Dwight graduated from Washington State University in 1979 and has worked at Olympic Veterinary Clinic since 1985. His special interests are small animal reproduction and orthopedic cases with particular emphasis on stifle injuries. He enjoys hiking, bicycling, and kayaking when not working. His Scottish Terrier,Henri, is often seen in the clinic. Henri thinks that everyone that comes to Olympic Veterinary Clinic is there to see him.
Rawnie joined our team in May of 2014. She has been in the area since 2013 and previously worked at a hospital in Sequim. She has been working in the veterinary field since 2004 and graduated from Washington State University (GO COUGS). Her special interests include pain management and holistic medicine. Rawnie and her husband of 11 years are originally from Los Angeles, CA. They both love the Pacific NW and plan on making this area their permanent home. They enjoy hiking, camping, and going places where there is “no cell phone reception or traffic sounds”. They are owned by their zoo of animals: 2 dogs, 4 cats, 2 birds, 2 turtles, several fresh water fish, and a snake.
Cherie Pepin is the newest member of our team. She moved to the area from Minneapolis specifically to join the OVC team! Veterinary medicine is a career change for Cherie and has provided her the opportunity to fulfill a life-long dream. She graduated from Ross University. Her special interests are internal medicine, pain management and rehabilitation. Cherie and her husband, Rick, share their home with two “island dogs” (Sundae & Sphynx, pictured) and one very feisty cat, Hank. They are all looking forward to exploring all that the area has to offer!
Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)
Sara joined the OVC team in 2001. Her dedication to quality veterinary care and playful personality make her an excellent team leader. She is always looking for new ways to improve patient care and the overall quality of our team. Sara is currently studying Business Administration at Washington State University. A longtime Northwest resident, she enjoys hiking and exploring the wilderness with her husband Sean, their Great Dane, Ivan (pictured), and Chihuahua mix, Holly. She also has two female kitties that like to stay at home and keep the couch warm.
Reception / Public Contact Courtney joined the OVC team in 2006. After spending the last few years in Seattle working as a marketing associate for Sysco foods, she decided that she really missed her friends and family in Port Angeles . We are as thrilled to have her energy and enthusiasm back in the clinic. Courtney has an adorable English Bulldog named Fergie. Fergie’s main purpose in life is to chase soccer balls!
Veterinary Technician
Brittany joined us in June of 2013 with 6+ years of experience in the veterinary field. Brittany has 6 crazy pets of her own; Posie, Daisy, Bodie, Leo, Willow, & Vienna. When she is not here loving on our patients, she enjoys camping, fishing, hiking, & watching movies.
Sam moved to Port Angeles in February 2014 from Phoenix, AZ and joined the Olympic Veterinary team shortly after settling in. Sam and her husband chose Port Angeles because of it’s beauty and being surrounded by trees, mountains and water. She and her husband, Deni both grew up in San Jose, CA. They met in high school and have been married for 4 years. London, a Toy Poodle and Drama, an Australian Cattle Dog make up the rest of their family. In Sam’s spare time she loves to eat, hike, bake and watch movies!
Catelyn grew up in Forks and Port Angeles for most of her life. She will graduate June 2015 with a degree in Administrative Office Systems and a medical specialization. She has a five-year old Pomeranian, Chevette who is obsessed with playing fetch and a three-year old orange cat, Jax. She enjoys painting, drawing, photography and spending time outdoors with friends.
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Kyla Cardella joined our staff in the summer of 2012. She has been working in the veterinary field since 1993 and became a licensed veterinary technician in 1996. She is an alumni of the University of Arizona, where she graduated Magna Cum Lauda with a BS in Wildlife and Fisheries. Kyla is and asset to our clinic with a passion for the technician profession and a calm demeanor with animals. She moved to Port Angeles from Tucson, AZ with her husband and their dog Shaz. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, reading books, and horseback riding.
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Haley attended veterinary technician school at the PIMA Medical Institute of Seattle and graduated in February of 2011. She obtained her Veterinary Technician license the following month. Haley joined Olympic Veterinary Clinic September 2013. Haley’s hobbies include showing horses, coaching the high school equestrian team, hunting and skiing. Haley’s pet family consists of three horses; Chance, Whisper, and Sissy, three dogs; Mac, Barley and Nana, as well as a number of barn cats.
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Elizabeth joined out team in October of 2014. She attended PIMA Medical Institute and graduated March of 2014 as an LVT and returned home to Port Angeles. She has been in the veterinary health care field since 2007 where she started as a volunteer here at OVC! Elizabeth has a great love for animals that she shows as desire and passion to help animals stay healthy. Her hobbies include drawing, stained glass, painting, writing and anything including the out doors! She has one elderly cat, Feather who she adopted two years ago at the age of 11. Feather, later diagnosed with a form of cancer, is responding well to treatment and happy!
Lindsey joined the OVC team February 2014. Born and raised on the Olympic Peninsula, she has always had a passion for helping animals. When she was younger she spent most of her spare time volunteering at our local Clallam County Humane Society, and now is excited to continue her education to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician. When she’s not working, Lindsey enjoys being outdoors, going hiking, hunting, fishing and spending time with her family.
Currently Megan is attending Washington State University. Megan will be studying veterinary medicine. Yay Megan!
Emily joined the OVC team in July, 2014. She moved to Port Angeles from Millstone Township, New Jersey with her husband Mike. Emily is an alumni of Rutgers University with a BS in Animal Science and minors in Entomology andCompanion Animal Science. She plans to continue her education in Animal Science in the future. Emily’s pet family includes her tuxedo cat named Gracie, her Pointer mix named Remington, and the newest addition to her family, her Vizsla named Ruger. In her spare time, Emily enjoys fishing, hiking, mountain biking, volunteering, and spending time in the outdoors with her family.
Madison Fisher joined our tem in May 2015. Maddy was born and raised on the Olympic Peninsula. She graduated from Sequim High School in 2014 and continued her education at Skagit Valley College in a veterinary assistant program. Maddy has always had a love for animals and keeping them happy and healthy. She is eager to become a licensed tech and continue to learn new things. In her free time she loves to spend time, wit her friends and family, being outdoors, baking and playing with her kitten, Jameson
Henri is Dr. Waknitz’s dog and often comes to the clinic in the mornings. Afternoons are Herni’s time to take a nap. Henri thinks that everyone that comes in Olympic Veterinary is there to visit him. Come in and say “Hi” to Henri.
Pongo arrived at our clinic in 1999 left in a box on the front steps. Since then he has become an important member of our clinic family. Our receptionist has taken a liking to Pongo and he enjoys the occasional visit to her home for a weekend. Pongo will do anything for a treat even play patty cake.
Poppy also was dropped of in a box, with Pongo. They have shared the clinic ever since. Poppy is a beautiful girl but don’t try and pet her….her claws are sharp.
Ivan belongs to our Hospital Director, Sara. At 160+ pounds, he is the biggest and the sweetest pup around.
Fergie belongs to Courtney; she was delivered here at the clinic during a C-section in 2006. She loves coming to work with her mom everyday and eagerly waits for the mailman and the UPS man to feed her treats.