Our Staff

Practice Owner

Ken DeRemer, DVM

---

Veterinarians

Christina Huntsinger, DVM
I grew up in Oregon and received my undergraduate degree in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Oregon in 1998.  I transplanted to the Midwest for vet school and graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2003, after which I was happy to move home to the Pacific Northwest.  I started practicing in Hillsboro and moved to Paws & Claws in 2007.  I am proud to be an advocate for pet health and well-being.  I enjoy educating clients on preventative medicine issues to improve the quality of life for both the animals and their owners.  I also enjoy dentistry and managing chronic diseases such as diabetes and chronic renal failure.  The majority of my free time is spent in the woods hiking, camping, and backpacking, or tending to my vegetable garden.  I also am proud to be a member of the Oregon Veterinary Emergency Response Team (OVERT).  We are certified by the State of Oregon to be first responders during emergencies and disasters in order to set up and care for injured or misplaced animals, and to house the pets of people who have been displaced from their homes.  I have 2 cats, Basti and Fester (aka "Fwuffy Kitten"), and a lab/border collie mix, "Mowgli".

I treat cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits, rodents, guinea pigs, and hamsters.

Monica Pollock, DVM
I am a homegrown Oregonian, raised in Beaverton, Oregon.  I got my BS from Oregon State University, and I graduated from vet school in 1999 from the combined Oregon State University and Washington State University Veterinary Medicine program.  I started practice in Beaverton, but have been at Paws & Claws Pet Medical Center since 2006.  While I enjoy surgery and internal medicine, my true passion is preventative medicine and geriatric care.  At home I have Kingston, my career-changed guide dog; Kitchen Lizard, my three-legged bearded dragon; and Porch, my orange tabby rescue.  On my time off, I enjoy working on my house and garden, hiking, and wandering around the neighborhoods of Portland.

In addition to cats and dogs, I also see birds, reptiles, and all small mammals.

---

Receptionists

Kristen T.
I was recruited to Paws & Claws in 2005.  My professional background is in retail management and sales, however working with animals is so much more rewarding!  The patients and clients here at Paws & Claws are amazing! My responsibilities range from overseeing the front staff to inventory management, with numerous things in between.  I am the proud parent to a house full of misfits (two dogs and two cats). They keep me very busy, trying to guess what shenanigans will ensue each day! During my 'off' time, I work at the gym, teach kickboxing, laugh often, and enjoy being with friends and family.

James H.
In Spring 2007 I started working for Paws and Claws Pet Medical Center, initally as a kennel assistant, and have learned the skills to work as a veterinary assistant and receptionist.  In the Fall of 2008 I started to split my time between Paws and Claws and Dr. DeRemer's other practice in North Portland, where I also work as both an assistant and receptionist.  For now, I have three cats: Doom, Danger and Ayame.  I have had exotics over the years too, including: sugar gliders, mice, turtles, and fish.  For fun I play guitar, read, camp and cook.

Elaine K.
A native Oregonian, I was born and raised in Portland.  I have always had one or more pets in my household, ranging from parakeets to guinea pigs, to cats and dogs.  I worked as an English teacher before starting my family, which now counts at four (grown) children, one neurotic 9 year old German Shorthaired Pointer named "Lily", and a 5 year old black kitty named "Tula".  I worked for 5 years at another veterinary clinic in Portland, took a two year break, and started at Paws and Claws in 2004.  I chose this area of work because of my fondness for companion animals, and enjoy the daily contact with our clients.

Kim T.

I was born and raised in Kansas, however I consider Oregon my home. I am excited about working at Paws and Claws!! With years of customer service skills, I officially became a receptionist in January 2011. I love getting to see the many types of animals and meet all the clients that come to the clinic. My degree is in Graphic Design from Portland State University, with an emphasis on Metalsmithing. When I am not working at the clinic I am at home with my husband, horses, pheasants, chickens and my German Shepard "Ella". My kids are nearly grown and out on their own, so it gives me lots of time for my hobby of my many art projects, and making jewelry.

Kelly P.

I grew up in Brightwood Oregon; some people call it "the mountain", I just call it home. I started working at Paws & Claws as a receptionist in July of 2011. I previously worked at another veterinary clinic before coming to Paws & Claws. Animals are such a joy to be around. I love to see all the pets and clients that come into our clinic. There is something new and exciting everyday. The fun always continues when I get home, I have a black lab named Sam, a chihuahua-french bulldog mix named Mack, and a black and white kitty named Moo. When I'm not at work I enjoy the outdoors, sitting around a camp fire with friends and family, soaking up the sun when it's here; and one of my favorite things to do is take a trip up to the snow!

---

Technicians

Angela Poore , CVT
I grew up and currently live in Sandy, Oregon.  I've loved animals all my life, and have owned cats, dogs, and horses.  I've always wanted to work in the veterinary field and I started working as a veterinary assistant after high school in 2001.  I became a certified veterinary technician in 2005 and have been at Paws and Claws since 2006.  I love caring for animals during surgical procedures, stabilizing animals during emergencies, and helping clients understand medical conditions their pets have been diagnosed with.  My baby is "Nova" a Chihuahua with Addison's disease.  I also have "Frankie" the pug and "Dog" the cat.  I spend my free time camping, rafting, and watching movies.

