MEMORIAL-610 HOSPITAL FOR ANIMALS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Client Care and Client Services Team
My name is Adel I have been a full time CSR at Memorial-610 for almost 2 years. I was born in Portland, Oregon and raised in Mc Allen, TX. I have lived in Houston for 2 years now. I have a very handsome son named Ethan that is now 9 years old and I go to school full time. My plan is to become a registered nurse in human medicine. I have 2 years of previous experience working at an animal hospital in Weslaco, TX.
Blythe joined our practice in April, 2000 after working in emergency medicine since she earned her degree from the Veterinary Technician program at Lone Star College. Blythe also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Science at Texas A&M University in 1997. She earned her advanced certification as a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Canine and Feline Clinical Practice in 2012, and serves as treasurer of this organization. She has an interest in critical care medicine and is our lead nurse. Blythe is a member of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. Blythe also serves as our Practice Administrator.
Job Titles:
- V.P. ( Canine and Feline Practice ) & ( Feline Practice ), C.V.a
Dr. Carlye Rose was born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas in 1992, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1996, graduating first in her class from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State University. She obtained her first Diplomate status from the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) in 2003, specializing in Canine and Feline Practice. She obtained her second Diplomate status from ABVP in 2012, specializing in Feline Practice, distinguishing herself as one of only 3 veterinarians in the world to be Board-Certified in both specialties. Dr. Rose became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist in 2009. Her areas of interest include feline medicine, internal medicine, dentistry, and acupuncture. Under Dr. Rose's leadership, Memorial-610 Hospital for Animals earned the distinction of becoming the first Gold Level Cat Friendly Practice in Texas. Dr. Rose is an active member of American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association and the Harris County Veterinary Medical Association, the latter of which she is a Past-President. In addition, she is a member of the Veterinary Information Network, and the American Animal Hospital Association. She was a founding Board member of Friends for Life Animal Shelter and Sanctuary. Dr. Rose volunteers her time for both ABVP and AAFP. She is an avid supporter of the EveryCat Health Foundation (formerly the Winn Feline Foundation) and NotOneMoreVet.
When away from work, she is no longer Dr. Rose-she is Mom. She is devoted to spending time with her family, including her husband, son, daughter, and two cats. She enjoys volunteering on the pool deck as a USA Swimming Certified Official and as a US Masters Swimming Certified Official. As a competitive endurance athlete, Dr. Rose's accomplishments include Ironman Texas; twice-completing the famous Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon; two Boston Marathon finishes; and scores of other marathons, triathlons, meets, and races. And while she still swims, bikes, and runs for fitness, Dr. Rose has happily traded in her racing shoes for riding boots: You can now find her competing in the show ring, thrilled as ever to have returned to her childhood roots and true passion of flying over fences on hunter-jumper horses.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Client Care and Client Services Team
Donna joined our team in 2022. She was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She has worked in customer service for many years. Donna loves working with animals and in her spare time she enjoys hanging out with her Airedale Terrier, Deacon.
Dr. Caitlyn Freeny grew up in Northern California where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree from San Francisco State University. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University and completed her clinical year at Louisiana State University. She has a special interest in dermatology, preventive care, internal medicine and soft tissue surgery. She enjoys working closely with clients and strives to make every pet's visit to our hospital a positive one. Dr. Freeny is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, the Harris County Veterinary Association and the Veterinary Information Network. She is currently pursuing American Board of Veterinary Practitioners board certification. When Dr. Freeny isn't treating patients, she enjoys getting out in nature, crawfish boils, spending time with family and friends, listening to podcasts and reading. Being new to Texas, Dr. Freeny is enjoying exploring the area and trying new restaurants with her husband! They have five fur-children: Calypso, a Kittisian island cat, RuPaul, a sassy Corgi, Leg-O-Less, a tripod rescue cat, and Abbi, a Frenchie rescue, and ShopCat, a stray rescue.
Jen joined our team in September 2016 and is a Certified Veterinary Assistant. She is currently enrolled in the San Juan Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program and she is training to become a Veterinary Technician at the practice. She is expecting to obtain her licensure by 2024. Jen has loved all animals since she was a young child and has a special interest in avian and exotics.
Karla joined our team in 2023 from a local specialty practice.
Katie joined our staff in 2015. She earned her Associates of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology from Minnesota School of Business in 2006. She worked at a small animal practice in Minneapolis, MN from 2007 through 2015 until she relocated to Houston. She has a special interest in feline and canine behavior. She enjoys hiking and running with her dog Russell. She also has three cats, Audrey, Panda Bear, and Keiko.
