Our Practice & Core Values

Melissa has been part of the veterinary industry since 2012. She began her career by earning her Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA) through Animal Behavior College and later advanced her credentials by achieving the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) designation from the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association in 2020. Committed to continuous growth, Melissa completed her studies at Platt College in August 2021 and became a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in California in June 2022.

Melissa joined the Animal Cancer and Referral Center in November 2022 and currently serves as Practice Manager for all locations. She is passionate about supporting her teams, fostering growth, and ensuring excellence in client and patient care.

Outside of work, Melissa is a proud mom to two beautiful daughters and three beloved pets. She enjoys traveling with her family, caring for her ever-growing collection of plants, and indulging in great food.

Cristina is a Houston native with a loving Bull Terrier, Corazon .  She has been working as a Veterinary Technician for 9 years, with a special interest in Surgery, Anesthesia, and Patient Care. She has also worked with a Neurology specialty team as well as general practice hospitals over the years. 

In her spare time, Cristina enjoys discovering the diverse art scene here in Houston.

Jaclyn is a NAVTA Approved Veterinary Assistant who graduated from Ross Medical Center in Huntsville, Alabama. She worked over a year and half in General Practice before being called back home to Houston to pursue a career in Specialty Medicine. Her love for working with animals began in 2015 at Pearland Barkway where she worked as a Grooming bather. Her beautiful Labrador mix named Abby is her pride and joy. She enjoys music, theater arts and trying new restaurants with her significant other. She is so excited to be in a field that extends compassion to all God’s creatures and cannot wait to get to know the amazing clients and patients that cross paths with PACRC.

Jenny grew up in a very small rural town and knew she wanted to work with animals at a very young age. She has been in the veterinary field going on 12 years. She has worked with small and large animals and sometimes even raccoons and baby bobcats. Jenny has experience in surgery, emergency, and general practice. She has always had an interest in specialty medicine. In her free time, she enjoys watching her son play baseball, she loves to BBQ and spend time with family and friends. She has one dog (Tatum) and 2 cats (Baso and Bevo) and a lot of niece and nephew furry pets. The best part of this profession is getting to interact with the clients and help their babies in their time of need.

Alexandra (Alex) has had 6 years of experience as a Veterinary Technician in general practice. She is from Pasadena, Texas, and is a proud graduate from the University of Houston. Her love for dogs and cats has driven her career in oncology at PACRC. She has three dogs and a cat of her own, which she loves deeply. Her fur babies include a German Shepherd named Gracie, a Belgian Malinois named Leia, a Mixed breed pup named Barry, and a calico cat named Sammy. She is a devoted and loving mother and wife. Her family is her motivation to keep growing in knowledge. She wants to help care for animals in need every day. Her hobbies are reading, exercising, painting, and cooking. She enjoys all things Disney, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and The Office!

Jamie is originally from the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, and began her career in the veterinary field in 2002. With a strong background in general practice as well as emergency and critical care medicine, she brings a well-rounded and experienced approach to patient care. Her professional interests include working with small companion animals, exotics, and Spanish goats, reflecting both her versatility and passion for caring for a wide range of species. Outside of work, Jamie enjoys spending quality time with her family and with her three cats—Alfred, Gus, and Murphy. She is deeply committed to providing the highest level of care, compassion, and respect to every patient and to supporting the families who entrust their pets to her care.

Aaliyah has six years of experience working in general practice as a Veterinary Technician. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from West Texas A&M University and has always had a deep love for animals, ever since she was a little girl. Her passion for veterinary medicine continues to grow as she pursues her goal of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). At home, she enjoys the company of her beloved tuxedo cat, Tini (short for Martini). In her free time, she likes to stay active by going to the gym. She is excited to be part of the team here, where she looks forward to providing compassionate care to every patient.

Sarah recently relocated to Texas from Bucksport, Maine, where she lived for 4.5 years, after spending 10 years in Colorado. She is currently completing an Associate of Applied Science degree through Ashworth College and is about to graduate. Sarah has known from a young age that she wanted to work with animals and has remained dedicated to that goal throughout her career. At home, she shares life with her Staffordshire Terrier, Thor, and a full house of cats—Bones, Zoey, Splat, and Nimbus. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys collecting houseplants, gaming with her kids, beach walks, and trying new restaurants with her husband. Looking ahead, Sarah hopes to continue growing professionally by expanding her knowledge and skill set while also working toward earning her scuba certification.

