Starla Clark - Starla came to the clinic in 1976 as a kennel attendant for the clinic's original owner, Dr. Lien. She graduated from Pierce College as a Veterinary Technician. After over 30 years at the clinic, she has filled almost every role except doctor. Today she is the head receptionist, a licensed veterinary technician, and our office manager. She simply does it all and does it all well. She has two adult children and a beloved pot bellied pig named Edward. On her days off she enjoys spending time with her grandson, Austin. Starla has the dubious distinction of having more pets than any other staff member – 4 dogs, 2 horses, 2 potbellied pigs, 2 turtles, a flock of chickens, some ancient Newts, and Koi carp.

Renee Astor-Parker - Renee was a long-time client at the clinic before joining our staff as a receptionist. She brings to the position many years experience working in customer service positions. On her days off, Renee helps with childcare for her nephew and enjoys gardening, sewing, reading, and walking. She shares her home with her husband and two Bassett Hounds, Dudley and Sam.

Lorena Heesen - Lorena recently retired from a career in Interior Design to pursue her passion of working with animals. She grew up with critters as playmates, including hamsters, ducks, rabbits, turtles and a mockingbird. At the age of 39, she realized her dream of owning a farm in Idaho where she cared for 2 horses, 7 goats, 3 miniature donkeys, 4 dogs and numerous cats. She is now married and living in West Seattle with her standard Parti-Poodle Oreo, toy Poodle-Pom Penne La Roo, two bantam chickens, Lily and Pansy, and her 24-year-old long-toed salamander Cody. She also enjoys camping, art, reading, birdhouses and bowling.

Daphney Newtson - Daphney began her employment as a “kennel kid” at Lien Animal Clinic back in 1989 for Dr. Larry King. After moving about the country as a military wife to such places as Hawaii, New York, Monterey and West Point, she has returned to Lien as one of our receptionists. Her life includes 2 teenage children, a hamster and a beta fish. She maintains a soft spot for Siberian Huskies and has owned three of her own. She continues to love travel and her current home at Alki Beach.

Logan Arnold - Logan joined the clinic shortly after moving to Washington in the snowy winter of 2008. He has always lived with and around animals and has two wonderful cats, Misha and Fern, to bring more joy to city and apartment life. In his off hours he can be found playing music around Seattle, tending to his 4th story veggie garden, kayaking throughout the sound or adding another story onto his ever-expanding cat tower.

Cheryl Kurtz - Cheryl came to the clinic as a temp and decided to stay! Having previously worked in another area veterinary clinic, she felt at home quickly at Lien. She lives here in West Seattle to be close to her son, daughter-in-law, and new granddaughter. She loves the “island” life of our community, enjoys cooking, quilting, dancing on weekends, and has found a church home at West Side Presbyterian. After 3 moves in as many years, she is done, done, done moving and intends to make West Seattle her permanent home… for now.

Sarah Nason - Sarah began her career at the clinic as a volunteer while still in high school. She joined the staff in 2000 and has advanced to her current position as Lead Veterinary Technician. She calls herself a sucker for senior kitties and is a strong advocate for patients in her care. Sarah has an infectious laugh and often makes her co-workers smile. She has two dogs, Dingo and Biscuit, two cats, Weaver and Kitters and two goldfish, Dorothy and Blanche. In her spare time, she enjoys playing the violin, snowboarding and going to concerts. Sarah would like to remind everyone to listen to Bob Barker, who tells us to “Spay and neuter your pets.”

Gwen Francisco - Gwen joined our staff in the fall of 2005. She enjoyed a long career as a broadcast and print journalist before pursuing a lifelong dream to work in veterinary medicine. Gwen recently completed a degree in Veterinary Technology and is now a licensed veterinary technician. She considers it an incredible privilege to provide loving care for all animals. She lives in West Seattle with her husband and son, the family dogs, Ginger, Molly, Thalia, and Max, and their cat, Joey. In her spare time, she loves to read, write and design container gardens.

Cassandra Gephart - Cassandra joined the clinic staff in 2009. She was recently licensed as a technician, after graduating from the Veterinary Technician program at Pima Medical Institute. She has known since childhood that she wanted to work with animals and began fulfilling her dream by working at no-kill shelters. Along with caring for her two dogs, Sassy and Toby, she has a guinea pig, Finley and a spotted goldfish named Ink. She enjoys listening to music, reading and sewing unique dog and cat toys. When not working at the clinic, she can be found at Pet Elements in West Seattle.

Jen Martin - Our other Wisconsin transplant, Jen has been a veterinary technician for over 7 years. She enjoys life with her amazing Pug, Onyx, and fabulous French Bulldog, Bella. We are so lucky to have Jen as part of our hospital staff where she amazes us all with her energy, good nature and amazing talents. In her free time she enjoys running and has began participating in triathlons.

Anthony Aldred - Anthony, one of our newest veterinary technicians, is among the calmest of all our staff. Known for his gentleness with all varieties of animals, he is currently studying to become an animal behaviorist. Amongst his hidden talents is a bachelor’s degree in International Business and the ability to speak fluent Japanese. When not working at Lien, he enjoys playing the guitar, running and spending time with his wife, Chizuru and Australian Shepherd, Dez.