Deann Riggs , CVT
I grew up in Sandy, Oregon.  I have always had a love for animals.  I graduated from the PCC Veterinary Technician program in 1998.  I worked at another clinic in Gresham before joining Paws and Claws in 1999.  Currently I am only working a few days a month as my 3 daughters keep me very busy.  In addition to them, I also have 2 cats "Katy" and "Tico", and 2 boxers "Dallas" and "Rollie" and 6 chickens.  I love coming to work as every day is always an adventure and I enjoy knowing I can make a difference in an animal's life. 

---

Veterinary Technician Assistants

Kelsey S.
I grew up in Vancouver, Washington, and have always had a love for animals.  I've wanted to work in the veterinary field since I was a little kid, and I'm so happy to be at Paws and Claws!  I love learning and seeing new things every day.  In the future I hope to become a licensed CVT.  I have 4 furry kids: Bear and Skarlotte the sharpeis, Stroker my crazy first kitty, and Liberty, my rescued Siamese mix.  I have recently purchased a house with my (future) husband, and enjoy fixing it up in my free time.  We also enjoy weekend trips to the beach and going to VW car shows.

Aimee L.
I was born and raised in Sandy, Oregon.  I have always had the desire to work with animals, and Paws & Claws helped me fulfill this dream in 2008. Since then I have become the proud owner of the most fabulous animal that ever lived! His name is Nicki Nuckles. He is a Maine Coon mix feline, with more attitude (and weight), that cannot be contained! I am enthusiastic about coming to work every day, and love the team I work with!

Jamie F.

I grew up in South East Portland and moved to the Gresham area my senior year of high school. I have always been fascinated with animals and wildlife, so it was an easy decision to attend Carrington College, for Veterinary Assistant training. I have been with Paws and Claws since April of 2011 and have been a client since 2008. In my free time I enjoy most outdoor activates like camping, hiking and fishing. My husband Mike, my Boston Terrier Twiggy and my Maine Coon mix Kisa make up my family, and they are the most important part of my life. My goals are to become a Certified Veterinarian Technician, to one day own my own home, and start a family.

Kayla H.

I grew up in Estacada, Oregon, on a 50 acre farm, that included horses, llamas, dogs, cats and a bird. I currently live in Sandy, Oregon, with my husband, Nick and our two English Bulldogs, Bailey and Miss Piggy, as well as our Himalayan/Persian cat, Hemi. Animals have always been a big part of my life. I have been involved in 4-H/FFA and I am a 4-H leader for the Lickety Spit Llama Club. In my free time I enjoy camping, hiking and showing llamas. Prior to working at Paws & Claws, I was a vet assistant at two other clinics. Although I am new to this clinic, April of 2011, I really love being a part of the team. Someday I hope to further my education and become a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT).

---

Management

KC DeRemer
I have been involved with Paws & Claws a lot over the course of my life. I love animals, and often worked in the clinic off and on during high school before I moved to Eugene to attend the University of Oregon. During my time at the U of O, I completed two bachelor's degrees. I have received a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration, and a Bachelors of Arts in Spanish. I studied abroad in Spain for six months and have also earned a certificate in International Business. I am excited to step up into my new management role after having been involved with the practice for most of my life.

Clary DeRemer

I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, and am the oldest daughter of 10 children. I met Dr. Ken DeRemer in Longview, WA, when I brought my sick cat in for treatment.  I have been a Registered Nurse for 35 years, and recently retired from Wilcox Women's Center at Good Samaritan Hospital, where I was a Neonatal-OB/Gyn nurse.  I have been married to Dr. DeRemer for 25 years.  We have 3 sons, all in college.  I am now in my second career as hospital manager for both of Dr. DeRemer's practices.  I enjoy skiing (I was a ski instructor and coach in the 80's), dancing, and making slide shows for family and friends.  I also enjoy gardening, and traveling (so far I've been to Europe, Russia, Central America, Canada, the Caribbean, Canada, and half the states including my favorite, Hawaii!)

Adrienne B.

I met Dr. DeRemer at Gresham Veterinary Clinic, where I had worked since 1973.  I left there to become pet department manager at Burns Feed Store, and moved to Paws and Claws to become a part-time receptionist in 1999.  My husband and I bred and raised all kinds of critters from sheep, to pigs, and finally Appaloosa horses.  He passed away in 1995 and I eventually moved to Wood Village, where I now live with three Border collies, five cats, and one Bearded dragon, along with my significant other, James. At Paws and Claws I try to stay out of the reception area these days, and stick primarily to bookwork and payroll.  I love working with everyone at Paws and Claws and am so grateful the DeRemers and other employees consider me to be part of their family. 

---

Clinic Pets

Pearl		Pearl has been a member of the Paws & Claws Family since the spring of 2010. She's our princess Persian who perches on the back of chairs and in the front window. She's full of spunk and knows how to keep Greddy in his place.  She likes to spend her time curling up in the cat tree nook or sitting on the charts the doctors are trying to write up. When she's feeling frisky she'll crawl onto open laps in the lobby to curl up for a nap, so watch out!
Greddy		Greddy joined us in 2008 after his little head got squished by a car.  He was a mess, with a damaged eye and a broken jaw and teeth.  We were able to fix him up with a big surgery and lots of TLC. He's been greeting clients ever since. He loves to knead bellies, tease the other clinic cats, and scream at people for food.