Meet Our Team!

Janel Cawthra

Medical Director

Dr. Cawthra joined Brier Veterinary Hospital in June 2020. Before becoming a veterinarian, she worked as a veterinary receptionist and veterinary assistant. She completed her undergraduate studies at Washington State University and majored in zoology. In 2016, she graduated from Ross University in Saint Kitts. Her favorite aspect of veterinary medicine is performing surgeries.

When Dr. Cawthra is not working at the hospital, she enjoys craft projects and taking trips to Disneyland with her husband, Josh. At home, they have one fur child: Calypso, their six-year-old island mutt.

Melanie and Don Gerard

DVM’s

Drs. Don and Melanie Gerard purchased Brier Veterinary Hospital from its founder, Dr. Earls, in January 2020. Dr. Melanie and Dr. Earls attended veterinary college together at Ohio State University in the class of 2000.

Dr. Melanie has years of experience working to promote animal welfare by providing high-quality veterinary care in a variety of settings. She was the senior veterinarian in a large humane society in Minneapolis, which led her to start Mission Animal Hospital, a charitable veterinary hospital, in 2012.

Raised in Bellevue, Dr. Don Gerard started his career at Bellevue Animal Hospital as a kennel attendant. Don graduated magna cum laude from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998.

Don and Melanie have a large and active home with five children and two dogs, Zorro and Behr.

Tracy Tomlinson

DVM

Dr. Tomlinson is the newest doctor at Brier Veterinary Hospital. She graduated from Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. In fact, Dr. Don Gerard was her vet school classmate! She has known Dr. Melanie Gerard for several years as well.

Dr. Tomlinson grew up in Kent, where her family had a small hobby farm. She raised and cared for goats, chickens, rabbits, a horse, and, of course, cats and dogs. She went to WSU for undergraduate studies as well as vet school. Medically, she enjoys managing endocrine diseases (hormonal conditions like diabetes, Cushing’s disease, thyroid disease, etc.), treating weird feline medical cases (cats are not small dogs!), and managing preventive/wellness care for all life stages. She is a strong believer in using screening diagnostics for early disease detection rather than waiting for the pet to be suffering from a disease before treatment is initiated. She also believes strongly in regular dental cleanings before disease has progressed to a point where multiple teeth must be extracted.

The foundation of Dr. Tomlinson’s approach in practice is to understand the wants and needs of her clients as well as determining the needs of her patients. She feels that having a detailed conversation with the client and clear communication in both directions is vital for her to provide the best care for her patients.

In her spare time, Dr. Tomlinson loves painting, going to the gym, cooking, and spending time with her pets. She has two Golden Retrievers and six Sphynx cats. They are all very important parts of her family.

Kayla Hough

DVM

Bio Coming Soon

Harley

Area Hospital Manager

Harley was born and raised in the mountains of North Carolina, where her love of animals began. She grew up on a small farm, helping raise and show goats, as well as participating in her local 4-H club. She graduated from East Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in Business and Hospitality Leadership in 2014 and then relocated to Austin, Texas. Before and during college, she volunteered at her local animal shelter and humane society, where she realized she wanted to make helping animals her career. She spent seven years in Texas working for the same Veterinary group, starting as a receptionist and working her way up to Hospital Manager.

In an effort to escape the hot temperatures of Texas, she moved with her two children to Washington in April 2020. Together they enjoy exploring the beautiful mountains and trails every chance they get. Harley currently has one very mischievous 8-month-old Doodle pup named Biscuit, who, along with her kids, occupy all her free time.

As the Hospital Administrator, she believes that through compassionate communication, we can ensure that pets receive the best care possible and that their humans understand the value of what we do.

Sheyenne

Managing LVT

Sheyenne grew up in the Tacoma area and moved up north about six years ago when she gave up her career as an esthetician to become a veterinary technician. She has found great joy in working with all types of animals, from horses to research dogs, and hopes to one day adopt a retired research beagle after her girl, Melon, was never able to come home.

She has an 11-year-old son, Liam, and a 14-year-old cat, Mooch, at home who keep her on her toes. She’s also looking to add a guinea pig to her little family. She is excited to be at Brier with great people who will allow her to continue to grow both personally and professionally.

Anna

LVT

Bio Coming Soon

Rebecca Hancock

LVT

Rebecca joined the Brier family in May 2020 as a Licensed Veterinary Technician with ten years of experience under her belt. She is a 2009 graduate of PIMA Medical Institute and also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Creative Writing. Her dog baby, John, is her pride and joy. He is the best boy in the whole world!

In her free time, Rebecca enjoys doing cross stitch projects. She makes a special Christmas stocking for each of her nieces and nephews every year. Rebecca is an avid movie watcher, and she can recite The Princess Bride word for word. (Inconceivable!)

Kaylee

Veterinary Assistant

Kaylee went to Pima Medical Institute and completed her certification to be a veterinary assistant. She has always been passionate about animals and is currently working toward becoming a licensed technician.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and her dogs and traveling to new places.

Karla

Veterinary Assistant

Karla has been working in veterinary medicine for about one year. She graduated from the Pima Veterinary Assistant program in 2019.

When not at work, you could find her at the gym, hanging out with her pug, or binge-watching RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Glen

Veterinary Assistant

Glen has lived in Washington for 40 years and has dedicated the past 18 years of his life to helping and caring for animals. He loves them all but has a strong affinity for our feline friends.

He enjoys teaching himself guitar as well as spending time with his family and beautiful cat, Mina.

Brian

Veterinary Assistant

Bio Coming Soon

Kasey

Veterinary Assistant

Bio Coming Soon

Nate

Veterinary Assistant

Bio Coming Soon

Kyle

CSC

Bio Coming Soon

Kathy

CSC

Kathy was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. Though she has only been working in the veterinary field for one year, she has several years of experience volunteering at local animal shelters.

She spends her free time reading, putting together jigsaw puzzles, and visiting with the seniors who reside in her father’s retirement community.

Nichole

CSC

Bio Coming Soon