Bend Animal Emergency and Specialty Center
Who we are
Our Mission
Our mission is to operate a progressive veterinary hospital that provides exceptional emergency and specialty veterinary care while also providing and caring for the veterinary team. Bend Animal Emergency and Specialty Center is proud of our values-based culture, which promotes and celebrates teamwork and a commitment to employee growth. Our practice is successful because of the contributions of every employee. We celebrate and promote diversity, inclusiveness, transparent communication, trust, and a passion for the human-animal bond.
About Us
Bend Animal Emergency and Specialty Center, LLC was established Aug 2021 by doctors Naomi Kitagaki and Adam Stone. Emergency medicine is our passion and we want to provide high quality care to the pets and owners of Central Oregon and surrounding areas. This hospital was founded with the goal of treating clients, patients and staff with equal levels of compassion and empathy. We strive to be an invaluable resource for our community.
We work with your vet
All hospitalized animals are transferred to your veterinarian for continued care during their normal office hours. Any non-emergency condition found during our examination will be brought to your attention for treatment at your family veterinary hospital.
All your pet’s medical records from the Bend Animal Emergency and Specialty Center will be sent to your regular veterinary clinic. We want to do everything possible to partner with your family veterinarian towards the health of your pet!
Meet our team
Bend Animal Emergency and Specialty Center is staffed at all times by experienced emergency veterinarians and staff. A minimum of one doctor and one technician are onsite during all open hours. We monitor our critical patients continuously through the night or weekend ensuring the highest quality care for your pet during their time of need.
Dr. Naomi Kitagaki
She/Her
Naomi Kitagaki, DVM is co-owner of Bend Animal Emergency and Specialty Center alongside Dr. Adam Stone. A Pacific Northwest native, she earned her undergraduate degree from Portland State University and graduated with high honors from Western University of Health Sciences in 2017. Following graduation, she completed an Emergency and Critical Care internship at DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Kitagaki then moved to Bend to join the former Bend Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center, where she continued to build her career in emergency and critical care medicine.
Outside of the hospital, Dr. Kitagaki enjoys backpacking, snowboarding, climbing, and mountain biking. She and Dr. Stone share their home with three dogs—Maple, Wyatt, and Margo Rottie—and three cats affectionately named Princess Pancake, Sir Francis Bacon, and Eggs Benedict Cumberscratch.
Dr. Adam Stone
He/Him
Adam Stone, VMD has dedicated his entire career to emergency medicine. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2015, followed by a 13-month internship in emergency and critical care at DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital in Portland, Oregon. After completing his training, Dr. Stone founded a successful veterinary relief business, providing coverage for emergency hospitals across Oregon and Washington and gaining experience at more than 10 facilities.
He has since made Bend his permanent home, drawn by the abundant snow, sunshine, and the opportunity to provide excellent emergency and specialty care at Bend Animal Emergency & Specialty Center. Dr. Stone’s professional interests include pain management, soft tissue surgery, anesthesia, and critical care.
Outside of the hospital, he enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, camping, cooking, and exploring Bend’s vibrant food scene. He lives with his partner, Dr. Naomi Kitagaki, their three dogs, Wyatt, Maple and Margo Rottie, and their three cats, Princess Pancake, Sir Francis Bacon and Eggs Benedict Cumberscratch. Dr. Stone is committed to providing compassionate, high-quality veterinary care and values client education to ensure confident, informed decision-making.
Dr. Gordon Bunting
He/Him
Gordon Bunting, DVM graduated from Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000 and moved to Bend in 2002, where he began his career at the area’s first small animal emergency hospital while also embracing Central Oregon’s outdoor lifestyle. After starting a family and having his beautiful two daughters, he gained broad experience across the field of veterinary medicine, from small animal day practice to mobile equine services, before returning to Bend Animal Emergency & Specialty Center nearly a decade ago.
His passions outside of work include traveling with his two high-speed daughters and his feisty and beautiful wife, Banni, as well as enjoying multi-day river trips and just about anything with a propeller.
