Our Team
A Team Approach to Care
At CRVS we work in small dedicated teams. A doctor and their team of technicians, assistants and receptionists are a cohesive and dedicated group of trained professionals who have spent many hours training and practicing medicine together. Working in this manner allows us to provide the best care for your pet and your family. You will feel the comfort of coming to a place where ‘we get it’ - your pet is your companion and that relationship is priceless.
CRVS Emergency Clinicians
Our Staff Veterinarians are committed to the study of emergency medicine and keep current on the latest emerging treatments within this specialty. They enjoy the intellectual challenge of managing diverse and complex medical conditions in a constantly changing, fast paced environment. These compassionate and skilled doctors we are able to provide top quality care at a moment’s notice—regardless of the emergency.
Louis Sutton, DVM
Dr. Sutton has been at CRVS since May of 2008. After three years of general practice, he realized that he wanted to focus on helping pets and their people during times of their most urgent need, and so, he decided to enter into emergency medicine. While Dr. Sutton enjoys all aspects of emergency medicine, he is particularly interested in emergency surgery, toxicities, respiratory emergencies, and trauma. What he likes most about being a veterinarian is his constant ability to share in the human-animal bond.
Sharon Young, DVM
Dr. Young completed her undergraduate work and doctorate degree at Purdue University, receiving her DVM in 1987. She completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Kansas State University in 1988. Dr. Young has worked in emergency medicine at Columbia River Veterinary Specialists since 1988. What she likes best about being a veterinarian is the deep satisfaction from making a difference in the lives of her patients. In her free time, Dr. Young enjoys gardening, yoga, tai chi, and hiking.
Kevin Paskowski, DVM
Dr. Paskowski graduated from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary
Medicine in 2000. He was drawn to veterinary medicine because of his love for animals. After graduation, he moved to the Pacific Northwest and practiced general medicine for 1 year. He found it was the diagnostic challenge that comes with working with patients that can't speak for themselves and the fast and dynamic pace of emergency medicine that he enjoyed. He was grateful for the abilitiy to educate and comfort owners, especially when dealing with critical cases and end of life care. Now he's hooked on critical care and has been practicing emergency medicine ever since. He has been working for CRVS since June of 2004.
Dr Sarah Smith DVM
Dr. Sarah Smith graduated from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. After graduation, she completed a medicine and surgery internship at a specialty and emergency hospital in Southern California. Dr. Smith has worked in Emergency medicine since 2007 and enjoys being there for pets and families in their greatest time of need. While experienced in all aspects of emergency medicine, she has particular interests in trauma, toxicities, emergency surgery, and pain management. In 2011 she became certified in Medical Acupuncture for Veterinarians. She enjoys utilizing acupuncture to help improve patient comfort and appetite while in hospital. She also enjoys working with patients that have back pain, arthritis, cancer, neurologic disease, gastrointestinal disease, or other illness to improve their quality of life. When not in the hospital Dr. Smith enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and spending time with her dog Cody and cat Lucy.
Dr. Sari Miller DVM
Dr. Sari Miller graduated from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009. After graduating she completed a small animal rotating internship at New York City Veterinary Specialists in Manhattan. Her heart and family brought her back to the Northwest where she spent some time in a small animal general practice in Portland before joining Columbia River Veterinary Specialists in 2011. She has a passion for emergency medicine and special interest in trauma, critical care and working with clients to provide the best care for their pets.
In her spare time, Dr. Miller enjoys exploring Portland's amazing restaurants, CrossFit, hiking, art, cooking, and spending time with her husband and their dog, Truck
Specialists
Roberto E. Novo, DVM, MS
Diplomate American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Dr. Novo received his veterinary degree from the University of Florida and completed his surgical residency at the University of Minnesota. He was board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2001. Dr. Novo is particularly skilled in cardiothoracic and respiratory surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, and soft tissue surgeries. His special interests include maxillofacial and reconstructive surgery, cardiothoracic, and genitourinary surgery. Dr. Novo is a huge believer in the importance of nutrition in the critical and postoperative patient. He has authored a chapter in Kirk’s Current Veterinary Therapy XIV and has published articles on various topics, including stack plating for fracture repair, limited approach feeding tube placement, laryngeal paralysis, and GDV. He is also a reviewer for articles submitted to Veterinary Surgery. Outside of work, his interests include kayaking, hiking, photography, and collecting veterinary antiques.
Before joining Columbia River Veterinary Specialists, Dr. Novo was a member of the faculty of the University of Minnesota and the Division Head of the small animal surgery department.
Joshua Elliott, MA,DVM,DACVIM (Internal Medicine)
Practice Limited to Internal Medicine
Josh graduated with a degree in Marine Biology from University of California at Santa Cruz and completed his Master’s in biology in January of 1999. His experience in research led him to veterinary medicine. He found that he enjoys the fact that he can be proactive in problem solving and not just observing changes in an animal’s well being. Josh graduated from University of California at Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine in 2004. He completed a small animal rotating internship at Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group in Ventura California in 2005. His small animal Internal Medicine Residency was done at California Animal Hospital Veterinary Specialty Group in Los Angeles which was completed in July of 2008. Josh left California and settled in southern Washington shortly thereafter. Josh has a full house, including his wife, 2 kids, 2 dogs and 3 cats. He enjoys spending time with his family, going to his children’s dance lessons and hockey practices. In his occasional free time he enjoys hiking with his family.
