BluePearl Pet Hospital
Stone Oak
San Antonio, TX
Our Vets

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, University of Findlay, OH

Dr. Kaitlyn Benally’s clinical interests include IV catheter, central line and chest tube placements. A member of the inaugural veterinary class at the University of Arizona, she is passionate about learning and providing compassionate, high-quality veterinary medical care.

• Internship, Large Animal Medicine & Surgery, Arizona Equine Medical & Surgical Centre, Gilbert
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson
• Bachelor of Science, Veterinary Science, University of Arizona, Tucson

Originally from Northern Arizona on the Navajo Nation, Dr. Benally enjoys reading and spending time with her golden retriever, Simon.

Dr. Nikki Bernard’s clinical interests include toxicology and neurology.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX

In her free time, Dr. Bernard enjoys being outdoors with her husband and their Labrador retriever (Manik) and German wirehaired pointer (Freya). She can usually be found at the river or lake with her family, at a sporting event, enjoying live music or exploring the city.

Dr. Austin Byrd is a small animal medicine & surgery intern. He is particularly interested in surgery, orthopedics (specifically joint replacement), portosystemic shunts and neurologic disorders.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock

Born and raised in Claude, Texas, to two public educators, Dr. Byrd is the oldest of three boys. He has two dogs: a Golden retriever named Birdie, and Daisy, a dachshund mix he’s shared countless adventures with since he was nine.

Publications and articles

Dr. Katherine Darrah is a resident in our surgery service. She has experience in emergent abdominal procedures, wound repair, skin reconstruction, amputation and enucleation. She also has a strong interest in:

• Neurosurgery (specifically atlantoaxial instability)
• Fracture repair
• Gastric dilation and volvulus (GDV)
• Reduction of surgical site infections

• Internship, Small Animal Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Stone Oak, TX
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg
• Bachelor of Science, Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg

Dr. James Giles is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel with 27 years of military service, both in the Veterinary Corps. Prior to becoming a veterinarian, his military experience is with the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets).

Throughout his service, he gained extensive experience with military working dogs and has become a leading surgeon in the management of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis. While serving as a military veterinary surgeon, Dr. Giles became experienced in advanced dentistry and performing endodontic repairs.

Dr. Giles enjoys all aspects of small animal surgery, particularly total hip replacement and neurosurgery. He has a strong interest in minimally invasive orthopedic and soft-tissue surgery, including:

• Arthroscopy
• Laparoscopy
• Fracture repair
• Complex wound management

Dr. Giles has served as the hospital’s Medical Director since 2018.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons (Small Animal)
• Residency, Small Animal Surgery, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater
• Master of Science, Veterinary Biomedical Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater

Dr. Giles and his wife, who is also a veterinarian, have two children. His favorite pastimes include outdoor activities, physical fitness, church and church missions and traveling with family. The family pets are Zeke and Sydney, both Wirehaired Pointing Griffons.

Dr. Courtney Hancock is a resident in our surgery service.

• Internship, Small Animal Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, San Antonio
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station

Dr. Katelyn Hickman enjoys all aspects of emergency medicine.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater
• Bachelor of Science, Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater

Dr. Hickman loves spending time with her dog Miss Lemon Drop, cat Saesumi and all nine of her chickens.

Dr. Sarah Israel enjoys all aspects of surgery, her special interests being joint replacement surgery, minimally invasive orthopedics, and arthroscopy. She was the American College of Veterinary Surgeons’ founding fellow in joint replacement surgery (JRS).

Learn more about Dr. Sarah Israel and the surgeries she performs in San Antonio, TX.

• Fellowship, Joint Replacement Surgery (Founding candidate)
• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons (Small Animal)
• Residency, Small Animal Surgery, Texas A&M University, College Station
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Ohio State University, Columbus
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station

Dr. Ericka Jaramillo loves all aspects of surgery and has a strong background in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Her special interests include joint replacement surgery, thoracic surgery and neurosurgery.

