Meet The Team

Bree Montana DVM, CCFP

Owner, Practitioner 

Dr. Montana graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science degree focused in the field of Biology followed by a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation from veterinary medical school, Dr. Montana worked exclusively in small animal outpatient and emergency hospitals while pursuing additional medical training in the latest technologies. Dr. Montana has advanced training in ultrasonography, chemotherapy, dentistry, emergency medicine and surgery, transfusion medicine, class IV laser therapy, pain management and rehabilitation. A past member of UC Davis’ College of Veterinary Medicine’s External Advisory and Admissions Boards, and a past Board member of the VINFoundation, Dr. Montana is the Director of the VINFoundation’s Vets4Vets programs. Dr Montana has a special interest in colleague support and mentoring, and she serves as one of VIN's Virtual Veterinary Internship Mentors. When not practicing medicine, Dr. Montana will generally be found playing with her daughter Ember and their ponies, hiking with her huskies, and skiing or snowboarding with her husband Bill West. Navigating the wilderness of medical diagnostics and therapies can be a daunting challenge. Dr. Montana invites you to join our hospital family so we may help direct your animal companion’s route to good health.

Kate McFarren DVM

Practitioner

A native of Carson City, Nevada, Dr Kate McFarren attended Middlebury College in Vermont for an undergraduate degree in biochemistry, while working as an EMT and backcountry responder. After college, she followed her love of animals and the outdoors to spend summers working as a mule packer and guide in the Sierra Nevada. Guiding and mule packing ultimately led to a job at a large animal veterinary hospital in Reno, where veterinary medicine quickly became her passion.

Following her graduation from the UC Davis College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr McFarren worked for several hospitals in the Davis area before joining our team at the Agate Bay Animal Hospital. 

Dr. McFarren’s professional interests are widespread, but if she had to choose a top three, it would be community and preventative medicine, internal medicine, and surgery (ok, maybe it’s a top four). She is excited to be on our team here at Agate Bay Animal Hospital and looks forward to working with you and your pets!

Outside of work, Dr. McFarren enjoys exploring the great outdoors with her trusty border collie, Flint, spending time with her partner, friends and family, traveling, and playing music.

Anna M. LVT, RVT

Veterinary Technician

Anna grew up on a little Christmas tree farm with one too many siblings in the Midwest. Graduating from Michigan State University’s Veterinary Technology Program in 2019. Anna worked in several small animal practices throughout the MidWest before relocating to North Lake Tahoe. Anna loves that medicine is constantly evolving and  strives to provide the best care to every animal. Anna has a strong interest in wildlife rehabilitation and dedicates part of every week to Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care. In her free time, she loves to get out on her bike or bake goodies.

Meghan P. BA, RVT, CF-L1 CrossFit Trainer

Veterinary Technician

Meghan originally started working for Agate Bay Animal Hospital in 2013 which inspired her to earn her credentials as a registered veterinary technician in 2017. 

Meghan’s love for advanced veterinary medicine drew her to St Kitts, where she taught veterinary students in the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine anesthesia and dentistry departments. Meg is now happily back home in Tahoe, sharing her time with our hospital while pursuing advanced education which will ultimately lead to a career as a CRNA. We are grateful to have Meghan’s compassion, talent, and energy back with the Agate Bay team. 

In her free time, you can find Meghan running with her young and crazy dog, Kricket, coaching fitness classes, or snuggling up with her senior chihuahua, Rick.

Gretchen G. 

Support Team Leader

Gretchen joined our team in 2021, and immediately put her background from the human health world to work, making our hospital and boarding processes smoother and safer all around. Holding a double Associates' Degree in Science in Fashion Merchandising and in Visual Display and Presentation, she brings great energy and focus to everything she takes on. Gretchen is also a Board Certified Professional Organizer, which comes in handy for our teams on a daily basis. In her spare time she enjoys adventures with her Mini Aussie Capulin, hiking, snowboarding, skateboarding and art. When not at work or relaxing, she is currently working on her children’s picture book ‘No, Mack, No!’ inspired by all of the naughty shenanigans her childhood dog got into along the way.

Amanda H

Veterinary Assistant

Amanda moved to Tahoe from the MidWest years ago, drawn by her love of the Mountains, Snow, and all things Tahoe. Amanda has always had a passion for animals, and she and her two daughters share their home with 3 dogs and 2 cats, assuring that there's always a lot of love to go around. Following her decision to create a career around her love for animals, Amanda has joined our team as a Veterinary Assistant, where she will continue to learn and grow as she learns on the job while also pursuing formal studies leading to her becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician. Outside of work she enjoys exploring all Tahoe has to offer with her two young daughters.

Hannah T, BS

Veterinary Assistant

Originally from Charleston South Carolina, Hannah is a graduate of the California State University, Chico, and holds a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science. Moving to Tahoe to join our hospital team as a Veterinary Assistant, Hannah is pursuing her goal of becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician. A strong advocate and supporter of wildlife conservation, in her free time Hannah enjoys playing guitar, paddleboarding, fishing, and playing with her border collie Ellie.

Itzel R

Camp Team Leader

A native of the Bay Area, Itzel has been loving life in Tahoe since 2021. A lifelong animal lover, she is currently caring for our dogs and cats as a Camp Counselor while studying to join our wonderful team of Veterinary Assistants. Itzel shares her life with a gorgeous young Husky, and loves watching horror movies and creating art.

Susie T, AA, BS, CF-L1 CrossFit Trainer

Director of Social Media

Susie moved to the North shore of Tahoe in 2009 from Park City UT, to pursue her love of the mountains and her passion for skiing, mountain biking and hiking. In her role as social media director, Susie is responsible for the wonderful videos and pictures of our patients and campers on our social media platforms. In her free time you'll find Susie playing in the mountains whenever she isn't coaching or working out at CrossFit Avalanche.