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Our Care Team

Your pet’s emotional and physical well-being is prioritized with every visit. We put the patients first!

Dr. Bell

Dr. David Bell, DVM

Owner, Veterinarian

Dr. David Bell was always attracted to the diversity of the veterinary profession. He loves being able to apply multiple fields of science when helping to change the lives of furry family members for the better. In short, it combines two of his favorite things: science and helping others! Dr. Bell is the proud owner and operator of Olympia Veterinary Hospital.

Dr. Bell hails from northern Idaho and attended Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine to earn his Doctorate. He’s been helping pets as a veterinarian ever since! Dr. Bell and his wife purchased Olympia Veterinary Hospital in September of 2017, and they couldn’t be happier to continue serving the area’s pets and animal parents. 

As a veterinarian, Dr. Bell enjoys internal medicine cases, dermatological work, and senior animal care. He’s also interested in wild animal conservation—he used to work as a wolf biologist!—and is also passionate about volunteering veterinary services in rural, underdeveloped areas of the world whenever he gets the chance. Above all, Dr. Bell likes meeting and greeting pet owners and getting to know them and their four-legged companions.

Outside of the office, Dr. Bell’s hobbies include golfing, mountain biking, surfing, snowboarding, and smoking barbecue.

Lisa

Lisa

Practice Manager

For Lisa, veterinary medicine is truly a family affair. She’s married to Dr. David Bell, Olympia Veterinary Hospital’s co-owner and operator! Lisa gets to put her background in accounting and administration to good use every day—she keeps things running like a well-oiled machine as the clinic’s Practice Manager.

Lisa is originally from Seattle and lived with Dr. Bell in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho before moving to Olympia and purchasing the hospital in the fall of 2017. Before joining the veterinary profession, she worked as an accountant in the engineering, research, and manufacturing fields. Her skillset served her well when it came to running a veterinary practice. Lisa couldn’t be happier with her choice! 

When she’s not helping pet owners and their animal companions here at the hospital, Lisa enjoys gardening, completing home improvement projects, hiking—she’s hiked all over Washington State since she was a little girl!—and cooking. She and Dr. Bell have a son, Graham, and a daughter named Daphne. The family shares their lives with one pet: Cortes, a Boxer who spends most of the day chasing birds from bird feeder to bird feeder. 

Rebecca

Becca

Hospital Manager/Licensed Veterinary Technician

Becca’s path into veterinary medicine was shaped early by her mother, whose work in the medical field led by example and instilled a deep respect for care and service. While she admired human medicine, Becca felt a stronger pull toward the bond shared between people and their animals. That instinct guided her into a profession where compassion, science, and long-term relationships come together every day.

Her academic journey began outside of veterinary medicine with a bachelor’s degree in French, along with a minor in Italian and studies in several other languages. While she valued her love of learning, Becca eventually returned to her mother’s advice that opportunities in medicine are always present. In 2002, she enrolled in veterinary technician school and has worked in the field ever since, building decades of experience across patient care and hospital operations.

Becca originally joined Olympia Veterinary Hospital in April of 2022 as a Veterinary Technician, spending three years caring for patients and forming lasting relationships with clients. In January of 2026, she returned to the practice in a new role as Hospital Manager, bringing both leadership experience and a strong clinical background to the position.

What Becca values most about her work is witnessing the human-animal bond in action. She is continually inspired by the intelligence, loyalty, and emotional connection animals share with the people who love them. She also enjoys the long-term nature of veterinary care, getting to know patients and their families over many years. 

Originally from Arizona, Becca relocated to the Pacific Northwest to escape the desert heat and found a place that truly felt like home. She shares her life with a pug named Angus McButterpants and two cats, Tofu and Mochi, whose personalities bring humor and joy into her days. Outside of veterinary medicine, Becca enjoys learning languages, caring for carnivorous plants, and reflecting on the many places she has traveled and lived throughout her life.

Debbie

Debbie

Client Care Specialist

  • “Why I love coming to work every day—it’s all about my amazing OVH team and our incredible clients. Whether I see you in the clinic or out in the community, I genuinely love those moments of connection. You all make this so much fun! (I may have to work another 10 more years!)”

With decades of experience in client service and a lifelong connection to animals, Debbie Robertshaw brings deep compassion and grounded calm to her role as Client Care Specialist at Olympia Veterinary Hospital. She began her veterinary journey in 2003 after more than 20 years in human optometry, blending her love for animals with her natural talent for connecting with people.

