Colleen Beestman
DVM
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.
