Medical Director

Dr Ashley Lawton’s compassionate and approachable bedside manner helps her patients feel calm and secure during visits. She knows that cats are most comfortable in their carriers and dogs feel best on the floor.

Clients appreciate her education about wellness and illness prevention. She works with each family to match treatment plans with their lifestyle. She encourages questions — during appointments and over the phone.

Dr Lawton feels honored to be part of each pet’s care. As Medical Director, she leads her team to feel the same sense of pride, exude welcoming vibes, and maintain accessibility.

She went to vet school at the University of Glasgow’s School of Veterinary Medicine in Scotland, earning the Governors’ and Mitchell of Cranstonhill Prize. She has extensive experience with emergency medicine.

Dr Lawton and her husband, also a Firehouse Medical Director, stay busy with their full house. They have 2 daughters, twin boys, a sweet Australian Cattle Dog named Blue, and a Yorkie named Strawberry Pizza.

Co-Founder, Chief Medical Officer

Dr John Faught is both co-founder of Firehouse Animal Health Centers and a practicing veterinarian. As a doctor, he steers pet owners toward the best path for their families and pets using science-based medicine, empathetic communication, and practical solutions. As CMO, he directs the hospital toward best practices in health care, impeccable client service, and philanthropy.

Clients see him as a trusted friend. They appreciate his medical guidance, warmth, and sense of humor. Dr Faught looks for this same spirit in his team. Firehouse veterinarians are skilled doctors who are also willing to do “100 Little Things”. These are the extra moments of connection, support, and kindness that remind clients they’re at the right place for their pet.

Dr Faught knows we all play a role in making our communities healthy, safe, and happy. That’s why Firehouse donates medical services, funds, time, and ideas to local animal support organizations.

He earned a Biomedical Science degree at Texas A&M. He then completed his DVM at Texas A&M’s esteemed College of Veterinary Medicine. On weekends, Dr Faught enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, and good friends in and around Austin.

Veterinarian

Dr Amy Bonnet (she/her) loves getting to know people and pets. She finds joy in educating clients and collaborating with them to create a treatment plan that suits their unique needs. Her bubbly personality and easygoing approach help clients feel comfortable and supported during their appointment.

Dr Bonnet is Fear Free certified. She understands that veterinary visits can be stressful for cats and dogs, so she does everything she can to keep pets comfortable.

Her passion is dental health, as proper oral care keeps animals healthy. She’s always happy to educate on proper dental care and at-home support.

Dr Bonnet grew up with dogs and spent her youth helping her father raise cattle, so it was inevitable she’d pursue veterinary medicine. She received her undergrad degree in Biomedical Science and her DVM from Texas A&M University.

In her free time, she loves bonding with her pets: Momus, a Catahoula leopard dog, and Doom, a black cat. She loves puzzles, Sudoku, and reading mysteries. Dr Bonnet loves hiking Austin’s trails when the weather is nice.

Veterinarian

Dr Luke Rivas (he/him) offers a collaborative approach to vet medicine, matching the best care with his clients’ desires and goals for their pets. Whether connecting about a pet’s behavior, training, or health, he wants clients to understand their pets in ways that make sense.

Clients admire his warm personality and empathetic approach to patient care. He is understanding, a good communicator, and provides tailored treatment plans to match each person’s lifestyle. He is passionate about empowering pet parents to prevent future issues through education.

Dr Rivas appreciates how internal medicine can help diagnose and change a pet’s life. He treasures the human-animal bond and wants your pets by your side as long as possible.

Dr Rivas attended undergrad at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa and received his DVM degree from Kansas State University. He enjoys time spent with friends and family, exercising, and watersports on Austin’s lakes. He has always loved cats and has two: Marley, a silver tabby, and Batman, his blind lapcat whom he adopted as a neonate.

Dr Peyton Dillon (she/her) values lasting relationships. Clients appreciate her open, detailed communication style and personable, positive approach to medicine. She collaborates with clients to create the ideal healthcare plan for companions: dogs, cats, and exotic pets.

