American Staffordshire terrier mix respectively (utter rambunctious delights), and in high school I was a loyal Oregon Humane Society volunteer. While later earning my degree in English at Portland State, I gained experience caring for pets by doing professional pet-sitting. Post-graduation, I fulfilled my high school dream of working at the Humane Society. I decided to switch gears to experience the medical side of animal care. Being able to combine my skills in hands-on animal knowledge, writing, and communication for client care makes me proud to be a part of the Pearl Animal Hospital team. Outside of work, my alter ego is an artist: a published writer and ballet/contemporary dancer.
Ruthie, Lead Certified Veterinary Technician
she/her
I spent the first 22 years of my life in southern California. I grew up in Long Beach, and then had the pleasure of spending nearly 4 years in Santa Barbara while completing a B.S. in Zoology at UCSB. Though I had wanted to work with animals for my whole life, I didn’t learn about the role of Veterinary Technicians until my last quarter of undergrad. Shortly after graduating, I moved to Portland with my husband and enrolled in PCC’s Veterinary Technology program. Almost 2 years later I’m still loving Portland and veterinary medicine. When I’m not working I love exploring the outdoors, checking out Portland’s food scene, and cuddling with my husband and two cats.
Kaylie, Certified Veterinary Technician
she/her
I was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. After I graduated from high school, I moved to Reno to attend the University of Nevada, Reno for veterinary science. I came to visit Portland for my first time in September 2016 with my best friend and instantly fell in love with the city. After some research, I found there was a school here with a veterinary technology program. While finishing my last term in the spring of 2017 at University of Nevada, and graduating, I applied for the program and was accepted. I have lived here since August 2017 and graduated from the program in June of 2019. I like to spend time with my cat Posey, who kept me sane through college, as well as exploring Portland and the surrounding areas with my boyfriend.
Makenzie, Certified Veterinary Technician
she/her
In 2017 I drove down the AlCan highway from my hometown of Anchorage, Alaska to enroll in PCC’s vet tech program, and graduated with an associate of science degree in veterinary technology in 2019. I did a brief stint volunteering for the Bird Treatment and Learning Center back home, helping to rehabilitate wild birds, but otherwise my veterinary focus has been on cats & dogs. I have two years of a bachelor’s degree under my belt and am contemplating going back to school to finish it in a related field such as animal behavior, or pursuing behavioral medicine as a specialty. I currently live in SE Portland with my cat, Ruth (a bottle baby I brought home from my first ever veterinary job), my two roommates and their cat Bard (found left in our apartment parking lot when his people moved out), and two mice, Orville and Wilbur (retired educational animals from PCC). My primary downtime hobby is LGBT science fiction and fantasy.
Jessica, Veterinary Assistant
she/her
I grew up in Washington state. I always knew that my interest and passion for science and medicine would end up as a career, but I wasn’t exactly sure how. I spent my early twenties moving around and living in various parts of the U.S. including Alaska, Arizona, Louisiana, and Hawaii. I finally decided to pursue a career in human medicine at the University of Arizona. Turns out, I’m not a huge fan of 100+ degree weather and decided to return to my roots in the Pacific Northwest. At some point during my relocation I realized that my true passion was in veterinary medicine. I grew up around animals and have always felt an indescribable bond with them. After settling in Portland, I immediately started school for certification as a veterinary technician. I accepted a job at Pearl Animal Hospital in December 2018 and graduated from Carrington College as a certified veterinary assistant in March 2019. I feel privileged and honored to work at Pearl Animal Hospital alongside some of the most caring and passionate individuals I have ever met. I plan to continue my education in veterinary science and spend the rest of my days providing the best possible care for every animal (and their humans) that cross my path.
