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LOCATION

253-847-3500

Meet Our Team

1

Dr. Colin Kertson, DVM

Dr. Kertson is not only one of our outstanding veterinarians but is also the owner of Tahoma Veterinary Hospital. When we first opened our doors in 1990 he was a co-owner but became the sole owner in 2006. Dr. Kertson graduated from Washington State University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science (BS) and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). He is currently associated with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Washington State Veterinary Medical Association (WSVMA), and American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP). Dr. Kertson's hometown is Stanwood, WA. He is happy to be able to continue to serve you in his home state! Outside of work you can find him leading worship at church or at home enjoying spending time with his family or reading a good book.


Dr. Eric Long, DVM

Dr. Long hails from Dallas, TX. He has graced us with his presence since 2010 and has been a wonderful addition to our staff. Dr. Long studied at Dartmouth College where he received his BA in Biochemistry and Psychology. His education continued at Cornell where he completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). Professionally he is affiliated with Small Ruminant Practitioners, as he loves working with farm animals such as goats, alpacas, pigs and chickens. He is currently associated with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Washington State Veterinary Medical Association (WSVMA) In his free time Dr. Long enjoys the great outdoor activities that the Northwest has to offer including kayaking, hiking, cycling and participating in mud runs. He adores his two dogs Maddie and Herbie.


Dr. Suzannah Strauss, DVM

Dr. Strauss came to us in 2011 from Amenia, NY. She brought 6 years of experience in mixed animal practice from her prior job in Columbia County, New York State. Dr. Strauss studied at Houghton College where in 2000 she received a Bachelor of Science (BS) in biology. She then attended Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, where she received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). She is associated with American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Washington State Veterinary Medical Association (WSVMA) and Christian Veterinary Mission. In her free time, Dr. Strauss enjoys spending time with her son and husband. She also enjoys hiking, traveling and overseas development work. At home you can find her playing her piano or gardening.



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Dr. Travis McKinzie, DVM
 
Dr. McKinzie came to our hospital March of 2019 after his wife and him moved from up north. Dr. McKinzie joined out hospital with a large amount of Small and Large animal experience. He and his wife owned a mixed animal practice from 1996-2014 in Kansas and then started working at Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital in Monroe from 2017-2019 before making the decision to join our team. Although his main focus is in Equine medicine, he enjoys a variety of all animals.


TB Dr. Tara Beyerlin, DVM

Dr. Beyerlin came to us August after recently graduating form Washington State University in 2019 where she completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). She is associated with  American Association Of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), and Washington State Animal Response Team (WASART). She has a specific interest in mixed animal practice and loves working with cattle and heard health. Outside of work she enjoys playing with her dog "Levy" and her cat "Moxie".


Taran

Taran Johnson, Practice Manager

Taran joined our team in November 2015. She is also a Licensed Veterinary Technician and graduated from Pierce College June 1998. She enjoys her wonderfully, busy family life, filled with horse shows and fast pitch! In her spare time you can find her at a horse show or on the ball field with her husband cheering their daughter on. They share their home with their horses, Dream, Lady, Oliver and Twister, three dogs, Gary, Carmen, Rusty, and a cat named Gordon.

Ashley, Lead Licensed Veterinary Technician

Ashley joined our team June 2013 as a graduate of Pierce College Veterinary Technician Program and became the lead L.V.T. of TVH within just two years of joining our team. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband and two adorable St. Bernards, Lucy and Henry. They also share their home with three cats, Chloe, Romeo and Theodore.
 

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    Darian, Licensed Veterinary Technician

Darian Joined our team in November 2019 with six years previous veterinary experience at a small animal practice. Outside of work she enjoys outdoor activities, riding her horses and spending time with her family and animals.


Alli, Licensed Veterinary Technician

Alli joined our team in 2016 with one previous year of veterinary assisting experience. She enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors with her three labs, Josie, Champ & Benny. 

Nat

Natalie, Licensed Veterinary Technician

Natalie joined our team in July of 2019 after recently graduating from Pierce Collage of Veterinary Technician program. When She is not at work she enjoys going to concerts, playing video games, exploring new places, and hanging out with her dog "Dorado".  



MaKay

MaKay, Veterinary Assistant

MaKay joined our team May 2018 with two years prior veterinary related experience. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her 6 horses, dog, Breeches and cat, Chai.



Hailey, Veterinary Assistant


Hailey joined our team in November 2014 as one of our Veterinary Assistants and has since then started online schooling to become a Veterinary Technician. In her free time she enjoys video games, traveling/hiking, trying new foods and hanging out with her 3 dogs Abby, Rusty, Shadow and her cat Alaster.

Felica, Lead Veterinary Assistant

Felica joined our team in March 2014. She enjoys hunting, fishing, and camping with her family and spending time with their four dogs, Copenhagen, River, Timber & Trigger.

Tylor, Veterinary Assistant

Tylor joined our team in May 2015 with three years previous veterinary related experience. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies, camping and hiking. She is very much a cat person and her two cats Sasquatch and Skid have her heart. She also has a dog named Baya and two goats, Starsky and Hutch.

