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.

Hospital Manager

Georgie is passionate about customer service, team leadership, and going above and beyond for the people and pets of Austin. She truly wants her clients to have a transformative experience when they visit Firehouse.

Georgie’s background is in veterinary medicine and animal sheltering, which has given her experience with techniques to help pets feel comfortable in unfamiliar places and situations. She is highly aware of feline and canine body language, and she always takes the time to build a non-threatening connection with pets at Firehouse.

As a lover of cats, it’s no surprise Georgie fosters many kittens at any given time. Her permanent pets include two rescue pitbull mixes named Grimm & Gertie, an ex-New York street cat named Sid Vicious, a sassy but sweet tortoiseshell kitty named Ramona, and a soft-as-velvet tabby cat named Arlo.

Georgie moved from Australia to Texas in 2018 and has survived Austin summers so far! She enjoys all the outdoor activities Austin has to offer, including hiking with her dogs, swimming, and using her weekends to discover the ever-growing vegan food scene. She is passionate about helping all animals and is currently working on obtaining her wildlife rehabilitation certification.

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 Laura Saunders brings warmth, compassion, and deep knowledge to each family. Clients appreciate her empathetic approach to medicine. Pets love her anxiety-reducing methods: examining cats in carriers and large dogs on the floor.

Dr Saunders believes in regular check-ups at each stage of a pet’s life. She’s also a skilled surgeon, helping clients and pets through difficult times.

She keeps current on veterinary care through medical journals, national conferences, and local groups. She’s also a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP).

Dr Saunders grew up knowing she would become a veterinarian. She worked as a kennel tech in high school and at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in college. She received her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences from Central Michigan University and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M. In her free time, Dr Saunders enjoys photography and traveling. She and her husband also love exploring Austin with friends and family alongside their son and two dogs: Blue, a Catahoula mix, and Aspen, a lab mix.

Veterinarian

Dr Faith Weeks offers pets the highest quality care, so they live a long, happy, and healthy life. She collaborates with her clients when developing healthcare plans for each pet. She offers them plenty of time to ask questions and raise concerns. She also emphasizes the importance of preventive care and yearly lab work to address issues before they arise.

Clients appreciate that Dr Weeks takes time to get to know each pet’s unique personality. They also love her compassionate, empathetic approach to care. Dr Weeks uses Fear Free techniques to keep visits stress-free for patients and clients. She follows journals and websites to stay up to date on advances in medicine.

Dr Weeks is an Aggie through and through! She received her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences and then stayed at Texas A&M to complete her DVM. During her studies, she worked with injured and orphaned native Texas wildlife at a rehabilitation center. She also lent her skills to wildlife conservation in South Africa.

Outside of work, Dr Weeks loves listening to live music, especially Texas country. She stays active on the trails and lakes with her pitbull mix, Lyla, and her rescue dalmatian, Alfie, or by going to the gym.

Veterinarian

Dr Charles Tabares’ passion comes from positively impacting people and pets’ lives. Clients appreciate his friendly, outgoing personality and his patience with pets. Dr Tabares wants clients to feel heard and understood. He believes in open communication, transparency, and teamwork. He understands that he and his clients have the same goal: to give the pet the best possible care.

Dr Tabares is Fear Free certified and adjusts his care to make each pet comfortable. He understands that pets feed off our body language, so he goes slowly and lets the pet adjust before starting any treatments. His philosophy is to never push a pet to the point that they become scared or nervous. He knows there is always a safer, happier way to work with pets during check-ups.

Dr Tabares attended the University of Florida for his bachelor’s degree and DVM. Currently, he is working on a certification in acupuncture and rehabilitation. He loves mixing holistic approaches with modern medicine to tailor the perfect plan for each pet.

When not at the hospital, Dr Tabares is hiking or paddle boarding. He enjoys stand-up comedy, live music, and beating his friends at trivia. He shares his heart with his two rescue dogs: Ralph, a French Bulldog, and Lenny, his “Florida Brown Dog,” an adorable mixed breed.

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

Bio coming soon!

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.

Client Service Coordinator

Mary takes pride in helping owners and their pets have the best experience while visiting Firehouse. Her friendly and personable demeanor helps her not only get to know clients and patients, but also form lasting bonds with them. She is always ready to help, whether it’s comforting a scared pet, educating clients, or preparing for their appointment. She is interested in dog training and behavior and currently working on her Fear Free certification.

When not working, Mary likes to go mountain biking. She and her daughter also enjoy exploring the Austin area with their dog, a Catahoula mix named Kuma.

Veterinary Technician

Bio coming soon!

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

Liz enjoys building lasting relationships with clients and pets. Clients appreciate that she is thorough and clear when discussing treatment plans and procedures. Liz wants clients to be involved in their pets’ care, so she is transparent and spends time answering all their questions.

To help patients feel comfortable during their visits, Liz allows the pet to set the pace. She loves showering all pets, but especially the nervous or fearful pets, with kindness, affection, and a medley of treats. To help pets live a happy, healthy life, Liz also makes sure that they are up-to-date on vaccinations and preventions. She also recommends and explains things that the owner can do at home to help their pet. She is an empathic caretaker who loves all animals treats each pet like her own.

A lifelong student, Liz loves learning and expanding her knowledge. Currently, she is working on her Biology degree with a certificate in Pre-Health Professions at The University of Texas. She likes to attend annual veterinary conferences and attend online CE courses.

On the weekends, Liz resets by spending time with her friends and trying new restaurants. Her dog, Baby Blue, is an adorable but stubborn Husky mix who loves attention and keeps Liz on her toes.

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 Assistant

Bio coming soon!

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

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 Assistant

Emmaline connects with clients and pets through her empathy and compassion. She works with clients to understand their concerns and their pets’ needs. Emmaline is always happy to answer client questions, walk them through the appointment process, and create the perfect plan for their pet.

Emmaline uses Fear Free tactics to keep pets comfortable during their visits. She reads their body language and adjusts her care as needed. Emmaline has worked in emergency veterinary medicine, so she has CPR training, and has an interest in exotic pet care and zoo animal medicine.

She received her B.S. in Biology from the University of California San Diego. Her goal is to become a veterinarian. When not working, Emmaline enjoys training and competing in Brazilian jiu jitsu, studying Brazilian Portuguese, trying new dessert recipes, and watching television with her cat, Hades.