Dr. Kimmel grew up in the Seattle area with many pets including guinea pigs, gerbils, fish, cats, and dogs. She graduated from the University of Washington with a BS in biology and chemistry minor then moved back East to live and work in New York City for a few years before returning to Washington to attend Washington State University for vet school.

She now resides in West Seattle with her husband, two children, and adventurous French bulldog mixes, Hambone and Pickles. She loves boating, snowshoeing, long walks with dogs, and travel. 

Dr. Kelly Burke is the most recent addition to the doctor team at Elliott Bay Animal Hospital.  She’s a New York native and obtained a degree in Biology and Spanish from Binghamton University. Shortly after, Dr. Burke was accepted at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and moved to the beautiful island of St. Kitts & Nevis. She completed her clinical year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated with a DVM in 2016. Before moving up to the Seattle area, she worked for several years as a mixed animal vet on the coast of Northern California. She had the pleasure of working with all types of animals – from dairy cows and backyard chickens to geckos and guinea pigs (even the occasional ostrich.) She currently resides in Seattle and is very excited to explore her new home in the Pacific NW. In her free time, she likes to work out, travel, hike, practice yoga, and explore new breweries and restaurants with friends.

Dr. Debra Nicholson spent her early career working in the field of exotic animal veterinary medicine and rehabilitation at such facilities as WildCare Foundation in Noble, Oklahoma, Homer Veterinary Clinic in Homer, Alaska, Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation in San Antonio, Texas and Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah. Finally, in 2010, Dr. Nicholson moved to Seattle, Washington, where she worked a brief time with a local nonprofit before purchasing Rainier Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Nicholson would go on to purchase two more independent practices, Elliott Bay Animal Hospital and Bothell Pet Hospital, before setting sites on a large-scale rebuild of Rainier Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Nicholson works as a relief veterinarian at Elliott Bay Animal Hospital and is the leader of the parent organization of all three practices, Veterinary Roots.

Education:

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University School of Veterinary Medicine

Bachelor of Science, Biology, Colorado State University

Home Life:

Dr. Jody Luk joined Elliott Bay Animal Hospital in 2022 following the completion of her BVetMed doctorate from the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London. This was followed by an internship year at the Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle, where she was able to further refine her skills in emergency medicine, radiology, internal medicine, neurology, and surgery.

Dr. Luk began her academic career at the University of Washington where she was twice honored on the dean’s list before pursuing her veterinary studies at the Royal Veterinary College, where she was also awarded a pass with distinction.

“Why do I love veterinary medicine?,” shared Dr. Luk. “Each day is different than the next but, in the end, you are able to help animals and the people who love them. What keeps me going is listening to each unique story and what that pet means to their families.”

Professionally Dr. Luk has a strong interest in internal medicine, geriatric and hospice care along with urgent care and preventative medicine. She is focused on providing comprehensive care while working closely with our clients to address their pet’s specific, long-term needs.

Education:
Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

Volunteer Work:
Dr. Luk previously worked as a veterinary services volunteer at the Seattle Humane Society, a caregiver at the PAWS cat adoption center, and a bat care provider at the Covey Lab at the University of Washington.

Home Life:
Dr. Luk shares her home with two precocious cats, Kimchi and Cheddar, along with her super mutt Flower who is a little too enthusiastic about life. In her spare time, Dr. Luk enjoys exploring the world and learning about history and culture while also enjoying live music, knitting, baking bread, and striving to find the bet boba shop in Seattle.

During her academic pursuits, Dr. Luk also had the unique opportunity to explore her love of travel with study breaks in Lisbon, dogsledding in Oslo, and many other adventures.

Starting her professional career in corporate sales, Michelle made an admirable pivot to follow her love for animals and drive to help others, landing her in veterinary medicine. She joined Elliott Bay Animal Hospital as a Licensed Veterinary Technician in 2023.

“While my previous role involved building relationships and supporting my team, I sensed a void within me and yearned for a path that could ignite my passion and offer deeper fulfillment,” Michelle shared.