She is currently the first BluePearl Joint Replacement Fellow candidate, working closely with Dr. Sarah Israel.

• Residency, Small Animal Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Stone Oak, TX
• Internship, Small Animal Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Stone Oak, TX
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center, Norwalk, CT
• Clinical Rotation, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, St. Kitts & Nevis, West Indies

Dr. Alex Jarrell is an intern in our surgery service. His clinical interests include orthopedic surgery and musculoskeletal diseases.

• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Sandy Springs, GA
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens
• Master of Science, Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville

Dr. Jarell is the oldest of four (one brother and identical twin sisters) and has two cats named Tux and Darwin. He enjoys spending time with friends and playing Dungeons & Dragons. He is a huge metalhead and loves going to metal concerts.

Dr. Avery Karich is an intern in our neurology service.

• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Stone Oak
• Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, England
• Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks

Dr. Navroop Lally is a small animal medicine & surgery intern. His clinical interests include surgical procedures, particularly routine surgeries and emergency wound repair.

• Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, India

Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Dr. Lally loves skiing in the Rocky Mountains – especially at Whistler. He is a passionate Bhangra folk dancer who also enjoys fixing broken or failed parts, mechanical or otherwise.

Dr. Natalie Linkletter is an intern in our surgery service. Her clinical interests include minimally invasive surgery, wound management and neurosurgery.

• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, VCA Canada Western, Calgary, AB
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada

Dr. Amanda Marin enjoys all that emergency medicine has to offer with a special interest in wound management and client education.

• Internship, Emergency Medicine, Thrive Pet Healthcare Specialists, San Antonio, TX
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, San Antonio, TX
• Clinical Rotation, Michigan State University, East Lansing
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, St. Kitts & Nevis, West Indies
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station

Outside of the hospital, Dr. Marin enjoys weightlifting and outdoor activities such as kayaking and hiking. She has a cat named Norman.

Dr. Kevin McLaughlin is a small animal medicine & surgery intern. He is most interested in cardiology.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Dr. McLaughlin is originally from New Jersey and was part of the inaugural DVM class at the University of Arizona. In his free time, he enjoys reading and exploring the city.

Dr. Catherine Strey enjoys all aspects of critical care medicine.

• Residency, Emergency & Critical Care, BluePearl Pet Hospital, San Antonio, TX
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, San Antonio, TX
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station

Dr. Jenny Taylor’s clinical interests include endocrinology, immune mediated diseases, minimally invasive procedures, and advanced imaging, including ultrasound.

• Residency, Small Animal Internal Medicine, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Maitland, FL
• Residency, Small Animal Internal Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
• Internship, Small Animal Internal Medicine, VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital and Referral Center, Albuquerque, NM
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital and Referral Center, Albuquerque, NM
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens
• Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Dr. Taylor enjoys cooking and baking, reading, theater and improv, ballroom and Latin dancing, and spending time with her cats: her “old man” Felix, who has moved cross country with her several times, as well as Noodle and Maxine, who keep her on her toes.

Dr. Leah Tippin’s clinical interests include emergency and internal medicine, hospice and preventative care, dermatology and quality medical leadership. She aims to be a reliable resource for pets and their families during urgent health situations.

Dr. Tippin’s passion for urgent care began while in veterinary medical leadership amid the COVID pandemic, when she frequently encountered a backlog of patients and a pressing need for same-day access to care. She hopes to position urgent care as a bridge between general practice and emergency medicine – helping pets with nonemergent needs receive timely treatment, reducing emergency room wait times and allowing patients to return home sooner for continued healing.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station

Raised in the Texas Panhandle, Dr. Tippin shares three daughters and two Miniature Pinschers (Bambi and Flower) with her husband. In her free time, she enjoys traveling internationally, exploring new beach destinations, cheering her children at school events, singing in church choirs and supporting her local church, reading historical fiction and participating in TAMU alumni activities.

