Our Team

Meet Our Veterinary Team

Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Willakenzie Animal Clinic PC! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!

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Our Veterinary Team

Veterinarians

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Dr. Meri Brandt

Veterinarian

Dr. Brandt was born in Illinois, raised in Arizona, and a resident of Oregon since 2016, when she joined Willakenzie Animal Clinic. Dr. Brandt received her degree in Biology from Arizona State University. She graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her clinical year of veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. After graduation from veterinary school in 2007, Dr. Brandt returned to Arizona to practice.

Drawn to the climate of the Pacific Northwest, she joined the team at Willakenzie Animal Clinic in 2016. She lives in Eugene with her husband and young children. Their dogs Elwood – a bluetick coonhound, and Walter- an adorable terrier mix, are most content guarding the house while basking in the sunshine. Dr. Brandt enjoys all aspects of general practice from puppies and kittens, soft tissue surgery, dental care, dermatology, and geriatric medicine. She most enjoys developing relationships with pet owners to help them best care for their pets.

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Dr. Staci DeWall

Veterinarian

Bio Coming Soon!

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Dr. Lisa Poquette

Veterinarian

Dr. Poquette was born in Missouri and was raised just over the border on the Kansas side of Kansas City. She received her Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Oregon in 1990, and her DVM from Oregon State University and Washington State University in 1994. Additionally, she earned her certification in animal chiropractic care. She currently lives in Creswell with her husband and their 2 whippets, Mira and Tigger, formally known as “The Couch Warmers”.

Dr. Poquette enjoys veterinary general practice, especially wellness and preventative medicine, with an interest in chiropractic care for her patients from puppyhood to geriatrics, as well as injuries and performance.

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Dr. Helen Sutthill

Veterinarian

Dr. Sutthill graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1992. After her trek along the Oregon Trail in 1997, she settled on the coast where she owned a successful veterinary practice for 24 years. She has recently relocated to the Eugene area to be closer to family. Dr. Sutthill is a proud mom of two grown human children along with her plethora of pets. Her thirteen pets consist of three dogs, two cats, two guinea pigs, and six chickens. In her free time, Dr. Sutthill enjoys hiking, reading, doing math for fun, vegetable gardening, and learning the Irish language. In the clinic, her interests include dermatology, preventative care, and client education. She is a wonderful addition to our team and we are excited for you to meet her.

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Dr. Stephen Kairis

Veterinarian

Bio Coming Soon!

Veterinary Staff

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Kira N., Practice Manager

Kira was born in Ohio, raised in Arizona, and has been a resident of Oregon since 2017. She joined our team as a skilled veterinary assistant and has now been our practice manager since January 2020. She lives in Eugene with her boyfriend and their two dogs, Tron – an energetic black and white german shorthaired pointer, and Ellem – a handsome cavalier mix. On her days off she likes to go camping, hike, attend sporting events, and during football season you can find her cheering on THE Ohio State Buckeyes. “Working in the veterinary field has been a passion of mine since I was 15 years old. Having the opportunity to help take care of the staff who help take care of our clients and their pets has been the most rewarding position I have had yet.”
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Alivia F., Receptionist

Alivia was born and raised right here in Springfield and has been working in the veterinary field for the last 4 years. She loves being the first face people see as they come through the door, and always tries to help ensure the happiness and health of pets in our community. When not at the clinic, she can be found hiking with her 4 dogs (Arthur, Goldie, Maxxie, and Willie), painting, or enjoying the coast.

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Natalie F., Receptionist

Natalie was born and raised here in Oregon and joined the veterinary field 1 year ago. She enjoys helping pets get the care they need and exceeding clients’ expectations. When away from work, Natalie spends her days with her dog Elsie, her cat Fez, and her husband.

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Chelsie P., Receptionist

Chelsie hails from right here in Oregon and has been with our clinic for 6 years. She highly values the relationships we build with our clients and their pets. When not in the clinic, Chelsie makes some of the finest baked goods around and spends her free time with her family.

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Lisa G., Senior Customer Service Representative

Lisa was born and raised here in beautiful Eugene, Oregon. She joined Willakenzie Animal Clinic in January 2014 and has been an asset to our clinic ever since. She currently lives with a spicy, adorable black and white, domestic longhair cat named Madison. Her hobbies include fishing, target shooting, and reading. As the leader of our front desk, she has a passion for helping others, “I enjoy getting to see all the puppies and kittens, as well as the opportunity to chat with our clients.”
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Heidi G., CVT