We couldn’t be happier that Michelle found her passion in this field. Her demonstrated leadership skills, dedication to solving through collaboration, and attention to personalized care make Michelle an outstanding addition to our team!

During her first two years in the field, she worked as a Veterinary Assistant at Spanaway Veterinary Clinic in Spanaway, Wash., as well as at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Renton, Wash. Both positions gave Michelle invaluable experience, and she has a special place in her heart for Emergency Medicine.

Today, Michelle follows her interest in Practice Management, encouraging and motivating everyone on our team to achieve their highest potential. Her expertise in relationship-building ensures our patients, clients, and team receive the best solution and extensive support, delivered through active listening and working together.

Genuinely personable and reignited by the opportunity to provide excellent, tailored care, Michelle has found her home in veterinary medicine.

Education

State of Washington, Licensed Veterinary Technician

Associates of Science, Veterinary Technology, PIMA Medical Institute, Renton, Wash.

Veterinary Assistant Certificate, PIMA Medical Institute, Renton, Wash.

Home Life

Michelle adores her daily walks and outdoor adventures with her super affectionate 7-year-old Labradoodle, Marlee, who loves people, the outdoors, and being in the water. Marlee’s boundless enthusiasm and constant joy bring immense happiness to Michelle’s life. The San Juan Islands is Michelle’s happy place and sanctuary for escape, which she frequently visits to reconnect with the present. To unwind, Michelle relishes in the art of cooking and occasionally indulges in video game nostalgia, with a particular fondness for Zelda.

Following the veterinary path was a no-brainer for Laura. She’s always been driven by her love for animals, and even as a child, Laura knew she wanted to be a veterinarian when she grew up. With her six years of experience supporting hospitals and general practices, Laura is well-equipped to take on all challenges while staying curious through her passion for helping animals get and stay healthy.

Laura began her career in San Diego, Calif., assisting in surgery and lab procedures, administrating medications and vaccines, and communicating with clients at the Shelter Island Veterinary Hospital. When Laura relocated to Tijuana, Baja California, she worked at Chapultepets Veterinary Hospital and then later at Hospivet. In 2021, Laura moved back to San Diego, working at Bodhi Animal Hospital. Bringing her skills up north and to Elliott Bay Animal Hospital in 2023, Laura’s passion for animals led her to support our hospital and the Greater Seattle community.

“I love growing my veterinary knowledge,” Laura shared, “and I enjoy answering questions, giving advice, and educating clients, family, and friends on the different ways to keep their pets as healthy as possible!”

Laura goes above and beyond to help our operations run as smoothly as possible and to make clients feel comfortable and aware of the care we’re providing to bring their pets back to health.

Education

Associate in Veterinary Technology, PIMA Medical Institute, Chula Vista, Calif.

Volunteer Work

After graduating from her Vet Tech program, Laura volunteered for the surgical team at Chula Vista Animal Care Facility.

Home Life

While an obvious lover of animals, Laura also loves music and creative expression—dancing, singing, playing guitar, and going to concerts/music festivals are all activities she enjoys outside of the hospital. You might find her playing the occasional video game to unwind or resetting with time spent outside, including camping. Of course, Laura has furry friends of her own, all of whom traveled with her from Tijuana! She has a 12-year-old cat named Abeulo, a 7-year-old Chihuahua mix named Nini, and a 3-year-old Yorkie mix named Blair.

Leah has been with EBAH since 2016 after working many years in multiple roles at a retirement home on Mercer Island. She’s had great compassion for helping people live healthy and happy lives and has decided to focus that compassion towards animals and their owners. Born and raised in the PNW, Leah has always had animals in her life, she currently has a 14-year-old big tabby named Billy and a leopard gecko named Lemmy. During her time away from EBAH Leah also works at a retirement home in north Seattle. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, walking dogs, cross-stitching and watching all the movies.

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From her studies in animal behavior and observational research to time spent in zookeeping, conservation education, and working at an animal shelter, Elena’s education and professional career has been rooted in animal welfare. After spending more than five years working at a municipal animal shelter, she decided that veterinary medicine was the field meant for her to settle in — and we couldn’t be happier that she made this choice!

