A native of Idaho, Dr. Irwin returned to the Gem State to join the Boise Cat Clinic team after completing her veterinary medicine studies at Colorado State University. There, she completed the rigorous DVM/MBA combined-degree program.
Dr. Irwin’s fondness for felines began at the tender age of three with her first cat, Candy – so named because “I love cats & I love candy” – statements that still hold true to this day. As her appreciation for the special intricacies of the human-feline bond deepened, her pursuit of a career in feline-exclusive medicine was only natural. Dr. Irwin believes this special bond is best served through compassionate care for kitties and sharing her knowledge and expertise with the people they have touched.
In January of 2024, Dr. Irwin became the proud owner of the Boise Cat Clinic when she purchased the clinic from her long-time mentor and clinic founder, Dr. Robin Roller. Maintaining the clinic under private ownership is very important to Dr. Irwin because it allows her the autonomy to provide the best care for her patients and clients. Dr. Irwin’s clinical interests include internal medicine, nutrition, and dentistry.
Dr. Irwin takes pride in her membership of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Feline Practitioners, Idaho Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Animal Hospital Association.
Outside the clinic, Dr. Irwin enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, biking, kayaking, and tending her vegetable and flower gardens. She also enjoys spending cozy evenings knitting and crafting alongside her feline companions: Twila Luna, Norabel Soleil, Margeaux LeRoux, Alexxy Fyodor, and Arges Abyss.
Dr. Sutherland’s passion for veterinary medicine was sparked early on, despite the challenges of frequently relocating as a child in a military family. At just fourteen, she began working at a local vet clinic, which deeply influenced her career direction. She pursued her education with determination, earning both her Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Washington State University, completing the latter in 2022 as part of the Honors College’s accelerated 7-year program. Additionally, Dr. Sutherland is Fear Free Certified, reflecting her dedication to reducing stress and enhancing the welfare of animals.
Her professional focus includes preventative medicine, client education, and soft tissue surgery. After working in a mixed animal practice, her love for the unique personalities and independence of cats led her to specialize exclusively in feline medicine. This specialization reflects her commitment to enhancing veterinary care for cats, who are often less likely to receive preventive care compared to dogs.
Dr. Sutherland thrives in a feline-exclusive environment that perfectly aligns with her expertise and passions, allowing her to provide tailored care. Her diverse background, shaped by moves across the country and enriched by her proficiency in Spanish, has endowed her with a broad perspective and adaptability that enhance her practice. Beyond her professional life, Dr. Sutherland enjoys camping, cooking, reading, caring for her many houseplants, and spending time with her two beloved tuxedo cats, Franklin and Regina, who she considers the best cats in the world.
As Practice Manager, Nicole brings more than two decades of dedicated experience in veterinary medicine to our team. Her love for cats began as far back as she can remember, and that passion has been the driving force of her career ever since. Nicole started her journey in veterinary medicine as a receptionist at a feline-only clinic where she took her own kitty. What was meant to be a short-term role blossomed into a 12-year tenure and a lifelong career path. There, she grew from a Customer Service Representative to a leadership position, gaining a holistic understanding of patient care from the initial exam to geriatric care.
Her extensive background includes working in multi-species, emergency, and specialty clinics, spanning both corporate and private practice models. But her heart has always belonged with the kitties in a small, private and locally-owned environment. That’s why she is so happy to be here at Boise Cat Clinic, a place where helping clients find the best way to care for their feline companions is a top priority. She is especially passionate about providing compassionate senior cat care and empowering pet owners.
Nicole’s hands-on learning journey not only enhanced her ability to care for her own pets but also made her an invaluable asset to her workplace. Her story highlights the impact of passion and continuous learning in building a rewarding career in veterinary medicine.
When not at work, Nicole loves spending time with family and her own beloved cats. Nicole’s other joys include flowers and music.
Wendy’s path to veterinary medicine wasn’t shaped by a single defining moment but by a lifelong affection for animals and a yearning to contribute meaningfully to their well-being. Transitioning from roles that merely paid the bills to a career that nourished her soul, Wendy found her calling in the veterinary field, a perfect blend of her compassion for animals and her desire to serve. Her work is guided by the principle of treating every animal with the level of compassion and care she would wish for her own pets, specializing in laboratory work, dentistry, and wound management with a particular fondness for cats. Her initial enchantment with felines began at seven when she and her brothers rescued a cat, leading to a lifelong love affair with these graceful creatures. Now, working in a cat-only clinic, Wendy lives her dream daily, surrounded by the animals she adores.
Wendy’s educational journey reflects her diverse interests, holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Statistics and Research Psychology, before returning to school to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. This rich educational background underpins her multifaceted approach to veterinary care. Beyond her professional life, Wendy is a vibrant individual with hobbies ranging from soccer and crafts to painting and sculpting. Her adventurous spirit once led her to volunteer for a Search and Rescue Team in Southern California, where she performed remarkable feats such as rappelling from helicopters. Describing herself as hard-working, caring, considerate, confident, and goofy, Wendy is a cherished member of the team who brings not only her skills but her unique personality to enrich the lives of both pets and their owners.