John Widner - John loves spending time with all creatures of all sizes. He joined our staff as a kennel attendant in 2004 and currently works full time as an assistant. John enjoys learning and actively seeks out new information and knowledge about veterinary medicine. He grew up in Montana around animals. John lives with a guinea pig named Oscar. He is an amateur paleontologist, and likes to read in his spare time.

Sydney Shelton - Sydney has been with the clinic since 2003, and has filled a variety of roles. She spent time in Kenya as part of a community service program, but her most recent accomplishment is being mom to her son Austin. Sydney loves animals, and currently cares for 2 dogs and 2 cats, Olive, Missy, Mr. Purr and Ginnie.

Erin Sanborn - Erin began working at the clinic in 2007 as a veterinary assistant. When asked what things Erin likes, she quickly replied FOOD! She apparently has eaten whole cakes on her own. Erin also enjoys Anime, reading, playing video games and is even a Dance Dance Revolution champion. In her free time she can be found rollerblading at Alki or Myrtle Edwards Park. Erin lives with a cat by the name of Blackbeard who is quite the snuggler and enjoys having his teeth brushed!

Heather Aquino - Heather also joined our staff after volunteering at the clinic on weekends. She graduated in 1997 with a degree in Graphic Arts but her obsession with all things feline lead her to make a career change to veterinary medicine. She brought with her abundant positive energy and great communication skills. She has two young children, who have been occupying most of her time. When not spending time with her kids, Heather enjoys swimming, hiking, mountain biking with her husband Art, and spending time with her two cats, Tuesday and Small and her turtle, Pickle.

Hilari Woo-Lundquist - Hilari graduated from West Seattle High School in 2005. She is currently a college student. She lives with two dogs (Missy and Pochacco) and three cats (Tiger, Fluffy and Snickers). She likes to visit Palm Springs in the summer and snowboard in the winter, and read and write anytime.

Ashley Kelly - Ashley has been with the clinic since 2006. She graduated in 2005 from West Seattle High School, and she currently is attending South Seattle Community College. She has four pets; a dachshund, Zeus, two cats, Milo and Dylan, and a lizard named Lizzy. Ashley loves working with animals and hopes one day to do it as a profession. When she's not at the clinic or at school, you can find her working at her other job, Spuds on Alki.

Krystal Moulton - Krystal joined the clinic team in August 2006, working as a kennel attendant and exam room assistant. She graduated from Chief Sealth High School in West Seattle in 2008 and will attend college this fall. Krystal enjoys spending time at Alki Beach, playing football and eating pineapple. She is learning to play the electric guitar, drums, piano and also and sings after church. Currently attending South Seattle Community College, she hopes to eventually transfer to Pierce Technical to become a veterinary technician.

Diane Bourdeau - Diane is very happy to be working at the clinic again after a several year hiatus. She assists Dr. Fritzler with special projects and fills in as receptionist and veterinary assistant. Diane has worked as a pet sitter and as a medical office manager. She lives in West Seattle with her cat Walnut. She enjoys hiking in West Seattle’s wonderful parks, gardening, reading, taking classes and staying in touch with family and friends.

Kelly Brown - Kelly is the first one to greet all the animals in the morning when she arrives at the crack of dawn to begin the morning kennel work. She initially volunteered at the clinic while in high school and then worked for a while with a local groomer. Kelley joined our staff in 2001. Kelly is a motivated caretaker and works very hard to start our days off right. She enjoys going to movies and spending time with her 3 dogs and 2 cats.

Max Supler - As a Kennel Attendant, Max works hard to care for the animals and keep the clinic clean. He attends The Center School (near the Seattle Center), where he studies film and is the co-captain of The Center School Improv Team. Max loves playing guitar, both solo and with his friends. He plans to attend Washington State University where he will study veterinary medicine. He has two cats, Daemon and Tricolori and a dog, Mini.

Kyle Krashan - Kyle is one of our afternoon and weekend kennel attendants. During the day, Kyle attends high school in West Seattle. Kyle’s family shares their home with Irving the bunny and Scarlett & Melie the ferrets. Kyle loves movies and movie history and hopes to someday work in films or as a film historian.

Christine Murphy - Christine is our newest kennel attendant who feeds, walks, cleans up after, and plays with our hospital patients and boarders in the evenings and weekends. During the day, she commutes to Vashon High School from her home in West Seattle. She hopes to become either a veterinarian or a pediatric nurse in the future. Her hobbies include soccer and swimming. Christine’s family shares their home with two dogs, Charlie and Larry.

Verna Lumbert - Verna continues to be a mother to all of us here at Lien Animal Clinic. She offers amazing comfort, great goodies, can sew anything we need, and keeps our hospital neat and tidy. Verna is here early in the morning to be sure we are off to a good start. She welcomes each of us as we enter making it feel like we are coming home to a warm house.

Kelsey Musselman - Kelsey began working at the clinic as a kennel attendant during high school. Currently she is attending college while cleaning each evening to make sure the clinic is spic n’ span. In her spare time, Kelsey enjoys playing the drums at her church. Kelsey shares her home with her young dachshund Trixie.