     

      

Steph

Stephanie, Receptionist    

Stephanie joined our team in June 2017.  She enjoys spending time with her family and riding her horse.

Lacey, Receptionist

Lacey joined our team in August 2016. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family outdoors hiking, bike riding and playing with her three dogs, Sarah, Parker, and Larry and two cats, Bridget and Marley.

Brittney, Lead Receptionist/ Administrative Assistant

Brittney joined our team in September 2016 starting as one of our kennel assistants and worked her way up to reception and eventually becoming one of our administrative assistants. She shares her home with her two dogs (Guss and Benelli) and her three horses (Dixie, Annie, and Bill). In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her Husband and son, riding her horses, and playing with her pups.

Amanda

Amanda, Receptionist

Amanda joined our team in October 2017 she enjoys spending time adventuring with her two kids, friends, and family and her German shepherd Rosco and Pitbul Zeus .

 


Chante

Chante', Inventory Manager

Chante' joined our team in 2010 as a kennel assistant and worked her way up to reception, veterinary assisting and eventually administrative assistant. In 2016 her husband's job took their family to El Paso, TX and then back to Seattle, WA in 2018. Chante' is happy to back with her TVH family and is looking forward to learning her new role as Inventory Manager. When not at work, Chante' enjoys singing on the worship team at Graham Evangelical Covenant church and spending time with her husband, Logan and their 2 year old son, Elliot, along with their fur babies; Bella(dachshund), Aengus(bulldogX), Gandalf(Cat) and Ranger Bill(Horse).

Kaycee, Licensed Veterinary Technician
Kaycee, Licensed Veterinary Technician
Kaycee joined our team in October after graduating from the Pierce College Veterinary Technician Program class of 2018. Kaycee has 2 dogs, 4 cats, 2 goats, 4 chickens, lots of rabbits, and a horse. In her spare time she enjoys relaxing watching TV/Netflix and spending time with her all her animals.
Jody Jody, Receptionist

 

Jody joined our team in July 2018 with experience in the Veterinary field off and on through out her life and has earned degrees in Medical Billing and Office Management. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her kids and visiting family, camping, traveling and enjoying the outdoors. Jody shares her home with her dog “Wednesday”, Three cats “Bagheera” “Jewel” and “Milo”, and her rabbit “Caspian”
nikki Nikki, Lead Kennel Assistant
Nikki joined our team October 2018. She shares her house with her 3-year-old pit bull “Lucy” and two cats “Skittles” and “Sprocket”. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching suspenseful movies, and hiking.


Kaith-JoyKaith-Joy, Kennel Assistant
Kaith-Joy joined our team in April 2019 in our kennel department. Outside of work she enjoys going to the gym, ice skating, taking her four dogs Bella, Vader, Lilo, and Stitch to the park and loving on her cat Coca.  


  • Dr. Colin Kertson, DVM

    Dr. Kertson is not only one of our outstanding veterinarians but is also the owner of Tahoma Veterinary Hospital. When we first opened our doors in 1990 he was a co-owner but became the sole owner in 2006. Dr. Kertson graduated from Washington State University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science (BS) and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). He is currently associated with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Washington State Veterinary Medical Association (WSVMA), and American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP). Dr. Kertson's hometown is Stanwood, WA. He is happy to be able to continue to serve you in his home state! Outside of work you can find him leading worship at church or at home enjoying spending time with his family, raising his own livestock and reading a good book.

    Read More
  • Dr. Eric Long, DVM

    Dr. Long hails from Dallas, TX. He has graced us with his presence since 2010 and has been a wonderful addition to our staff. Dr. Long studied at Dartmouth College where he received his BA in Biochemistry and Psychology. His education continued at Cornell where he completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). Professionally he is affiliated with Small Ruminant Practitioners, as he loves working with farm animals such as goats, alpacas, pigs and chickens. He is currently associated with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Washington State Veterinary Medical Association (WSVMA) In his free time Dr. Long enjoys the great outdoor activities that the Northwest has to offer including kayaking, hiking, cycling and participating in mud runs. He adores his two dogs Maddie and Herbie.