Lucas joined our team in 2022, and is a CVA Level 1 and is working hard to become certified at a higher level. He has always had a soft spot for animals since childhood and grew up watching after others' pets as well as his own. He wishes to study zoology and become a certified technician specializing in wild life rehabilitation. He hopes to one day work very closely with any and all primates.
Rickie joined our staff in 2018. Rickie was an EMT before she entered the veterinary field in 2004. She started at the SPCA and has never looked back. She became licensed in 2010 and has remained in small animal and exotics practices. She has a special interest in all things feline (large and small). In her spare time, Rickie enjoys spending time with her husband and son and snuggling with their zoo. They have a multitude of cats and 2 dogs. In the future, she would like to achieve technician specialty licensing in feline medicine.
Sally joined our staff in 2017. She earned her degree from the Veterinary Technology program at Lone Star College in 1995 and has worked in Houston in small animal medicine and shelter medicine before joining our team.
Sarah joined our team in 2022, and is a CVA 2. She always told herself growing up that she wanted to work with animals. Life had seemed to have different plans. After serving 12 years in the military, she moved to Houston. Despite it all, her heart remained with wanting to be around animals. She attended PIMA Medical Institute where she become a CVA. She started working in a few clinics and a pet resorts before finding her home at our hospital.
Dr. Sarah Dewhirst was born in California. The daughter of a Navy helicopter pilot, she was raised in a variety of locations across the United States, eventually landing in the north Texas area. She obtained a bachelor's degree in Social Science from the University of North Texas in Denton and then embarked on a first career in retail purchasing. Working for the likes of The Nature Company and Discovery Channel Stores, she returned to her roots in California. After a number of years in this industry, she decided it was time for a career change. She was inspired by her time volunteering with the local animal shelter, wildlife rescue organizations and the Marnie Mammal center and decided to go back to school to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian. She relocated back to Texas to attend Texas A & M Veterinary School and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2009. Since graduation, she has worked in the greater Houston area in both day and emergency veterinary practice. Veterinary dentistry and oral surgery are her primary passions. Additional areas of interest include dermatology, internal medicine and soft tissue surgery. Dr. Dewhirst is a member of American Veterinary Medical Association, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, the Harris County Veterinary Association and the Veterinary Information Network. She enjoys giving back to the community by volunteering time doing spay and neuter surgeries with The Empty Shelter Project. When she is not working, her priority is spending time with her wife and son. Most weekends she can be found attending select baseball tournaments and cheering on her son and his team. In her free time she enjoys yoga and meditation, doing Camp Gladiator work-outs, reading, and trying out new restaurants. Furry family members include dog Blaze, and cats, Zen, Lola, and Huckleberry.
Job Titles:
- Chief of Staff at Memorial - 610 Hospital for Animals
- V.P. ( Canine and Feline Practice )
Dr. Pittenger is chief of staff at Memorial-610 Hospital for Animals. He was born in Iowa and grew up in a small town outside of Chicago, where his family resided through middle school. His family moved to Texas at the beginning of high school, where he competed in cross county and track. Dr. Pittenger attended college at Texas A&M University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree in 1995 from Texas A&M University. His areas of interest include nutrition, orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, ultrasound, internal medicine and computer applications in veterinary medicine. Dr. Pittenger obtained his Diplomate status from the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners with a specialty in Canine and Feline Practice in 2006. Dr. Pittenger is also a Founding Fellow in Emergency Practice and mentors clinicians through their fellowships in emergency practice. Dr. Pittenger is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, the Harris County Veterinary Medical Association, (Past President), the Veterinary Information Network, the American Animal Hospital Association, the International Association of Veterinary Pain Management and past president of the Association for Veterinary Informatics.
He was named the Texas Veterinary Medical Association's Recent Graduate of the Year for 1999. Dr. Pittenger still runs when he has time, although he says his competitive marathon days are past him. He volunteers for Special Olympics Texas, having served on the Board of Directors from 2004-2009, and even at the helm as Chairman of the Board for a few of those years. Dr. Pittenger volunteers for the Houston Area Special Olympics and has served the organization for 30+ years. He was an amateur pyrotechnician in his high school and college days, even competing internationally. Dr. Pittenger was a Referee for their old neighborhood swim team and dabbles in Track and Field fully automated timing and inventing devices for measuring field events. When not at the office or performing emergency trauma surgery at nights and weekends at the local emergency clinic, he spends time with his wife, and their two children. Their zoo consists of the dog Elvis, and cats Corn Dog and Boom. He is a chocoholic primarily, but enjoys most food.
Will joined our team in 2022. He has worked in the veterinary industry for over 20 years. He is also a recent graduate from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology with a minor in History. He has an excellent family comprised of a wife and two sons. His hobbies include fishing, hiking, astronomy, guitar, and model rocketry.