Allie was born and raised in Reno, Nevada, and moved to Magnolia, Texas, with her family when she was 16 years old. She realized her love for taking care of animals while working as a kennel technician at a pet store. When she obtained her Associate of Science degree at Lone Star College, she decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Allie hopes to learn as much as she can to give the best care and comfort to those in need. She is now on the road to becoming a licensed veterinary technician (LVT) and continues to live in Magnolia with her husband and 2 dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, going on road trips, and being out on the lake.

Michele recently joined ACRC bringing an impressive 36 years of veterinary experience in general practice, hospital management, and client service.

While oncology is a new chapter for Michele, she says, “Oncology chose me.” She has quickly become inspired by the level of care at ACRC and is excited to continue learning and growing in veterinary medicine.

She loves understanding how medications work within the body and using that knowledge to help an animal heal—but just as importantly, she treasures the moment a patient begins to trust her and the joy on a family’s face when their pet can go home.

Her approach to patient and client care centers on kindness and compassion. Michele understands that both patients and their families may be frightened or uncertain, and she strives to provide patience, reassurance, and comfort every step of the way.

Outside of work, Michele enjoys the beach, crafting, and spending time with family and friends. Known by former coworkers as “the cat whisperer,” she shares her home with her dog, Peia, and three cats—Ringo, Gemma, and Maus.

Derik has been in the veterinary field for 18 years. He graduated from the Veterinary Tech Institute in 2012 with his Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Veterinary Technology and then obtained his LVT shortly afterward. He has been in the emergency and critical care field from the start of his career and has loved it ever since. He truly enjoys learning the new and expanding knowledge that this field has to offer.

At home, he has a dog named Trigger and a cat named Little D. In his spare time, he loves to spend time with his son Rylie, playing video games and teaching him how to draw. He enjoys learning new things, drawing, carpentry, as well as going to the skatepark when he has free time.

Kirstin has dedicated the past seven years to the veterinary field, with the majority of her experience rooted in fast-paced emergency veterinary medicine. Her passion for veterinary care continues to grow as she works toward becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), with the long-term goal of earning her Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) certification. Kirstin is known for her calm demeanor under pressure, strong clinical skills, and commitment to patient care. Outside of work, she treasures quality time with her children and enjoys spending time outdoors—whether it’s hiking, camping, or simply soaking up the sunshine. Her drive to continuously learn and her deep compassion for animals make her a valued member of the veterinary team.

Ruben recently joined the Animal Cancer & Referral Center team as an Overnight ICU Technician, bringing a diverse veterinary background that includes avian and exotic medicine, internal medicine, emergency care, and ICU experience. Always eager to expand his knowledge, Ruben was drawn to oncology as an opportunity to learn a new area of veterinary medicine while continuing to grow his clinical skills.

Compassion is at the heart of Ruben’s approach to patient and client care. He finds it especially rewarding to help patients heal, ease their discomfort, and support their families through difficult moments. For Ruben, one of the best parts of veterinary medicine is seeing a patient recover and return home to the people who love them. One particularly memorable experience was helping care for a police K9 who survived an attack—an outcome that made every challenge along the way worthwhile.

He values being part of a strong team, learning new skills, and knowing that his work can make a meaningful difference.

Outside of work, Ruben enjoys traveling, fitness, spending time with family. He has a freshwater Phantom Pleco named Caesar.

Stephanie joins the team as part of our Overnight ICU, bringing decades of experience in veterinary medicine and a strong background in emergency and specialty patient care.

Stephanie spent 28 years working in primary veterinary practice in Katy before taking a three-year detour into residential real estate. Her passion for veterinary medicine ultimately brought her back to patient care, and for the past six years she has worked in emergency and specialty medicine, primarily caring for hospitalized patients overnight.

Stephanie’s approach to veterinary medicine is simple: the patient comes first. She is a dedicated advocate for the animals in her care and isn’t afraid to speak up when they need something—she even jokes that she has been known to “stomp her feet” when advocating for her patients.

Her extensive experience, commitment to hospitalized patients, and willingness to advocate for their needs make Stephanie a wonderful addition to our overnight team.

Princess brings extensive veterinary experience to ACRC’s ICU team, including four years in emergency medicine, four years in internal medicine and neurology, three years in surgery, and three years in medical oncology. She was drawn to oncology by the opportunity to comfort and support patients and their families through challenging times. Her approach to care is rooted in love, compassion, and kindness.

Outside of work, Princess enjoys fishing, camping, and spending time with her new niece. She shares her home with Lilu, a 13-year-old Chihuahua; Pickle, a 4-year-old Scottish Terrier; and Gandalf, a 2-year-old Sphynx.

