Mandi Blackwelder, DVM, CCRP
In her senior year, she spent a semester as the only American student at L’Universite de Sherbrooke, in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Back in Colorado, she interned at the Denver Zoo and then started veterinary school. After earning her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1998, she moved to Wisconsin….to the classic nightmare first job. She still loves dairy medicine and lives vicariously through dairy-vet friends, but found her niche in small animal medicine in Grants Pass, Oregon for the next 14 years. In 2002 Dr. Mandi took the acupuncture certification course through Colorado State University. In 2013 she became certified in physical therapy and rehabilitation at the University of Tennessee and now runs the successful Healing Arts Animal Clinic in Beaverton, Oregon. A sweet elderly neighbor played match-maker and introduced her to a fellow rock climber, Don Alarie, who became her husband in 2002. They now have two sons, Porter and Jackson. Porter thrives in BMX and Jackson is a delight. Jackson has also brought out the advocate in his mom, as he has Fragile X syndrome, a genetic form of autism. Mandi can be found during much of her down-time (what little there is) researching, advocating, visiting our law makers and learning every tidbit of therapy that will help Jackson live a rich life.
Mandi’s life experiences and love for her work have given her a rich enjoyment of people and have bonded her to her clients and the veterinary community.
“The move to Portland and opening Healing Arts Animal Care has been a highlight of my life – to shape and mold a clinic that is ALL about comfort – for the pets, for the owners and for myself and my employees, fills me with total satisfaction. I joke that I get to spend my day in my p.j.’s (scrubs), barefoot (from the underwater treadmill), working with dogs and doing science. It doesn’t get much better than that!”
Dr. Lyn Bedsaul, DVM, CCRP
Dr. Lyn’s first “real” job was a small animal practice in Redding, CA that included an orthopedic surgeon and an acupuncturist: it was here that she became interested in the healing powers of acupuncture and the benefits of physical rehabilitation. She encouraged her second boss in Asheville, NC to add on a rehabilitation suite to the practice, and she went back to UT one last time to complete her certificate in physical therapy and rehabilitation in 2013 (same year as Dr. Mandi!). Shortly after finishing her CCRP, the Bedsauls moved to Portland for Kris to continue his bike industry career at Chris King Precision Components.
Lyn and Kris enjoy adventures with their daughters, Paige and Claire, such as skiing, mounting biking, camping, and paddle-boarding. Lance the cat allows the family to share his home with Star dog, Fishstick fish, and the occasional foster cat(which Lance does not approve).
Dr. Gieselle Calundre, DVM
Virtual Health Care Associate • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Customer Care Representative • Our Kindness Coordinator
Amanda Long, Certified Veterinary Technician
Low Stress Handling Certified
When the opportunity to start an oncology department in Oregon arose, she and an oncologist colleague jumped at the chance – she had HAD it with cold Michigan winters! She and her husband Jeff, made the long trip with one dog, 2 cats and a beta fish, including a 4 day stop-over in LaGrande waiting for the pass to open! As if starting and running and oncology clinic was not enough to do, she also completed her Masters in Health Care Administration from Marylhurst University.
After leaving oncology, she worked as a practice manager before returning to her first love, patient care. In 2015, Amanda became a mom to son, Asher, and discovered the REAL love of her life. Never one to be bored, Amanda also is an avid crafter, seamstress, devourer of books, pet mom to dogs Kallie and Penny, 1 cat and 2 beta fish, and despite her pixie size, is a force to be reckoned with on the softball field.
Tanya Bruno, Certified Veterinary Technician
Low Stress Handling Certified
Tanya finds great pride and joy getting to know each of her patient’s unique personalities while forming a relationship of respect and trust to better care for each of their needs. She takes special note of what each animal likes and doesn’t like — types of touch. She has that calm collected demeanor that makes every patient swoon.
When Tanya isn’t working she revels in her time with her family and enjoys everything outdoors.
Kim Reger, Veterinary Assistant, Kim of All Trades
Low Stress Handling Certified
After a couple of years, she decided she needed a new adventure, so she packed up her dog Nanook and what she could fit in her car and headed to Florida. While in Florida, she met her husband Rick and worked for the Florida Aquarium, Florida Fish and Wildlife and a mobile veterinary clinic. When an opportunity in Oregon arose, and she once again packed up her pets (4 this time) and headed out on a new adventure.
She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Veterinary Forensic Science and volunteers for the Oregon Humane Society Technical Animal Rescue Team. Kim and Rick share their home with 3 dogs (Duke, Maddie and Rusty). Her 3 cats (Tremor, Sydney, Wobbles and Hope) During their free time they enjoy taking their dogs hiking, camping, up to the mountains or to the beach.
Kyra Stoiantschewsky, Veterinary Assistant
In addition to her long time companion, Sugar, a chinchilla, her newest side kick Is Harley the Pit Bull. Harley is learning that people are not scary and most are actually really nice. The low stress handling approach at Healing Arts has been great for her!
In her free time she and Harley take Eve (her sister’s dog) for adventures at the beach and the mountains as well as volunteering at Oregon Humane Society. Shortly she will be starting her Masters on line!
Stacy Daigneault, Customer Service Representative
Stacy is married to her best friend and together they are building a cabin in Eastern Oregon, and raising two Black and Tan Coonhounds and two whites tree frogs. When not working they enjoy hiking, fishing, snowshoeing, gardening, and family.
About Healing Arts Animal Care
Healing Arts Animal Care in Beaverton, Oregon provides veterinary acupuncture, pet rehabilitation therapy, physical therapy and athletic conditioning and Animal Massage Therapy for the dogs and cats of the Portland, Oregon Metro Area including Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, and Tualatin. We strive to create a team among you, your pet, your veterinarian and ourselves to create a whole package of care for your pet including wheelchairs for dogs. Pets come through our door knowing that we’re going to have fun here and this isn’t “another trip to the vet.” Through manual therapies, acupuncture, laser, ultrasound, underwater treadmill and creating a tailored individual home exercises, we strive to bring your injured pet back to speed, keep your elderly pet as an active member of the family, return your obese pet back to a functional friend and keep your athletic pet at the peak of his performance.