Joining the Elliott Bay Animal Hospital team in 2023, Elena’s interest lies in learning something new from each patient’s unpredictability and the opportunity to make friends with animals who were initially grumpy, scared, or shy.

Before she found her veterinary niche, Elena took on research, domestic and exotic animal caretaking, and client-facing roles at the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research in San Diego, Calif., and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Columbus, Ohio. Shifting to an Animal Care Tech role in 2018, she began her four years of servicing the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria in Alexandria, Va.

At Elliott Bay Animal Hospital, Elena’s well-rounded displays of medical knowledge, leadership, and animal caretaking prowess are highly valued. Her priority is always on the patient’s needs—guiding her team collaboration and empathetic client interactions.

“I work to understand the nuances of the whole picture—what everyone’s job is in addition to my own, and how we make it all fit together to respond to the patient’s needs,” Elena shared. “When helping our clients, I actively listen to acknowledge and ease their valid concerns, knowing they’re always coming from a place of love for their pet.”

Education

Master of Arts, Biological Anthropology, Focus on human/animal interaction, San Diego State University, San Diego, Calif.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Focus on animal behavior, primate behavior, and evolutionary psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.

Volunteer Work

Elena is a passionate advocate for animals who don’t have owners or may have never found their person. To help these animals, Elena’s volunteer work has been rooted in supporting community vaccine and wellness clinics in their efforts to provide low-cost or free resources to pet owners.

From 2018–2023, Elena volunteered for the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria in Alexandria, Va., serving as a Community Pet Care Fairs relief veterinary assistant. Earlier in her career, Elena was a Shelter Cat Crew member supporting the County of San Diego, Department of Animal Services.

Elena also is a much-appreciated volunteer for our own non-profit organization, Rainier Animal Fund.

Home Life

Outside of the hospital, some of Elena’s favorites are crossword puzzles, cooking, and thrift shopping. She has two pets of her own—a dog and a cat. And at home, her love for rescue and rehabilitation extends to her plants.

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Since working her first job at a pet boarding facility while in high school, Tess knew that a veterinary career was the only path for her that would allow true fulfillment. She dedicated her studies to veterinary medicine and has built an arsenal of patient and client-facing care skills throughout her five years of experience. Starting with Elliott Bay Animal Hospital in 2023, our team is so fortunate for Tess and her commitment to this field!

Tess’s Veterinary Assistant journey has immersed her in many hospital settings, ranging from a family-oriented, one-doctor practice to corporate emergency veterinary clinics, giving her opportunities to care for alpacas, horses, dogs, and cats. Beginning her career on the East Coast, Tess supported Countryside Animal Hospital in Port Jefferson, NY,, East End Veterinary Center in Riverhead, NY, Jokers Horse Farm and Equestrian Center in Binghamton, NY, and Dix Hills Animal Hospital in Dix Hills, NY.

Surgery and large animal medicine are the areas that interest Tess the most, but she finds communicating and building relationships with clients and their pets to be the best part of the job. “Connecting with our clients shows that our work really has an impact outside of bettering their pet’s life and well-being, which I find equally important and inspiring,” Tess shared.

It is very important to Tess to take the time to listen to clients carefully to ensure that their needs are met. She leans on her love for animals to extend empathy and support in the stressors of caring for a sick pet. A team player, Tess understands that everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and she enjoys collaborating to delegate efforts based on each team member’s confidence in their skills.

There’s no doubt Tess was meant for this field, and we are so grateful for her dedication to our patients and clients!

Education

Biochemistry, SUNY Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY

Volunteer Work

During undergrad, Tess volunteered at an Alpaca farm, facilitating health check-ups and injections for more than 40 alpacas. In addition, Tess has also volunteered for RAVS (Rural Area Veterinary Services), an organization that provides pop-up spray and neuter clinics across underserved areas in the United States. Over four days, Tess assisted in more than 380 spay and neuter procedures in Spirit Lake, ND.

