Members

While completing her undergrad degree in Science, Dr. Jenny Lee volunteered at the Tacoma Humane Society, and the rest was history. In love with helping animals and excited to continue her Science degree, she began her journey to become a veterinarian. Now, Dr. Lee has over a decade of experience in the field and has spent the past five years as a practicing veterinarian.

We welcomed Dr. Jenny Lee, DVM, to the Rainier Veterinary Hospital team in 2024 and are thrilled that her journey led her to us!

The Western Washington region has been the home of Dr. Lee’s career including here work with four regional practices where she gathered invaluable experience.

Dr. Lee’s interest in this work stays strong knowing she has the opportunity to heal animals. “I love helping people by providing the best medical care for their pet and preserving the human and animal bond,” she shared.

Driven by her commitment to our patients and clients, Dr. Lee practices with integrity, delegates with efficiency, and takes every opportunity to deepen her skill set.

Education

Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Pullman, Wash.

Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Wash.

Volunteer Work

Dr. Lee has supported the Rainier Animal Fund’s mission to provide free veterinary care to those in need in the Greater Seattle area, working as a volunteer vet since May 2023. She has also worked with The Humane Society Tacoma & Pierce County in Tacoma, Wash., and the Feral Cat Spay and Neuter Project in Lynnwood, Wash.

Home Life

Off the clock, Dr.  cares for her beloved pet, Bacon, an 8-year-old grey-and-white tabby who loves belly rubs and red-colored toys; and enjoys biking a trail near Lake Sammamish.

Becoming a veterinarian was an absolute no-brainer for Dr. Leslie Rivers, who is a true testament to the saying, “If you love what you do you won’t work a day in your life.”

She believes that doing this work is a privilege and has loved every moment along her journey, even the humble beginnings of scooping poop—and it paid off! Dedicating her education to veterinary medicine, Dr. Rivers has spent a decade in this field and has held varying positions across many practices; gaining invaluable insight along the way.

Joining the Rainier Veterinary Hospital team in 2024, we are thrilled to have Dr. Rivers support our clients and patients with her expert care!

Before starting with us, Dr. Rivers gained a diverse skill set in small and mixed animal surgery and medicine. Most recently, she worked as a mixed animal associate, performing routine and emergency surgeries on dogs, cats, horses, sheep, goats, and cows at a mixed-animal practice in Spanaway, Wash. In previous roles, Dr. Rivers even worked with pigs, rabbits, and the occasional kangaroo!

This work’s constant variety is what keeps her interest alive! “Every single day, and even every hour, is completely unique,” Dr. Rivers shared, “which allows for constant learning, skill building, meeting new folks, and connecting with patients.”

Dr. River’s motivation to learn as much as possible drives her collaboration style. She believes that every person in our hospital has something to teach her, and she values all opportunities for improvement that come with having a diversely skilled team.

Leveraging every resource possible, Dr. Rivers is dedicated to exploring all avenues to solve patient problems, working through client concerns free from judgment, and reassuring that every pet’s well-being is her top priority.

Education

Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, Wis.

Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vt.

Volunteer Work

Dr. Rivers’ volunteer work includes performing a high volume of spay and neuter surgeries in rural Costa Rica. In addition, Dr. Rivers was one of the vets at 2023’s Washington State Fair, where she interacted with all the proud 4Hs and FFAs who worked so hard to make their animals the very best—and she loved every minute of it! Additionally, she supported some local county fairs in western Washington, helping kids get their fair projects ready to go.

Home Life

In her free time, Dr. Rivers enjoys experiencing all the amazing outdoor adventures that the Pacific Northwest has to offer, like hiking, rock climbing, traveling, and leisurely reading. Her sweet pup, Henrietta, a Chihuahua/Pug who was found roaming the streets of Texas before her rescue, is always along for Dr. Rivers’ journeys—greeting absolutely everyone along the way and touching them with her heart of gold!

Dr. Debra Nicholson spent her early career working in the field of exotic animal veterinary medicine and rehabilitation at such facilities as WildCare Foundation in Noble, Oklahoma, Homer Veterinary Clinic in Homer, Alaska, Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation in San Antonio, Texas, and Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah. Finally, in 2010, Dr. Nicholson moved to Seattle, Washington, where she worked a brief time with a local nonprofit before purchasing Rainier Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Nicholson would go on to purchase two more independent practices, Elliott Bay Animal Hospital and Bothell Pet Hospital, before setting sites on a large-scale rebuild of Rainier Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Nicholson works as a relief veterinarian at Rainier Veterinary Hospital and is the leader of the parent organization of all three practices, Veterinary Roots.