    Read More
  • Dr. Suzannah Strauss, DVM
    Dr. Strauss came to us in 2011 from Amenia, NY. She brought 6 years of experience in mixed animal practice from her prior job in Columbia County, New York State. Dr. Strauss studied at Houghton College where in 2000 she received a Bachelor of Science (BS) in biology. She then attended Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, where she received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). She is associated with American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Washington State Veterinary Medical Association (WSVMA) and Christian Veterinary Mission. In her free time, Dr. Strauss enjoys spending time with her son and husband. She also enjoys hiking, traveling and overseas development work. At home you can find her playing her piano or gardening.
  • Dr. Jessica Cooper, DVM
    Dr. Cooper is originally from Duvall, WA. However she attended Colorado State University where she received her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Equine Science pre-vet concentration in 2005. She then graduated from Washington State University where she received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 2011. She spent 2 years practicing in Moses Lake and moved here to join us at TVH. Dr. Cooper is associated with Washington State Veterinary Medical Association (WSVMA), American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). In her free time, she enjoys trail riding, skiing, camping, scuba diving and hanging out with her husband and three dogs, Apollo, Chula and Bear.
  • Dr. Chandra LeFevre, DVM
    We welcome Dr. LeFevre from Oceanside, California where she finished a year-long internship working in a 24 hour clinic that treated dogs, cats, exotics and wildlife. Prior to working at Tahoma, she did quite a bit of volunteer work with wildlife and shelter animals. Originally from Lake Forest Park, Washington she completed her undergraduate education at Washington State University where she graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Zoology in 2010. She then went on to attend the University of Prince Edward Island in Canada for her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. Since graduating from this particular school, she is eligible to practice medicine in the UK, all of North America, Australia, and New Zealand but she couldn't stay away from the beautiful Pacific Northwest. When she isn't working at the hospital or volunteering with wildlife and animal shelters she enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest by hiking, backpacking, skiing or anything near water from sea kayaking to swimming and sailing. She loves lavishing all of her animal adoration on her dog, Orion; a mixed breed rescue from California.
  • Taran Johnson, Practice Manager
    Taran joined our team in November 2015. She is also a Licensed Veterinary Technician and graduated from Pierce College June 1998. She enjoys her wonderfully, busy family life, fulfilled with horse shows and fast pitch! In her spare time you can find her at a horse show or on the ball field with her husband cheering their daughter on. They share their home with five horses, Dream, Faith, Lady, Flynn and new Mustang on the way, three dogs, Gary, Carmen and Lucky Puppy, a cat named Gordon and a few chickens.
  • Erin, Marketing Manager

    Erin joined our team in May 2013. She started as a Veterinary Assistant and moved into managing the social media & marketing for the hospital in early 2014. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family, riding horses and photography. Her furry family members are her horse, Dolce, four dogs, Sadie, Bentley, Cece & Cowboy, and a fat orange cat named Rusty.

  • Ashley, Lead Licensed Veterinary Technician
    Ashley joined our team June 2013. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two adorable St. Bernard pups, Lucy and Henry. They also share their home with three cats, Chloe, Romeo and Theodore.
  • Crystal, Licensed Veterinary Technician
    Crystal joined our team in July 2014. She has been a veterinary technician for 5 years and enjoys camping, fishing, archery, shopping and cooking in her spare time. She shares her home with four dogs, Brue, Cabela, Luke and Russel Wilson and a bunny named Mr. T.
  • Alli, Licensed Veterinary Technician
    Alli joined our team in 2016 with 1 previous year of veterinary assisting experience. She enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors with her two labs, Champ and Josie.
  • Hailey, Veterinary Assistant
    Hailey joined our team in November 2014. Outside of work, she enjoys going on hikes with her dog Abby, playing video games, star wars, and cooking Korean food.
  • Felica, Lead Veterinary Assistant
    Felica joined our team in March 2014. She enjoys hunting, fishing, camping and spending time with her daughter, Oaklee Anne and Chocolate lab, Copenhagen.
  • Tylor, Veterinary Assistant
    Tylor joined our team in May 2015 with 3 years previous veterinary related experience. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies, camping and hiking. She is very much a cat person and her two cats Sasquatch and Skid have her heart. She also has a dog named Baya and two goats, Starsky and Hutch.
  • Ashley, Lead Receptionist
    Ashley joined our team in September 2015 with 5 years previous veterinary related experience. She enjoys fishing and outdoor activities with her two boys. She shares her home with her two dogs, Charlie Mae and Junie Bug, and her two cats Buff and Meow Meow.
  • Lacey, Receptionist
    Lacey joined our team in August 2016. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family outdoors hiking, bike riding and playing with her three dogs, Sarah, Parker, and Larry and two cats, Bridget and Marley.
  • Brittney, Receptionist
    Brittney joined our team in September 2016. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, riding her horse, Dixie and playing with her black lab, Kona.
  • Brittany, Receptionist
    Brittany joined our team in March 2017 with 4 years previous veterinary related experience. Outside of work, she enjoys going on adventures with her husband and their blue nose pit, Gotti.
  • Cheryl, Receptionist
    Cheryl joined our team in April 2017 with 15 years previous veterinary related experience. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, hiking and spending time with her family and dog, Maddie.
  • Becky, Kennel Manager
    Becky joined our team in December 2012. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two sons, gardening and fixing up cars. She also shares her home with her best friend Chopper, a blue pit, who also lives with a little old schnauzer friend Dusty, two cats, Cali & Scooby and a 23 yr old corn snake named Snow.
  • Kate-Lynn, Kennel Care
    Kate-Lynn joined our team in April 2017. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing with her various pets and riding horses.

We do farm calls! Large and Small animal!

Location

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8:00 am-8:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-8:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Saturday:

8:30 am-1:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed