Johana Beresky - Johana joined Lien Animal Clinic as the Practice Manager in March of 2011. After living in South America, Florida, New York, and California she finally decided to call the Pacific Northwest her permanent home. In her spare time she volunteers for the Cornell Club of Western Washington and the Mercer Island Preschool Association. She has one grey tabby cat, creatively named Kitty.

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.

Laura Gibbons - After completing PIMA's Veterinary Assistant Program and an externship at our clinic, Laura began working at Lien Animal in March of 2011.

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 Pitzen, LVT - 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, LVT - 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, LVT - 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, LVT - 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.

Amy Grayhek, LVT - Amy grew up in Eastern Washington, spent the last 10 years traveling and living abroad before settling in Seattle. She attended PMI and graduated in 2010 from the veterinary technician program. Loves outdoor sports but mostly skiing, hiking, and camping. She lives in North Seattle with her three legged cat Tres.

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!

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.

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.

Andrea Taskey - Bio Coming Soon!

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.

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.

Geoffrey Kraabel - As you probably guessed from his name and family resemblance, Geoffrey is Dr. Kraabel and Dr. Fritzler’s oldest son. Geoffrey began working at the clinic as a kennel attendant during 2010. Having spent a considerable amount of his childhood around the clinic and with a wide variety of pets at home, Geoffrey is quite comfortable with our patients. When he is not at school or work, Geoffrey enjoys playing soccer and baseball and spending time with his friends.

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.