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Nice to meet you!

WE PUT THE ‘CARE’ IN CARE TEAM!

Your cat’s emotional and physical well-being is prioritized with every visit.

Vanessa

Practice Manager

Vanessa approaches veterinary medicine from a perspective that goes beyond daily operations. For Vanessa, success is measured by how well a team functions together, how supported individuals feel, and how effectively a clinic can provide care without unnecessary barriers. Her focus is not only on what is happening, but why it is happening, allowing her to identify challenges within systems and address them at their source.

Vanessa first entered the veterinary field in 2008 and returned to Cat Hospital of Austin in 2023 after previously working there in 2012. Over the years, Vanessa has built extensive experience in privately owned practices, including more than a decade in leadership roles. That experience has shaped a management style centered on transparency, emotional intelligence, and team growth. Vanessa believes in equipping team members with the tools and confidence they need to succeed independently, creating an environment where individuals feel empowered rather than directed.

A defining moment in Vanessa’s career came through caring for a cat named Luna. The case required patience, consistency, and ongoing support over time. Watching both the patient and the owners move from uncertainty to relief reinforced the importance of showing up every day, even when progress is not immediate. That experience continues to influence how Vanessa supports both patients and her team.

Vanessa’s connection to veterinary medicine began early, driven by curiosity and a desire to understand animals. Over time, that focus expanded to include the people within the field. Vanessa values the relationships built with both clients and coworkers, recognizing that strong connections are essential to providing meaningful care.

Outside of the clinic, Vanessa enjoys creative and active pursuits, including music, fiber arts, and time spent outdoors. At home, Vanessa shares life with her family, bringing the same sense of connection and balance into her personal life that defines her approach at work.

Receptionists/Client Service Representatives

Gabe

Lead Client Service Representative

Originally from the Midwest, Gabe has spent the past seven years in Austin building a life grounded in community, creativity, and connection. Over time, he has developed a natural ability to read animal behavior and create a sense of calm for both pets and their owners. That awareness shows up in the small but meaningful moments at the clinic, where even a quiet presence can help ease a nervous patient or reassure a concerned client during stressful visits.

Gabe joined Cat Hospital of Austin in 2021 during a time when he was ready for a career change and looking for more meaningful work. Veterinary medicine was new to him, but the connection felt immediate and genuine. He has always had a deep understanding of animals, especially cats, and saw this role as an opportunity to advocate for their well-being in a hands-on way. For Gabe, it is important that animals receive the same level of care, patience, and attention as any patient, and that belief guides how he approaches each interaction at the front desk.

In his role as Lead Client Service Representative, Gabe enjoys building lasting relationships with both clients and their pets. He values being a steady, reliable point of support, helping guide owners through their pet’s care while continuing to learn more about veterinary medicine and how the body works. That curiosity not only strengthens his role at the clinic, but also helps him provide thoughtful, attentive care for his own pets at home.

Outside of work, Gabe shares his life with his partner of nine years and their two cats, Bigfoot and Gertrude. Gertrude is large and in charge, while Bigfoot is more laid-back. Together, they reflect the personalities Gabe connects with every day and remind him why this work matters so much.

Lex

Receptionist

For Lex, veterinary medicine offers the balance she was looking for—a career that challenges her to think, grow, and make a meaningful impact at the same time. The combination of learning something new each day while advocating for animals and supporting their owners is what continues to draw her deeper into the field.

Before entering the veterinary field, Lex was working in a bakery when her roommate began working in veterinary medicine. As they shared stories about their days, Lex became increasingly interested in the work itself. Seeing the impact firsthand and hearing about real experiences from a clinic drew her in, and with her roommate’s encouragement, she decided to switch her career path.

Since 2021, Lex has worked in multiple clinics, building her experience and developing a strong understanding of patient care and client communication. In 2024, she joined Cat Hospital of Austin, drawn to the clinic’s focus on solely feline medicine. Being part of a team dedicated to cats in a space designed specifically for their needs allows her to contribute to a more thoughtful and specialized level of care.

In her role as a Receptionist, Lex enjoys building relationships with clients and creating a welcoming environment. She values the trust that develops over time and the ability to support pet owners as they care for their animals. The clinic cats also play a special role in her day, bringing moments of comfort and personality that make even busy days more enjoyable.

Outside of work, Lex enjoys reading, painting, and spending time outdoors, often planning relaxed picnics with family. At home, she shares life with her wife, Izzy, along with their cats, Nikki and Chai, and their senior dog, Maple.

