ER Doctors
Emergency doctors are at the heart of our 24/7 emergency room. Our doctors provide the initial assessment of all
animals admitted through the ER. Depending on the case, the doctor assigned to the case will either order
outpatient treatments, admit the patient to the hospital, or refer the patient to a specialist. In cases involving
cardiac arrest or otherwise critical conditions, it is the ER doctor that will direct the CPR session and/or
supportive care plan.
Denise Petryk, DVM
Denise Petryk has been practicing Veterinary Medicine since 1991. She graduated from the Western
College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. After an internship at Purdue
University, she spent two years in general practice and has since been exclusively practicing
emergency medicine and critical care. She arrived in Tacoma in 1998 and has enjoyed the challenges
of practicing high quality medicine and being a business owner. She takes pride in providing high
quality care and customizing the care for the pet and the whole family - - - every pet and
associated peoples are unique in some way! During time away from the clinic, Dr. Petryk enjoys
gardening, golf, cooking, ice hockey, travel. She is the proud Mommy of a mixed Terrier mutt named
Foster and three cats, Jack, Chip and Katjka.
Kobi Johnson, DVM
Kobi Johnson, originally from Maryland, graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College of the University of Prince Edward Island, Canada in 1995. He practiced veterinary medicine in Maryland with his father who was also a veterinarian. He relocated to the Pacific Northwest in 1998. With his two partners, Drs Denise Petryk and Shep Thorp, Dr. Johnson purchased and expanded the Animal Emergency Clinic in Tacoma, Washington, into a 24/7 multi-specialty referral and critical care center, Puget Sound Veterinary Referral Center. In 2003 Dr. Johnson opened Tacoma Veterinary Imaging Center (TVIC), providing MRI services to animals in the Puget Sound area, as an adjunct to the Puget Sound Veterinary Referral Center. In addition to his practice interests, Dr. Johnson has been a volunteer veterinarian for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska since 2000, where he has developed an advanced team approach to dropped dog medical management and veterinary care of sled dogs, on and off the trail. He is a member of the International Sled Dog Veterinary Medical Association(ISDVMA), and a contributing author to their upcoming publication, ISDVMA Veterinarian/Musher Handbook, 3rd Edition. Along these lines, Dr. Johnson is working to develop advanced critical care support systems for preventing and treating hypothermia in sick or injured sled dogs. When not working, he enjoys fishing and boating in the Pacific Northwest, always accompanied by his old pit bull, Winnie.
Sheppard Thorp, VMD
Dr. Thorp moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1992 after graduating from the University of
Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he came to the South
Puget Sound region with his wife and first of three children looking for adventure and Veterinary
Medicine at the Spanaway Veterinary Clinic. While working in daytime practice, Dr. Thorp developed
his interest in emergency medicine by working relief at The Animal Emergency Clinic. In 1995 Dr. Thorp
became a full time emergency veterinarian and now finds interest in therapy for shock/cardiovascular collapse,
respiratory distress, and pain control. In his spare time, Dr. Thorp enjoys spending time with his
family, playing board games, jogging, bird watching, sailing and fishing.
Claudia Hite, DVM
Dr. Hite graduated from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997 and joined our team in December 1999. Outside of work, Dr. Hite enjoys charcuterie, all things Greek, art history, and travel.
M. Ellen Finley, DVM
Dr. Finley graduated magna cum laude from Colorado State School of Veterinary medicine in 2007. She went on to do a rotating medical and surgical internship at Oregon State University. This introduced her to the Northwest and she and her husband fell in love with the beauty and recreational opportunities in the Northwest. She has been practicing emergency and critical care medicine since finishing her internship and has a special interest in complicated medical cases, wound care and pain control. When not at work she loves all outdoor sports: hiking, skiing, rafting and organic gardening. She lives with her husband and two dogs on Bainbridge Island.
Rebecca Felknor, DVM
Dr. Felknor graduated from Auburn College Veterinary Medicine in 1991 and relocated to the Pacific Northwest in 1994. She joined the AEC team in 2000. She volunteers for a nonprofit organization, VetVentures, and travels abroad to perform spay/neuter campaigns and provide basic veterinary care in remote areas. She enjoys scuba diving, fishing, camping and white water rafting. She does not enjoy cooking. She shares her home with a 5 year old Cairn ‘terrorist’, Dixie.