Our Team

Kristen Shaw, DVM

Dr. Shaw has a life-long love and respect for animals, which led to her career in veterinary medicine. She enjoys working with clients who include their animals as a part of the family. Dr. Shaw emphasizes providing the best possible care and forming long-lasting relationships with her clients. She graduated from Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. In 2005, Dr. Shaw formed a partnership with then senior practitioner, Dr. Powell. She purchased the practice when Dr. Powell retired in 2006. Dr. Shaw shares her home with her husband, three cats and two very active dogs. She also has a love for horses and has raised, trained and shown horses since her youth.

Stephanie Ricker, DVM

Dr. Ricker grew up in New Jersey, but fell in love with Oregon as a student at Reed College. After graduating from the NYS College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, she and her husband returned to the Northwest. Dr. Ricker has been at Southgate Animal Clinic since 1986 and enjoys the long-term relationships she has established with her clients here. Dr. Ricker and her husband have a son and a daughter who attend college out of state. Her family enjoys their volunteer work as puppy raisers for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Click the link below to see photos of two of the pups, Donette and Riata, they helped raise.

• http://www.pupsatworkforsight.org/

Tammy Stemper, DVM

Dr. Stemper grew up in Minnesota where she graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1990. She and her husband moved to Oregon in 1999. She began working for Southgate Animal Clinic that same year. The Stemper's have two sons, Ben and Neil that keep them very busy. She also shares her home with four cats and one chocolate Lab. Her active family enjoys hiking, birding, camping, canoeing, reading and movies.

Olivia Wilson, DVM

Dr. Wilson started working with us in the fall of 2011. She is from Yakima, WA and graduated from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Wilson has many areas of interest including preventative medicine, dentistry and neonatal care. Dr. Wilson and her husband have Lilly (pictured with Dr. Wilson) and 2 cats Rocco and Howie at home. In her spare time, she enjoys enjoying all of the seasonal outdoor activities the area has to offer, as well as reading and crocheting.

Jen Strelkauskas, DVM

Dr. Jennifer Strelkauskas graduated in 1996 with a BS in Animal Science and a DVM from Auburn University College in Veterinary Medicine. She practiced both small and large animal medicine in a number of states across the country before settling in the Pacific Northwest in 2002. After living in the Columbia gorge for 13 years, she and her two boys have now made Portland their home. She is excited about joining Southgate Animal Clinic and hopes to cultivate many new relationships with our clients and their forever friends. When not working, she can be found reading good books, cheering for one son at high school football games or supporting her other son as he dances for Oregon Ballet Theater.

Matthew Marasco, DVM

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Matthew Marasco to Southgate Animal Clinic. Dr. Marasco has over 28 years of experience with a keen interest in feline medicine, dermatology, and internal medicine. He is fluent in Spanish. In his spare time he enjoys family time, travel, cooking, hiking, cycling, and watching classic and contemporary films. We are lucky to have him join our clinic.

Alyssa, CVT

Alyssa wears many hats here at the clinic. She has been working in the field of veterinary medicine since 1996 and has been a Certified Veterinary Technician here at Southgate since 2005. She also assists our clients with the difficult time at the end of their pet's life and provides help with grief. Alyssa has a Bachelors of Science, Science with a minor in Biology and Geology from University of California, Irvine.

Paige, CVT

Paige has been part of the Southgate team since May 2013. She has a menagerie of animals at home, including two dogs (Rocco & Tod), two cats (Carcrash and Flobberworm). In her free time, she enjoys all the great outdoors has to offer with her dogs and her husband. Here at Southgate, she particularly enjoys surgeries and dentals, and takes a special interest in keeping patients comfortable post-surgery. She grew up in the Portland area and graduated from the Sanford-Brown Veterinary Technology Program.

Heidy, CVT

Heidy joined Southgate Animal Clinic in March of 2015. She was born and raised in the Netherlands and speaks several languages (including a little feline and canine). Heidy obtained her veterinary technician license in 2005. She is an advocate for minimizing stress for all animals both in the clinic, and for stray animals. She is never without an animal or two herself and wouldn't have it any other way.

Jaky, CVT

Jaky was born in Canada and moved to the beautiful Portland area at a young age. She has been a dedicated CVT since graduating in 1999 from the Veterinary Technology Program of P.C.C.. She loves hiking and swimming with her dog, Samsun (a 14.5 yr old mastiff mix) and gardening. She enjoys working in all aspects of the veterinary field - especially with geriatrics and brachycephalics.

Sara

Sara joined the Southgate team in November of 2006. She started as a client, hired as a receptionist, moved up to veterinary assisting and now is one of our Team Leaders. When not working with clients or assisting our doctors she can be found by our rivers or out camping. She shares her home with her husband, 2 kids and 2 dogs. One of her dogs is a Jack Russell, Sara always loves meeting the new Jacks that come through!

Jody

Jody is a long-time member of the Southgate Team. Her knowledge and skills are priceless to our team and her leadership helps keep us working together to be the best team we can be. She loves many animals, but has a special affinity for golden retrievers and herefords.