Meet Our Team

Dr. Samantha Gans is originally from the East Coast. Dr. Gans first gained an interest in veterinary medicine after spending a week visiting a very special black lab, Squirrel-Fish, who was being treated at the local emergency vet clinic. She left the coast to complete her Bachelors in Animal Science at KSU. From there she moved with her husband and son, Colton, to Arizona and obtained her DVM from Midwestern University. Having great appreciation for the low humidity here, they decided to stay. Dr. Gans is interested in emergency medicine, ophthalmology, and pain management. She has a special place in her heart for furry geriatric companions and keeping the human-animal bond strong through all their years. In her free time she enjoys mountain biking, camping, and swimming with her family. She has a dog named Trixie and a cat named Nash.

Dr. Hertz was born and raised just north of New York City in Westchester County. He always had a love and passion for animals ever since he was little, growing up with many animals in the house. He ventured away from home to get his Bachelors at the University of Michigan (Go Blue)! He continued moving further west to escape the cold winters and came to Arizona for veterinary school at Midwestern University. After falling in love with the Arizona climate and meeting his fiancé in vet school, he decided to call Arizona his new home. Together with his fiancé, he has two dogs, Honey and Chili, and one cat, Kesha. Dr. Hertz has developed interests in soft tissue surgery and preventative medicine and looks forward to building long lasting relationships with his patients and their families. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, swimming, snowboarding, watching Netflix, and is a huge sports fan.

Dr. Courtney Blackmon is a dedicated veterinarian with a diverse background in animal care, spanning small animals, wildlife, and equine medicine. Raised in the Midwest, she began her journey into veterinary medicine in Austin, Texas, where she worked at a small animal veterinary clinic, apprenticed as a horse trainer, and honed her skills in starting horses. Her passion for animal welfare grew as she volunteered at a wildlife rehabilitation center and fostered dogs and cats in need. Dr. Blackmon pursued her veterinary education at Colorado State University, located in the scenic Front Range, where she developed a deep interest in preventative care, animal behavior, and nutrition. Her time at CSU also sparked her passion for emergency medicine and surgery, which she further cultivated while working in a small animal ER and the university’s surgery department. She also developed strong interests in managing complex medicine cases, dentistry, and soft tissue surgery, all of which complement her comprehensive approach to animal care. In search of sunshine and warmer weather, Dr. Blackmon moved to Arizona, where she currently resides with her menagerie of animals that include dogs, cats, horses, and 2 pot-bellied pigs. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys hiking, horseback riding, and exploring the natural beauty of Arizona. With a well-rounded and compassionate approach to veterinary care, Dr. Blackmon is committed to providing the best possible treatment and advocating for the health and well-being of all animals in her care.

Dr. Buscema is from Tucson, Arizona. She has always grown up around dogs, horses, and cats and knew early on she wanted to devote her life to them. She graduated from The University of Arizona with a degree in Veterinary Science, minoring in Microbiology and Biochemistry. After graduation, she moved to Glendale, Arizona to acquire her degree in Veterinary Medicine at Midwestern University. Dr. Buscema is very excited to join the team at The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic! Megan has an interest in preventative care, while building strong client relationships to help care for everyone’s four legged friends. When she is not helping other animals, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and spending time with her terrier mix rescue, Poppy or enjoying the company of her horse, Elco.

Dr. Shayla Fleming is from Phoenix, Arizona and has wanted to be a veterinarian since she was a kid. She grew up with dogs, birds, reptiles, and fish! She graduated from Aurora University in Illinois with dual bachelor degrees in Biology and health science. She moved back to Arizona to attend Midwestern University for Veterinary School and enjoys being in the sun again. She has a dog named Jack, a bird named Flynn, and a tortoise named Ralph. In her free time she enjoys hiking, going to the lake, and reading.

