Dr. Erica Merrill grew up in Colorado and completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2006. She took a four-year break to spend time in the workforce and did a six-week trip to Arusha, Tanzania. There, she volunteered at a nursery school, as well as a hospice and orphanage for those affected by HIV and AIDS. Dr. Merrill graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014 and completed a year-long internship at VCA Mission Animal Referral and Emergency Center in Mission, Kansas.

She always had a soft spot for the PNW, having spent summers at her grandmother’s house in Indianola, Washington. She accepted a position in Washington and worked in the emergency field for her first three years in the area. While the emergency practice was exciting, Dr, Merill missed the continued client and patient interactions and decided to move into general practice.

Dr. Merrill has a Pug/Bulldog mix, named Trace, and two Siamese mixes, named Monty and Beth. In her free time, she enjoys walking, spending time with her pets, paddle boarding, playing the piano, and spending time with friends. She has a special place in her heart for angry Chihuahuas and nervous Greyhound breeds and loves all of the dogs and cats that walk through the doors of Renton West!

Dr. Megan Baggett grew up in Birmingham, AL with her parents, older sister, younger brother, and their sweet Pitty mix, Ellie. She completed her undergraduate degree at Auburn University in Wildlife Biology, Pre-Vet, with an Animal Science minor. During her time in college, she volunteered at various veterinary clinics as well as the raptor rehabilitation center on campus, and participated in multiple semesters of research with her Comparative Anatomy professor. She also traveled to Ghana, Africa for a summer externship where she was able to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges that animals and veterinary staff face in the developing world. After graduating from Auburn, she moved to California and worked for Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network where she aided in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of various local wildlife and participated in local community events for the Thomas fire/mudslides. In the remainder of her gap year, she worked as the caretaker for the petting zoo at an event and retreat center in rural Tennessee.  

Following this, she attended and graduated from Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine. During her second year, she got her goofy Golden named Oliver, and the two spent the last year of vet school traveling the country in a camper van completing rotations at a variety of different veterinary clinics and hospitals. She spent her last two months of school in the PNW and absolutely fell in love. During her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with friends, being an aunt to the cutest nieces ever, and hanging out with her pup. She and Oliver are excited to continue exploring the beautiful outdoors of Washington and very excited to join Renton West! 

Dr. Codee Harris grew up in Utah and served in the United States Air Force before returning to complete his undergraduate degree at Weber State University. During college, he volunteered with non-profit animal organizations and shelters, developing a passion for the care of underserved animals in the community. Along the way, he took in four cats: Scout, Autumn, Ember, and Dark Lord. After gaining veterinary experience through volunteering, he enjoyed working as a veterinary technician before leaving for veterinary school.

Dr. Harris attended a regional program in veterinary medicine, spending his first two years at Utah State University before graduating from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. While completing clinical rotations, he felt at home in the Pacific Northwest. During his free time, he enjoys rock climbing, trail running, paddle boarding with his wife, and spending time with his cats. He is excited to join the team at Renton West and looks forward to serving the pets and pet parents of the community!

Mary Tremblay-Crouch was born in Washington, D.C., and has lived all over the United States. She went to high school in Bloomington, Minnesota, and attended college at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI where she ran track on a partial scholarship. She graduated with a BA in Psychology and Communications. Immediately after graduation, Mary joined the Peace Corps as an English teacher in the French-speaking country of what was then Upper Volta (now Burkina Fosse) in Africa. Mary eventually found her way to the Pacific Northwest where she now resides. She remains passionate about horses and animals of all kinds.

Mary came late to the veterinary field having worked in various occupations – one of which was owning her own business working with physicians of all specialties for ten years. When she sold her company, Mary was fortunate enough financially to be able to take a “temporary” job as a kennel assistant. It’s funny how life does not always work out the way one envisions. In Mary’s case, it turned out so much better. She began a long-standing love affair working in a field with both animals and people. Mary says it “feeds her soul” and she means it!

Mary has been in the veterinary field for over twenty years. She started working at Renton West at the end of November 2019. Working alongside Dr. Merrill and Dr. Lakritz is exciting and she feels blessed to be a part of this dynamic and growing practice. Mary looks forward to many more years of service to the community.

Raised on her grandpa’s farm in Springdale, WA, McKenna was surrounded by animals before moving to West Seattle as a young girl.  During her summers at Vashon High School she volunteered in Tanzania, Africa at a primary school teaching the children English.  She helped build desks, garden and paint the school.  McKenna also traveled to Chiang Mai, Thailand to teach English and build bathrooms at an orphanage.  During these two humanitarian trips McKenna’s love for animals grew as she spent time bathing elephants and making natural medicines for them, explored animals in their natural habitats, and sadly saw many dogs and animals in need.  She hopes to return to do humanitarian vet work internationally.  McKenna attended PIMA Medical Institute where she received her Veterinary Assistant Certification in 2021, with plans to become a Veterinary Technician.