Dr. Katie Woodruff
She/Her
Katie Woodruff, DVM was born and raised in Monterey, California, where her passion for animals began early through her mother’s work as a veterinary technician. She graduated with honors from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2018 and went on to earn her doctorate, also with honors, from Western University of Health Sciences in 2022. Dr. Woodruff gained valuable experience as an emergency doctor at a specialty emergency and critical care hospital in Southern California before moving to Bend in October 2024.Her professional interests include critical care, soft tissue surgery, animal behavior, and exotic animal medicine. With years of experience in dog training, she has a special passion for working dogs.
Outside of work, Dr. Woodruff enjoys exploring Oregon with her husband, Karl, her German Shepherd, Nash, and her two cats (River and Runty). You will often see Nash and her family on the trails, in the water or on countless adventures. Moving to Oregon has been a long-time dream for her and her growing family, and she is excited to serve the people and pets of Central Oregon with compassion and dedication.
Dr. Bryan Bottorff
He/Him
Bryan Bottorff, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology) received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Purdue University in 2008, followed by a rotating small animal internship at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He began his cardiology residency at Oregon State University in 2009, where he received advanced training in echocardiography, interventional cardiology, electrocardiography and arrhythmia disorders, as well as the diagnosis and management of congenital and acquired cardiac conditions. He completed his residency and achieved board certification through the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2012.
Since then, Dr. Bottorff has practiced both medical and interventional cardiology across the Pacific Northwest, serving at multiple emergency and specialty hospitals and working as a hospital medical director. He also has extensive experience in telemedicine, providing remote cardiology consultations since 2014. In 2020, he founded Cascade Veterinary Cardiology and is excited to bring specialized cardiac care to Central Oregon.
Outside of work, Dr. Bottorff enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and exploring the outdoors throughout the Pacific Northwest.
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Dr. Sue Dougherty
She/Her
Sue Dougherty, DVM, DACVIM received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from UC Davis in 1987, followed by an internship and residency in small animal internal medicine at Cornell University. She achieved board certification with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1991 and remained at Cornell as an instructor in Small Animal Internal Medicine before returning to her home state of California. Alongside her husband, board-certified veterinary surgeon Dr. Mark Parchman, she founded and operated a specialty and referral practice in San Jose from 1991 to 2004.
In 2004, Dr. Dougherty and her family relocated to Bend, Oregon, where they established Bend Veterinary Specialists and co-founded the Animal Emergency Center, the first small animal specialty practice in Central Oregon. After selling the practices in 2017, she continued practicing as a referral internal medicine specialist until 2021, and today provides consultations and procedures as an independent contractor.
Beyond veterinary medicine, Dr. Dougherty is a passionate wildlife photographer, displaying her work at the Red Chair Gallery and through her business, Offleash Photography. She also serves as president of the Board of Directors for Think Wild, Central Oregon’s wildlife rehabilitation, education, and conservation organization. At home, she enjoys life with her two rescue dogs and spends as much time as possible outdoors hiking, fat tire biking, and exploring with her camera.
Dr. Gretchen Rowe
She/Her
Gretchen Rowe, DVM, (IVUSS Certified) received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota and spent 14 years practicing small animal medicine and surgery in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area. In 2005, she was recruited to mentor under a veterinary radiologist specializing in mobile ultrasound, CT, and I-131 treatment for hyperthyroid cats. Over the course of 10 months and more than 300 hours of didactic and laboratory training, she developed a strong foundation in diagnostic imaging and later partnered with that radiologist to provide ultrasound and echocardiography services to over 260 clinics across the Twin Cities.
Dr. Rowe began the IVUSS certification process in 2006 and achieved certification in 2008. Since 2005, she has provided advanced ultrasound services, including echocardiography with case consultations, and has continued offering these services in Bend, Oregon, since 2014.
Dr. Rodney Toogood
He/Him
Rodney Toogood, DVM earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, in 1989. He practiced in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area for 25 years, including 20 years at his own practice. In 2014, Dr. Toogood and his wife, Gretchen, also a veterinarian, relocated to Bend, Oregon. He now enjoys working part time, staying active in the profession while continuing to serve the community.
