Doctors

Alexis Higdon, DVM, Owner: Dr. Higdon has been owned and operated by cats for 60 years! A late bloomer, she graduated from Washington State University in 1993, after having been a licensed technician for twelve years. She was awarded WSU’s Small Animal Surgery Award, is a member of the Idaho Veterinary Medical Association and is a past Board Member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners. There is a rumor that she is part cat. Her family of a Chihuahua, three cats at home and three at the hospital continually varies. Opening the practice with Kath’ren Bay, Administrator, is the fulfillment of her lifelong dream.

Kerry Fost, DVM, Sr. Associate: A graduate of Washington State University in 1985, she practiced small animal medicine until 1998 when she decided cats exclusively were for her. She is a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the Idaho Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association. She and her husband, Gary, and daughter, Jill are the proud owners of four cats, four dogs and three horses. Dr. Fost loves focusing on one species – the beloved cat.

Tara Koble, DVM, Associate: Dr. Koble received her Veterinary Technician degree from Pierce College in 1995 and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University in 1995. She was the founder of the WSU Emergency and Critical Care Society in 1997, and was the Morris Animal Foundation WSU representative from 1996-1998. Dr. Koble received the Outstanding Interest and Ability in Feline Medicine Award in 1999 from the American Association of Feline Practitioners. She practiced small animal medicine in Spokane, Washington until joining us in 2001 and is a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners. Dr. Koble has a special interest in geriatric cats and internal medicine. From a young age, she has wanted to work with just cats, and she and her husband have seven of their own at home.

Linda Lobb, DVM: Dr. Lobb joined our team in June 2004 after seventeen years as a veterinarian and senior partner of a feline only clinic in Vancouver, Washington. After so many years, cats continue to amaze and inspire her. She graduated in 1987 from a combined veterinary program with Oregon State University and Washington State University. Dr. Lobb is a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, American Animal Hospital Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. She is a strong proponent of preventative medicine and client education. Dr. Lobb shares her household with three cats, two wonderful young children, her husband and her mother-in-law.

Robin Roller, DVM: Dr. Roller chose us for her senior externship and we were so impressed with her that we snatched her right up after her 2004 graduation from the University of Wisconsin! Her experience at the Cat Hospital of Chicago, and her Special Merit Award for small animal geriatric medicine has fit in well with our team. She values the compassionate, high quality care and the long-term client relationships we foster. In her previous life Dr. Roller was a professional photographer. She lives in the foothills of Boise with her two cats, Ross and Simon.

Rest assured that even though our doctors work as a team, you are never shuffled from one to another without your permission. Consistency is important for you - and for your cat.

Technicians

Rebecca Douglass, CVT, Medical Director: Rebecca sought us out before we opened and was our first hire in 1997. She has ten years experience as a technician, earning her Idaho State Certification in 2001, with five of those years in emergency and critical care. Rebecca has been our hospital manager for two years, and is the founder and current chairwoman for the Treasure Valley chapter of the Idaho State Veterinary Technician Society. Rebecca is a Level II Technician with the Idaho Veterinary Emergency Response Team. She also won the Idaho State Technician of the Year Award from the Idaho Veterinary Medical Association in 2003. Rebecca’s passion for the sport of billiards led her to an Idaho state championship in 2004. She and her daughter Alyssa have two spoiled kitties at home that they adore. She loves working here due to the excellent client service and top modern medicine.

Susan Hamilton, CVT, Sr. Technician: It’s easy to understand why Susan has been in veterinary medicine since 1992 when she says, “Cats are my life and I love working with them and helping them get well.” A 1994 Yuba College Veterinary Technician graduate, she became Idaho State certified in 2001. She has been a part of our team since September of 1998. Two cats keep her company at home where she enjoys reading, crochet, gardening and camping. She’s the proud grandma of a wonderful one-year-old boy.

Reba Fleming, CVT: Reba graduated in 1998 from Columbus State Community College with a degree in Veterinary Technology. She moved to the Northwest in 2004 from Ohio and joined our team in October 2005. She earned her Idaho certification in January 2006. She really enjoys her place here at The Cat Doctor because the people are genuine and truly care about each other and the cats. While most of her human family is still back in Ohio, her pet family at home includes 2 dogs and 4 cats. Reba has been a CVT for 8 years and says she will always work with animals in some capacity.