Mckenna has a black lab mix named Stoney and a doberman pincher pitty mix named Crüe and loves looking after her roommates dogs

Kylen was born in Burien, WA and has lived all throughout the Puget Sound area. Kylen’s love for animals started at a young age after adopting his first pet, a Lhasa Apso named Puddles. Growing up with dogs, cats, goats, frogs, and hamsters, Kylen knew his passion was with helping animals in need. Beginning his career as a kennel attendant in 2019 at the Animal Hospital of Newport Hills in Newcastle, WA, Kylen quickly worked his way up to veterinary assistant. In his spare time Kylen enjoys spending time with his 4 dogs Lily, Skye, Coco, and Pucca, spending time with his family/friends, and collecting supply donations for his local animal shelters. 

Kylen joined the Renton West family in September of 2022 and plans to get his Veterinary Technician license as well as his phlebotomy license to further his career.

Courtney grew up in Boise, Idaho working at a horse ranch and learning to ride every summer, where she fell in love with animals. She attended Washington State University for 2 years before she took a break and joined the U.S. Army in 2015. After 7 years of living all over the world, Courtney knew she was meant to work with animals and took an Animal Care Internship at Pasado’s Safe Haven where she participated in many rescues and the daily care of animals healing from their past lives. Working with animals every day made Courtney happier and more fulfilled than any other endeavor in her life.

She loved seeing animals come to the rescue needing all the love and help in the world to later leave with a family willing to love them and change their lives further. It fueled her fire to make animals her entire life.

Soon after, she started working as a veterinary assistant and is currently enrolled in school to become a Veterinary Technician; always wanting to help animals and help their people love them longer. Courtney loves taking her dogs on adventures, exploring the mountains, going to the beach, or doing any single thing where she can take her dogs with her. She and her husband have a Rottweiler/Boxer mix named Bodhi and a German Wirehair Pointer named Olive.

Cassandra, a Colorado native, has nurtured a passion for animals from a young age. Her childhood visits to her grandparents in Wyoming included observing wild deer and riding horses at her aunt’s ranch. Her early exposure to animal care included keeping toads, tortoises, and a snake, and receiving her first personal puppy at the age of 15.

Since 2016, Cassandra has garnered extensive experience in the veterinary field, working across various hospitals in Colorado, Nevada, and Washington, as well as with a mobile vet clinic. She is currently completing her final semester towards earning a Veterinary Technology degree from Penn Foster College. Cassandra is particularly dedicated to working with anxious animals, striving to enhance their comfort and that of their owners during veterinary care.

Outside of her professional commitments, she enjoys reading and watching fantasy genres, engaging in nerdy games, and partaking in the diverse outdoor activities that Washington offers.

Trisha has been passionately involved in veterinary medicine since the age of 13, beginning their journey in kennels and quickly progressing to more advanced roles. With over a decade of experience, she has honed her skills, working across 31 states and gaining invaluable insights into the dynamics of animal care tn high-pressure environments, Currently, she is transitioning into a Customer Service Representative (CSR) role, aiming to complete her career with a focus on client interaction and support. In addition, she is a devoted pet owner, sharing her life with a lovable yellow lab named Diamond.

As a dedicated veterinary assistant with a lifelong passion for animals, Kirsten has turned her love for pets into a fulfilling career. Growing up in a household where dogs were always a cherished part of the family, Kirsten developed a deep connection with animals from a young age. Her early experiences nurturing and caring for her own pets instilled in her a profound understanding of animal behavior and health.

Kirsten’s enthusiasm for animal welfare drives her commitment to providing exceptional care in her role as a veterinary assistant. Whether she’s assisting with medical procedures, offering compassionate support to pet owners, or ensuring that every animal feels comfortable and safe, her work reflects her genuine dedication to improving the lives of animals and their families.

Outside of her professional life, Kirsten enjoys spending time with her own pets. Her blend of hands-on experience and heartfelt passion makes her a valued member of the veterinary team and a true advocate for animals.

Kaydence was born and raised in Spokane Washington where she discovered her passion for animals. Growing up Kaydence and her family always had pets in their home, she has had dogs, cats, fish, bearded dragons, and hamsters so she knew early on that helping care for animals was her lifelong career goal. She has experience volunteering at numerous animal shelters, working at dog daycares, and walking and sitting pets.

Back home, Kaydence attended Spokane Community College where she graduated and received her associate’s in biology degree in June of 2023. Soon after, she moved to the Renton area where she is currently going to school to become a Veterinary Assistant. After graduation she will be continuing school to work towards becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician. In the next few years, Kaydence sees herself going back to work on getting her bachelor’s degree where she will then apply for medical school as her end goal is to become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

Kaydence currently has four dogs, a 9-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier named Rascal who is pictured with her, a 9-year-old Pug and Pitbull mix named Luka, a 4-year-old Dingo, German Shepherd, Pitbull mix named Ximena, and a 3-year-old Dingo, German Shepherd, Pitbull mix named Osa. She also has a grey tabby cat named Paisley. Outside of work and school, Kaydence enjoys playing with her pets, walking/hiking, going on road trips, staying at home and watching movies, going for car rides, and spending time with her boyfriend and family.