Dr. Jaime Thurk
Veterinarian
Dr. Jaime Thurk was born in rural Wisconsin and grew up on a Dairy farm where her love of animals has grown into her life-long dream of becoming a Veterinarian. Dr. Thurk received her Bachelor of Science degree in Marine biology at Texas A&M University and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University in 2009. She completed her one year clinical rotation at Washington State University.
Dr. Thurk’s areas of interest are preventative medicine, natural nutrition and supplementation, avian/exotic medicine, surgery and dentistry. Her priority is to maintain the highest ethical and medical standards, while providing a friendly and relaxed environment for your pet. Her goal is to ensure her patients are treated as member of the family and that clients are well informed, involved and comfortable with the decisions made regarding their pet’s care. She will constantly apply the latest in veterinary medicine advancements to properly diagnose, treat and care for her patients so that your loved ones remain happy and healthy.
Dr. Thurk’s interests outside of the practice are spending time with her son, Fiance, 2 dogs (Echo, Hoss) and 2 cats (Mr. Bojangels, Fat Cat). She also enjoys hiking, camping and just spending time in the outdoors.
Dr. Rodney Toogood
Veterinarian
Rodney Toogood, DVM was born and raised in southern Minnesota. He attended Mankato State University for his undergraduate degree and received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Toogood practiced for 25 years in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area, 20 years owning and operating his own small animal and exotics practice in suburban Minneapolis. His professional areas of interest include medicine and surgery, preventative care, and fostering the human animal bond. He enjoys seeing exotic animals, especially small mammals. He is committed to the highest standards of veterinary care with thorough client communication and education.
Dr. Toogood is an avid cyclist, both mountain and road biking and also enjoys skate skiing, standup paddle boarding, hiking, and generally being outdoors. He is a musician and a wine and food enthusiast. Dr. Toogood and his wife, Gretchen, who is also a veterinarian, have one dog and two cats.
Dr. Brett Thomas
Veterinarian
Dr. Brett Thomas was born and raised in a rural town in the mountains of southern California. As a child he raised and cared for farm animals, exotic pets, dogs, and cats. Prior to veterinary school Dr. Thomas was the lead technician and clinic manager of a six doctor practice in Texas. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Lamar University and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Mississippi State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Thomas is an experienced emergency and general practitioner for dogs, cats, and exotic animals. His areas of professional interest include small and exotic animal surgery and medicine, nutrition, dentistry, ophthalmology, and preventative medicine.
Dr. Thomas is passionate about caring for all his patients with the empathy and with the same level of attention and care he would give to his own pets. He is dedicated to providing your pets with the highest quality veterinary care and believes that client education with open and honest communication is paramount. He strives to provide a comfortable environment for his clients and patients and takes pride in helping clients make educated decisions toward the care of their beloved family pets.
Dr. Thomas is a sports and outdoors enthusiast who enjoys fishing, hiking, and exploring. He and his wife (Erika), two dogs (Tank and Kain), and their mustached parakeet (Erin) are looking forward to exploring the beautiful state of Oregon for years to come.
Dr. Brooke Jacoby
Veterinarian
Brooke grew up in a small town in northeast California and always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian as she was surrounded by dogs, cats, horses and rabbits. She graduated from California Polytechnic University in 2003 with a B.S. in Animal Science and made her way to the Eugene area to pursue veterinary school. She completed her doctorate in veterinary medicine from Oregon State University in 2008 and worked for 4 years in a large multi-doctor small animal hospital. This is where she first met Dr. Thurk!
She then transitioned to a rapidly growing holistic practice and there she found excitement in the field of holistic medicine. She completed her acupuncture certification via the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 2012 and has also completed course work in homeopathy. She is currently obtaining her certification in Chinese Herbal Medicine through the Chi Institute. Dr. Jacoby is passionate about holistic medicine and creating a life-long health plan for her patients. She is especially interested in nutrition, internal medicine, senior care, pain management and hospice.
Away from the clinic she loves spending time outdoors with her two children, husband and dog. Brooke is excited to provide holistic and integrative veterinary care here at East Bend!
Becky Wendt
Practice Manager
Becky was born and raised in Idaho on a ranch (which is where her love for all animals developed). Becky spent some time traveling around the country and lived aboard for a year before she obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Oregon University. She is currently working towards becoming a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager. She has been working in the veterinary field since 2011.
In her spare time, Becky enjoys hiking, camping, trail running, and traveling. She has four dogs (three of which are foster failures) and two spoiled cats.
Nakia Twigg
Certified Veterinary Technician
Nakia grew up in beautiful Sisters, Oregon. Her passion for veterinary medicine started with her schools career program. Nakia earned her Veterinary Technician Certificate in 2006.
Nakia’s special interest are dentistry and behavior. She enjoys helping pets and their people have a long healthy and happy relationship. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband, horseback riding, camping. mountain bike riding and hanging out with her pets (horses, dogs, cat, chickens, goats)!
Jennel Wassenaar
Certified Veterinary Technician
Jennel was born and raised in the Imperial Valley, Southern California (where the sun spends the winter). She has been working with animals since the late nineties as a Veterinary Technician, dog groomer’s assistance, and at a dog daycare where she helped with training classes. Jennel attended Bel-Rea Animal Technology School. She moved to Central Oregon in 2000. After spending ten months pet less after losing her beloved min pin, Jennel adopted her new love, Ty, an English Cream Golden Retriever. Jennel loves summer time and spends her spare time hiking and hanging out in nature with her husband and son.
