Desert Veterinary Clinic, Inc., P.S.

Staff

	Jen Ranta, DVM Dr. Ranta earned her MS from Montana State University in 1974 and her DVM with honors from WSU in 1978. In addition to practicing small animal medicine, surgery and dentistry she also manages the clinic as business director. Hobbies include reading, sports, and boating. She has two college age children; 2 dogs and 3 cats. Dr. Ranta has been with Desert Veterinary Clinic since 1978.

	Linda Linda was born on “Blue Berry Hill” in Hartford Connecticut. She has been living her dream working and caring for animals since 1973. Her family includes 3 cats and 1 dog. Linda has been with Desert Veterinary Clinic since July 2005.

	Diana Thome’, DVM Dr. Thome’ earned her BS in 2001 and her DVM with honors in 2004 from Washington State University. She practices small animal medicine including surgery, dentistry and ultrasound. She appears monthly on local radio channel KORD answering pet related questions. Dr. Thome’ is originally from Walla Walla and her hobbies include Cougar football, Americans Hockey, gardening and boating. Her family includes a husband and a dog named “Dolly.” Dr. Thome’ began working at Desert Veterinary Clinic in 2004.

	Laurie Laurie earned her AAS in Veterinary Technology in 1982 from Pierce County Community College. She began working as a technician for Desert Veterinary Clinic in 1985. In 2005 she became Desert Veterinary’s first Practice Manager. She also manages her home which includes a husband, twin boys and 1 daughter, 2 dogs, and one cat-who is the most beautiful cat in the world!

	Barb Barb started working with Desert Veterinary Clinic in 1988. Prior to moving to the Tri-Cities, Barb attended 2 yrs. of Pre-Vet Medicine at Sierra College in Rocklin, CA. Her family includes 3 children ages 18-29, 1 grandchild, 1 dog, 5 cats and 2 horses. Her hobbies include sewing, cake decorating and working outdoors. In 2006 she was a volunteer chaperone for a Miss Tri-Cities pageant.

	Sara Sara is fairly new to the Tri-City area having moved from her hometown of Portland, Oregon. She enjoys reading, writing, scrap booking and spending time with her husband and their pets. Her two cats, one dog and one rabbit are all rescues and she hopes to someday own enough land to rescue many more. Sara has been with Desert Veterinary Clinic since March of 2005.

	Krystle, LVT Krystle earned her AA degree in 2001 from Walla Walla Community College and her AAS in Veterinary Technology from the College of Southern Idaho in 2003. Krystle has been with Desert Veterinary Clinic since 2005 moving here from Great Falls, Montana. Her hobbies include gardening, pets, camping and family. Krystle’s family includes her husband, 1 son, 1 daughter, 2 dogs, 4 cats, 2 birds and 1 horse. Her favorite part of her job is being around the animals.

	Rebecca, LVT Rebecca graduated from Bel Rea Institute in 2004 earning her AAS in Veterinary Technology. She started working with Desert Veterinary Clinic shortly after graduation in 2004. Her hobbies include crossword puzzles, rollerblading, watching CSI, reading and shopping. Her family includes 2 cats, “Zeus” and “Aubrey”.

	Ethan Nelson, DVM Ethan graduated from WSU in 1990 and worked in Tacoma before returning home to the Tri-Cities. Dr. Nelson has worked with Desert Veterinary Clinic since 1994. Hobbies include travel, hiking, hunting and fishing.

	Laura, RVT Laura was born in Richland and graduated from RHS. She has worked professionally with animals for 20 years with emphasis on dentistry, exotics and birds. As a mother of two, she earned her Veterinary technician degree in 2001 from Portland Community College. She is a strong educational advocate and public speaker for local schools and retirement homes with her “Pet Brigade”. She offers up close and personal interactions with a variety of pets from chinchillas to snakes and arachnids. Laura also works full time as an emergency Critical Care Technician at the local Pet Emergency Service. She is owned by 3 dogs, 4 snakes, 4 tarantulas, 3 parrots, 2 salamanders and a frog.

	Tracy Tracy moved to the Tri-Cities from Las Vegas in 2004. Tracy attended Veterinary Technician classes at the Community College Southern Nevada. Her hobbies include shopping, playing with her son, and traveling. Her family includes one son, 3 cats, and 1 dog.

	Mary Lou Mary Lou has worked in a veterinary setting since 1988. She has worked with Desert Veterinary Clinic since 2005. The dog that runs her life is named “Annie” but she also enjoys making jewelry, sketching her dogs’ pictures, gardening and spending time with her grandkids.

	Jim Benson, DVM Dr. Benson did his pre-veterinary schooling at Montana State University from 1963-1965. He earned his DVM from Washington State University in 1969 and began practicing in the Tri-Cities. He has 6 children and 11 grandchildren. Hobbies include gardening, grandkids and their sports, and cars. Dr. Benson has been with Desert Veterinary Clinic since 1992.

	Heidi Heidi has been with Desert Veterinary since August of 2006. She works as an outpatient nurse helping the doctors with their appointments. She spends her free time caring for her human family as well as a large pet family consisting of a miniature dachshund, a corgi and a Persian cat to name a few!