Technicians
Sandra Whittaker
Large Animal Head Technician
Sandra joined the practice in the summer of 2002 as the clinic's first full time employee. She started out as a "jack of all trades"; she was the receptionist, technician, janitor, office manager, groundskeeper, and any other job that needed doing. As the clinic has grown, she has become more specialized and primarily works as the primary large animal veterinary technician, and inventory manager. Her versatility enables her to fill in any place she is needed.
Sandra is from Germany, and is now a naturalized American citizen; she loves the lifestyle of this area. She along with her daughter Samantha and husband Andy own several horses and dogs and are very involved in the local horse community. Her spare time is filled with going with her daughter Samantha Lemon to rodeo events around the Northwest, as well as various horse shows, barrel races, and local saddle club events. She is also a member of the Nez Perce County Mounted Sheriff's Posse.
Large Animal Head Technician
Sandra joined the practice in the summer of 2002 as the clinic's first full time employee. She started out as a "jack of all trades"; she was the receptionist, technician, janitor, office manager, groundskeeper, and any other job that needed doing. As the clinic has grown, she has become more specialized and primarily works as the primary large animal veterinary technician, and inventory manager. Her versatility enables her to fill in any place she is needed.
Sandra is from Germany, and is now a naturalized American citizen; she loves the lifestyle of this area. She along with her daughter Samantha and husband Andy own several horses and dogs and are very involved in the local horse community. Her spare time is filled with going with her daughter Samantha Lemon to rodeo events around the Northwest, as well as various horse shows, barrel races, and local saddle club events. She is also a member of the Nez Perce County Mounted Sheriff's Posse.
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Aly O'ConnellLarge and Small Animal Technician
Aly joined the clinic in June of 2019 as a veterinary assistant during the summer and on Saturdays in large and small animal. She has learned a lot from working here at Rustebakkes, and she plans to use the knowledge she has learned here in the future when she starts her own career as a veterinarian. She enjoys horseback riding, and hiking with her dog in her free time. |
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Lauren WinzenriedLarge and Small Animal Technician
Lauren joined the clinic in January of 2021. She has her bachelor’s degree in Biology from BYU, where she served as the president of the Pre-Vet Club. Lauren has spent the past few years working at a busy small animal clinic in Utah. She has also interned at several mixed and large animal clinics, a veterinary diagnostic lab, and a zoo. Lauren has a passion for genetics and reproduction and would like to eventually become a board certified theriogenologist (veterinary reproductive specialist). She currently shows and breeds AKC Border Collies. |
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CeCe HernandezSmall and Large Animal Technician
I joined the team in December of 2020. I am a dairy science and production double major, but I'm taking some time away from school to focus on my tech job. I've been teching for 2+ years now, and have a background in all kinds of animals from lizards and birds to dogs to cattle. I grew up in Caldwell, Idaho. I love to spend my free time horseback riding, outdoors, with my dogs and ducks, or drawing. |
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Cassidy SpencerSmall Animal Technician
Cassidy joined the team in September of 2017! She started as a kennel assistant , and now works as a small animal tech. She’s working towards her tech certification with hopes that someday she’ll get to work with animals of all shapes and sizes! She’s very interested in dog behavior as well. Outside of work she enjoys singing and dancing in musicals with the Lewiston Civic Theatre. She also enjoys spending time with her dog around town. |
Brittney Spencer
Small Animal Technician
Brittney joined the clinic team early fall of 2020. She currently works as a veterinary assistant in the small animal department. Working within the clinic has been a different change of pace from working fast food services in the past, but she’s very eager and willing to learn more every day! At home she has a dog, cat, ferret, parakeet, bearded dragon, leopard gecko, and fish tanks. So it’s safe to say she loves animals of all shapes and sizes! Outside of work she loves to spend time with her dog Riley, go camping, and make elaborate costumes for Halloween each year.
Small Animal Technician
Brittney joined the clinic team early fall of 2020. She currently works as a veterinary assistant in the small animal department. Working within the clinic has been a different change of pace from working fast food services in the past, but she’s very eager and willing to learn more every day! At home she has a dog, cat, ferret, parakeet, bearded dragon, leopard gecko, and fish tanks. So it’s safe to say she loves animals of all shapes and sizes! Outside of work she loves to spend time with her dog Riley, go camping, and make elaborate costumes for Halloween each year.
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Danielle Acey
Small and Large Animal Technician Dani joined the team in September of 2021. She is a Clarkston Native and U.S Army Veteran. Her true passion has always been to work with Animals - “Better late than never”. She is currently attending Penn Foster to obtain her Veterinary Technician Certification, where she hopes to specialize in Large Animal Care. She loves spending her free time at her family cabin Riding, Hiking and Fishing with her Husband, 3 children and fur kids Huckleberry and Obi-Wan. She is grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to everything this wonderful clinic and team can teach her. |
Carol Otterstrom-Dietz
Groomer/Technician
Carol joined the clinic in June of 2013. She started in the veterinary field in 1993 in Seattle Washington where she received most of her training. Carol continued her veterinary tech/assistant work in Colleyville, Texas for 3 years. After moving on to other jobs, she realized her passion was with animals. Carol works mainly with the small animals but is very excited to learn to care for the large animals too. She loves her family as well as her 4-legged friends (her cats) and has a passion for caring and taking care of all animals. She discovered she had a passion for animal grooming, and has completed training to become a certified groomer through Penn Foster University. For the past few years she has been our groomer, but frequently also fills in as a Veterinary Technician and Receptionist.
Groomer/Technician
Carol joined the clinic in June of 2013. She started in the veterinary field in 1993 in Seattle Washington where she received most of her training. Carol continued her veterinary tech/assistant work in Colleyville, Texas for 3 years. After moving on to other jobs, she realized her passion was with animals. Carol works mainly with the small animals but is very excited to learn to care for the large animals too. She loves her family as well as her 4-legged friends (her cats) and has a passion for caring and taking care of all animals. She discovered she had a passion for animal grooming, and has completed training to become a certified groomer through Penn Foster University. For the past few years she has been our groomer, but frequently also fills in as a Veterinary Technician and Receptionist.
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Brooke BarnesKennel Technician
Brooke has been part of our team since December 2019! After finishing her senior year in Highschool she plans on going to WSU to get her degree in Veterinary medicine. In her free time Brooke enjoys riding her horse, hunting, and boating. |
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PJ WalkerKennel Technician
PJ has been working at the clinic since September of 2020. She is currently a high school junior and is going to school at Walla Walla Community college and will be graduating with her associates degree. PJ has been very active in 4H for the past eight years, raising and breeding rabbits, pigs, and alpacas! She is currently the president of her club. In her spare time she enjoys working with her animals and running her crochet business. |
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Chloe Smith
Kennel Technician Chloe has been a great addition to our team here at the clinic since June of 2021. She graduated from Asotin high school in 2019 and resides in Clarkston. Since 2015 she has enjoyed riding equestrian drill with Silver Creek Drill Team and loves partaking as a Flag Rider for the Lewiston Roundup Rodeo. In her free time she enjoys training horses and working with all animals. Chloe also participates in team penning, play nights and O-mok-see with her horse Rio. |