Debbie grew up on a farm in Nampa, Idaho, where caring for animals—from livestock to house pets—was part of everyday life. That early bond never faded. After moving to Washington in 2012, she joined Dr. Kiefer’s veterinary practice, which became Olympia Veterinary Hospital under Dr. and Lisa Bell’s ownership in 2017. Debbie has been part of the team ever since.

What she loves most about her work is being present for families during meaningful moments—especially when saying goodbye to a beloved pet. She feels honored to support clients during these emotional times and takes pride in offering steady, heartfelt care. Over the years, Debbie has formed lasting relationships with many pet owners and their animals, becoming a trusted, familiar face.

Outside the clinic, Debbie’s creativity shines. She’s an avid painter, a collector of craft supplies, and a proud caretaker of twelve orchids—what began as a single gift grew into a mini obsession. She often hosts craft days for the staff at her home, creating space for connection and creativity.

Debbie lives in Shelton with her husband, their elderly dog Andy, and Murray the cat—who unapologetically prefers her husband. With two daughters and two grandchildren nearby, her life is full of color, love, and laughter. And while her younger coworkers keep her on her toes, Debbie is always ready to share her experience—and learn something new in return.

Cari

Cari

Remote Client Care Specialist

  • “One of the most rewarding parts of this job is knowing that, in some way, we are helping someone each day, whether its something as simple as flea and tick prevention or helping a beloved furry family member feel better. Being part of a team that cares so deeply about both animals and the people who love them is what makes OVH such a special place to work, even from afar.”

With parents who both served in the Marines, Cari didn’t have the luxury of “growing up” anywhere in particular. Over the course of her childhood, the family lived in five different states, and Cari was the “new kid” 19 different times. While the scenery may have changed, the one thing that remained constant in Cari’s upbringing was her love of animals. This fondness only grew stronger over the years, and now Cari is able to share that passion for pets with the clients and patients of Olympia Veterinary Hospital!

Cari’s career journey began as a teenager at the Pierce County Skills Center, where she attended a pre-veterinary technology course and fell in love with the industry. Following high school, Cari became a professional groomer. When COVID hit and the salon closed down, Cari landed a receptionist job at a local vet clinic and quickly worked her way up to kennel tech and veterinary assistant. After relocating to Randle, she joined the Olympia Veterinary Hospital, and the rest is history!

Of her many duties as receptionist and kennel tech, Cari’s favorite is seeing the look of excitement on the faces of both the pets and their parents when they are reunited after a treatment or overnight stay. Clinically, she also enjoys assisting with X-rays and getting a closer glance at how everything looks from the inside.

At home, Cari and her husband, Cody, have two dogs: a pit bull named Chevy, who is a total scaredy cat and loves to play Tether ball; and Brewski, a red healer mix who can jump six feet in the air, is a literal garbage disposal, and carries her favorite toy Tire around with her everywhere. In her spare time, Cari enjoys working with her hands, crafting, reading, listening to podcasts, watching television, and hanging out with her fur-babies.

vivi

Vivi

Client Care Specialist/Veterinary Assistant

  • “I love working at OVH because this team encourages me to grow as a young professional every day, while allowing me to embrace my character simultaneously. Supporting clients and their pets throughout their entire medical journey until they make a full recovery is also very inspirational and heartwarming.

For Vivi, joining Olympia Veterinary Hospital in 2025 marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter — one that beautifully combines her passion for animals, science, and connection to others. After graduating from Washington State University (WSU) with a degree in Zoology, Vivi was eager to find a place where she could put her education and heart into practice. At Olympia Veterinary Hospital, she discovered the perfect balance: a role where she could provide compassionate client care while also learning hands-on veterinary medicine each day.

Vivi’s love for animals began early on, when caring for her childhood guinea pigs sparked a fascination with animal health and nutrition. That curiosity grew into a passion for wildlife conservation and exotic medicine during her college years, leading her to extraordinary hands-on experiences around the world. One of her most transformative moments came during a trip to Petén, Guatemala, where she helped rehabilitate endangered Scarlet Macaws, monkeys, crocodiles, jaguars, and parrots rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. The experience deepened her understanding of the connection between people, animals, and the environment — a philosophy she carries forward through the One Health concept.