Erin Hauge
Certified Veterinary Technician
Erin grew up in Indiana, but moved to Wyoming where she went to veterinary technician school. After graduating, she moved to Grand Junction, Colorado where she worked at a small animal clinic. This is where she fell in love with living out west. Erin moved to Central Oregon about three years ago. Her favorite part of working in veterinary medicine is working with exotics and assisting in surgery.
Kristina Cassidy
Veterinary Assistant
Kristina grew up in a small town in Nevada. Before graduating from high school, Kristina moved to Medford, Oregon. She then attended Western Oregon University where she obtained a BA in ASL studies. Kristina moved to Central Oregon in 2015.
Kristina began working in the veterinary field in 2016 as a veterinary assistant. She hopes to enroll in an online tech school this spring. She has a great passion for animals great and small
Kristina’s interests outside of work include going to parks with her dogs, playing video games, reading, puzzles, drawing and socializing with her critters.
Anika Aberegg
Veterinary Assistant
Anika moved to Oregon a year ago after finishing a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations in Cleveland, Ohio. She spent the past five years working as a white-water river guide in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Now she only goes to the river for personal enjoyment. She is loving all of the outdoor opportunities Bend has to offer.
Hanna Foster
Veterinary Assistant
Hanna was born in Dayton Beach, Florida but grew up in Southern California. She moved to Oregon in 2013. Her love for animals started at a very young age. In 2017, right out of high school, she started as a kennel assistant and eventually worked her way into veterinary assisting. Her goal and and main focus is to assist in making your kiddos lives long and happy. Hanna is working on obtaining her CVT license through Penn Foster College. Her hobbies outside of work include cars and playing music (guitar, ukulele, and singing).
Lindsay Magill
Veterinary Assistant
Lindsay grew up in Bend and received her Bachelor's degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Services at Oregon State University. She loves the uniqueness of exotics and wildlife and frequently works with Think Wild. Her home is crawling with frogs and geckos as well as her 20-year old cat, Dolly. She and Dolly (a Ragdoll she named when she was six years old) enjoying curling up with a good book or writing the next great novel.
Katie Kessel
Veterinary Assistant
Katie is a third generation Bendite. She grew up with a passion for animals and always knew she would end up in the veterinary industry. She is a mom to two wonderful kiddos, a wife to the love of her life, and an artist.
Carlee Biggs
Kennel Assistant
Carlee was born and raised in Redmond, Oregon. She moved to Southern California in 1999, but missed Central Oregon and moved back in 2002. She has an eighteen-year-old daughter, a cat named Noah, and a Dog named Max. In her spare time, Carlee enjoys fishing, being outdoors, and going to the movies.
Harriet Burquist
Client Service Representative
Born and raised in Bend, Oregon on a small farm is where Harriet’s love for animals started. She grew up experiencing everything from cows, horses and chickens to rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, and cats. She has always had a passion for animals and a desire to pursue a career in the veterinary field. Harriet has been attending COCC part-time for the past two years, studying Art, Writing, and Psychology. In her free time, she loves road-tripping with her two awesome dogs, camping, backpacking, or snuggling up with her cat and reading a good book or writing.
Lisa Bishop
Client Service Representative
Born and raised in Rancho Cucamonga, California, Lisa came to Bend in 1993 and fell in love with the beauty and the kind people that surrounded her. She started working in the veterinary field in 1995 and knew that she found her nitch working with like minded people.
Lisa enjoys water sports, watching live music, and hanging out with friends and family. She recently visited Italy to see, experience, and meet her extended Italian family. Her next adventure is to visit Canada and do the same.
Molly Naugher
Client Service Representative
Molly grew up in Central Oregon. She enjoys the sunshine and doing everything outdoors. She will pet every animal she sees, even if it is across the street. Molly loves anything covered in sugar. Her best friends are her twin sister and dog Hank, a Mini Aussie. Molly is currently attending Central Oregon Community College and plans to enroll in the Veterinary Technician program.
Savannah Niven
Client Service Representative
Savannah was born in New Zealand but spent most of her life growing up in Australia. She came to the US to visit family. found Bend & loved it so much she stayed.
She has worked with animals in various industries such as horse training and doggy daycare. She finds great satisfaction purposeful meaning in helping with their care.
Her dream is to have a house full of senior dogs and a ranch sanctuary for senior animals of all shapes and sizes. She loves gardening in her yard accompanied by her rescue chickens, world travelling pup Knox and her very large tortoise Chad.
Siv Henny Horensky
Client Service Representative
Siv Henny was born and raised in Stavanger, Norway, and has since lived in Indonesia, China, Texas, and now Oregon! She spent her time around the world volunteering with rescued horses, cats, and more. She currently has a rescue cat named Sebastian and dog, named Richard.
Sarah Birt
Client Service Representative
Sara grew up in Salem. She moved briefly to Southern California before moving back to Oregon and finishing school for Medical Assisting. Sara realized that she would rather work in animal healthcare, and she plans on going back to school to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. Growing up, Sara had cats, dogs, turtles, and birds as pets. In her free time, Sara enjoys reading A LOT, hanging out with her dog, and loves random spur of the moment road trips to nowhere in particular. One day she would love to have her own rescue ranch, but not before traveling to all of the National Parks in the United States.