Dr Dillon is passionate about making patient experiences calm and comfortable using Fear-free techniques. She loves getting to know patients throughout every stage of life. This allows her to catch changes early and keep pets healthy and happy.

Because the veterinary field is always evolving, Dr Dillon considers herself a lifelong learner. She received a degree in Evolutionary Biology from High Point University and her veterinary degree from St George’s University.

An Austin native, she is most excited about returning home to help people and pets in the community. Dr Dillon enjoys the outdoors and loves being near water. She volunteers with her church, mentoring middle school and high school students. When inside, she likes to spend time with her pets: Kane, an English Golden Retriever, and Porter, a longhaired black-and-white cat.

Client Service Coordinator

With a positive attitude and passion for animals that shines through, Marissia is a great addition to the Firehouse team. She wants all pets to feel safe and all clients to feel informed. She takes time to answer any questions clients may have and work to understand each pet’s individual needs. Marissia provides love, treats, and a calming presence to animals to help them feel comfortable; this also shows clients just how much she and the rest of the team care for their pets. Marissia is interested in ways to further enrich pets’ lives, and she shares her knowledge with clients and her team.

Marissia strives to learn something new daily and further develop her skills in the industry. She brings many years of experience to Firehouse, as she has been volunteering at animal shelters since she was a child and later worked at a shelter for two years. She attended the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. When not working, she loves traveling, learning new skills, watching movies, live music, and spending time with her friends and family, including her two cats, Asa and Jax.

Client Service Coordinator

Laura is an empathetic, detailed, and transparent animal caretaker. She always goes the extra mile to ensure clients’ needs are met and their questions answered. Laura also takes time before the appointment to address client concerns and expectations so that the appointment goes smoothly for them and their pets.

Laura loves getting to know all the pets who come to Firehouse. She has a special bond with cats. She is passionate about preventive care, spaying and neutering pets, and yearly vaccines. She knows that these things help pets live happier, healthier lives. Laura received her BS in Biology from the University of Texas.

She shares her home with her pets: cats Rey (a tripod) and Salem; a black lab mix named Fitzgerald; and Diplo and Zhu, chickens. She loves spending time at Barton Springs, going for runs, hiking, skateboarding, and swimming. She also likes attending live music shows.

Veterinary Technician

Andrew’s goal is for clients and patients to receive the greatest level of care. He ensures this happens by collaborating with clients to meet their pets’ needs and checking in during each step of their visit. He is knowledgeable and can relate to clients’ concerns and needs. Andrew enjoys educating clients about the best healthcare options for their pets so that pets can live happy and healthy lives. He makes veterinary visits easier for patients by using Fear Free techniques (he is certified) and keeping a calm demeanor.

Andrew studied biology at the University of Georgia. He enjoys learning new techniques for veterinary care, and also helps train his coworkers. Andrew loves to travel. His heart belongs to Greta, his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Veterinary Technician

Iesha is laser-focused on offering Firehouse patients the best care to live long and healthy lives. She is thorough when working with pets and makes clients feel comfortable by smiling and being kind. Fun fact: even though she is right-handed, she is better at pulling blood using her left hand!

She attends continuing education within Firehouse and also completes online courses to learn about new and upcoming topics in the veterinary field. Iesha has a deep interest in cytology and laboratory skills. She still finds it exciting to look at patient bacteria under the microscope.

Iesha is originally from Dallas and moved to Austin because it’s more pet-friendly and has a loving atmosphere. She always knew she’d work with pets. When her workday is done, she goes home to her 7-year-old Dachshund named Little Lay. On weekends, they love exploring the outdoors together.