Before joining Olympia Veterinary Hospital, Vivi also worked as a student mentor and supervisor at WSU, guiding underrepresented students in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Her compassion and leadership now shine in the clinic, where she finds joy in every interaction — easing client concerns, supporting her teammates, and helping pets on their path to healing.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Washington, Vivi remains close with her family and younger sister. Outside of work, she enjoys dancing, karaoke, exploring the outdoors, and traveling to music festivals. At home, her cuddly cats, Zeus and Soleil, keep her company — a constant reminder of why she chose this path.

For Vivi, every day at Olympia Veterinary Hospital is an opportunity to grow, connect, and make a lasting difference — one patient, one client, and one smile at a time.

Brittany

Brittany

Licensed Veterinary Technician

  • “OVH has been the most genuine and caring place I’ve ever worked, and I finally feel like my loyalty and hard work are going toward something that truly deserves my best.
    I wish everyone who comes to us could see how hard we all work together to create the best environment possible for both owners and their pets. You can’t please everyone, but OVH truly tries.”

For Brittany, animals have always felt like home. As a shy child, she found her voice through the pets in her life—especially a golden retriever named Wally, who taught her what loyalty and advocacy meant at a young age. That early bond set the foundation for a lifelong calling in veterinary medicine.

Brittany discovered veterinary technology at age 15 and never looked back. She began her career working at Petco, where she was invited to become a dog trainer. From there, she explored behavior, training, wildlife handling, and emergency medicine—gaining experience in doggy daycares, specialty practices, and animal control before settling into the veterinary field full-time. After years in emergency care in California, she moved to Olympia and joined the team at Olympia Veterinary Hospital, where she blends her strong technical skills with a calm, compassionate presence.

What Brittany enjoys most is solving problems—especially when a pet’s pain or behavior suddenly improves. With a background in ethology and fear-free handling, she connects with nervous or reactive patients in ways that help build trust and improve outcomes. She also has a talent for client education, translating complex medical information into language that’s approachable, respectful, and easy to understand.

Originally from Redwood Shores in Northern California, Brittany now calls the Pacific Northwest home. She and her husband, who shares her love of Muay Thai and martial arts, enjoy being surrounded by trees, nature, and a slower pace of life. Their home is shared with four rescued pets: Dakota the spirited Min-Pin mix, Nala the clever Shiba mix, Wyatt the curious tabby, and Talia the serene ball python.

Whether she’s connecting with a fearful patient or supporting a worried pet parent, Brittany leads with empathy, precision, and a deep sense of purpose.

Anika

Anika

Lead Veterinary Assistant

  • “I love working at Olympia Veterinary Hospital because our amazing staff support one another and are always lifting each other up when we need it most. I also love working with animals because we give them a voice and advocate for their well-being.”

As Lead Veterinary Assistant at Olympia Veterinary Hospital, Anika is the go-to support for doctors, technicians, and her fellow assistants—keeping patient care organized, efficient, and full of heart. She coordinates daily appointments, ensures treatments are completed on time, and steps in wherever she’s needed, all while making sure the team runs like a well-oiled (and compassionate) machine.

Anika joined the clinic in 2020 after a summer night spent scrolling for jobs involving animals. At the time, she was working as a waitress in Lacey and attending college with dreams of becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician. When she found the opportunity to join Olympia Veterinary Hospital as an assistant, she jumped at it—and quickly rose to become Lead just two years later.

Her passion for animals began young. While other kids dreamed of being astronauts or firefighters, Anika wanted to care for pets of every kind. Growing up in a military family, she was often entrusted with caring for relatives’ animals as early as age 10. One of her most meaningful experiences came with Tinny, a senior cat she cared for weekly over two years. His resilience—and his owner’s kindness—reminded her how deeply rewarding this work can be.

Anika loves watching puppies and kittens grow into their personalities and finds joy in seeing once-sick patients return brighter and stronger. She also has a gift for client communication, helping pet parents better understand how to care for their animals.

Born in Washington and raised between Georgia and the Pacific Northwest, Anika’s family roots trace back to Oahu, Hawaii. She now shares her home with two pit bulls, Wilma and Pebbles, and a bearded dragon named Rika. Outside of work, she loves baking, crafting, Halloween, and Pearl Jam—and once held the title of youngest team member at the clinic for four and a half years.

Nyaila

Nyaila

Veterinary Assistant

  • “I like working at OVH because every day is a learning opportunity! I love getting to know all of our clients and building a positive relationship with their pets. Everyday I’m able to get hands on experience and apply my classroom knowledge towards my work.”

