Our Staff

Brandy Thompson - Office Manager

Brandy has lived on Whidbey Island since she was a little girl. She could not imagine herself living anywhere else. She loves working in a small community where you can put a name with a face. She grew up riding horses and has always had pets of her own. Currently, she and her family are starting a little place of their own. She loves being a part of the Penn Cove Veterinary Clinic team and feels very fortunate to work in such an amazing community.

Fawn Gustafson - Licensed Veterinary Technician

I have been a Licensed Veterinary Technician for 14 years. The team at Penn Cove Veterinary Clinic are the most professional, compassionate and fun loving group of people I have ever had the pleasure to work with. I truly love what I do and am so glad I have the opportunity to work here on beautiful Whidbey Island.

Mandy Bittle - Licensed Veterinary Technician

Mandy relocated from California to Washington after accepting an emergency/triage position at the Lynnwood Veterinary Specialty Center. Shortly after, she met her now husband who is stationed on Whidbey Island. Mandy grew up in a family of falconers on a farm in a small community in California and began her veterinary medicine career early in life aiding the local veterinarian. She has had the privilege of working at many hospitals, universities and zoos as a veterinary technician and zookeeper, as well as teaching both new veterinarians and technicians during their schooling and preceptorships. She lives in Oak Harbor with her husband, ancient bionic Siamese cat, frisky Norwegian Forest Cat and snuggly Red-Nose Pitbull and is extremely happy to get back to her family oriented small town roots serving such a lovely community.

Shannon Smith - Licensed Veterinary Technician

Shannon began her career in rural Illinois after graduating from the Vet Tech Institute of Hickey College in 2012. She has followed her military spouse over the years, and relocated to Whidbey Island in 2018. Shannon started working at Penn Cove Veterinary Clinic in early 2022, and is so proud to be a part of such a compassionate and hard working team!

Tasha Fiedler - Veterinary Assistant/Receptionist

Tasha grew up in Eugene, Oregon. Her Husband joined the military in 2001 and they moved from Illinois, Virginia, Florida, Texas and then moved to Whidbey Island in 2005. They decided this is the perfect place to raise their two daughters. Tasha enjoys the community and is thrilled to work with the staff and clients at Penn Cove Veterinary Clinic. She enjoys having her own mini zoo at home and is ecstatic to share her love of animals with the community.

Jennifer White - Veterinary Assistant/Receptionist

I am new to the area and the state. I moved to Washington in 2021 with my husband, two daughters, and three dogs. I have always had a great love for animals which has led me to seek a degree in Veterinary technology from Penn Foster. I am very excited to work with animals and continue my education after becoming a veterinary technician.

Sarah Thayer - Veterinary Receptionist

Hi, I'm Sarah! I moved to Whidbey Island in 2018. I am new to working in the Veterinary field. After working 18 wonderful years as a certified medical/surgical assistant, I decided to expand my knowledge and skills in other areas of interest. I started working for Penn Cove Veterinary Clinic in August of 2021 and could not be happier! It's exciting to be a part of this great team.

Rachel Jones - Veterinary Assistant/Receptionist

Rachel moved to the island in 2015 while enlisted in the United States Navy. After discharging, she decided to pursue her childhood dream of working in veterinary medicine. She spent 4 years working for a goat dairy in Bow-Edison milking and making cheese, while attending Skagit Valley College to become a certified veterinary assistant. Once graduated, she was employed at several small animal clinics. Finally she landed her dream job here at Penn Cove Veterinary Clinic. Coupeville has always been considered her home and favorite place on Whidbey. If she’s not at work, you can find her kayaking in the sound, hunting/fishing, or enjoying a glass of wine at Vail.

Caitlin Paggao - Veterinary Assistant/Receptionist

Caitlin has been a part of the Penn Cove Vet staff since 2010, with a temporary hiatus to live overseas in Europe with her family from 2020 until 2024. She has always had a deep love for animals and enjoys working with the many pets and their families that we get to meet at work every day. Caitlin grew up on Whidbey and loves just about any outdoor activity, especially the beach or hiking with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.

Stephanie Oppor - Receptionist

Hi, I'm Stephanie...l'm delighted to have become a part of the amazing Team at Penn Cove Vet Clinic in 2024. My family and I were brought here by the Navy in 1999. To our surprise, we fell in-love with life here, on Whidbey Island and made it our permanent home. Our 2 kids have grown up and given us 3 granddaughters so far. With empty nest syndrome upon us, 2 mini doxies have come bounding into our life...they are our 2" set of kids. It has been my favorite part of the job to greet all of the pets that come through the door (if they allow it of course). At home, we have the honor of waiting on Phoebe and Reese; life would not be complete without them. We also try to visit our 2 kids and their families as much as possible. them as often as possible. I look forward to continuing here at Penn Cove Vet Clinic.

Mckenna Klope - Receptionist

McKenna, born and raised on Whidbey Island, is now raising a little family of her own in the community she knows and loves. A lifelong animal lover, she finds joy and purpose in caring for animals of all kinds. McKenna is proud to be a part of the amazing team at Penn Cove Veterinary Clinic.

Jesse Akins - Veterinary Assistant

Two things have been known with certainty my entire life; the unconditional loving bond people share with animals and that helping others feels euphoric.

Local islander. My journey into VetMed started at WAIF in 2021. Followed by the experience at a private aviary rescue where I began to learn ZooMed while working with exotic birds, primarily a variety of parrot breeds. I enrolled with Animal Behavior College, shortly after was hired as a Veterinary Assistant at a day clinic. I’ve also worked overnights at Pet Emergency Center where my skills grew extensively. Finally landed my dream job working at Penn Cove Vet Clinic!

When not being a workaholic, my free time consists of nature, art, meditation, and cuddles with my cat Voldemort… V for short.

Future goals in animal welfare include advancement in Animal Behavior Psychology, as well as enriching the human-animal bond we all share. Also would love to start my own animal based non profit one day!

Pursue your dreams, they’ll become reality.

Cecilia Acevedo - Veterinary Assistant

I have always had a passion for working in the veterinary field. From shadowing in clinics, starting school, to gaining experience in urgent care, growing in this field is something for which I will always strive. The most rewarding part of working as a veterinary assistant is assisting families and their pets in need of medical care. Together, with my fiance and two dogs we are always staying busy outdoors and with work.