Education

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University School of Veterinary Medicine

Bachelor of Science, Biology, Colorado State University

Home Life

In her free time, Dr. Nicholson enjoys hiking, running, snowboarding, touring the area in search of unique breweries with amazing IPAs, and biking with her family and her three dogs, Tater, an American Bulldog, and their ever-rowdy Bernadoodles, Yeti, and Marley.

Originally from Rochester, New York, Dr. Colleen Cassidy does not hold back about how much she does not miss the weather from home—in particular, the snow. And she says the weather is absolutely one of her favorite parts about Seattle, which she has called home since joining Rainier Veterinary Hospital in August 2015.

Before joining our team, Dr. Cassidy completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the 24-hour emergency care and specialty center, Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center in Middletown, Connecticut.

“I found my time at Pieper Memorial as both challenging yet rewarding,” shared Dr. Cassidy. “During a shift, you would be called upon to be the only receiving veterinarian while also caring for four, critical in-house patients. I needed to learn to triage and prioritize while leaning on the incredible technicians and staff on the team. An appreciation for team collaboration that I have carried with me to my work at Rainier.”

Dr. Cassidy’s specific areas of interest include soft-tissue surgery—for example, spays, neuters, and intestinal surgeries—as well as feline medicine. “I try to be an advocate for kitties,” she says.

Education

Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York

Volunteer Work

Dr. Cassidy’s love of animals propelled her to volunteer early on including time spent at her local shelter, Lollypop Farm, in Fairport, New York and later working with Dairy cattle at Cornell University College.

Home Life

Dr. Cassidy shares her downtime with her rambunctious cat Ember. When not at home, Dr. Cassidy enjoys exploring Deception Pass, whale watching, and pretty much all the Pacific Northwest has to offer. In addition, Dr. Cassidy is passionate about contra dance, which she describes as “square dancing except you do it in lines—you start in groups of four, but throughout the dance, you end up dancing with everyone.” Unique and timeless just like her.

Dr. Beestman began her career in veterinary medicine practicing at a small animal practice in Phoenix, Arizona before moving to the Seattle area and joining our team at Rainier Veterinary Hospital. Coincidentally, Dr. Beestman has worked alongside the owner of Rainier Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Debra Nicholson, twice in the past. The first time was in 2004 at a non-profit wildlife rescue in Texas, Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, when Dr. Beestman was still an undergraduate. Dr. Nicholson was mostly chasing escaped monkeys with a dart gun (and a golf cart) while Dr. Beestman was feeding baby squirrels, opossums, raccoons, birds and more. The second time they crossed paths was when Dr. Beestman was living in Phoenix, and she decided to do a two-day volunteer stint at Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah, where Dr. Nicholson was working at the time.

Now, more than 10 years later in Seattle, the two veterinarians have reconnected and are practicing together at Rainier Veterinary Hospital.

“What I really enjoy in veterinary medicine is witnessing and being a part of fostering the human-animal bond,” shared Dr. Beestman.

Education

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, Wisconsin

Bachelor of Science, Zoology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin

Home Life

Dr. Beestman loves all the Pacific Northwest has to offer. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking in the mountains, biking, camping and so much more. She even rides her bike to work when she can, which nearly an hour ride from West Seattle. Dr. Beestman also enjoys the Seattle area staples including good microbrews, coffee and all things sustainable and good for the planet.

Dr. Andrea Oas joined the Rainier Veterinary Hospital team in 2023 after having spent several years working as a small practice general practitioner at hospitals in the greater Seattle area. During this time, she had the opportunity to fine-tune her surgical and dentistry skills while also providing mentorship to her larger medical support team. Now at Rainier Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Oas is focusing on expanding our surgery practice while continuing to share her skills and dedication with our team and the larger community we serve.

“I found some paperwork from the 3^rd grade where there was a question that asked what I wanted to be when I grew up,” shared Dr. Oas. “I wrote – a vet! I feel like I was destined to be in this field where I could help the animals that bring us all so much joy and love. I honestly can’t imagine myself doing anything else.”

Education

Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington

Bachelor of Science, Zoology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington

Associate, Arts and Science, Everett Community College, Everett, Washington

Volunteer Work

It is important to note that Dr. Oas has spent a great deal of time “giving back” to pets and the underserved communities in need. This is reflected in her work with World Vets in Nicaragua as well as her work with Old Dog Haven, Must Luv Boxers Rescue and the Seattle Humane.

Home Life

Dr. Oas shares her home with a literal pack of French Bulldogs (Nizmo, Jazzie, Lilah, Diddy, Bruno and Lilly) and her two Pygmy Goats, Evie and Ellie. When not enjoying and corralling her extended pet family, Dr. Oas enjoys hiking, traveling and spending time playing cards and board games with family and friends.