Haylee Huston, Veterinary Technician: After working in the Title & Escrow Industry for eleven years, Haylee decided she wanted her “job” to be what she loves – animals! Already a client of The Cat Doctor, she says she “knew the outstanding level of care and expertise and wanted to be a part of it”. She is currently a student at BSU, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts. She lives in the Boise Foothills with her partner and their four, fantastic felines. Haylee’s interests include world travel, the great outdoors, food, arts, entertainment, and enjoying family, friends and pets!

Our technicians are members of the National Veterinary Technician Association, the Idaho State Veterinary Technician Association, and are founding members of the Boise chapter.

Our doctors and technicians attend extensive feline continuing education yearly.

Click here to view recent Team Continuing Education

Veterinary Assistants

Chris Buschmann, Veterinary Assistant: With over 20 years of experience working with Police Dogs, we were lucky to find Chris in 2002 just when she was making a career change and wanting to develop her first love – felines! Chris and her fiancé, Bruce, are proud parents of four wonderful cats (all rescued) and a 105 lb. German Shepard adopted from the Department of Corrections. “The Cat Doctor is a Godsend. There is no other place in the world I would work!”

Brenda Johnson, Veterinary Assistant: After five years in veterinary care, Brenda joined us in 2002. She and her husband of 24 years live with rescued greyhounds. She also enjoys cooking and working with greyhound rescue groups to place these wonderful dogs into loving homes. Brenda enjoys working here because, “pets love unconditionally and I’m glad to be able to give these beautiful cats unconditional love and care in return.”

Amy Nordby, Veterinary Assistant: Amy is a Boise native and has always loved every kind of animal. Her dream is to own a ranch someday to be able to have horses. Amy has been with us since November 2004, and loves not only her job, but also the people she works with. She’s been with her husband 14 years and married six years. She enjoys the great outdoors that Idaho has to offer and spending time with family and friends.

Receptionists

Cheyenne Stamp, Client Care Manager: Cheyenne joined our team in June of 2002. She says The Cat Doctor is the perfect fit for her due to "the teamwork and dedication of the staff and the focus on promoting education." She currently is serving as Vice President on the Board of Directors for Northwest Animal Companions. She and her family have opened their home to a variety of foster animals – including pot-bellied pigs!

Jamie Borge, Receptionist: Jamie became a member of our team in April of 2005. Before moving to Boise in 1999, Jamie attended the University of Oregon. She has both dogs and cats at home and says she likes working at The Cat Doctor because of “the positive attitude and knowledgeable staff as well as the pleasant and calming atmosphere of the hospital.” Jamie enjoys singing and traveling in her free time.

Cindy Winterholler, Receptionist: Cindy had been employed in the legal field for 28 years when she decided she needed a challenge, and a change of pace. After moving to Boise to be with her daughter, she saw The Cat Doctor sign and knew she had found not only her cat’s new veterinarian, but her new career, as well! She was drawn immediately to the professional-yet -comfortable management style, the emphasis on teamwork, and exceptional customer service. Her twelve-year-old diabetic kitty loves her doctor, and Cindy loves working in an environment with like-minded individuals, who provide an important service to their clients and the community.

Caretakers

Anne Steiger, Hotel Manager: Anne came to us in 1997 after 6 years in hotel management. She started as a receptionist and now manages our hotel! Anne feels this is the best place for cat care, as “we stay current on everything and the doctors really care.” She and her husband of fourteen years should know - they have a family of fourteen cats, five dogs, one rabbit, six parakeets, twelve finches, and about fifty goldfish and koi in their backyard pond.

Administration

Kath'ren 'Kat' Bay, Administrator: Born a cat lover, her childhood dream was to have a cat farm – not too far from reality. Currently, her family includes three cats, one of whom is FIV positive. She has a son, a daughter, and five grandchildren she adores. Kat is grateful to be in a business “that makes a difference in people’s lives and enriches my own. “ Her extensive background in human resources, marketing, and office management serve us well.

Lory Sansinena, Business Administrator: Prior to joining our team in 1998, Lory worked for three years in a small animal hospital and one year in a mixed practice. She cares for two cats and a house rabbit, and appreciates the “quality of care by all the staff”. Lory enjoys helping animals by volunteering for Northwest Animal Companions. She is an accomplished baker, likes gardening and learning new things.

Team members volunteer their services to PAWS for Life, Just Strays, and Northwest Animal Companions.

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