Meet Our Team
APPOINTMENTWe’re one big family.
Adriana Mendoza, DVM
Medical Director
As Medical Director of the Firehouse Animal Center in Leander, Dr. Adriana Mendoza leads her team while also seeing patients on a daily basis.
When seeing clients and their pets, Dr. Mendoza’s first goal is to create a comfortable environment. To help cats acclimate and feel at ease, Dr. Mendoza finds a quiet exam room and uses slow movements and a quiet voice so cats feel calm and reassured. To connect with dogs, she moves down to the floor, performs exams in the hospital’s open treatment area, and offers treats to establish trust.
Dr. Mendoza takes time with clients to ensure they understand what’s going on in the exam room, the different factors affecting their pet’s health, and various treatment options available. She offers demos for clients so they feel confident giving medications and preventive treatments at home. Her goal is to ensure clients leave the hospital with their questions fully answered.
Dr. Mendoza feels passionate about her work at Firehouse, using her empathetic approach to help pets live longer lives with their human companions. While Dr. Mendoza loves all animals, she holds a special place in her heart for cats and has a special touch with even the most nervous cats.
Dr. Mendoza received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and then completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M. When she’s done working with her Firehouse team each day, she enjoys spending time with her team at home — her husband, son, two dogs, and six cats. She also loves traveling and dancing to country music.
Amy Mathiak, DVM
Associate Veterinarian
To stay current on medical trends and new techniques, Dr. Mathiak is an avid reader and collaborates with her colleges by discussing difficult cases. Her favorite conference is the International Veterinary Seminar because of their innovative, yet realistic approach to bringing the best medicine into our daily veterinary practice.
Clients appreciate Dr. Mathiak’s honest, compassionate, empathetic, and hard-working personality. Her goal is to develop long lasting relationships with clients and their pets, ultimately strengthening the human-animal bond.
Dr. Mathiak earned a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Texas Tech University. She graduated from St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada in 2014.
On weekends, you’ll find Dr. Mathiak and her family at sporting events, traveling, or spending time outdoors with her two dogs Panzer (a spaniel/shepherd mix) and Bella (a mini schnauzer) or cuddling with her cat named Jerry Cat.
Martina McCalister, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr Martina McCalister enjoys building relationships with her clients and patients so she can offer more personalized care. She works hard to remember patient needs and has found that her style allows veterinary visits to be more interactive and relaxed.Clients appreciate Dr McCalister’s honesty and sincerity when discussing preventive care, diagnostics, treatments, and expected procedure outcomes. Her genuine concern for animals and the fact that she loves her work are evident in the close bonds she forms with her clients and patients.
Dr McCalister enjoys dentistry and soft tissue surgery. She stays current with her veterinary skills by attending conferences and local meetings, as well as roundtables that address the most current recommendations for veterinary treatment.
She is a 2005 graduate of the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr McCalister is mom to Gibson, a pit bull mix; Cairo, an Italian Greyhound; and Weylyn, a German Shepherd mix. When she’s not helping others’ pets, she enjoys hiking, wine trails, taking her pets to the lake, and Round Rock Express games at Dell Diamond.
Jason Hayes
Veterinary Technician
Jason was raised in Bryan-College Station in the shadow of the great Texas A&M University. He discovered veterinary medicine at an early age through frequent trips to the university’s vet school for care of livestock and family pets. While earning a fine arts degree in graphic communications at Southwest Texas State University, he gained employment at a local veterinary clinic and discovered a true passion for the field.He has since worked with many of the specialists and general practitioners in the Austin area. When not helping his four-legged patients receive the highest quality care, Jason enjoys the local music scene and spending time with his family on the beaches along the Texas coast.
Lauren Bustos
Veterinary Technician
Lauren was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. After graduating high school she moved to Galveston, Texas to attend Texas A&M, where she received her degree in Marine Biology. After working for several years with aquariums in the Houston area, Lauren married her husband Daniel and moved to the Austin area.Here, her interest in animal medicine grew and drew her into the veterinary field. Lauren has found her true calling and has worked in small animal practice since 2012. Lauren’s spare time is spent raising her two beautiful kids, Erica and Luke. She loves spending time outdoors with her family, soaking up all the fun activities Austin has to offer.
Aaron Hernandez
Veterinary Technician
Aaron started working for Firehouse in October 2018 but has been in the vet field for more than 12 years. He graduated from Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Colorado as a Licensed Veterinary Technician in 2006. Since then he has worked in specialty hospitals, equine medicine, spay and neuter clinics, and several small animal practices along the way.