Heidi has lived in Oregon since 1988. She joined our team in May of 2017 as an experienced CVT and has brought much of her knowledge to our staff and our clients over the years. She currently lives with her husband and their many pets: Louise – a border collie mix, Mrs. Maizel – feral Siamese cross, Ginsberg – a domestic shorthair, Shamoo – a geriatric Arabian horse, and Daphne – a geriatric mini donkey. When she is not working, she can be found practicing pyrography, painting rocks, playing with her pets, or exploring nature. If you ask her why she works in veterinary medicine, “It is always interesting, and I am continually learning. I enjoy having the ability to use skills that make a difference in the lives and comforts of our clients and their pets. Having the opportunity to work with a fantastic cadre of coworkers is a joy.”
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Colleen W., CVT

Colleen was born and raised here in Oregon. She joined our team in September of 2019 and brought with her a wealth of anesthesia experience and knowledge. She currently lives on a farm with her husband and their herd of animals: Pippi – a Chocolate Labrador Retriever, Ames – a Border Collie, and 21 goats – Captain Hoof, Sarge, Jaegermeister, Mr. F, Eagle Bait, Joselyn, Lady Gaga, Terra-ble, Valentine, Goliath, Lucille, Bernice, Cinnamon, Olive, Patagotia, Freda Uddersworth, Rita Uddersworth, and 4 unnamed, and 4 sheep – Black Rifle Bart, Britney Shears, Calambity Jane, and Ewenice. She is also mother to one son, Kevin. In her spare time, she loves running, endurance events (ironman, ultra-races, relays), hiking, exploring the outdoors, and trapshooting. “I chose veterinary medicine as a 2nd and final career, combining my science-driven mind and love of animals with helping people.”
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Autumn W., CVT

Autumn was born in Flint, MI but was raised in Luverne, MN. She moved to Oregon in September 2020 and joined our team here in March 2021. She currently lives with her husband and their crew of animals: Jack – an Australian Shepherd mix, Gordon – a Border Collie, Raj – black coated Domestic Shorthair, Hannah – a dilute calico Domestic Shorthair, Mila – a 3-legged orange tabby, Oliver – tan Domestic Shorthair who she has had since he was 1 day old, Kazi – a ticked tabby coated Domestic Shorthair who she has also had since she was 1 day old and last, but not least, Cashew Pichu – a tan Domestic Longhair. Autumn is also a proud mom to Brandon and a proud grandma to Max. When she is not at work, you can find her hiking with her dogs, reading, fishing, sewing, or crocheting. She joined veterinary medicine after being in the human medical field for a long time. If asked why she works in veterinary medicine, “Dogs typically growl before they bite you. Humans don’t.”
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Katie H., Veterinary Assistant

Katie is a Karen Pryor certified training partner. She’s passionate about creating stress-free vet visits for you and your pets. When not working as a Veterinary Assistant, she can be found hiking with her wife and her dogs Frankie and Commander Pants.
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Ethan L., Veterinary Assistant

Ethan was born in Wisconsin and lived all over the Midwest and Northwest until he moved to Oregon in 2017. He joined our team in May of 2018 and brought a wonderful positive attitude to our clinic. He currently lives in Eugene with his 2 cats, Nimue – a gray domestic shorthair, and Purrsephone – a tortoiseshell domestic medium hair. When he is not working, Ethan loves to go hiking, take road trips, and enjoys baking. “I have always been surrounded by animals and viewed them as a family but have seen so many throughout my life that is not treated as such. This has always been a driving passion of mine, and I cannot think of anything more rewarding to alleviate that than veterinary medicine. I absolutely love being able to help people take good care of their pets and help them in times of need.”
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Joanne JC., Veterinary Assistant

Joanne was born into an Air Force family in Clovis, New Mexico. At the age of 2, she and her family moved to Oregon after her father retired from the Air Force and she has lived here ever since. She joined our team as a veterinary assistant in June of 2021. She is a mother to 2 human children, Chandra Lynn, and Christian Michael. She also has welcomed many species of rescue animals into her home: Master Wendell – Selkirk Rex, Major Wesley – Selkirk Rex, Jessie Feta – Domestic Shorthair, Mina Julep McGregor – Domestic Shorthair, Mango Sky Lundgren – Siamese Mix, Pyphagoras – Blue Tongue Skink, Damia – Red Corn Snake, and Bianco – Chilean Rose knee tarantula. When not at work, she enjoys hiking, photography, gardening, arts and crafts, reading, movies, cocoa, beachcombing, stomping in puddles, home improvement, and concerts. “I feel an obligation to respect, nurture, and protect animals – domesticated and wild – it is a family trait that has carried through several generations and continues.”
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Cameron M., Animal Care Assistant

Cameron was born and raised in Springfield, Oregon. He started as a volunteer at our clinic in August of 2019 and was hired on as an official part of the time June 2020. He currently attends Oregon State University as a pre-vet major. When Cameron is not at work or studying, he enjoys scuba diving, walking, hiking, and just relaxing at home and watching television. Due to his busy schedule, he doesn’t currently have any pets of his own, but he enjoys treating every animal like his own. “My favorite thing about working in the field is being able to comfort the cats who come in who are very stressed out.”