For Sicily, a deep-rooted passion for veterinary medicine was sparked by her earliest experiences with pets. She found comfort and inspiration in the unconditional love of animals, and the desire to help them when they were sick was a powerful calling from a young age. This passion led her to pursue formal education in the field, including volunteer work at the Idaho Humane Society and Simply Cats. Her time at Simply Cats solidified her special connection with felines, where she fell in love with their unique and relaxed temperaments. She currently holds an Associate’s in Animal Medicine from CWI and is committed to her long-term professional growth. Sicily is driven by a passion for the precise and meaningful aspects of her work. She finds particular satisfaction in running lab work, a process she describes as genuinely fulfilling. Her detail-oriented nature and dedication also make her particularly adept at instrument sanitization and assisting with inventory, ensuring that the clinic’s operations run smoothly.
Outside of her work at the clinic, Sicily embraces a different kind of animal-filled life on a small farm with her family. What started as city living transformed into a rural lifestyle where she now cares for goats, pigs, and chickens, in addition to her beloved cats and dogs. To unwind, she enjoys reading, writing, drawing, painting, and playing music.
Jessica graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s degree in University Studies. With a background in customer service and hospitality, she worked at Disneyland and California Adventure Resorts, and is also an expert baker. Jessica grew up surrounded by animals and feels a deep love and respect for them. She feels that working in the veterinary industry is a challenging and rewarding experience, and a great way to give back to the animals who have enriched her life. She also finds it exciting that there is always something new to learn. Jessica’s dream is to retire to Territorio de Zaguates, the “Land of the Strays” in Costa Rica.
Shanna’s love for animals has been lifelong, and her interest in the medical side of animal care began at a very young age. When she was five, her childhood dog underwent surgery, and she begged her grandmother to let her remove the stitches. Her grandmother agreed, and from that moment, Shanna was fascinated by the process of healing and caring for animals. Later in life, Shanna began working at an animal shelter, and while the work was demanding, she realized it was the first job she truly loved. Shanna is guided by compassion, integrity, and a deep respect for life. These values shape her approach to veterinary medicine and motivate her to provide the best care possible—not just for the cats, but for the people who love them. One of the aspects of veterinary medicine she finds most rewarding is the opportunity to continually learn something new. Every animal is unique, and she especially loves working with cats because of their incredible individuality and diverse personalities.
Shanna earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a concentration in Integrative Organismal Biology. A unique part of Shanna’s background is her research experience. For over three years, she studied the physiological and anatomical reproductive changes in Blue Banded Gobies, a species of bidirectionally hermaphroditic fish. This research contributed to her lab being awarded a $950,000 grant to continue the work, and she currently has a manuscript in final review for submission to the Journal of Morphology, with another in progress as a co-author. Prior to entering veterinary medicine, Shanna worked in human health care as both a care aide and a Direct Support Professional (DSP). She is certified in First Aid and medication administration. Shanna plans to pursue getting her veterinary technician license. When not working, she dedicates her time to her four children, and their many animal companions.
Aspen obtained an Associates in Anthropology at the College of Western Idaho. She has held a variety of professional and management positions but found that her true passion is working with animals. She has a vast background in caring for animals of all shapes and sizes, from horses to ferrets and everything in between. She loves being able to help cats and their owners, while providing compassion through her work. She feels the Veterinary Assistant position has given her an opportunity to use her expertise accumulated from her previous job experiences in a loving and caring manner.
Jenna’s affinity for cats is deeply rooted in her appreciation for their diverse personalities and the unique bond formed when a cat chooses to be close to someone. This admiration, coupled with her observation that cats often seem underrepresented in veterinary care, propelled her toward a career focused exclusively on feline wellbeing. Jenna is particularly passionate about preventive care, recognizing that cats are adept at concealing discomfort and illness. She emphasizes the importance of regular check-ups to detect and treat potential issues early, thereby enhancing their quality of life.
Her journey into veterinary medicine was sparked by a book titled “Vet Emergency 2,” which she discovered at a school book fair. This interactive insight into the life of a veterinarian solidified her desire to work with animals, leading her to significant achievements in her career, including her attainment of the Veterinary Receptionist Certification of Excellence (VRCE). Outside of her professional endeavors, Jenna has a keen interest in video gaming and true-crime documentaries/podcasts, with favorites like the “Dragon Age” and “The Witcher” series, as well as “Clocktower,” providing her with leisure and entertainment. Jenna’s dedication to feline care and her rich personal interests make her a multifaceted member of our team.
From an early age, Alysha was surrounded by animals—thanks in large part to a mom who loved caring for them. One of her earliest and most formative experiences came from stepping in to hand-raise a litter of baby bunnies whose mother refused to nurse them. That experience sparked a lifelong commitment to animal care, which only deepened over time, especially through fostering over 30 neonatal kittens. A high school job-shadowing project gave Alysha a front-row seat to the world of veterinary medicine. Watching veterinarians compassionately care for their patients was a pivotal moment that solidified her decision to pursue a career in the field.
Driven by values of compassion and collaboration, Alysha finds deep fulfillment in helping animals—especially those who can’t speak for themselves. While she loves all animals, cats hold a special place in her heart. Their independent yet affectionate nature and their wide range of unique personalities make them endlessly fascinating. Her goal is to continue learning and growing in her understanding of feline behavior and care. She spends her free time creating art and caring for her six fur babies: five cats and one chihuahua mix.