Dr. Rodrick was born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona. She attended undergrad at The University of Arizona obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Sciences and a minor in Microbiology. She then went on to attend Midwestern University and received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Her interests in veterinary medicine include small animal surgery, dentistry, emergency and equine medicine. Growing up, she rode and showed horses and dreams of owning a horse again someday! She enjoys spending time with her new Golden Retriever puppy Goose, going to the beach and riding horses. She grew up with cattle dogs who will always hold a special place in her heart. Luckily her parents still have two that she gets to see often, Bisbee and Paislee.

Dr. Ashley Denlinger was born and raised in San Jose, CA. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Cellular Molecular Biology from Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA, before obtaining her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Midwestern University. Growing up surrounded by dogs and cats, she always had a deep love for animals. However, it wasn’t until high school that she realized her passion for veterinary medicine. Today, she is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care, with clinical interests in emergency and critical care, internal medicine, and shelter/community medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new restaurants, traveling, hiking, camping, reading, sewing, fostering kittens, and spending quality time with her husband, 4 cats, family, and friends. She looks forward to meeting you and partnering to ensure the best possible care for your furry family members.

Dr. Lindsay Ferguson was born in Las Vegas and raised in Gilbert, Arizona. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Arizona. Her passion for veterinary medicine began at an early age when her family dog experienced an accidental pregnancy and delivered 14 puppies in her parents’ kitchen, an event that sparked her interest in animal care. Dr. Ferguson worked at The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic for several years before pursuing her veterinary degree at St. George’s University of Veterinary Medicine. While studying on the island of Grenada, she was actively involved with the One Health One Medicine Club, which fueled her dedication to zoonotic disease prevention and neonatal critical care. Her professional interests lie in diagnostic imaging and critical care, particularly in emergency hospital settings. Outside of work, Dr. Ferguson enjoys outdoor activities and going on adventures with her husband and two dogs.

Dr. Jenifer Goldberg grew up near Wrigley Field in Chicago but spent just as much time on her family’s farm in Indiana, blending the energy of city life with the charm of rural living. She earned her undergraduate degree at Indiana University and went on to complete her DVM at Purdue University. While passionate about small animal medicine, Dr. Goldberg also has a strong interest in treating large animals, especially those on the family farm. Dr. Goldberg has been fortunate to study abroad in both Spain and Argentina, which sparked her love for the Spanish language and culture. Outside of work, she enjoys playing pickleball, hiking, boating, and spending time outdoors. A self-proclaimed food lover, she’s excited to embrace the next chapter of her life, escaping winter and finding more time for her hobbies.

Dr. Mia Minor is a dedicated veterinarian with a passion for providing exceptional animal care. Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she always knew she wanted to be a veterinarian. She attended LSU for both her undergraduate and veterinary degrees, gaining hands-on experience in surgery, diagnostics, and wellness care. Mia values mentorship and collaboration, constantly striving to learn and grow in her field. With a special interest in emergency and internal medicine, she enjoys problem-solving to improve patient outcomes. She is excited to move to Arizona for new professional opportunities and a change of scenery, looking forward to exploring the beautiful outdoors and all the state has to offer. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her dog, Sam, her cat, Eeyore, and her rabbit, Juju.

Dr. Samantha Palmer grew up in Mesa, AZ, and earned her Bachelor’s in Biology from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She then pursued her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University. Now back in the Valley, she is thrilled to be near family and serve the local pet community. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Palmer enjoys board and card games, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her husband and their dog, Maple.

Dr. Megan Valentine is originally from Orange County, California. She attended undergraduate school in New York, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology while working closely with the veterinary sciences department at her university. Dr. Valentine moved to Arizona in 2021 to attend Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, whom she travels to see as often as possible. The majority of her family resides in Ireland, and she visits them when she can. Dr. Valentine loves to read, crochet, and spend time with her cat, Poppy, who will turn 4 years old in August. She grew up with various pets, but dogs and cats have always held a special place in her heart.

