Staff

Dr. Dax was born and raised in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. His love for animals has been present since he was a young boy. He would often show up at home with animals and ask his parents, “Can I keep it”? During high school he started working at the vet clinic in his town and quickly learned without a doubt that he wanted to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Dr. Dax studied zoology at Southeast Missouri State University and received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from St George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine. During summer breaks, Dr. Dax worked on ranches in Colorado and Wyoming leading trail rides. Since graduation from vet school in 2007, Dr. Dax worked in Grenada West Indies, Salem OR, and Gresham OR before purchasing Birch Street Animal Clinic in 2011. When he’s not busy being a doctor and running his own business, Dr. Dax enjoys hiking, backpacking, and traveling with his Golden Retriever, Brook and Mini Australian Shepherd, Rivers. Dr. Dax also adopted a cute little calico cat who he named Thumbelina, because she’s a polydactyl with extra toes. One of Dr. Dax’s most recent adventures has been purchasing a 15-acre farm and 3 horses. 

Dr. Jarret grew up in the San Joaquin Valley of California and Roseburg, Oregon. His career in veterinary medicine started as a teenager at a local vet clinic. Over his last 25 years in practice, Dr. Jarret has worked every position in the veterinary practice, which contributed to his vast amount of experience in the field. Dr. Jarret earned his Bachelors in Animal Science from Oregon State University and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from St George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine. When Dr. Dax purchased the practice in 2011, Dr. Jarret was eager to join his classmate and friend in turning Birch Street Animal Clinic into the establishment it is today. Dr. Jarret has enjoyed employment in a variety of areas in veterinary medicine, including mixed animal, teaching hospitals, and shelter medicine, but is happy to now focus on private practice small animal medicine and surgery. Dr. Jarret enjoys spending time with his parents and their animal family which includes Australian Shepherds, cats, llamas, and some chickens. Dr. Jarret’s enjoys gardening, hiking, camping, backpacking, and whitewater rafting.  

Ashlie brings compassion and expertise to her role as a Certified Veterinary Technician and Practice Manager at Birch Street Animal Clinic. Though born and raised in California, Ashlie now calls Oregon home after relocating from North Carolina in 2014 when her husband completed his service in the Marine Corps. Her passion for animal care blossomed at a young age, leading her to begin working as a veterinary assistant in 2009. After earning her Associate of Science degree in Veterinary Technology from Penn Foster College in 2023 and becoming a licensed CVT, Ashlie continues to advance her education, currently pursuing a bachelor's degree to expand her knowledge of small and exotic animal medicine, surgery, anesthesia, and practice management. In her free time, Ashlie enjoys bodybuilding, traveling, hiking, reading, and spending time with her family, including her husband, two children, two dogs, two rabbits, and three rats. 

Emily is a native Oregonian with deep family roots in the local area. With over a decade of experience in veterinary medicine, she brings professionalism, compassion, and a calm presence to her role as Lead Client Service Representative. Emily is dedicated to building lasting relationships with clients and their pets, and she values working alongside a team that shares her passion for animal care. Outside of the clinic, Emily enjoys life off the grid in Oregon’s beautiful forests with her husband. Their growing homestead is home to a lively mix of animals, including five dogs, nine cats, twenty chickens, one horse, four cows, three sheep, and two fainting goats—with her list of large animal fur babies continuing to grow. She’s also a proud mom of three, mother-in-law to two, and grandmother to two wonderful grandchildren. In her free time, Emily enjoys homesteading, hiking, disc golf, gardening, and making memories with her family.

Born and raised in various cities throughout Oregon, Christopher is a native Oregonian. Christopher is relatively new to the veterinary field, having started here at Birch Street Animal Clinic just over a year ago. Being a loving pet parent with three dogs, five cats, and three chickens, Christopher shows the compassion and empathy that is needed to thrive in the care of other’s pets. Quickly establishing himself as a favorite of our clients, Christopher has become an appreciated member of the team. When not at work, he enjoys live music and comedy shows, he is also an avid reader and movie goer. He and his wife are enthusiastic supporters of several fandoms, including Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter. 

Born and raised in Oregon, MaKayla grew up immersed in the veterinary world, often tagging along with her mom, Lorna, in both small and large animal practices. Now with 4 years of professional experience, she’s passionate about building strong relationships with clients, being an advocate for her patients, and serving as a trusted resource for pet owners. She also loves that there’s always something new to learn in veterinary medicine. At home, she has a sassy 16-year-old cat named Cassie—her true fur baby—and co-owns a blue heeler named Sadie with her parents. She also still cares for her boar goats from her FFA and 4-H days. In her free time, MaKayla enjoys spending time with her husband Tyler and their families, playing board and video games, photography, and beach adventures. She studied animal science in high school and is a proud alumna of FFA and 4-H, as well as a graduate of Canby High School.

With nearly 30 years in veterinary medicine, Lorna has worked with everything from pocket pets to African hoofstock. She started in kennels and worked her way up in a mixed animal practice before focusing on small animal care. Emergency medicine is her favorite—she enjoys the fast pace and helping reassure worried pet owners, along with the occasional cuddle from a patient. A Canby native, she grew up on a plant nursery surrounded by animals and has always had a deep love for them. At home, she and her husband of nearly 30 years share a small farm with their daughter’s visits, three cats (P.I.T.A., Ginger, and O’Malley), a blue heeler named Sadie, 28 chickens, 3 roosters, and 3 affectionate retired boar goats. In her free time, she enjoys camping with Sadie, hunting, fishing, reading, rockhounding, playing piano, and hunting for antiques. She’s a Mt. Hood Community College tech course graduate, former 4-H leader, and proud FFA alumna.

Ben started his first job in veterinary medicine when he was a teenager. What he originally thought would only be a summer job, developed into a rewarding lifelong career. He is a valuable asset to our clinic and has won over some of our most challenging patients. Pets respond well to his calm, gentle demeanor. Ben's mother, Shelly, worked at Birch Street for several years giving him a long time connection to the Birch Street family. In his spare time, Ben enjoys spending time with his husband and their Mini Australian Shepard, Ludo. He also enjoys relaxing at the coast, camping, gaming, and hanging out with friends. 

Quinn has been working in veterinary medicine since the age of 16, with 3–4 years of hands-on experience. Her favorite parts of the job are spending time with animals and doing lab work—especially staining slides, which she finds oddly satisfying. At home, she’s kept on her toes by her two “very stupid daughter cats,” Petrol and Marmalade—mischievous kittens born in 2024 who excel at being cuddly little menaces and expert bug hunters. Outside of work, Quinn enjoys unwinding with video games, coloring, crocheting, and trying new recipes in the kitchen.