Jen is originally from Ohio, but Houston has been her home for over 20 years. She graduated from Lonestar College – Tomball in 2006 with an AAS in Veterinary Technology and obtained her LVT license that same year. Her special interest is in surgery and anesthesia. Jen shares her home with a Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix named Piper and another Pomeranian named Aspen. She also has three cats – Eclipse, Dexter and Bootstrap Bill. Her hobbies include playing video games, watching hockey, cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes football team, and attending car meets with her fabulous 2002 Camaro Z28. She also loves to collect vintage Coca-Cola.

Prima has been in Veterinary medicine for 16 years. For the past 7 years, she worked primarily in Anesthesia and Surgery Departments at several specialty hospitals. She truly enjoys this field of veterinary medicine and loves how rewarding the work is. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, gardening, and playing videogames with her son.

Catherine is an LVT (Licensed Veterinary Technician) who graduated from Lone Star College with her AAS in Veterinary Technology. She has worked in the field of Veterinary Medicine for 6 years and has experience in both specialty and general practice. She has always had a special interest in surgery, anesthesia, and specialty medicine. Catherine and her husband Jordan have a chocolate English Lab who loves hunting named Bear, two shepherd mix rescues Faye and Auggie, and a cat named Scout. In her free time, Catherine enjoys working on remodeling projects with her husband, going on outdoor adventures, gardening, and a good book.

Dzidzielia’s love for animals began at a very young age. She’s owned a variety of animals including dogs, parakeets, guinea pigs and a chameleon. Now she has a sassy pitbull named Bubbles. Her experience in the animal field started at a doggy daycare, then onto general practice. Dzidzielia earned her Associates of Science degree at Lone Star College and is currently studying to become a licensed veterinary technician (LVT). Her hobbies include playing video games, painting, reading, spending time with family/friends and going to concerts with her fiance.

Mariah is originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, and has been working in the veterinary field since 2015. She began her career as a Client Service Representative before discovering her passion for patient care and transitioning into veterinary technician roles in emergency medicine in 2020. In 2023, she advanced into ICU/Critical Care, where she continues to enjoy caring for critically ill patients.

Outside of work, Mariah enjoys spending time outdoors with her son, reading, working out, and trying new restaurants. She shares her home with one dog, Remus, and two cats, Dobby and Sybil. She hopes to return to school to earn her veterinary technician license and continue growing her career in veterinary medicine.

Victoria has worked in the animal industry since 2008.  Her love of animals began a journey of working for grooming salons, doggie daycares, and shelters.  She has also enjoyed pet sitting with her favorite patients.  She spent 8 years working at a General Practice.   Her four-legged family includes 2 Shepherds that she rescued from the streets of Houston. She loves to travel with her fur babies Onyx and Zeus. 

She comes from a foodie family that enjoys cooking and watching football, UFC, and basketball.

Jose began his journey in the pet industry as a bather in a grooming shop. His love for pets grew, and he knew there was so much more to learn. He continued his journey working in boarding, daycare, and training facilities until he transferred to a Veterinary Assistant role at a general practice. This is when he realized he enjoyed learning about vet medicine. The change to this field fueled the desire to help animals more and continue to grow. He decided to join Oncology because of the fulfillment that comes with helping pets and their owners.

He now lives in Pearland with his wife and their many pets, three dogs named Blake, Sally and Little Bit, and two cats named Bernie and Lucy. He enjoys going to Houston Texans games and cheering for any home team. 

Macy recently joined the Animal Cancer & Referral Center as a Veterinary Assistant after beginning with Noble Pet Center. She has worked in veterinary medicine since 2022, starting as a kennel technician at The Lodge Luxury Boarding before advancing to lead kennel technician. In 2024, she transitioned into a veterinary assistant role at Animal Hospital of Montgomery, where she continued developing her patient-care skills.

One of the most rewarding parts of Macy’s work is earning the trust of anxious patients. She loves learning how to accommodate each pet’s individual needs and seeing a once-nervous patient return excited to visit the team.

Outside of work, Macy enjoys reading, trying new recipes, spending time with her family, and relaxing at home with her cats, Chicken Noodle and Macaroni. Her fun fact is that she was not much of a cat person before entering veterinary medicine—but she now proudly considers herself a “crazy cat lady.”

Crystal knew from a very young age that she wanted to work with animals. Her love and fascination with all animals made veterinary medicine a perfect fit. She decided to jump into the Veterinary field at a general practice clinic. There she was a kennel assistant for two years.