Valley Veterinary Cardiology: The veterinary cardiologist behind our mobile services is Dr. Christopher Paige. Chris has been working in the field for more than 10 years but has had a passion for animals all of his life. Dr. Paige is board-certified in Cardiology by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). For more than nine years, he has worked in private specialty practices in Mesa, Phoenix, and Flagstaff, Arizona, offering full, interventional cardiology service. In 2012, Dr. Paige was recruited into cardiovascular research at a world-renowned human medical device company. He also served as Chair of the ACVIM Residency Training Committee and is Adjunct Faculty at Midwestern School of Veterinary Medicine. In 2014, he founded Veterinary Specialists of Northern Arizona to provide cardiology services to the Flagstaff, Cottonwood, Campe Verde, Sedona and surrounding areas. He opened Valley Veterinary Cardiology in August 2016 to offer the Valley’s first cardiology specific practice dedicated to patient, client and primary care veterinarian support. In his free time, Dr. Paige enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, as well as their family pets. He also likes to hike, run, mountain bike and downhill ski.

Dr. Venable is Board Certified as a medical oncologist from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Dr. Venable has always been surrounded by animals growing up on a farm in the Midwest. She obtained her veterinary degree from the University of Missouri and graduated cum laude. After veterinary school, Dr. Venable pursued further training as a small animal intern at the University of Georgia. She then completed her 3-year medical oncology residency at the world-renowned Colorado State Flint Animal Cancer Center. During her residency, she achieved a master’s degree and studied new cancer therapies and clinical trials. She continues to seek out clinical trials and cutting-edge therapies for her patients. Dr. Venable has authored numerous publications and has been a speaker on local and national levels. She is the founder of Pet Cancer Care Consulting, an innovative teleconsulting service which consults with the family vet and pet owner together to give personalized responses and needed information to make an informed decision on treatments. She is also a VIN consultant, research consultant, and was an adjunct professor of veterinary oncology at Midwestern University. She is a member of many organizations and currently a director of the board of the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association. Her oncology philosophy is one of a team-based approach with the family and referring veterinarians for compassionate, individualized care, and optimal quality of life for cancer patients and their families.

Dr. Venable enjoys the outdoors and being on the trail with her wonderful husband and their young daughters. Service opportunities are important to them as they volunteer at church and abroad as her husband works for a non-profit building schools in the developing world. Together they go on projects all over the globe with Be the Change Volunteers.

Dr. Roth was born in Colorado, and has lived most of her life in Arizona. She first attended the Air Force Academy, but then exchanged her career as a pilot for that of becoming a veterinarian! She graduated as a DVM from Colorado State University, and spent most of her career in entrepreneurial endeavors. She has a passion for educating others, and in addition to teaching veterinary ultrasound within the industry, she also helped build the education department for Sound Technologies. After 20 years in the veterinary industry, she completed an alternative radiology residency in 2017 and enjoys practicing her specialty of radiology in both clinical and teleradiology settings. In her spare time, she enjoys practicing her Christian faith while trying to humbly navigate life. She enjoys spending time with her two adult children, both with special needs in the autism spectrum. She has been an equestrian coach for the Special Olympics, and once traveled to Greece for the World Games. She enjoys being athletic (basketball, swimming, triathlons, or just staying fit). She enjoys spending her free time in warm places, sunny beaches, and watching beautiful Arizona desert sunsets.

Marie has been a valued member of our TSVC team since 2018! She is a client services representative and also has been promoted to our pet plan coordinator. Marie moved out to the valley of the sun from the Midwest 20 years ago. She has two adorable lab mixes named Winnie and Cassie. She enjoys listening to live music and going to concerts, camping, cooking, spending time with her family, friends, and adventures with her dogs.

