Our Practice & Core Values
Over the years, the primary message we hear from our clients is, “We want the best quality of life, not quantity.”
Our focus is to ensure that the best quality of life is maintained for as long as possible through the remainder of your dog or cat’s life. Our expertise, compassion and knowledge keeps the patient’s experience at the forefront of our diagnostics and treatment plans.
Your pet’s treatment plan may include multiple specialities, including medical oncologist, surgeon, and radiation oncologist. Our entire team collaborates with you, the pet owner, and you primary care veterinarian to provide a personalized approach to achieving the best possible outcome for our patients.
Dr. Melissa Parsons-Doherty, DVM, DACVIM ( Oncology)
Dr. Parsons-Doherty has been a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine since 2013. She is Canadian and received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island , Canada. She completed a Rotating Internship in Medicine and Surgery in New Jersey at Garden State Veterinary Specialists, and a Medical Oncology Internship at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. She completed a Residency in Medical Oncology at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
After completing her training in the United States, she returned to Canada to the Ontario Veterinary College where she worked and taught at the Animal Cancer Center before being drawn back to the heat of the south. She has made her home in Houston with her husband, two German Shepherds and five cats. She recently took the leap to establish the first Veterinary Speciality hospital in the Houston area dedicated to the care of dogs and cats with cancer, and is excited to welcome you at the Pearland location.
Dr. Elaine Caplan, DVM, DACVS, DABVP, CVA, CVC, CCRT
ACVM Founding Fellow, Surgical Oncology
Dr. Caplan earned her BA in Biology at the University of Texas at Austin. She then received her BS in Veterinary Science and Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Texas A and M University. She completed an internship and residency at the Animal Medical Center in NYC. Dr. Caplan completed Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and Certification in Veterinary Chiropractic from the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. Dr Caplan became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. She was a surgical instructor at Iowa State University College of Veterinary medicine and completed a 2-year Surgical Oncology fellowship at University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Cancer Care Clinic.
She is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist. Dr. Caplan founded Capital Area Veterinary Specialists in Austin Texas. She was on the Board of Trustees of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and Executive Board of the Veterinary Cancer Society. Dr. Caplan was an author of book chapters in a variety of Veterinary Textbooks. Her special interests include oncologic surgery, reconstruction, general and orthopedic surgery, pain management, and integrative therapies. She loves water sports, traveling, and spending time with family, friends and pets.
Jeremy Kinn, Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Jeremy obtained his RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer) in 2012 after graduating from Bellevue College and has been performing skilled veterinary ultrasounds ever since. He became an independent contractor in 2018 and provided mobile ultrasound services to clinics within the pacific northwest. Post-2020, Jeremy realized that Houston is home and has returned. His goal is to provide friendly, accurate, and compassionate ultrasound services.
What can my Oncology Technician assist me with?
Our oncology technicians are the staff members that assist and care for your pet while here. They administer chemotherapy and assist with your pets over all care. This includes filling medication, aspirates alongside Dr. Parson-Doherty, assisting in procedures/surgeries and running lab work and anesthesia. With the continued education provided, our staff stays current on practice techniques to provide the best care for our patients.
Melissa Carter, Team Lead, Oncology Technician
Melissa has an Associates of Applied Science, EMT Certification, and is currently working on finishing her LVT licensing. Melissa has been working in Veterinary Medicine for over 18 years. Some of her interests include Internal Medicine, Oncology, Sonography, Critical Care and Emergency Medicine. Melissa is a mother and has an Australian Shepherd named Bailey, 3 horses and a cat named Snowflake. In her free time, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family, riding horses and spending time outdoors.
Cristina Martinez, Oncology Technician
Cristina is a Houston native with 2 Bull Terriers, Corazon and Beluga. 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.
Crystal Lyles, Oncology Technician
Crystal joined our team here at Pearland Animal Cancer and Referral Center in June of 2022. Crystal has an Associate of Science Degree in Veterinary Medicine and has been a Veterinary Technician since 2006. She is currently working to further her career in Ultrasonography. Her interests include Internal Medicine, Ultrasonography, and Large Animal Medicine. Crystal is a mother to 4 beautiful children, 5 dogs, and 3 horses. In her spare time, Crystal enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, and taking care of her horses.
Taylor Pierpoline, Oncology Technician
Taylor has been in the veterinary field for over 6 years. She has experience in General Practice, Oncology, and Integrative Oncology. Taylor has her associate’s degree in Applied Sciences and is working towards her LVT. She has rescued a golden retriever named Kyla. On her time off, she enjoys cooking, baking, playing board games, and spending time with friends and family. Oncology is her passion. Being able to form bonds with people and help their pets, is one of her favorite things about her job.
LaNay Vela, Oncology Technician
LaNay has been working in the Veterinary field for 30 years. She devoted 18 years to Veterinary Dermatology. She also has experience in Veterinary Emergency, Internal Medicine, ICU, Oncology, and General Practice. Because she enjoys Specialty Medicine so much, she has dedicated most of her career and passion to it. In her free time, LaNay loves spending time cooking with her husband. She shares her home with her 5 dogs, 1 cat, two birds, and 3 aquariums.
Victoria Camacho, Oncology Assistant
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 Amora and Zeus. She comes from a foodie family that enjoys cooking and watching football, UFC, and basketball.
Addy Todd, Oncology Assistant
Addy was raised in East Texas and moved to the Pearland area 4 years ago. Her love of animals grew when she started working as a horse trainer and barn hand. She then joined a large animal clinic as a Veterinary Technician. Her skills led her to join our team 1 year ago. Addy has 2 dogs, an Australian Shepherd named Chica and a Black Mouth Cur named Luna. She also has a cat and 2 horses. One of her favorite hobbies is baking for her loved ones.
What can our Client Service Coordinator offer you?
Our client service coordinator is your “go-to person” for scheduling, payments, and any questions you may have. She is our front desk staff here at PACRC who is happy to assist you in any way possible. Have questions? Don’t hesitate to ask! She has the knowledge to be able to answer any questions you may have with the help of our Oncologist Dr. Parsons-Doherty.
Anamaria Perez, Client Service Coordinator
Ana has over 18 years of experience in animal welfare. She has worked in Veterinary Medicine for 11 years and was previously at the Houston SPCA for 8 years. She has fostered over 300 kittens and is proud to say she is a crazy cat lady. She shares her home with many fur and feathered babies, 3 dogs (Benny, Indie, and Canie), 4 cats (Joey, Ty, Ou Mé and Isabela) and a very big Moluccan Cockatoo named Ladybug. In her free time, she likes to travel and explore the trails in and around the city.
Tiffany Blackburn, Client Service Coordinator
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 Golden Retriever mix named Travis and other family four-legged 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.