Isabella, Veterinary Assistant
she/her
I moved to Portland from the Bay Area in 2016 after deciding to give my self a “do over” in life and leave my 27-year finance career to pursue a career in the veterinary field. Nine months after moving here, I officially said goodbye to finance and returned to school to learn all the ‘sciency’ stuff I needed to apply to the PCC Veterinary Technology Program. I am originally from Southern CA but moved to Santa Cruz in 1986 where I obtained my BA in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz, got married, and had a couple of kids (not necessarily in that order). I am the mother of two amazingly intelligent and talented adult daughters who have taught me to be a good human and live my life to the fullest, 3 dogs – all of whom are insanely weird in different ways, and one cat who tolerates us all. When I HAD free time, I loved to build and remodel things (a skill I got from being married to a general contractor for 20 years), run and ride my bike… and of course play with my hoard of animals. I started off my new life by volunteering in the medical center at the Oregon Humane Society and then moving on to as a veterinary assistant at another hospital. I now concurrently work at Pearl Animal Hospital and Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital. Since winning the job lottery with Pearl and Dove, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. I was accepted into the PCC Veterinary Technology program in the fall of 2019 and will be working towards becoming a Certified Veterinary Technician. My life’s goal is to be the best CVT I can be in order to better help pets and their humans.
Stefanie, Veterinary Assistant
she/her
I grew up in the oven they call Phoenix, Arizona. I had the joy of attending Arizona State University on a full academic scholarship getting a BFA in Photography. I always planned on moving to Portland since it’s the opposite of Arizona (I love rainy cloudy days, art, food, music, and nature). After moving here, I realized I didn’t want to pursue art as a career. I am absolutely in love with every animal I meet and am so lucky to have found Pearl Animal Hospital. I love everyday I get to see all the dogs and cats and chat with the pet parents that love them. Because of this amazing job and my love for learning, I am considering further study in veterinary medicine. I have a pet hedgehog named Chalupa and she loves hanging out at the food trucks. In my free time, I love to sleep, explore/travel, rock climb, run, and pet every single pup I meet!
McKenna, Veterinary Assistant
she/her
I grew up and lived in Spokane, WA until moving to Portland in 2015. I graduated from Concordia University with a BA in biology and minored in psychology. I have been playing soccer since the moment I could walk and upon completing my college career have since retired to weeknight adult leagues and struggling through half marathons. I have loved animals my entire life and discovered that I am happiest with a furry companion by my side! I have loved and lived with dogs my whole life, but currently my two little chicken nuggets, Hailo and Chai, consume my pet mom life. In my free time I love exploring the outdoors, finding new music and places, eating and drinking lots of delicious things and, of course, relaxing with my kitties.
Michael, Veterinary Assistant
he/him
I grew up in Washington surrounded by animals and the great outdoors of the PNW. I moved to Portland with my partner in 2017. I then graduated with my bachelors degree from Portland State University in 2019. My love for animals started when I was just a baby with my first cat Dipstick (yes I named him). Since then, I have always had a furry companion. I have always spent my time outdoors and with animals whether it is dogs at home, cows in Southern Oregon, or surveying and tracking beavers and their habitat in Mt. Hood National Forest. I’m also passionate about search and rescue and prehospital care on the human side of medicine as well. I love meeting each and every one of the patients that make their way through our front doors. In my spare time I love hiking and adventuring with my best friend and fiancé, Nick, and our little nugget Dingo.
Kassidee, Veterinary Assistant
she/her
I was born and raised in Arcata, California and made my way to my new home in Oregon in 2016. I went to college at Santa Rosa JC immediately after high school but never quite found a place for myself there. I ended up visiting my best friend in Corvallis one weekend and ended up moving there 3 weeks after! Moving here has been one of the best choices I have made for myself. I have always had a passion for working with animals but was never quite sure which direction I would take that passion. Although I still don’t have a solidified plan for myself, I do know that my next steps are to enroll in the Veterinary Technician Program at Portland Community College in the near future. If I were to end up working at an animal shelter or zoo I would be one happy girl! Till then, I plan to ingest all the experiences and lessons I can.
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 |
1250 NW 10th Ave
Portland, OR 97209
503-954-3393
ask_us@pearlanimalhospital.com
"Between Tanner Springs Park and The Fields Park"