Gia Klauss, DVM, DACVO
Diplomate American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
Dr. Klauss graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. She went on to complete an internship at the Animal Medical Center in NYC and a fellowship in ocular pathology at the University of Wisconsin. She did her residency in comparative ophthalmology at the University of Missouri and became board certified by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) in 2005. Dr Klauss is adept in the medical and surgical management of ocular diseases in dogs, cats, and exotics. She has a special interest in blepharoplastic, corneal, and cataract surgeries; diseases of the cornea and uvea; feline ophthalmology; and ocular pathology. She is interested in inherited eye disease in dogs and currently serves on the Genetics Committee of the ACVO.
Before moving to the Pacific Northwest, Dr. Klauss was head of the ophthalmology service and clinical professor at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center. Dr. Klauss has a passion for teaching and has received an award for excellence in clinical teaching at the University of Minnesota. She channels this passion to ensure that owners have a clear understanding of their pet's eye condition and treatment. Dr. Klauss values her relationship with the local veterinary community and provides immediate feedback to make each referral a learning opportunity. She provides continuing education in ophthalmology for veterinarians and veterinary technicians, and has lectured extensively in the academic setting and at national meetings. She has scientific publications in a number of professional journals and has co-authored a book chapter in Ocular Tumors in Humans and Animals.
Dr. Klauss is an avid seamstress, cook, and gardener. She is a long-distance runner and takes to the trails around Portland as often as possible. As a native of Wisconsin, she adores canoeing and cross country skiing in the north woods.
Courtney Mallett DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)
Diplomate American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Dr. Courtney Mallett graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She then completed a one year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Florida Veterinary Specialists followed by a three year residency in medical oncology at the University of Georgia. Dr. Mallett became board certified in medical oncology by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in February 2012. Following her residency, Dr. Mallett worked at a private specialty referral hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. She joined Columbia River Veterinary Specialists in June 2012. Dr. Mallett enjoys all aspects of cancer treatment.
Megan Seekins DVM, DACVECC (Emergency and Critical Care)
Emergency and Critical Care
Dr. Megan Seekins graduated from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. After graduation, she completed a small animal emergency focused internship at Fort Collins Veterinary Emergency Hospital in northern Colorado. She joined the staff at the Southern Oregon Veterinary Specialty Center in 2009 in order to pursue a residency in emergency and critical care. Dr. Seekins became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in 2012. She recently joined our team after working at the Animal Medical Center of Seattle.
Dr. Seekins has special interests in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, respiratory emergencies, and pain management and anesthetic management of critical trauma patients. She has a special passion for teaching and provides continuing education in emergency medicine for both veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
Dr. Seekins has slowly made her way out west from her home state of New York. She enjoys spending time with her dog Beatrice and her interests outside of veterinary medicine include traveling, music, wine tasting, and exploring the outdoors.
William Rausch, DVM
Diplomate American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology)
After receiving a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, Dr. Rausch graduated from veterinary school at the University of Wisconsin. He then spent a year in a surgery and medicine internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. He became board-certified in cardiology by spending three more years of post-graduate specialized training in cardiology at the North Carolina State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital under the tutelage of three cardiologists. He has published clinical research in several national journals and practiced cardiology since 2000. In his free time he enjoys
cycling, playing music, cooking, eating and playing fetch.
For more information on Cardiology services and Dr. Rausch, please visit his website at www.portlandcardio.com
Veterinary Technicians (Nurses):
Our Veterinary Technicians play a vital roll in the care of your pet while they are hospitalized. Licensed Veterinary Technicians have completed training and education to prepare them to take and pass a National Board Exam. As in a human hospital, these skilled professionals interface closely with patients and doctors, ensuring that each patient receives expert attention around the clock. They are dedicated to patient care and comfort and spend a good deal of time working one on one with their patients.Hospital Administration
Marie Xavier, LVT
Director
Marie completed her undergraduate work at BYU in 1990. She has worked in many different capacities throughout her many years in the field of veterinary medicine. She has managed small and large groups of people and found a real connection with the people who surround her in this field. She loves the fact that they have a certain affinity for understanding life from the unique perspective of our four-legged companions.
Later in life she returned to Concordia University to obtain her MBA. Most recently, prior to coming to CRVS, she designed and managed the building of the new DoveLewis hospital in NW Portland. The new owners of a small ER practice (EVS) recruited her at the end of 2007 to develop their practice into new Specialty Center on the North side of the Columbia River (CRVS). She feels fortunate to have recruited so many wonderfully talented people to work with her at CRVS. She is proud to say that her staff cares deeply about the work they do and the service they provide.
When not working, you would most likely find her playing with her dogs or remodeling her home with her partner.
Roz Campbell, LVT, Hospital Manager
Roz earned her BS in Animal Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2001. While in college she began working in veterinary medicine. She worked at the Central Coast Pet Emergency Clinic from 2000 – 2004, starting as a technician and eventually working her way up to Nursing Supervisor. She absolutely loves emergency medicine. In 2004 she relocated to Portland, OR, and began working at DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital. At DoveLewis she functioned in several capacities including ER technician, ICU technician, Medical Administration Assistant and finally the SE Hospital Manager. She left DoveLewis to begin building Columbia River Veterinary Specialists in 2008. As a typical member of the veterinary community she keeps a large herd of pets including three dogs (shepherd mix, lab mix and a collie mix), two rabbits (both were strays), a tortoise and chickens who provide her family with fresh eggs. She and her husband also have two human children ages 4 and 2.