BluePearl Pet Hospital
Sandy Springs, GA
Our Vets

Dr. Jordan Ayers is passionate about all things oncology and really enjoys the bonds she forms with clients and patients. She has participated in research on mammary tumors, osteosarcoma, melanoma, gastrointestinal tumors and lymphoma.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology)
• Master of Science, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Residency, Medical Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital, Denver, CO
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Dr. Ayers and her family love all water sports and help run a small water conservation non-profit. She has a mini cattle dog mix who enjoys snuggles and chasing lizards in the yard.

Dr. Morgan Banks is a small animal medicine & surgery intern. Her clinical interests include small animal nutrition and internal medicine.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University, AL
• Bachelor of Science, Animal, Poultry and Veterinary Sciences, Tuskegee University, AL

Outside of the hospital, Dr. Banks enjoys reading romantic comedies, working out and spending time with her family. She has a shih tzu-Maltese mix named Cocoa.

Dr. Gabriella Bonofiglio is a small animal medicine & surgery intern. She is particularly interested in diagnosing and treating cancer patients.

• Clinical Rotation, Michigan State University
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies
• Bachelor of Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston

Outside of the hospital, Dr. Bonofiglio enjoys reading and cuddling with her cats, Rory and Callaloo.

Dr. Suzanne Bugbee is an intern in our neurology service.

• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Sandy Springs, GA
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Health, University of Georgia, Athens

Dr. Kierney Burks is a small animal medicine & surgery intern. She is particularly interested in dermatology.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University, AL

Outside of the hospital, Dr. Burks enjoys reading, working out and trying new restaurants.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Small Animal Internal Medicine)
• Residency, Small Animal Internal Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
• Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY
• Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, State University of New York, Geneseo

Dr. Lauren Doster is a small animal medicine & surgery intern most interested in emergency medicine.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens
• Bachelor of Science, Kennesaw State University, GA

In her free time, Dr. Doster enjoys adventuring outdoors, shopping, trying new foods and spending time with her husband, son, cat and dog.

• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, San Francisco Animal Medical Center, CA
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis
• Bachelor of Science, Commerce, University of Virginia, Charlottesville

Dr. Andrew Eitzer is interested in multiphase CT angiography for abdominal and thoracic vascular anomalies, parathyroid gland ethanol ablation to treat primary hyperparathyroidism and abdominal ultrasound to identify intraluminal foreign bodies.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Radiology
• Residency, Diagnostic Imaging, University of Wisconsin, Madison
• Internship, Diagnostic Imaging, University of Wisconsin, Madison
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA
• Master of Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, Syracuse University, NY

Dr. Eitzer enjoys playing soccer and basketball, trying new beers, going to the movie theater and reading. His immediate family includes his fiancée and their two cats, Mimosa and Zinfandel.

Dr. Lauren Fout is excited about the new developments in veterinary radiation therapy to include stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) protocols, both of which are types of nonsurgical radiation therapy that can deliver precisely targeted radiation in fewer high-dose treatments than traditional therapy. She also has an interest in the use of both traditional western medicine and support therapy with integrated/nontraditional medicine for overall patient well-being.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Radiology-Radiation Oncology
• Residency, Radiation Oncology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
• Internship, Medical Oncology, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Tampa, FL
• Internship, Medical Oncology, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Atlanta, GA
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Nashville Veterinary Specialists, TN
• Master of Veterinary Biology, University College Dublin, Ireland
• Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Animal Health Technology, Murray State University, KY

Dr. Fout loves traveling internationally as well as exploring locally. Other interests include reading and baking. She has two rescue dogs, Sprockey and Muppet.

• Residency, Small Animal Internal Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Kirkland, WA
• Clinical Rotation, University of Missouri, Columbia
• Master of Science, Small Animal Internal Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman
• Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honors), Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fisheries University, Bidar, India

Dr. Handa’s favorite pastime is traveling, but she also enjoys sports, dancing and outdoor activities like hiking, river rafting and rappelling. She has two Labrador retrievers, Ruffles and Dave, and an adopted Kathiawadi horse named Optimus.

Dr. Arianna Holmes is a small animal medicine & surgery intern most interested in ophthalmology.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University, AL
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, Tuskegee University, AL

In her free time, Dr. Holmes enjoys reading, dancing, Marvel comics and all things Beyoncé. She has a standard poodle named Zuko and a cat named Sokka.

Dr. Stanley Hunter enjoys all aspects of emergency medicine.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
• Bachelor of Science, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL

Dr. Hunter likes watching sports to include football, basketball, tennis, golf and cheering on the Yankees.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons (Small Animal)
• Residency, Small Animal Surgery, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Fellowship, Orthopedics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Internship, Small Animal Surgery, Veterinary Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, Annapolis Junction, MD
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, The Animal Medical Center, New York, NY
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan
• Bachelor of Science, Fisheries and Wildlife, University of Georgia, Athens

The diagnosis and treatment of head trauma and neuromuscular disease drew Dr. Johnson to the specialty of veterinary neurology and neurosurgery.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Neurology)
• Residency, Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Bachelor of Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando

An active sportsman, Dr. Johnson enjoys golf, tennis, and competing in triathlons. But even more so, he enjoys the company of his wife and their three children.

Dr. Jessica Johnson is dedicated to providing remarkable pet care. Her clinical interests include treating heart failure, diabetic ketoacidosis, anemia and intervertebral disc disease.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN

Dr. Johnson enjoys mystery novels, skating and hiking. She also likes going to church with her husband and reading her bible.