Dr. Toogood values the human–animal bond and is dedicated to supporting pet health and well-being. Outside of veterinary medicine, he is a 30-year veteran of the Minneapolis music scene and continues to play bass guitar in Bend. He and Gretchen are avid cyclists enjoying mountain, gravel, road, and fat biking, as well as skate skiing and traveling. They share their home with two spirited dogs, Astro and Beckett, and their beloved cat, E.
Colbi
She/Her
Colbi is the hospital operations manager at Bend Animal Emergency & Specialty Center, bringing over a decade of experience in veterinary medicine. With a background as a veterinary assistant in emergency, specialty, and general practice, she has also excelled in administrative roles, including account management, office management, and client service. This diverse experience allows her to manage the hospital’s operations with precision and efficiency, ensuring the team is always equipped to provide excellent patient care.
Outside of work, Colbi enjoys exploring the outdoors, expressing her creativity through art, and spending time in the kitchen creating new recipes.
Alisha
She/Her
Alisha, BS, CVT, VTS (ECC) knew from a young age that she wanted to turn her passion for animals into a career. She became a certified veterinary technician in 2004 and earned her B.S. in Biology from the University of Colorado in 2006. Alisha went on to work exclusively in emergency medicine for 15 years, where she advanced her expertise and earned her Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS) in Emergency and Critical Care, receiving recognition at the IVECCS conference.
In addition to her continued work in emergency medicine, Alisha now brings her skills and experience to the field of cardiology, working alongside Dr. Bryan Bottorff to support patients with specialized cardiac care. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her son, two daughters, and her dog, Iris.
Alyssa
She/Her
Alyssa, CVT has been passionate about veterinary medicine since she was 18. With experience in both ICU and GP care, she also has a special love for equine medicine! Alyssa is always on the go, whether she’s cleaning, caring for patients, or tackling daily tasks, her dedication truly stands out.When she's not at work, you’ll find Alyssa enjoying time with her pets, including her horse and two dogs, Addison and Goose.
Karie
She/Her
Karie, CVT, VTS (ECC) began working in veterinary medicine in her youth, volunteering with spay and neuter campaigns in her hometown of Playas del Coco, Costa Rica. After moving to Oregon in 2012, she earned her Associate of Science degree in Veterinary Technology in 2018 from COCC. Karie has since achieved her Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS) in Emergency and Critical Care and was recognized for this prestigous accomplishment at the 2025 IVECCS conference.
Passionate about advancing her skills and supporting patients in their most critical moments, Karie is proud to be part of helping those who do not have a voice of their own. Outside of work, she enjoys biking miles of Oregon trails and spending time with her dog, Clove, and her rabbit, Tonks.
Kayla
She/Her
Kayla, CVT, LVT has worked in veterinary medicine for over 11 years, beginning with dairy farm labs in her hometown of Hermiston, Oregon where her love for the career blossomed. After graduating from Yakima Valley College 2017 with her Associates of Science in Veterinary Technology, she spent eight years as a licensed veterinary technician in Washington before returning to Oregon in 2024, where she is now a certified veterinary technician while still maintaining licensure in both states. She started at BAE in 2024 as an Internal Medicine technician and made the transfer to our ICU. Kayla currently is finishing her Bachelors degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing to increase her comfort in all levels of veterinary medicine.
Kayla is passionate about therapeutic nutrition, client education and pain management, holding her NAVC Pet Therapeutic Nutrition Coach Certification and working toward specialty certification in nutrition. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her husband, three nieces, two dogs (Rhea and Cooper), and two cats — including her spirited three-legged cat, Bret Michaels and Kai-Anne.
Tricia
She/Her
Tricia, CVT has had a lifelong love for animals. She earned a degree in Medical Laboratory Technology and began her career in a local animal hospital before moving to Bend in 2004. With encouragement from her colleagues, she challenged the Oregon State Veterinary Medical Examining Board becoming one of the few to earn certification before the state discontinued “grandfathering” individuals without formal veterinary technician schooling. She passed with flying colors, officially earning her Certified Veterinary Technician credentials.