Veterinary Technician

Gina’s goal is to ensure that patients are stress-free and comfortable. She also wants clients to feel involved in their pets’ treatments. She is thorough, patient, and dedicated. This allows her to make sure that she addresses every concern a client has. Gina is Fear Free certified in both domestic animals and avian, and is also CPR certified for animals. She has a soft spot for turtles, which began when she was a child watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Gina enjoys continuing to learn and grow within the field. She attends online veterinary seminars in her free time. Currently, she is studying for her VTNE to become a licensed veterinary technician. She graduated from Texas A&M Kingsville with a B.S. in Agriculture-Wildlife Veterinary Technology. Her minors were in Animal Science and Business Administration. The program allowed her to gain experience with domestic animals, livestock, equine, avian, and exotics. After volunteering at her local animal shelter before college, Gina joined the Firehouse Kyle team as an intern. She is excited to return to the Firehouse family and help patients and clients.

Gina shares her love with her tabby cat, Tink, who is like an irreplaceable roommate. When not working, she enjoys binge-watching anime and k-dramas, reading books, and spending time with her loved ones. She also loves to attend concerts and festivals, and go to the movies.

Veterinary Technician

Ale always goes above and beyond to make sure that clients and patients receive the best care. She checks in with clients throughout their pets’ visits to ensure all their needs are being met. She loves educating clients about prevention, yearly lab work, and doctor-recommended treatments. She also will show clients how to care for their pets’ needs at home, such as cleaning their ears, trimming nails, or giving medications.

Ale wants pets to have the best quality of care possible, while also being respectful of clients’ time. She uses Fear Free methods, such as providing treats, moving pets to a quieter environment, and providing love and support. To help minimize the number of visits to the clinic, Ale always double-checks the patient’s chart and checks in with clients to see if there are any other questions or concerns.

Ale received a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a certificate in Food and Society. Since she currently has no pets of her own, she loves to spoil her dad’s dog, a Lhasa Apso named Chewbacca. When not working, she loves to go to the gym or go hiking if the weather is nice, read, or spend time with her friends. She loves exploring new places around Austin.

Veterinary Technician

Haidy creates powerful bonds with clients and pets. She discusses each pet’s individual needs with the client to ensure that the pet receives the best care. She wants the hospital to feel safe and calm for all animals. She makes clients’ lives easier by using thorough, detailed communication. Haidy wants each pet to receive appropriate care and lots of love during their visit.

Since keeping pets safe and happy is the priority at the hospital, Haidy always looks for ways to help pets stay comfortable. She uses Fear Free techniques and proper handling for all pets.

Currently, Haidy is working on her Pre-Med degree. Her goal is to transfer to Texas A&M to earn her DVM and become a veterinarian. She brings the new skills she learns in class to the hospital to help further develop her level of care.

Veterinary Technician

Victor works with clients to make veterinary visits stress-free and easy. He helps clients and pets into the hospital and back to their car and checks in on them in the waiting room. Victor explains the appointment process and all charges so that clients can help decide on their pets’ treatment. His sense of humor and light-hearted attitude also help keep things fun and low stress.

To keep patients comfortable, Victor adjusts his approach for each pet. He keeps his voice low and gets on the pet’s level. He also always has tasty treats and ear scratches to offer. He enjoys taking care of pets’ teeth because it gives patients a brighter smile, reduces oral pain, and increases a pet’s overall health.

Victor has a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from NC State University. In his free time, he enjoys going for motorcycle rides, playing games on his computer, and going hiking, fishing, and running. He shares his heart with his two cats, Bartok and Uncle Ruckus.

Veterinary Technician

Alison works with clients to ensure their pets have a stress-free veterinary visit. She educates clients so they can help make decisions for their pets’ care. Alison makes clients’ lives easier by listening to their concerns and empathizing with their emotions. She uses Fear Free techniques and positive reinforcement.

Alison is an expert at drawing blood and placing catheters, even in exotic pets. She has experience working at emergency hospitals to keep her skills fresh. She is a lover of all types of animals, including pocket pets and exotics.

