Our Team

Meet Our Veterinary Team in Canyon Lake, Texas

Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Startz Veterinary! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!

Startz Staff

Our Doctors

Dr. Kaufman
Dr. Kaufman, DVM

Dr. Kaufman brings with him a broad background in science and medicine: DVM, Kansas State University, 1989. Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1993 (Neuroscience).

Previous clinic owner/veterinarian in Houston (West U Vet). Research and shelter medicine experience (NASA JSC, UTMB & HSPCA).

Dr. McGee
Dr. McGee, DVM

Dr. McGee graduated from Texas A&M University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and in 2013 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. After vet school, Dr. McGee worked in Southeast Texas for 8 years before coming to Canyon Lake.

She and her husband are loving raising their daughter and German Shepherd in the hill county! Her hobbies include spending time with family, making stained glass art, and traveling.

Special interests: small animal rehabilitation and ultrasound

Dr. McGee
Dr. Jessica Serafine, DVM

Dr. Serafine was born and raised in Southern California. She attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on the island of St. Kitts for vet school and her clinical year at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. She has a special interest in dentistry and is a member of both the Texas Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Serafine and her husband are currently living nearby in a house they renovated together. On their off time, they enjoy shooting bows, pistols, and rifles as well as hanging out with their three dogs, Blue, Tai, and Trip.

Our Team

Amber
Amber, LVT

Amber has been an LVT (Licensed Veterinary Technician) for 18 years and has been with Startz Veterinary for 10 years. She loves assisting Dr. K in surgery. She is our “go-to” gal for fear-aggressive dogs. Amber loves being a technician!

She is married and has two kids, an older English bulldog named “Bruno,” a pug named “Pugsley,” and a potbelly pig named “Sally,” along with several goats.

In her spare time, she can be found in the show barn with her kids showing goats and lambs. She also likes to go to the beach and spend time with family, whether it’s fishing, driving around in the jeep, or just sitting around the campfire.

Taylor
Keri

Keri is originally from Baton Rouge. She has been a veterinary technician since 2005. She attended LSU before moving to Texas and still roots for their football team. Geaux Tigers!

Keri has four furry loves: Silas, Sully, Hakim, and Pricess. She has four human loves, her amazing nieces. Keri enjoys kayaking, camping, laughing, and horror movies.

Brittany
Brittany

Brittany has always had a passion for helping animals. She studied Animal Science at Texas State and entered the veterinary field in 2019. Brittany is such an asset to Startz Veterinary. She is great in the front and the back! She is our go-to gal for anything needing organization and order!

At home, she has one dog, Copper (beagle), and two adopted cats, Oliver and Jasper. When she’s not at the clinic, you can find her enjoying car events, fishing, or spending time with her fiancé and family.

Marli
Marli

A Texas Native, Marli, was raised in rural NE Texas, where she grew up on her family’s ranch. From a young age, animals brought her joy, unexpected blessings, and a strong desire to not only take care of them but also work with them.

In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with her daughter and two fur pups. She enjoys many outdoor activities: riding ATVs, hunting, fishing, shooting skeet, and family barbecues.

Marissa
Marissa H.

Marissa is a native Texan. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Theater and Dance degree. Marissa’s lifelong love of animals led her to the veterinary field in 2015. She came to Startz Veterinary in 2020.

Her humor and infectious giggle, coupled with her technical talent, vast veterinary knowledge, and experience, have added tremendously to the Startz Veterinary team. When Marissa’s not at work, you can find her pursuing her new hobby, running, or ordering triple-shot espresso drinks at the local coffee shop!

Marissa
Marissa L.

Marissa brings 12 years of customer service experience with her. When she isn’t greeting our clients and giving their fur babies some love and affection, you can find her at home with her own. Marissa has two dogs named Jackson (3) and Chester (10), as well as a cat named Nala (9).

She spends as much time as possible with her son, soon-to-be husband, and her family. She enjoys cooking, painting, and watching the sunrise with a nice cup of coffee.

 

Tanner
Tanner

Tanner loves working with animals and has been in the veterinary field since 1992. Her hobbies include anything having to do with boxers, cycling, kayaking, yard work, and basketball. She loves spending time with her pups, lounging on the couch, and watching movies when she’s not busy outside. She has two boxers, Gideon Boy and Lakey Girl. Tanner recently adopted Patches, a sweet pittie. She also has two cats, Captain and Morgan, as well as two goldfish, Johnson and Maddie!

Marissa
Rachel

As the Hospital Administrator Extraordinaire, Rachel pitches in wherever needed. With a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Texas A&M, College Station, and a Master of Science in Pharmacology and Toxicology from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, she is well suited to veterinary medicine. Her favorite aspects of the profession include building the Startz Veterinary team and working directly with clients to improve their animal’s health and well-being.

When she’s not at the river’s edge, you can find Rachel practicing yoga, gardening, cooking, and reading.

Matt
Nicole

Nicole and her husband, lifelong dog lovers, have had an active, in-home dog care business for over 15 years. Their no-kennel approach was so popular that most owners became repeat clients. Through this venture, she developed her passion for the care of all animals. She inquired about open positions during her pets’ annual exam in 2021 and soon after joined the team. Her enthusiasm and compassion are evident throughout her interactions and tasks at Startz Vet.

When Nicole isn’t greeting clients and helping with their pets, she’s home with her SIX four-legged loves: Schnauzer sisters, Pepper and Leia, brother cats, Meowmers and Smudge. Her most recent rescues since joining the SV team are Graycee and Biskit, two more cats! She loves taking road trips, trying new restaurants, reading, and gardening.

Mariana
Mariana

Mariana is a very kind soul who loves taking care of our boarding dogs. In fact, she spends most lunch breaks playing with them in the backyard!

Mariana immigrated from Columbia in 2012. She enrolled at Lone Star College in Houston shortly thereafter to learn English. In 2016 she moved to San Antonio, where she graduated from the firefighter Academy through Alamo Colleges in 2017.

Mariana decided to change careers and dedicate her life to the care of animals. She attended the veterinary assistance program at PIMA Medical Institute and graduated in 2022. Mariana came to us through an externship via this program. Startz Vet recognized what a fantastic asset she would be to the team and asked her to please stay! She accepted, despite her commute, and has been a happy addition to the SV family since!

When Mariana is not at work, she enjoys all forms of exercise, outdoor activities with her family, and practicing/competing in martial arts.

Brenda
Brenda

Bio Coming Soon!