Today, Tricia serves as the Specialty Coordinator at Bend Animal Emergency & Specialty Center, supporting advanced care services and ensuring smooth collaboration across the hospital’s specialty departments. Tricia and her husband have two grown sons, a grandson, a flock of chickens, a Cane Corso named Buffy, and a mutt named Willi Vanilli.
Bethany
She/Her
Bethany,VA has been part of the Bend Animal Emergency team for nearly two years and has worked in veterinary medicine since 2020. Her passion for animal care began even earlier, volunteering at Brightside Animal Center in 2017, where she assisted with community spay and neuter efforts. Since then, she has built a career defined by excellent patient care, client education, and compassion for every pet and family she meets.
Born and raised in Bend, Bethany now lives with her partner of eight years, their three daughters, dog Sage and two cats, Flynn and Figaro. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking with her family, attending concerts, and exploring the outdoors, from the trails of Central Oregon to the beaches where she loves to search for treasures.
Chelsi
She/Her
Chelsi, VA brings more than 18 years of experience in veterinary medicine and has a true passion for patient care, ensuring that every animal receives the highest level of attention and compassion. She has a special interest in nutrition obtaining her NAVC Pet Therapeutic Nutrition Coach Certification and client education.
Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, Chelsi grew up around animal shelters where her mother worked, sparking a lifelong dedication to helping animals. She now calls Central Oregon home, where she lives with her partner and their three dogs Echo, Della Rose, and Ollie. In her free time, she enjoys paddle boarding on the local lakes, sunbathing along the Little Deschutes River, and exploring the outdoor lifestyle that Central Oregon has to offer.
Sarah
She/Her
Sarah, VA is originally from Keizer, Oregon, she relocated to Redmond five years ago, drawn by the area’s outdoor opportunities, sunny weather, and welcoming community. She holds a degree in Psychology from Oregon State University and has a strong background in dog training, which she has transformed into a career in veterinary medicine. Her professional interests include working with exotic species and client education, where she enjoys helping owners better understand and care for their pets.
She shares her life with her three dogs her show dog Joey, an Australian Shepherd; Goose, a French Bulldog; and Diesel, a German Shepherd. Outside of work, she enjoys camping, paddle boarding, hiking with her dogs, and spending time with friends.
Taylor H.
She/Her
Taylor, VA is beginning her career in emergency veterinary medicine with drive and passion, quickly becoming a valued member of the Bend Animal Emergency team. She has strong interests in veterinary nutrition and is currently enrolled at Central Oregon Community College, working toward becoming a Certified Veterinary Technician.
Born and raised in Bend, Taylor now resides in Redmond with her long time significant other. At home, she shares life with two dogs, three cats, two hamsters, two frogs, and two sugar gliders. Her love for animals of all kinds is clear, and in her free time she enjoys the beauty of Central Oregon—especially in the spring, when she can be found strolling through town, admiring the blooming trees and plants.
Erin
She/Her
Erin, VEO is a born-and-raised Oregonian whose love for animals brought her into the veterinary field six years ago. After a four-year break from emergency medicine to explore day practice as a practice manager, she realized she missed the pace and unpredictability of ER work and returned in August 2023.
In her free time, Erin enjoys exploring the forest, chasing waterfalls, and foraging for mushrooms with her dog, Major. She currently lives in Redmond with her fiancé and Major, her Pitbull Rottweiler mix.
Rachel
She/Her
Rachel, VEO earned her degree in Criminal Justice but has been working in the veterinary field for over three years. She enjoys the unpredictability of emergency medicine and finds it deeply fulfilling to provide compassion and support to both pets and their owners.
Rachel has lived in Central Oregon since 2002 and now shares her home with her husband and their Samoyed, Zeus.
Vanessa
She/Her
Vanessa, VEO was born and raised in Oregon and moved to Central Oregon in 2011. She entered the veterinary field in 2018, though her passion for animals began much earlier through caring for family pets and volunteering with local rescues. She enjoys the fast pace of emergency medicine and the constant opportunity to learn something new.
At home, Vanessa shares life with her partner four dogs and two cats, and outside of work she enjoys hiking, caring for her pets, and tending to her houseplants.
Get your animals the care they deserve
Whether an emergency or a specialty service, our team has you and your pet covered.