About Us

Dr. Randall Genis

Dr. Randall Genis takes a common sense approach to veterinary care, always striving to give options to his clients. He accommodates the wishes of pet owners while providing a high level of care that takes advantage of available technology.

A typical day for him includes everything from seeing medical and surgical cases to performing exams to giving vaccines. He brings a particular expertise in surgery, although he sees animals for all types of reasons.

Dr. Genis' client mix is also varied, with a balance between long-term and new. He focuses on answering all of his clients' questions and making sure they – and their pets – are comfortable with what he says and does. He takes pride in keeping up-to-date on new technologies and diseases of pets.

Dr. Genis began working at the hospital in 1976 after receiving his DVM degree from UC Davis, where he also earned his bachelor's degree in biology. In fact, Dr. Genis chose UC Davis for his undergraduate studies with the idea that he would continue there for veterinary school. Ultimately, he began vet school before receiving his undergraduate degree.

In his free time, Dr. Genis takes advantage of the region's outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing and biking. Dr. Genis has one dog at home, Metro. He repaired Metro's broken leg while volunteering with the Humane Society of Reno and then adopted him.

Dr. Donald Otten

Dr. Donald Otten grew up on a farm in southeastern Minnesota. He knew he wanted to be a veterinarian from an early age. He received a bachelor of arts degree in biology from Luther College, in Decorah, Iowa. He then went on to spend 2 years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador working in the small animal husbandry program. Dr. Otten earned his DVM degree from the University of Minnesota. He completed a one year internship at Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital in Snohomish, Washington.

He worked as a large animal rural veterinary for 4 years in Snohomish. He has focused on companion animals for the past 8 years working in Couer d'Alene, Idaho and Canmore, Alberta before settling in Truckee.

In 2007, Dr. Otten joined Donner Truckee Veterinary Hospital. His focus is on preventative health care and improving his patient's quality of life. He has a particular interest in dentistry, surgery, pain management and anesthesia.

When off-duty, he enjoys photography, yoga, cycling, skiing, climbing and spending time with his border collies.

Dr. Craig Machado

For Dr. Craig Machado, providing clients with the highest quality veterinary medicine available is one of his highest priorities as a vet. He offers state-of-the-art care, allowing his clients to make the right medical decisions for their pets. Dr. Machado regularly sees both cats and dogs and also has extensive experience with non-domestic animals.

He earned his bachelor's degree from Hayward State University before graduating from UC Davis' vet school in 1976.

At home, Dr. Machado has shared his life with a number of Labrador retrievers.

Karen Barta

Karen Barta has been involved in the dog world in Truckee for nearly 10 years. That means she has formed lasting relationships with numerous dogs and their families. "I know how important that level of trust and security is for both the animals and their owners," Karen says. "When a family member sees their dog greet me with a happy wag and a lick and trot merrily back with me at drop-off, it gives the owner peace of mind."

Her approach focuses on making boarding and daycare a comfortable and happy experience for every animal in her care. She believes stress reduction techniques for boarded pets are important to an animal's well-being, whether that's eating from stuffed Kongs, extra playtime with humans or other canines, sounds of soothing music or petting and snuggling. When training dogs, Karen rewards behavior she wants to see more of, ignoring or redirecting undesirable behaviors.

At home, Karen has three dogs of her own: Sam, a 4-year-old border collie; Ruby, an 8- or 9-year-old shepherd-y, hound-y mix; and Chewbacca, an 11-year-old chow mix.

Karen is a 2004 graduate of the Peaceable Paws Training Academy, is a Certified Pet Care Technician, levels 1 and 2, through the Pet Care Services Association and was the recipient of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers/Premier Shelter Staff Award for her work with sheltered dogs in 2005. She is also mom to Lola and wife of Grant.

Cady Wilson

Cady Wilson is always on the go. Whether she's feeding animals, conducting playgroups or giving baths, Cady is on her feet for most of the day. "It is a very rewarding and fulfilling day," she says. "Working with animals is my passion, therefore they make everything worth it."

All her life, Cady has been known by her friends and family as an extreme animal lover and clients are able to observe that when they see how their animals react to Cady. She's often encountered pet owners who say their pets don't do well with strangers, but who pick up their pets and notice how well they interact with Cady. "Owners are well aware of how their pet reacts in my presence and seeing their companion happily greet me with kisses and tail wags is both relieving and pleasing to them," Cady says.

In her work, Cady focuses on gaining animals' respect and, in return, respecting them to establish a long-lasting relationship of happiness and trust.

At home, Cady has a leopard gecko named Izzy, but would also have one (or two or three) dogs if her landlords allowed it. Her goal is to attend vet school next fall and to then return to the Tahoe area to practice as a licensed small animal veterinarian.

Nedra Benites

Nedra Benites first began at Donner Truckee Veterinary Hospital in 1979 and has seen numerous changes over the years in both the hospital's facilities and veterinary medicine in general.

Along with all the changes, there are the familiar things as well, like seeing the many clients who return over the years with pets, old and new. "It is rewarding to be part of people's lives when witnessing the bond those families have with their pets," Nedra says. "It's an honor to be able to assist and to be there for them through all the stages."

For Nedra, most days involve answering phone calls, making reservations and appointments, checking boarders and patients in and out and, most of all, assisting clients with questions and concerns. Though she is quick to point out that because there are emergencies and unexpected arrivals on a regular basis, few days are very "typical." "We adapt to meet the needs at hand," she says.

Her philosophy of care centers on understanding and sympathy. "I believe we have to do everything in our power to help alleviate any suffering and to elevate quality of life for the pets in our care," Nedra says. "I do my very best to communicate well and to make sure clients are well-informed so they can make the best decisions for their pets."

Alison McEnany, RVT
Veterinary Technician

Always an animal lover, Alison has worked at both Pet Network Humane Society and the Town of Truckee Animal Shelter. She graduated from a veterinary technician program in May 2011 and became a licensed RVT that August.

Alison, who has lived in Tahoe since 1998, shares her home with her husband, Patrick, their three adopted cats and their rescue yellow lab. In her free time, she enjoys running, mountain biking and skiing.

 

 
 

 

Loetitia Saint-Jacques, RVT
Veterinary Technician

Loetitia, who has lived in the Tahoe area for seven years, began her veterinary career at age 16 and has since built a colorful resume.

She has worked with the (non-human) exotics at the Playboy Mansion, participated in medical research at UCLA, worked with wildlife at the Los Angeles Zoo and has concurrently worked in private practice for 20 years.

When she’s not working, Loetitia loves hiking, biking, salsa dancing and traveling. She has volunteered for the Rural Area Veterinary Services program doing spay/neuter clinics on Indian reservations in Arizona, Colorado and California. She has also volunteered in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina, working for the Human Society of the United States, and for a wildlife sanctuary in Indonesia.

She shares her home with Kuka, whom she adopted from a RAVS spay/neuter clinic in Arizona and Sauvage and Cat adopted from HSTT.

Mary Higham, RVT
Veterinary Technician

When Mary moved to Truckee from New Jersey in 2007, she left behind a career in wildlife conservation and bioremediation to jump into veterinary medicine with both feet.

She began in the kennels in summer 2008 and then started school and tech assisting in the fall. Mary finished her veterinary technician program in May 2010 and has passed both the national and California exams.

Mary shares her home with her husband, Steve, and two locally rescued pit bulls Bully and Little Brown, both of whom are “failed fosters” from HSTT. Mary served as an active volunteer for HSTT before work and school took over her free time.

True to her roots Mary loves wildlife and the laboratory sciences. She thinks dogs and puppies are pretty awesome, too.