Our Team

Dr. Stacey Rutledge was born and raised in the South Sound! She received her undergraduate degree from Central Washington University and earned her veterinary degree in 2014 at Washington State University (GO COUGS!). Fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian and owning her own clinic, Dr. Rutledge became the proud owner of Bayview Veterinary Hospital in April 2020. Since then, she has expanded her passion for veterinary care and entrepreneurship by acquiring Puyallup Valley Veterinary Clinic in 2021 and Co-owning Central Valley Animal Hospital in 2023. She loves providing high-quality care to pets and their families, leading her dedicated teams across all three clinics.

Dr. Rutledge is a proud mom to her two children, Clarity (8) and Cooper (6). She lives on a small mini farm — a dream come true — with her 3 dogs, 3 cats, 3 goats and her flock of chickens. In her free time, she and her kids enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, quad riding, and exploring the beautiful outdoors of Washington.

She feels incredibly fortunate to combine her passion for animals with her commitment to serving her community, making every day as a veterinarian, small business owner, and mother a rewarding experience.

Dr. Claire Hoffman received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University in 2012 (Go Green!) and immediately moved back to her beloved Pacific Northwest after graduation. She worked in Bellevue and Seattle before returning to her hometown of Bremerton. Dr. Hoffman was a volunteer at Bayview Vet Hospital when she was in high school. Now she feels right at home coming back as a veterinarian. Her professional interests include all types of surgery, metabolic disease management, and end-of-life care. Personal interests include gardening, baking, raising chickens, and hiking.
Claire and her husband have two young children, and the furry members of the Hoffman clan include a hound mix named SJ and a vocal brown tabby named Herman.

Dr. Lea Disston grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on a large horse farm always surrounded by a menagerie of animals. She attended Ross University on St. Kitts for her veterinary degree and found herself back in Philadelphia to complete her clinical year of veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Disston graduated veterinary school in 2008 and found herself moving to New Orleans, Louisiana, where her husband attended law school at Tulane University School of Law. It was while living in New Orleans that Dr. Disston began her veterinary career in small animal medicine. In 2011, Dr. Disston and her husband moved from New Orleans to Bainbridge Island, where they still live with their 9-year-old daughter, their 6-year-old son, two dogs, and two chickens. Dr. Disston has been a veterinarian at Bayview Veterinary Hospital since 2012.
When she is not caring for your pets, Dr. Disston enjoys spending time outside with her family and friends. She enjoys hiking, mountain biking, and paddleboarding.

Dr. Emily Barron is our newest doctor to join the team at Bayview Veterinary Hospital. Although she is a Rhode Island native, she’s excited to begin her career in the Pacific Northwest. She graduated from St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies, and completed her clinical year at Washington State University. Dr. Barron feels fortunate that her veterinary education has presented many opportunities to see the world including Grenada, South Africa, and now Washington state. Her veterinary interests are preventative medicine and surgery, and One Health. Dr. Barron considers herself a lifelong learner, and is passionate about balancing her personal wellness and professional interests so she can give your pet the very best care. 

When she’s not caring for your pet, Dr. Barron enjoys long walks in nature, baking, playing tennis and ultimate frisbee. She loves attending live music and sporting events, and cheering on her favorite sports team, the Boston Celtics. She is excited to meet you and your pets, and explore the PNW!

With 3 years of experience at Bayview, Emma is a dedicated and cheerful face that greets clients with a warm smile. Outside of work, she’s an avid adventurer who loves immersing herself in nature, whether it’s hiking through scenic trails or curling up with a captivating book. Her passion for animals extends beyond her role at Bayview, having also volunteered at Kitsap Humane Society and Paws of Bremerton.

Emma’s deep admiration for animal legends like Betty White and Steve Irwin reflects her lifelong love for animals. She shares her home with Hillary, a charming DSH tuxedo feline who’s always ready for a cuddle. Emma is also known for her unique talent: devouring an entire bowl of fruit salad all by herself. Her favorite quote captures her outlook perfectly: “Animals don’t lie. Animals don’t criticize. If animals have moody days, they handle them better than humans do.” — Betty White

Outside of work, Shannon enjoys spending time with her two horses, Ace and Twitch, and her two dogs, Ricki and Debo. When she’s not caring for animals, you can often find her tending to her yard, garden, or working in the barn.

Kathie Hickey has been a dedicated member of the Bayview Veterinary Hospital team for an incredible 44 years. As a Hills nutritional consultant, her expertise in pet nutrition is an invaluable asset to the practice. In her spare time, Kathie enjoys caring for her beloved 19-year-old Quarter Horse, Windy, her 35-year-old pony, Penny, and her cats.