Angel lived in California most of his life, where he began in the animal field as a veterinary technician. Years later, he decided to become a groomer. He then moved to Arizona thirteen years ago, and has been working as an Emergency Veterinary Technician ever since! He loves the veterinary field, and caring for all of his patients. He has a chihuahua named Little Man, a Cockatiel named Pablo, and a Lab Retriever mix named Luna. In his free time, he enjoys spending time

Reann was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ. She has a passion for Marine animals and Exotic animals. She’s been in the field for 3 years after she started working with Marine Mammals. Her ultimate goal is to work in rescue and rehabilitation for all animals, while still getting her time with dogs and cats at TSVC! Her favorite exotic animal she’s worked with so far is Sea Turtle Rehabilitation. She has 4 dogs Chloe, Arya, Maveric, and newest addition, Keira. When not at work, she is always finding new adventures like hiking up north and going to the lake. When not being active, she loves lounging around watching horror movies with her husband.

Vy was from Massachusetts, then moved to Arizona. She has 2 cats named Kovu and Nala. She is happy to be a part of The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic to be able to explore her love for animals. In her free time, Vy spends time with her friends, playing games, dancing and playing volleyball.

Aimee was born in Connecticut, and moved to Arizona in 2006. She has always had a passion for animals her entire life. She has grown up with animals constantly around her including dogs, horses, donkeys and goats. She started in the veterinary field in 2020. She loves to help people and their pets. She has two dogs that she loves to spend time with. In her free time she loves to be outdoors with nature, and spend time with family and friends.

Jamie is an Arizona native, born and raised on her family’s small farm in Goodyear. She grew up riding horses, raising dogs and caring for other small animals. This experience taught her discipline, compassion and a strong work ethic. It’s no surprise then, animals have always played a huge part in Jamie’s life. She has spent the past 23 years in Veterinary Medicine, finally finding her place with the Scottsdale Vet family in 2023. Outside of having the best job in the world, Jamie has 2 grown children, 3 dogs and 5 grand-dogs. She enjoys reading & taking long drives. She says her goal in life is to be the kind of person her dog thinks she is.

Laine grew up in Palm Springs, CA and has lived in Phoenix for the past 8 years. She attended GCU, where she studied Biochemistry. In her free time she dotes on her 1 1/2 year old son Westley, reads, and enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, and yoga. She actively volunteers her time working with people, especially women and moms, in recovery. She loves animals of all shapes and sizes, and has two dogs, Ivy and Bubba.

Riley was born in San Diego, California but was raised in the Arizona Valley. She has had a passion for animals since she was a little girl. Owning a wide range of pets; from dogs & cats to birds & reptiles. She spends her free time either outdoors or doing something creative, such as pottery or crocheting.

Noa is an Arizona native that really enjoys living here in the southwest. She has a degree in Conservation Biology and Ecology from ASU and is passionate conserving the natural world. She has two dogs and two cats herself. Outside of work, Noa enjoys spending time with her animals, hiking, and camping as much as possible.

Jordan is an Arizona native and has been such a dog lover for as long as she can remember, but these days her love and passion are given to her 2 young children, Ryker 4 and Myla 3. She has been in pharmacy, more specifically a pharmacy technician, for the past 20 years. While it is a very rewarding profession, she is very excited about the opportunity to work for a team that cares for animals. In her spare time, she keeps herself laughing by attending comedy shows often, and enjoys wine tasting and trying different restaurants.

Diana was born in Charleston, SC. She was born into a military family and has traveled all over the country. She and her family landed in Athens, Greece, where she attended ACS (American Community Schools), and resided there from 4th grade to High School. After graduation, she got married 2 days later and then went to work for the Airforce. When they returned to the US, they resided in Gilbert, AZ, and further started her family. She worked for Motorola for 32 years and now spends her retired time working at TSVC helping maintain a clean hospital and supporting the staff and patients. In her free time, she likes to camp with her family, swim, travel, cook, and spend time with her 4 grandkids. She has 3 dachshunds, named Harley, D.O.G., and Ivy.

Karmel is a native of Arizona. She has previously worked as a Mold and Asbestos Remediation Technician and has also worked in asphalt construction. Her hobbies include making jewelry, working with stained glass and fused glass art. She has always had a love for all animals, so she jumped at the opportunity to join TSVC. Karmel has three dogs: Maggie, Peanut and Me-mo.