Aaron now lives in Leander with his Fiancée and son along with his faithful companion Bamboo, a 12-year-old shepherd mix who is never far from his side. In his spare time, Aaron can be found somewhere green and beautiful, hiking, camping, or just spending time with his friends and family. (Aaron is also into collecting and selling retro toys – ask him about his collection next time you see him!)
April Davis
Client Service Coordinator
April grew up in the Dallas area. Her love of the outdoors and nature brought her to Austin and its Hill Country in 2013.
April joined the Firehouse Team in 2018 to continue her career in veterinary medicine. She’s always loved animals and knew that Firehouse would be a great fit for her to grow her career. Since joining Firehouse, April has really enjoyed being a part of such a caring Team who continues to challenge her and grow her knowledge on giving every pet the best care.
In her spare time, April enjoys camping and hikes with her husband two dogs named Maggie & Scooter. April is enjoying teaching Maggie and Scooter how to walk on the nature trails and knows they’ll master them soon!
Megan Shadden
Veterinary Technician
Megan was born and raised in small town Iowa. Growing up, she spent most holiday and summer breaks visiting her grandparents on Lake Travis. In 2011 she made the permanent move to this area, never regretting it! Megan has a soft, loving heart.Choosing a career with animals came as no surprise to her family. Megan’s spare time is spent with her daughter Emmerson and two dogs, Piper (Bichon Mix) and Abigail (Mini Aussie). They love to spend their time exploring outdoors, especially on the lake!
Monica Ball
Veterinary Technician
Monica brings her warm and friendly bedside manner to clients and patients each day, showing her genuine interest in helping them care for their pet. Monica sees each pet as a unique individual with a unique personality and health care needs. She is self-aware, ensuring her body language is non-threatening and lets pets set the pace of each appointment to gain trust. These Fear-Free tactics ensure that clients and pets have a comfortable visit to Firehouse.
Monica graduated from Texas A&M University with a Master’s degree in Kinesiology and is currently in a Bachelor’s program to become a Registered Nurse. In her free time, Monica volunteers at Texas Humane Heroes to assist the medical staff and create enrichment activities for the dogs. She is passionate about helping shelter animals and rescues. You’ll also find her at home cuddling with her own rescue mix named Gumbeaux.
Lacie Burnside
Customer Service Coordinator
Lacie is passionate about making clients and patients feel part of the Firehouse family the moment they enter Firehouse Leander. She uses Fear-Free techniques to lower patient stress. Clients appreciate Lacie’s friendly and positive approach to customer service.Lacie’s a native Austinite who loves to spend time with her 4 dogs (Macy, Austin, Piggy and LeDoux), 4 cats (Ripley, Senai, Zander and Karma) and gecko Dharma, as well as her two kids, Alexander and Landry.
Randi Kamper
Veterinary Technician
Randi is passionate about helping pets lead a happy and less stressful life. At the hospital, she uses Fear-Free techniques to keep patients calm and comfortable during visits. Since she was a dog trainer before joining Firehouse, she’s comfortable answering training questions so clients and their pets can live a happy and less stressful life.
Clients appreciate Randi’s upbeat and positive personality, as well as her caring, understanding and empathetic demeanor. Randi is passionate about nutrition, exercise, and training. When she’s not at the hospital, you’ll find Randi at home watching with her Great Danes, Maggie and Hazel, 3 cats named Bear, P.J., and Mau Kitty.
Kat Dapper
Veterinary Technician
Kat brings her compassionate and bubbly personality to Firehouse’s clients and pets each day. She cares for her dog and cat patients as if they were her own, using fear free techniques (and lots of kisses!) to make sure each one is calm and comfortable.
She stays up-to-date with current veterinary skills and products through continuing education classes.
Kat is an Austin native! She loves Halloween and spending time with her family. In her free time, she enjoys baking and being with her 4 cats (Zero, Jack, Pear and Boo) and her 2 ferrets (Elora and Brisket).
Alyssa Arnold
Veterinary Technician
Clients enjoy Alyssa’s empathetic and calming personality. She focuses on positive communication with both clients and pets as well as truly grasping client concerns during each visit.Her compassion extends beyond pets, to our clients also. She strives to make visits to the hospital easier and stress free for dogs and cats by using fear free tactics, as well as putting owners at ease through her caring and knowledgeable interactions.
Alyssa graduated from Sam Houston State University as an Animal Science Major. When not at Firehouse, Alyssa enjoys country dancing and exploring the outdoors with her husband. She has two dogs named Coda (a collie/blue heeler mix) and Brindle (an everything mix).
We’re here to help.
Location
Hours
Sat: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Sun: Closed
