About Us
 

We are very fortunate to have Kerri Lynne McDowell as our full time veterinarian. Her compassion for animals along with her skill as a surgeon make her an ideal candidate for the position. Kerri Lynne graduated with a veterinary degree from Washington State University in 2000. From there she went abroad to South Africa to work in various wild game parks including a Cheetah breeding facility and Kruger National Park. She then came back to the Pacific Northwest and practiced veterinary medicine in a small animal hospital in Portland. From there she spent 3 years in Alaska as a research assistant for the Department of Wildlife where she utilized her masters in Biology.  She then moved to Coquille, Oregon where she worked in a small animal practice in Coos Bay and did relief work for the Salem Emergency Veterinary Clinic. In 2005, along with her two kids and husband Greg, they settled in Sisters Oregon and she continued doing relief work for the emergency clinic in Salem. She also started doing relief here at the Project in 2007 and we were all very excited when she decided to be apart of our team full time in June of 2008.

Sharon began volunteering before the clinic even opened in 2005, she helped with transport of animals to a local veterinary clinic for surgery and helped with events while we prepared to open the clinic. She started as the Veterinary Technician shortly after the clinic opened in January of 2006. She spent two years in this role before being promoted to Clinic Manager/Volunteer Coordinator in January 2008. Her compassion for animals and their welfare makes her a perfect fit for the project. Sharon still volunteers at events and fosters kittens, going above and beyond the call of duty! She enjoys all outdoor activities, dancing, and of course,  hanging out with her furry family.

Megan grew up and went to college in her home State of Indiana where she received a degree in Recreation at Indiana University. She moved to Bend in 2005 to join her now husband, Orion, and for the outdoor recreation Central Oregon offered. She joined The Bend Spay and Neuter Project in January of 2008 as a volunteer. Her compassion for animals was evident when she dedicated her Saturdays to cleaning the cattery, she also helped with off site adoption events. When our receptionist position opened up in July, we were delighted when Megan stepped in to fill the position. Along with her love for cats and her professional attitude she is a great asset to the clinic. Megan lives with her husband and her one little kitty, Waffles (but we're working on that).

Patricia moved to Bend in 1992 from Big Bear Lake California where she had lived for most of her life. She obtained her Veterinary Technician degree in 1990 in San Bernadino, and then obtained her Oregon license in 1993. She has a wealth of experience in the veterinary field after working in several vet clinics around central Oregon and California. She lives with her 3 dogs, a parrot and a parakeet and she enjoys gardening and cooking in her spare time.

Sara began trapping feral cats in her hometown of Bend in 2002.  After having them spayed/neutered at regular vet clinics, and volunteering at the local shelter, she realized the severity of the pet overpopulation problem in Central Oregon and the lack of resources available for people who cared enough to help.  After much research, she realized that progressive communities across the nation were finding a solution to this tragic problem in non-profit, high volume spay and neuter clinics. She opened the clinic in October of 2005, representing the first and only effort to effectively reduce the numbers of unwanted pets in Deschutes County.  She serves as the Executive Director as a volunteer.

Kathy Dice has been involved with the clinic since it began.  She has fostered cats and kittens, helped with nearly every aspect of the organization and has been a great support to Sara, her daughter through the process of developing the clinic.  Kathy is our volunteer bookkeeper and helps out with our events and fundraisers.  Her background in accounting has been invaluable to the clinic and her positive attitude and dedication to the volunteers, staff and animals is amazing.  Kathy works as an accounting consultant for several local businesses.  She has three cats, Tabby, Ellie Mae, and Ernie.

Jessaca Tesarik joined the board of directors in September of 2007.  Jessaca, a lifetime animal lover and spay/neuter advocate, has lived in Bend since 2004 with her husband, Jon, two cats and two dogs.  Her first experience with BSNP was when she donated a laptop when the clinic was in its beginning stages.  She then volunteered and enjoyed the feeling that she was making a difference.  It was those satisfying experiences that made her want to join the board of directors.  Being a CPA and a former member of the finance committee of the Humane Society of Central Oregon, she is hoping to put her financial knowledge to good use on the board of the Bend Spay & Neuter Project.

Karin has had a lifetime passion for animals, bringing home her first (but not last) stray as early as elementary school much to her parents chagrin. Since then she has continued helping animals throughout Oregon and Washington as she completed her undergrad and nursing school studies. Karin moved the Thompson herd to Bend in 2004 including her husband, Ben, two rascally cats, Kina and Paua, and a happy-go-lucky lab, Murray. Karin soon found Bend Spay and Neuter Project and joined the board of directors in November of 2007. Her natural blend of great people and nursing skills were quickly utilized in the animal recovery room and numerous public adoption projects. By pairing these skills with a deep passion for animals and their well-being, she is hoping to lend a helping hand and support the Bend Spay & Neuter Project in helping Central Oregon one cat or dog at a time.

We simply couldn't do it without the help of all of our wonderful volunteers!