Jessica was born in Colorado Springs and discovered her love of animals at the Denver Zoo. Jessica moved to Arizona in 2018 to attend Pima Medical Institute to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. Jessica is passionate about emergency medicine and helping as many different species as possible. She has a pitbull named Blue and just adopted a kitten named Frankie! In her spare time, Jessica works with Southwest Wildlife, and The Katie Adamson Fund in CO., and enjoys hiking, swimming, and playing with her two pets.

Michelle is a CVT who has been working as a veterinary technician since 2014 and has been at TSVC since 2018! She enjoys everything and anything outside including hiking, going to the lake, snowboarding and traveling with her beloved 9-year-old dog Stanley. When she’s not traveling to the beach or the mountains with her A+ copilot Stan, they are at home cuddled on the couch. She grew up with various pets and always had a passion to help animals. Michelle was quickly promoted to lead veterinary technician here at TSVC, where she gets to help animals every day while surrounded by the most supportive coworkers!

Mikala took an interest in animals when she started helping her grandfather on his farm to raise and breed coonhounds. She graduated from the East Valley Institute of Technology with a Vet Assisting Certificate in 2021. In May of 2022 she graduated from Pima Medical Institute finishing her AAS in Veterinary Technology. Mikala plans on taking her board exams to become a Certified Veterinary Technician late 2022. In her free time Mikala spends time with her two younger sisters and her Havanese dog named Millie. Mikala loves going to the lake, hiking, and reading.

Michelle is an Arizona Native, and started her career working with animals several years ago. She began in rescue and shelter medicine, and now enjoys the variety of general practice and emergency. In her spare time, she enjoys fishing and camping with her 2 kids, and an aquarium enthusiast. She has a deaf Great Dane named Sunny, who knows sign language and is a blood donor here at TSVC!

Nick was born and raised in New Mexico before relocating to Arizona in 2011 for school. Nick graduated from Arizona State University in 2015 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Animal Physiology and Behavior, and then completed the Veterinary Technician Program at Pima Medical Institute in 2019. He loves working with and helping animals of all shapes and sizes, and even volunteers his time to help rehabilitate birds of prey here in Arizona! When not helping animals, Nick loves to spend his time hiking, watching movies and sports, playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends, and traveling as much as he can.

Branson was born in Utah but moved to Arizona when he was young. He grew up in Gilbert around cows and chickens, which is where his love of animals began. He loves being outdoors when it’s not too hot, and enjoys hiking, playing sand volleyball, and pickleball when he has the time and energy. He also likes to play board games and watch movies with friends. He currently has just one dog named Newt, but always wants more pets.

Rafael was born in Cuidad Obregón, Sonora but has lived in Arizona his whole life. He has one goofy but loving dog, Bella (dachshund mix) and one lovely calico cat, Luna. Rafael graduated from Pima Medical Institute as a Veterinary Technician this year and now his goals are set to complete his boards to become a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT). He is new working in the veterinary field but his passion so far has been in emergency care. At TSVC he continues to learn and grow his skills as a technician every day. On his days off, he loves to spend time with family and friends, play video games, talk about cars and he loves eating pizza!!

Cassidy was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She has worked in veterinary medicine for the last 7 years and became a certified veterinary technician in 2022. Cassidy’s clinical interests include laboratory procedures, dentistry, anesthesia and emergency/critical care. She loves working with feline patients and has two of her own – a 3 year old kitty named Guillermo and a 1 year old kitty named Clam. In her free time she enjoys drawing, photography, reading, watching hockey, and spending time with friends and family.

Melissa has been working in the vet field for over 10 years, and her special passion is feline medicine. Sassy kitties are her specialty, and she is known as the ‘cat whisperer’ by some here at the clinic! As a native Michigander and recent Phoenix transplant, she enjoys exploring the desert and all its weird and wonderful flora and fauna, as well as experiencing the rich and vibrant local culture and archaeological history. She is especially fond of petroglyph hunting and stargazing in the clear desert skies. She has two lovely older kitties, Poe and Nightingale, and a 21-year-old corn snake named Mocha-Gonna-Choke-Ya. When not whispering to the cats, she is working on her academic publications in anthropology, learning how to sew, and rocking the casbah!