Veterinary Technicians

Taylour

Head Veterinary Technician

Precision, focus, and a drive to master complex skills define Taylour’s approach to veterinary medicine. From an early age, science and medicine held a strong pull, leading her to pursue a path that challenges her to continuously grow and refine her abilities. For Taylour, the field offers not only purpose, but an opportunity to build a strong foundation for her long-term goal of becoming a veterinarian.

One moment helped bring that goal into sharper focus. During her first experience assisting in a surgical procedure, Taylour stepped into the operating environment with full attention and determination. Preparing for the procedure, scrubbing in, and assisting the doctor allowed her to fully engage in the process. Being trusted to take part in such a critical moment reinforced her confidence and confirmed her interest in surgery as a key area of focus.

Taylour began working in the veterinary field at the age of 16, starting as a kennel technician and steadily advancing through hands-on learning and experience. Over the past several years, she has built strong technical skills and continues to expand her knowledge. She joined Cat Hospital of Austin after relocating from College Station, drawn to the opportunity to work in a feline-focused practice. Her interest in feline medicine aligns closely with her goal of deepening her understanding of patient care while preparing for veterinary school.

In her role as a Veterinary Technician, Taylour is especially drawn to technical procedures such as phlebotomy, surgery, and dental work. She values the precision and skill involved in each area and takes pride in contributing to patient outcomes. Outside of the clinic, Taylour continues her education in animal science while balancing her interests in figure skating and reading. At home, she cares for her two cats, Plum and Poison, whose distinct personalities reflect the same energy and curiosity she brings into her work.

Summer

Veterinary Technician

There was a moment when Summer realized she was not just caring for cats, she was understanding them. It happened during a routine pet sitting visit, when something felt off. A cat’s breathing was heavier than it should have been, its energy lower than usual. It would have been easy to overlook, but she trusted her instincts. That decision led to a diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and changed the course of that cat’s life. It also changed hers.

Before that, Summer had spent years trying to find direction, searching for something that felt meaningful enough to pursue. Watching her mother find fulfillment in her own work set a quiet standard. She wanted that same sense of purpose but had not found where she fit. Working for an in-home cat sitting service in Austin brought that clarity. Being responsible for animals who could not communicate their needs directly sharpened her awareness and gave her a sense of responsibility that felt immediate and real. That awareness became something she could not ignore.

That experience led her into veterinary medicine, where she spent nearly two years at Austin Pets Alive working closely with neonatal kittens and postpartum cats. Caring for such a vulnerable population required patience, precision, and constant attention to detail. It also deepened her commitment to feline specific medicine. In April 2026, she joined Cat Hospital of Austin, continuing to build on that focus in an environment dedicated entirely to cats.

Summer is drawn to the challenge of piecing together subtle clues, helping uncover what a patient cannot say. She is especially committed to advocating for cats who are often misunderstood, including those who are fearful or difficult to handle. She values helping owners feel heard and supported, especially in moments when something does not feel right but is hard to explain.

At home, Summer shares her life with her husband Trent and their seven cats, a reflection of the dedication that shapes both her work and her everyday life.

Liz

Veterinary Technician

Some experiences stay with a person because they change how every future decision is made. For Liz, that moment came with her own cat. He was usually aggressive and spent much of his time hiding, so when he finally came out and allowed her to pick him up, she immediately sensed something was wrong. His bladder felt firm, but by the time he received care, his kidneys had already failed beyond recovery. Saying goodbye was heartbreaking, yet it solidified her commitment to recognizing blocked cats quickly and treating every similar case as an emergency.

That perspective followed Liz into a career that took an unexpected turn. She originally planned to become a registered nurse, but conversations with veterinary nurses revealed a profession where medical knowledge could make the same difference for animals. She changed direction, earned an Associate of Arts degree in Veterinary Science, and never looked back.

Her experience has been wonderfully diverse. Liz began at an adoption center before completing externships that led to an exotic animal hospital in California. Birds, tortoises, rabbits, snakes, guinea pigs, pigs, peacocks, and many other unique patients filled her days. After gaining surgical experience at a smaller practice, she moved to Austin, worked in veterinary house-call medicine, and joined Cat Hospital of Austin in May 2026. She enjoys expanding her knowledge of feline medicine every day.

Liz especially enjoys drawing blood, solving challenging medical cases, and discovering treatments that truly help pets recover. Learning never stops in veterinary medicine, and that constant opportunity to grow keeps every day interesting.

Outside the hospital, Liz shares life with her fiancé, Danny, and a memorable group of pets. Taco, a goofy Boxer, keeps everyone entertained. Lukas, a bottle-fed Siamese and feline infectious peritonitis survivor, now manages asthma with plenty of energy. Sushi enthusiastically demands cuddles, and Coconut, a senior Siamese whose owner passed away, has found a loving new home where she continues to thrive.