Home Life

Away from the hospital, Tess enjoys many creative hobbies, such as baking, knitting, painting, and drawing. To unwind, she enjoys playing video games and watching movies while accompanied by her two cats, Andy and Leo. Andy is a sleepy Calico who Tess thinks is the most beautiful cat around, and Leo is a mischievous orange cat who gets away with his love for destroying things because Tess adores him so much.

Dylan arrived in Seattle, WA in 2018, hailing from Iowa in search of new adventures. His travels lead him to the doors of a guild renowned for its trustworthiness and compassion for animals. Elliott Bay Animal Hospital. He quickly moved to join the guild in their quest to ensure the health and well-being of all Seattle’s canine and feline companions. He brings along with him an animal companion of his own, a feline known as Ophelia the Kind. When not working for the guild, Dylan enjoys worldbuilding fantasy settings, hand-drawing large-scale maps, playing board games, and genuinely enjoying living.

STR: 14 DEX: 10 CON: 12 INT: 12 WIS: 18 CHA: 10
Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Arcana, Insight, Nature, & Perception

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Ana has been fascinated with animals since she was a little girl and her willingness to learn and develop her caretaking skills has continuously evolved over the years. She plans to go to veterinary school to become a veterinarian, but until then, she’s dedicated to gaining as much experience as possible, and we are thrilled to have her on the Elliott Bay Animal Hospital team!

Before starting with us, Ana worked with a range of animals—including her time as an intern at OHSU NPRC in Beaverton, Ore., observing Rhesus Monkeys’ behavior and at Knott Dairy Center in Pullman, Wash., assisting with feeding, caretaking, and monitoring the overall health of calves, bulls, and heifers.

“What I enjoy about my work is being around animals, learning the treatment approaches that help them get better, and working to understand the root of the issue,” Ana shared. “Getting to learn more and more about the role a veterinarian has in saving pets’ lives has made my passion for animals grow even stronger.”

As excellent as Ana is with our patients, she extends the same level of care to our clients. She leans on her empathy to help ease their concerns and understand their unique emotions to provide the comfort and information needed for resolution.

The veterinary field is the perfect path for Ana, and we can’t wait to see where her curiosity takes her!

Education

Bachelor of Science in Animal Studies, Pre-Veterinary Focus, Washington State University, Pullman, Wash.
Glencoe High School, Hillsboro, Oregon.

Volunteer Work

Ana has enjoyed volunteering at the Whitman County Humane Society, Blackbird Ranch Animal Sanctuary, and Red Cross Blood Bank.

Home Life

When she’s not growing her veterinary skillset, Ana enjoys hiking, reading, and watching shows and movies to unwind. Alongside Ana is her beloved, 15-year-old Pomeranian and Dachshund mix, Buddy.

Jennifer joined Elliott Bay Animal Hospital in 2022 as practice manager following a 14-year career trajectory that led her from her early days as a veterinary receptionist to her later leadership roles in the VCA Animal Hospitals system. During this time, Jennifer had the opportunity to manage several multi-doctor practices; coordinate continuing education and wet lab curriculum for more than 74 hospitals in the Northwest, Hawaii, and Alaska; and play a major role in team mentorship, client care, and overall efficiency of the hospitals in her charge.

“One of the highlights of my early career was to be chosen as one of 30 associates nationwide to participate, and become a member of, my national parent company’s employee experience steering committee in 2016,” Jennifer shared. “The vision of this program was to help build and reinforce an engaging culture that emphasizes the importance of a positive employee experience that, in turn, contributes to the overall excellent client experience.”

Jennifer’s leadership and years of invaluable experience enable our veterinary team with the sharpest coaching and procedural structure. She ensures that both our patient and client care are continually optimized and consistently top-notch.

Volunteer Work

Dedicated to giving back through nonprofit involvement, Jennifer has coordinated VIP sponsorship at the Pasado’s Safe Haven LOVEbash event since 2017. In her previous role, Jennifer worked as the liaison between the hospital and Pasado’s, supporting them in their fight to end animal cruelty.