Over the years, Kathie has become a wealth of knowledge and stories about the history of Bayview, earning her the title of the practice’s unofficial historian. Her endless anecdotes and deep connection to Bayview have made her an icon among both staff and clients. When clients walk through the door, they are always delighted to see her familiar, friendly face.

Kathie’s dedication to the well-being of Bayview’s clients and patients has been unwavering, making her a beloved figure in the Bayview community for over four decades.

Sabrina loves to share fun facts, like: “Did you know platypuses sweat milk?” Her approach to veterinary care is centered on the belief that it is a privilege to serve animals. She strives to treat every patient and client with the utmost respect, compassion, individuality, and understanding. Sabrina views veterinary professionals as the voice for their patients, knowing that pets are so much more than just animals.

In her free time, Leesa enjoys spending time at home with her son, her two cats—Fat Alex and Near—three goats, and a feral black sheep. She takes great pride in the upkeep of her little farm, and one of her favorite hobbies is riding her lawnmower, enjoying the peaceful moments while tending to her farm.

Her passion for animal welfare extends beyond the clinic, as she actively volunteers with local shelters such as Seattle Humane, Missy’s Animal Rescue, and Sammamish Animal Sanctuary. Rachel is dedicated to helping with lost pet recovery and rehoming efforts, ensuring pets find loving homes and a second chance.

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys building motorcycles and cars, painting, drawing, tattooing, gardening, and working on woodworking projects. She approaches life and work with a blend of artistry and compassion.

Her personal message: “You can’t save everyone, but the ones you can make all the difference.”

Colton is a Veterinary Assistant with 4 years of experience in the veterinary field, having worked in all aspects, from emergency medicine to reception to surgery assisting. Raised in a veterinary clinic with his mom as a veterinary technician, Colton developed a deep connection with animals early on. He has experience working with a variety of species, including monkeys, farm animals, dogs, and cats, and has a special knack for handling feisty cats. His true passion lies in wildlife rehabilitation.

In his free time, Colton enjoys spending time with his three cats, Salem, Allen, and Charlie, and his silly rescue dog, Pleakly. His hobbies also include reading, hiking, and cooking. Colton’s approach to veterinary care is to go slow, be patient, and go at the animal’s speed to ensure they feel comfortable.

Nick Hnatovic holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and brings five years of hands-on experience in the veterinary field. As a Veterinary Assistant, he has a strong interest in ophthalmology as well as radiographic and ultrasound imaging, and he’s always seeking opportunities to expand his clinical knowledge.

Nick’s approach to veterinary medicine is grounded in respect and skill—he believes in providing excellent care to every pet while also helping to educate and empower the community around animal health and well-being.

Outside the clinic, Nick enjoys hiking and playing ultimate frisbee. He’s also actively involved in organizing the Kitsap Ultimate Frisbee community. A fun fact about Nick? He’s gone skydiving once—and says that was more than enough adventure for a lifetime!

Samantha Webster is one of the friendly and welcoming Customer Service Representatives at Bayview Veterinary Hospital. Originally from Williamsburg, Virginia, Samantha is also pursuing college degrees in Cybersecurity and Biomedical Engineering, with a specialization in IT.

With two years of experience in the veterinary field, Samantha was encouraged by friends to join the profession and quickly discovered her passion for helping pets and their owners.

In her free time, Samantha enjoys relaxing at home with her two cats, Alphonse and Terra, playing video games, and hiking. She also knows sign language and loves experimenting in the kitchen.

Her personal message is: “Animals need people; they need our care and kindness.”

Hailee brings over six years of experience in the veterinary field and holds an Associate’s Degree, along with certifications from Trupanion and West Coast Pet Memorial’s continuing education. With a growing interest in sonography, she continues to expand her knowledge and contribute meaningfully to the veterinary team.

Before joining Bayview, Hailee served the community as a dedicated dog walker, building long-term bonds with pets and their people. Her own dogs, Millie—a 6-year-old Shepherd mix—and Skarn—a 5-year-old Whippet/Pit Bull mix—are constant sources of love and inspiration.

Outside of work, Hailee enjoys playing card games, DIY crafts, and prioritizing self-care. She strongly believes animals deserve compassion and fundamental rights, free from harm or neglect. As a CSR, she understands the importance of first and last impressions and is committed to making every client experience a positive one.