She shares her home with two dogs, Bear – a German Shepherd, a Dachshund mix that is 7 years old, and Panther – a German Shepherd, a Lab mix that is 3 years old. Crystal and her husband are big-time foodies. They love to try new local restaurants. They have also just started to enjoy hiking when traveling. You can also find Crystal playing video games, baking, and watching her favorite Texans and Astros play!

Kirstyn was born and raised in Conroe, Texas, and has always shared a special bond with animals. Growing up in a household with more than fifteen dogs, she discovered her passion for animal care early on and knew she wanted to turn that love into a career. Kirstyn worked as the Lead Kennel Technician at a dog rescue, where she gained valuable hands-on experience in animal health, behavior, and day-to-day care. That role deepened her commitment to animal welfare and inspired her to continue learning more about veterinary medicine. She is now studying to become a Veterinary Technician through Penn Foster.

At home, Kirstyn shares her life with two beloved dogs: Darcy, a spirited miniature Dachshund, and Dixie, a laid-back Terrier mix. She is excited to continue growing her skills in veterinary care and is committed to helping every pet she meets live a happy, healthy life. When she’s not at the clinic, Kirstyn enjoys spending time with her own dogs and family, exploring the outdoors, and photography.

Matthew is a native Houstonian whose passion for animal care began at a young age. At just 16, he started his journey in veterinary medicine through a high school internship at a general practice, where he gained hands-on experience administering vaccines, collecting samples, and running lab work. Since then, his curiosity and dedication to helping animals have continued to grow. Matthew enjoys expanding his knowledge in veterinary medicine, particularly in virology and imaging, and is excited to explore the field of oncology—learning how specialized treatments can improve and extend the lives of pets.

Outside of the clinic, Matthew loves spending time outdoors camping, hiking and cherishing time with his family. At home, he’s kept company by his two cats, Gavin and Goose, who never fail to make life a little more entertaining.

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Noah has spent the last five years dedicated to professional animal care, with hands-on experience in grooming, boarding, and training. A lifelong animal lover, Noah has shared a home with pets of all kinds and is currently accompanied by a charming Russian Blue cat. Outside the clinic, Noah can often be found hiking local trails, diving into a good book, or unwinding with games. He is also a black belt in Taekwondo, a discipline that has shaped his focus, patience, and commitment-qualities he brings into every aspect of his work.

Passionate, compassionate, and committed to quality care, Noah brings dependable expertise and a genuine love for animals to this team.

Valerie brings nearly a decade of experience in veterinary medicine to the Animal Cancer & Referral Center. After beginning her career in animal shelter medicine and kennel care, she worked her way up through hands-on training and earned her Veterinary Assistant Certification in 2020.

Valerie joined oncology to expand her knowledge and explore a specialty she finds both challenging and rewarding. She is passionate about client education, compassionate patient care, and helping families navigate difficult medical decisions with empathy and understanding.

Outside of work, Valerie enjoys spending time with her dog, Lolly, and her two cats, Theo and Anastasia. A fun fact about Valerie: she spent three weeks volunteering at an elephant rehabilitation center in Thailand and has a special fondness for goats.

Liz recently joined the Animal Cancer & Referral Center as a Veterinary Assistant, bringing a strong background in general practice and a passion for compassionate patient care. She completed Veterinary Technician Institute in 2023. She also has leadership roles in customer service. Although she is new to veterinary oncology, Liz has cared for patients receiving difficult diagnoses and understands the importance of supporting families through challenging moments. She chose oncology because she wants to help pet owners navigate one of the most emotional journeys they may face while ensuring every patient is as comfortable as possible. Liz believes empathy is the foundation of exceptional client care.  Her goal is to create an environment where clients feel comfortable asking questions, understand their pet’s care, and know they have a team walking beside them every step of the way.

Outside of work, Liz enjoys cooking, baking, discovering new restaurants, and considers herself a true foodie. At home, Liz shares her life with Alfie, her Terrier/Dachshund mix, who keeps her smiling every day.

Alyssa is a dedicated Veterinary Assistant with four years of experience in general practice, where her primary focus was surgery and anesthesia. Looking to expand her skills and take on a new challenge, she transitioned into specialty veterinary medicine and was drawn to oncology because of its interesting and rewarding field of care.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Alyssa attended Penn State before moving to Virginia after college and eventually making her way to Houston in 2025. Outside of work, she enjoys running, reading, baking, and spending time with her family. She is also a proud pet parent to two Bull Terriers, Chico and Astrid—making the Bull Terrier her favorite breed!