Melissa was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has been an avid animal lover since she could remember, and was always nursing her stuffed animals back to health as a child! Melissa started her veterinary career in 2007, and has been in specialties including oncology and neurology, but emergency/critical care holds a special place in her heart. She may even further her education and obtain her VTS-ECC one day! Melissa has a very sweet Chihuahua named Penny, and a beautiful Domestic Longhair who thinks she’s human and rules the house. Outside of work, you can find her shopping for home decor, doing DIY projects, enjoying the outdoors with her daughter, Emilee, and taking road trips to the beach. She’s also an astrology and horror enthusiast, and is always willing to talk about music; especially bands from the 80’s and 90’s!

Rosio was born in Portland, OR, but raised in Arizona since 6 years old. She loves the heat, so she chose to stay and make Phoenix home. Rosio is currently enrolled in Pima Medical Institute to obtain her AAS in Veterinary Technology and eventually plans to sit for her boards to become a CVT. In her free time, she enjoys family time, hiking during the cooler months, and spending time with her 2 rats and 1 cat.

Roxan is an Arizona Native, and found her love for veterinary medicine after adopting a stray TNR (trap, neuter, release) Kitty. From there, she became involved in various TNR rescues in the valley, then furthered her career by attending Pima Medical Institue for her veterinary assistant certificate. She continues to volunteer and work in our ER and GP departments at TSVC. In her spare time, she enjoys driving her 350Z, cuddling with her cats, and finding the spiciest pickles and Cheetos on the market.

Ximena has always had an affinity towards all animals since she was a little girl back in Argentina; her family always had cats and dogs. As a kid she would always feed and play with the strays back in Merlo, Buenos Aires. Once she moved with her family to the U.S she continued to show interest in caring for any animal that she came across. After graduating high school, she went and got her degree in audio engineering, and moved to L.A at 19 to work at 4th Street Recording in Santa Monica. After living there for close to a year, she moved back to Arizona, and within time found a passion for veterinary medicine. Her career as a veterinary technician began at Integrative Veterinary Oncology with Dr. Hershey, and from there she found her way into a general practice, which led her to being part of their surgical team. She knew from there that she wanted to be in emergency medicine more than anything, and had that opportunity when she joined Blue Pearl. Now she’s been working in ER for a year, and is very happy to now be part of the TSVC team. During her free time, she enjoys working on her freelance photography, traveling, and spending time with her fur babies – she has: 4 cats and 2 dogs who she loves very much.

Tori grew up in California where she has always had multiple pets. Currently she has 4 dogs all different sizes from a chihuahua to a shepherd mix. Tori has 7 years experience as a vet tech and can not imagine doing anything else. Tori believes all animals deserve a voice and will always advocate for them and does everything to do so. Tori loves any outdoor activity and is outgoing.

Born and raised in Arizona, I’ve always had a deep love for animals and a strong interest in science. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Biology from Northern Arizona University, and shortly after graduating, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. For the past two years, I’ve been gaining hands-on experience in the field while preparing to apply to veterinary school. One of the most meaningful parts of my journey has been adopting my first cat, Gata—a sweet girl born without eyelids, who came into the hospital from a local shelter. I’m grateful to be part of the compassionate and skilled team at TSVC, and I’m excited to continue growing in this field.

Angel grew up in a small town in Arizona and later moved to Phoenix to earn her bachelor’s degree in Biology and Pre-Med from Grand Canyon University. She’s always had a big passion to care for animals and loves being able to help each pet feel safe and supported. Angel also enjoys volunteering with Arizona’s native wildlife species and learning more about rehabilitation and conservation. As a proud cat owner, she understands the deep bond people share with their pets. In her free time, she loves exploring new spots around Phoenix, taking aesthetic photos, and working on creative projects.