Alison shares her home with four dogs: Mimies (senior chihuahua); Chihiro (chiweenie); Dixxon Danger (pit bull); and Donnie Darko (black mouth cur); and three cats: Bourbon, Thumbs, and Haiku. She enjoys spending time outdoors, including spending time on her boat, riding her motorcycle, or trying out new restaurants.

Veterinary Technician Assistant

Sulemit brings empathy, patience, and sensitivity to her role as a Veterinary Technician Assistant at Firehouse. The Firehouse team loves her smile and positive personality.

She wants clients to know how much she cares about each pet’s wellness. She works hard to keep each pet calm and relaxed, showing them kindness and helping to make veterinary visits easier. She cares about each pet she sees, working daily to improve the lives of Firehouse patients. She is especially passionate about preventative wellness care, such as the importance of spaying and neutering and regular vaccinations. She even presented at a conference regarding this passion when she worked at a high-volume animal shelter in the valley.

Sulemit loves her two King Charles Cavalier mixes, Nena and Hanna. In her free time, Sulemit is also a musician. She sings, plays the quena, and is currently teaching herself to play the violin. She also has participated in directing theatrical numbers at her church.

Veterinary Technician Assistant

Veterinary Technician Assistant

Hope strives to make the entire veterinary process as easy and painless as possible. She looks over a patient’s file before the appointment and gets everything ready ahead of time. She communicates with clients during the appointment, explaining the process and making sure clients understand and are okay with each step. She treats each patient with kindness and patience, using Fear Free techniques to help the pet feel safe.

Hope is currently enrolled in the Vet Tech Assistant Program at Austin Community College. A huge dog lover, the love of her life is her lab named Sunny. When not working, she loves swimming, taking Sunny to Zilker Park, and working out. She also plays soccer on two teams.

Veterinary Technician Assistant

Estefani’s detailed communication allows her to ensure that she and clients are on the same page when it comes to their pets’ needs. She collaborates with clients to help them meet their goals. Her positive attitude, attention to detail, and compassion help people and pets feel comfortable while visiting Firehouse. She uses Fear Free techniques and positive rewards to help make visits happier and safer for patients.

Estefani studied Veterinary Technology at Austin Community College. She speaks Spanish. She has five dogs: Rebel (German shepherd); Oso and Brownie (boxers); Peluche (Bichon Frise); and Mona (chihuahua). On the weekends, she enjoys trying out new restaurants and coffee shops, going for runs, and spending time in nature.

Veterinary Technician Assistant

Kirsten wants clients and patients to have a positive association with veterinary visits. She talks clients through options, listens to their concerns, and empathizes with them. She supports clients and builds lasting relationships with them and their pets. To keep pets comfortable, she uses Fear Free techniques, such as treats and positive reinforcement. Kirsten competes on her school’s FFA Veterinary Science team. She won the individual 2023 State FFA Veterinary Science Contest.

Kirsten will study Animal Science (Pre-Vet) at Texas A&M University. A huge dog lover, she enjoys spending time with her family’s two dogs: Fresca (a golden retriever) and Sweetie, a three-legged chihuahua. She is excited to adopt a cat soon. In her free time, she likes to try out new restaurants with her friends and family, go thrift shopping, and visit estate sales.

Veterinary Technician Assistant

Jaylie works with clients and pets to make veterinary visits clear and stress-free. She explains the appointment process, answers clients’ questions, and collaborates with them to find the perfect option for their pet. Her respectful, individualized approach helps people and pets feel comfortable. Jaylie uses Fear Free techniques to keep pets safe. She loves on pets and treats them like her own; her goal is to keep them happy and healthy.

Jaylie attended Louisiana Tech University, where she received a degree in Animal Science: Pre-Veterinary Medicine. She has experience working with a variety of animals, including exotic pets. She has a soft spot for cats thanks to her longhair tabby, Dufresne. Since she is new to Austin, Jaylie spends her free time exploring the area.