Gabriela joined Animal Cancer & Referral Center with a passion for helping both people and animals. She holds an Associate of Arts degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences with a concentration in Psychology and brings experience in customer service and healthcare, including roles as a front desk coordinator and medical assistant in an orthopedic specialty practice.

As a member of the ACRC team, Gabriela takes pride in creating a clean, peaceful, and welcoming environment for patients, clients, and staff. She is passionate about making a positive difference for families and their pets during every visit.

Outside of work, Gabriela enjoys spending time outdoors, exercising, and running with her dogs. She shares her home with several beloved dogs and two cats, Pochita and Spooka. Her compassion for animals is reflected in everything she does.

Ana brings more than 25 years of experience in animal welfare with 17 years in veterinary medicine, including eight years with the Houston SPCA. Throughout her career, she has remained passionate about strengthening the connection between pets, their families, and the veterinary teams caring for them.

As the Client Experience and Outreach Manager, Ana supports client communication, community outreach, educational events, social media, and practice initiatives designed to make every family feel informed, welcomed, and supported. She is especially passionate about creating thoughtful resources and meaningful experiences for families navigating a cancer diagnosis.

Ana has fostered more than 300 kittens and proudly embraces her title of “crazy cat lady.” She shares her home with three dogs—Benny, Indie, and Canie—three cats—Joey, Ty, and Little Bit—and a very big Moluccan cockatoo named Ladybug. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, exploring the city, and spending time with her many furred and feathered family members.

Cayla started her career in Veterinary Medicine 6 years ago at an emergency vet / general practice hospital in Austin Texas. Cayla has just started in the oncology/ specialty side of veterinary medicine and is excited to learn more information to help clients and patients in any way that she can. She has two pets at home, a crazy calico cat named Kitter and a sweet, super lazy Lab/Great Dane mix named William.

In her free time Cayla likes to paint, go to music festivals, and generally be outside doing activities like camping, boating, and paddleboarding.

Tiffany started her career in Veterinary Medicine at a general practice in 2008. After 6 years, she decided to move on to specialty medicine. In July of 2014, Tiffany became a part of North Houston Veterinary Specialists, which would later become Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners. She ran the Emergency/Surgery/Internal Medicine front desk of the hospital. Two years later she moved over to become the Oncology receptionist. 

She enjoys spending time with family, including her sweet Pit Bull named Benjamin Buttons and other family dogs. She also enjoys spending time with her 2 horses, 2 donkeys, 4 goats, and many ducks, geese, and chickens. She enjoys watching baseball, football, and hockey.

Cecilia earned her Associate of Applied Science degree from the Vet Tech Institute of Houston before starting her career in veterinary medicine. With over five years of experience as a Veterinary Technician in general practice, Cecilia transitioned into the Client Service Representative role to bring her knowledge and passion for animal care to the front lines. Now working in a specialty setting, she is dedicated to providing compassionate support to pets and their families, ensuring they receive the highest level of care. Outside of work, Cecilia enjoys spending time with her four dogs, three cats, and indulging in her hobbies of reading and drawing.

Elan brings 18 years of experience in the pet care and kennel industry to her role as a Client Service Representative. She began her career cleaning kennels and feeding animals and worked her way to the front desk, where she gained extensive experience assisting clients, managing reservations, and handling multiple phone lines.

Elan was drawn to oncology because she wants to be there for both pets and their families during an especially sensitive time. She is excited to expand her knowledge and experience a new side of veterinary care. For Elan, one of the most rewarding parts of working with animals is the relationships she builds along the way.

Outside of work, Elan enjoys experimenting with food and spending time with her daughter. She is also a proud pet parent to Piper, her 14-year-old Chiweenie.

Taylor recently joined Animal Cancer & Referral Center as a Client Service Representative, bringing nearly a decade of veterinary experience. Since beginning her career in 2016, she has worked in veterinary assisting, grooming, technician support, and leadership roles in both general and specialty practice.

Although new to oncology, Taylor was drawn to the specialty because of the hope, options, and meaningful time it can give families with their beloved pets. She approaches every client with warmth, compassion, and genuine empathy, striving to make an often-overwhelming experience feel a little more comfortable.

One of Taylor’s most meaningful experiences was supporting an elderly client through the loss of her Maltese to cancer. The client’s gratitude reminded Taylor that even small acts of kindness can leave a lasting impact.

Outside of work, Taylor enjoys spending time with her son, reading, and playing video games with her husband and friends. She also shares her home with several dogs and cats.