Dr. Lindsay Trainor is a resident in our surgery service. She enjoys all aspects of surgery and loves engaging with the community. She has a special interest in minimally invasive surgery, orthopedic surgery and wound management

• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, VCA Canada Western Veterinary Specialist & Emergency Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Atlantic Veterinary College, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada

Dr. Trainor is originally from Canada where she enjoyed hiking, camping and anything outdoors. Her current hobbies include adjusting to the Texas heat and spending time with her husband, their dog and two cats.

Dr. Stephen Zachary Trombetta is a small animal medicine & surgery intern. He is particularly interested in zoo and aquatic medicine.

• Clinical Rotation, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, St. Kitts & Nevis, West Indies

In his free time, Dr. Trombetta enjoys sci-fi and fantasy books and movies, tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons and video games. He is an Eagle scout from troop 24.

Dr. Whitney Vickery is deeply passionate about her clinical work, particularly nephrology and endourology. She finds great satisfaction in performing minimally invasive procedures to remove stones or treat ectopic ureters. Her interests also extend to endocrinology, feline medicine, critical care, and infectious diseases. Dr. Vickery values the collaborative relationship with pet parents, working together to achieve the best outcomes for their beloved animals.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Small Animal Internal Medicine)
• Residency, Small Animal Internal Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
• Master of Science, Veterinary Clinical Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
• Internship, First Year Graduate Veterinary Education, US Army Veterinary Corps, Fort Carson, CO
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Bachelor of Science, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, TN

Outside of her professional life, Dr. Vickery is a loving wife and mother to three awesome kids. Her family includes two cats, Pippin and Henri, and a military working dog “washout” named Betti. Dr. Vickery’s hobbies include baking, gardening, and reading, with a particular fondness for fantasy and sci-fi, especially the Lord of the Rings series.

Publications and articles

Dr. Adeline Wadel’s clinical interests include feline medicine, nutrition, laceration repair and emergency response. She is a compassionate, skilled veterinarian who takes a realistic, empathetic approach to client communication and emphasizes collaboration in patient care.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL
• Bachelor of Science, Zoology, Kent State University, OH

In her free time, Dr. Wadel enjoys being active in her local church, reading, playing music and cooking breakfast. She has a Siamese cat named Lil Bean, who enjoys leash walks and visiting parks.

Dr. Kristen White is an intern in our surgery service. Her clinical interests include orthopedics, emergency surgery, ophthalmic surgery and wound management. She is certified in antemortem sampling for chronic wasting disease.

Dr. White has previously worked in general mixed practice taking ranch calls and small animal emergencies. Her favorite aspect of general practice was connecting with the local community and helping families.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station
• Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry, West Texas A&M University, Canyon

When she’s not saving lives, Dr. White spends most of her free time in servitude to a miniature Australian shepherd and a Devon rex. When she’s not heeding their every need, she enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors.

Dr. April Williams has several years of experience in emergency medicine and especially enjoys managing trauma cases. She spent seven years serving in the U.S. Army, where she built valuable skills that continue to support her work in high-pressure clinical settings.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station

A self-described homebody, Dr. Williams enjoys quiet time spent running, hiking and reading. She and her husband share their home with a pit bull named Harper.

Dr. Katheryn Wolfe continues to be fascinated by the field of Neurology, especially seizure disorders and inflammatory conditions like meningoencephalitis/meningomyelitis. She strives for answers to the tough questions: Why does this occur? What triggers this condition? Do genetic or environmental factors play a role?

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Neurology)
• Doctor of Veterinary Science, Neurology & Neurosurgery, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Emergency, Carolina Veterinary Specialists, Charlotte, NC
• Internship, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center, TX
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, George Washington University, Washington D.C.
• US Air Force Academy

Dr. Wolfe loves spending time with her two kids and three dogs: Watson, Skye and Roo. Her hobbies include swimming, cycling, running (triathlons) and traveling.