Dr. Danielle Laughlin is particularly interested in cardiac imaging using advanced echocardiography techniques and novel treatments for heart disease including new drugs and supplements to support patients with chronic heart disease. She lectures nationally on the management of heart disease in dogs and cats to help veterinarians better care for their patients. Discovering that your pet has heart disease can be overwhelming, but Dr. Laughlin enjoys working with her clients personally to help them manage their pets’ care and provide their pets with the best quality of life for as long as possible.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology)
• Residency, Cardiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Ohio State University, Columbus
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus
• Bachelor of Arts, Zoology, Miami University, Oxford, OH

In her free time, Dr. Laughlin likes to travel, cook and spend time with her family. She and her husband have three children, two patient terriers and one handsome cat.

Publications & Articles

• Internship, Zoology, J. Duque Zoological Park, Bogotá, Colombia
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of La Salle, Bogotá, Colombia

Dr. Shalinda McMahon is a small animal medicine & surgery intern particularly interested in the management of cardiovascular cases.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University, AL
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta

Dr. McMahon is a proud motorcycle enthusiast who enjoys cooking and acrylic painting in her free time.

Dr. Alex Ramirez is a small animal medicine & surgery intern. His clinical interests include:

• Orthopedic and oncologic surgical procedures
• Immune-mediated conditions
• Long-term medical management
• Radiation therapy
• Palliative protocols for tumors

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL
• Bachelor of Science, Organismal Biology, Auburn University, AL

In his free time, Dr. Ramirez enjoys golfing, fishing, wakeboarding and spending time with his Aussie/German Shepherd/Husky mix, Odesza.

Dr. Rothman Reyes knew he wanted to be a veterinarian from a young age and decided to focus on oncology after an influential externship during veterinary school. According to Dr. Reyes, a gratifying part of his job is advocating for patients and helping owners choose a treatment option that they’re comfortable with and prioritizes their pet’s quality of life.

• Master of Science, Comparative Oncology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
• Residency, Oncology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
• Internship, Oncology, BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital, Atlanta, GA
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing
• Bachelor of Science, Pre-Veterinary Medicine, University of Delaware, Newark

Northern Michigan is Dr. Reyes’ happy place. He enjoys going on road trips – both for hiking and exploring – with his pets, Aimée and Cyfri. He loves cooking and baking all types of different foods from French pastries to Korean kimchi. Dr. Reyes also enjoys playing tennis and going on runs around his neighborhood.

Dr. Cassandra Ruthrauff enjoys all aspects of small animal surgery.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons (Small Animal)
• Residency, Surgery, Veterinary Surgical Associates, San Francisco, CA
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Garden State Veterinary Specialists, Tinton Falls, NJ
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A & M University, College Station

Dr. Ruthrauff enjoys watching professional sports, particularly New England teams, as well as playing soccer, wakeboarding and snowboarding. Her two dogs and two cats also keep her busy.

Dr. Kate Sabey is a small animal medicine & surgery intern. Her clinical interests include zoological medicine, cardiology and neurology. She’s also interested in researching diseases that impact both companion animals and wildlife.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens
• Doctor of Philosophy, Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, Juniata College, Huntingdon, PA

In her free time, Dr. Sabey enjoys reading, photography, playing board games and spending time with her family’s Boston terrier.

Publications and articles

Dr. Jackson Sanders loves all aspects of surgery, particularly orthopedics, with an emphasis on cranial cruciate ligament disease, fracture fixation, arthroscopy and arthritis management. He also enjoys surgical oncology, thoracic surgery and managing surgical emergencies.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons (Small Animal)
• Residency, Small Animal Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Maitland, FL
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of Georgia, Athens

Originally from Sandy Springs, Dr. Sanders and his wife, Katie, who is also a small animal veterinarian, share three dogs and two cats. In his free time, Dr. Sanders enjoys camping and hiking with the family, dog sports, reading, swimming and golfing. Having played water polo through college, he’s looking forward to getting back into the water in Georgia.

Dr. Sam Seahorn is a small animal medicine & surgery intern particularly interested in ophthalmology with a special focus on intraocular diseases.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL
• Bachelor of Science, University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, KY

In his free time, Dr. Seahorn enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to the gym, watching movies and TV shows and relaxing with his girlfriend and their dog, Fin.In his free time, Dr. Seahorn enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to the gym, watching movies and TV shows and relaxing with his girlfriend and their dog, Fin.

Dr. Ballie Sorah is a small animal medicine & surgery intern most interested in exotic and wildlife medicine.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens

In her free time, Dr. Sorah enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her husband and their three cats: Klondike, Yukon and Juneau.

Dr. Milica Waters is interested in all aspects of emergency medicine.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
• Bachelor of Science, Integrative Biology, Auburn University, AL

In her free time, Dr. Waters enjoys reading, baking, exploring the city with her husband and relaxing with their two cats.

Dr. Kevin Winkler enjoys all aspects of small animal surgery. He currently serves on the American Veterinary Medical Association’s disaster relief team.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
• Residency, Surgery, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
• Bachelor of Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Dr. Winkler and his wife have four children, two dogs and two cats. They enjoy traveling and following the Georgia Bulldogs.

Publications & Articles

After nine years as an assistant professor at the University of Illinois, Dr. Jackie Wypij remains dedicated to teaching others and is often invited to speak at national veterinary conferences. She also continues to pursue additional training for herself and has earned certificates in grief counseling, online teaching and clinical and translational research methods. Dr. Wypij’s particular clinical interests include canine lymphoma and mast cell tumors; feline cancer of all types, especially oral; and palliative and hospice care.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology)
• Residency, Oncology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• Internship, Oncology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Kansas State University, Manhattan
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
• Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Daemen College, Amherst, NY

Dr. Wypij enjoys dancing the Argentine tango, hiking, camping or chasing after her two children.

Dr. Kidus Yared is a small animal medicine & surgery intern most interested in ophthalmology.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens

Outside of the hospital, Dr. Yared enjoys freshwater aquariums, fishing and caring for houseplants.