Long before Nyaila ever held a stethoscope, she was the kid crouched in the grass studying roly-polies, gently collecting worms, or insisting on stopping to watch ducks at the lake. Animals weren’t just something she liked — they were what captured her full attention. While other children ran past exhibits at the zoo, she lingered, observing behaviors and asking questions. That natural curiosity eventually grew into a clear sense of direction.

Born in Seattle and spending part of her childhood in Arizona before returning to Washington, Nyaila’s fascination with wildlife followed her wherever she lived. In middle school, she joined an afterschool program called ZooCrew, where she learned about species from around the world and presented a final project at Woodland Park Zoo — a deep dive into bats that she still remembers proudly. She later joined ZooCorps in high school, educating visitors and earning a competitive summer internship teaching children about Pacific Northwest watersheds. Those years at the zoo sparked her interest in exotic and zoological medicine and confirmed that working with animals wasn’t just a phase — it was her future.

After high school, Nyaila attended Arizona State University majoring in Biological Sciences. In 2023, she stepped into clinical practice as a veterinary assistant, where her childhood curiosity transformed into hands-on patient care. In 2026, a simple email from Lisa at Olympia Veterinary Hospital led to an interview, then a working interview, and ultimately a place on the team.

Today, Nyaila is especially drawn to venipuncture, running laboratory diagnostics, surgical monitoring, and nursing sick patients back to health. She enjoys connecting classroom knowledge to real cases and finds deep fulfillment in watching a once-ill pet return to their happy, energetic self.

At home, she shares her life with Nova, her affectionate Nebelung cat. Outside of work, Nyaila channels her creativity into crocheting, dives into sci-fi novels, explores new music, and travels whenever she can — recently celebrating her first international adventure in Japan, with many more destinations on her list.

April-Shayde

April

Veterinary Assistant

  • “I love working at OVH because I enjoy the people I get to work with, as well as the love and care each employee has for the pets.”

When April was nine years old, she found a litter of three kittens who had been abandoned by their mother. When nobody claimed them, her parents agreed to let her take them in. With time, patience, and love, April was able to get them healthy enough to find them homes (though she did keep one!). It was that experience that made her realize she wanted to work with animals one day.

April’s journey began in 2018, when she got a job as a kennel technician. She instantly fell in love and worked hard to learn the skills she needed to move up to the position of veterinary assistant. April knew right from the start she’d chosen the right career path. After moving to the area, she came across an opportunity at Olympia Veterinary Hospital and jumped at the chance to join the team.

Outside of work, April resides with her fur family, which includes a crazy tuxedo cat named Guinavere and a lazy dog named Roscoe. In her spare time, April enjoys building Legos. So far, she has about 15 sets in her growing collection. Her largest build was about 2500 pieces and took around nine hours to complete. An avid Disney fan, April has visited Disney World eight times (so far).

Athena

Athena

Seasonal Veterinary Assistant

For Athena, veterinary medicine isn’t just a career goal—it’s been her passion since the age of eight. That was the year her family brought home Ivy, a golden retriever who quickly became Athena’s shadow and best friend. From that moment on, caring for animals didn’t feel like a chore—it felt like a calling.

Now, as a veterinary assistant at Olympia Veterinary Hospital, Athena is taking her first official steps toward veterinary school. Driven, compassionate, and eager to learn, she joined the practice to gain hands-on experience and further her knowledge in a field she’s been dreaming about for years. Every day brings something new—and every patient reminds her why she’s here.

Athena loves the opportunity to help animals directly, whether assisting with exams, offering comfort, or learning new clinical skills from the veterinary team. Her favorite moments are the small, quiet victories—earning a pet’s trust, seeing progress in a patient’s recovery, or simply being part of a team that leads with care and expertise.

Born and raised in Olympia, Washington, Athena grew up in an active, close-knit family with her twin sister, older sister, and parents. She credits her mom with sparking her love of baking, and her sisters with fueling her love of sports—from tennis and volleyball to skiing. (She still hits the slopes on weekends and plays tennis with her twin whenever she can.)

At home, Athena shares life with three beloved dogs: Ivy, who still loves long hikes; Ollie, a sunbathing beagle with a strong nap game; and Milo, the social butterfly of the bunch. In the summer, all three join her for paddleboarding adventures. 

Athena is excited for what’s ahead and grateful to be gaining hands-on experience as she works toward her ultimate goal: becoming a veterinarian.

“One small cat changes coming home to an empty house to coming home.”

 – Pam Brown