Home Life

Alongside Jennifer are her partner and their beloved furry friends, Pitbull Rosie and Chinchilla Turbo. Prioritizing work-life balance, Jennifer uses time spent in the sunshine, being near the water, cooking, and practicing her photography to reset and unwind.

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Making a difference. That simple tenet drives Virginia with each step she takes in her career. Virginia is a marketing and public relations professional with more than 30 years of experience successfully building and implementing creative campaigns and special events. During her time at BluePearl Veterinary Partners, Virginia helped build the company’s regional profile and oversaw a brand transition that led to significant growth each quarter over four consecutive years. She has also successfully managed large-scale events and public involvement campaigns for such organizations as Pyramid Communications, Seattle Theatre Group, the Sundance Film Festival, Frankie’s Friends, and Pearl Jam including such notable projects as the Pine Ridge Building Summit, the Vote for a Change concert tour, the Groundwork concert series, Shared Strategy for Puget Sound and the fundraising gala “Mutt Ado About Nothing.” Now as the marketing director for Veterinary Roots and their sister nonprofit, the Rainier Animal Fund, Virginia is working to build the profile of each organization while working to positively impact the lives of pets and their owners.

Volunteer
Virginia is currently on the board of the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association’s Washington State Animal Health Foundation (WSAHF) where she helped launch their new program the Vets Helping Pets Fund. Previously Virginia has spent time volunteering for a host of regional nonprofits including Homeward Pet, ArtsCorps, Rock the Vote, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, the San Diego Humane Society, and the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park.

Home Life
Virginia’s time outside of work is devoted to caring for her senior pets while enjoying all the Northwest has to offer including festivals, Sounders FC games, outdoor concerts, mountain trails and so much more.

Karon has worked in the veterinary field since 1998, all of which was at Elliott Bay Animal Hospital. Her passion for helping people and animals has been present since a very young age, and she was lucky enough to find her second home in VetMed. Her experience started in reception, and then a few years later joined the management team. She found great reward in being able to coach and support her team and remained with EBAH management until joining the Veterinary Roots team at the end of 2022.

“Making sure those around me were happy, is something that was part of who I was ever since I can remember. I always knew my place was to help people, and it wasn’t long after having a pet of my own as a child, those people’s pets became a huge part of that equation.”

Volunteer Work:

Karon volunteers with non-profit organizations such as the Rainier Animal Fund and the Everett Animal Shelter, where she is also a foster parent for cats and rabbits.

Home Life:

Karon shares her home with her amazing husband, two beautiful children, and a houseful of perfect, rescued fur-babies including cats, dogs, and rabbits. In her spare time, she enjoys much-needed fun and laughter with family and friends, cooking, walking her dogs and peaceful campfires at her little getaway near Mt. Baker.

Risa brings to the Veterinary Roots team more than 20 years of experience in the veterinary field including having worked more than 10 years as an emergency technician as well as having spent several years as a lead technician at a busy, multi-doctor general practice. Now, in her new role as our veterinary technician mentorship manager, Risa is able to apply her advanced technical skills, training and exceptional team communications to work helping build our medical support teams for the future.

“What I love about veterinary medicine is it is constantly growing and evolving,” shared Risa. “I love the opportunity to learn new methods and treatments that improve the quality of care for our patients and, in turn, allows our teams to continue to advance their technical education.”

Education:

Associates in Veterinary Technology, Pierce College, Lakewood, Washington

Volunteer Work:

During her time at Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital, Risa collaborated with the medical team to develop and host a series of client first aid seminars that helped raised much needed funds for the Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital benevolence fund.

Home Life:

Risa shares her home with Jynx, her 23-year-old Eclectus Parrot, Pippy, a 21-year-old African Grey Parrot and her dogs Arlo and Elsa, both German Shepherd rescues. In her spare time, she enjoys all the northwest has to offer including hiking, camping and aquascaping as well as finding some additional downtime to play video games and explore local aquariums and attractions.