Mandi Blackwelder, DVM
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP)
Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA)
Veterinary Cannabis Counselor (VCC)
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 mountain bike racing for Cascade Bikes 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!”
Lori Stephens, DVM
Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Certified Veterinary Chiropractor
Dr. Lori Stephens grew up in Midland, Texas, where her lifelong love of animals began through 4H and FFA. She showed steers with FFA and competed in horse judging with 4H, experiences that inspired her future in veterinary medicine. After completing undergraduate studies at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, Dr. Stephens graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998.
She began her career in general small animal practice in San Antonio and later became a hospital owner, operating two veterinary clinics for over 11 years. During this time, she developed a passion for eastern and integrative medicine. In 2011, Dr. Stephens completed the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) course, earning certification in small animal and equine acupuncture. By 2014, she had founded an equine integrative wellness clinic, offering acupuncture, herbal medicine, aquatic therapy, and holistic care for horses—and even the occasional cow.
Dr. Stephens continued to expand her expertise with certification in Equine Medical Manipulation from Chi University in 2017, followed by a growing focus on small animal geriatrics, where she blends both western and holistic modalities. In July 2025, she became certified in Animal Chiropractic through Parker University, allowing her to provide even more comprehensive care for her patients.
Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Stephens enjoys horseback riding, gardening, and hiking. She and her wife, Samantha Stephens, share a love of animals and the outdoors.
Amanda Long
Certified Veterinary Technician • Low Stress Handling Certified • Seamstress of All Things Torn
Amanda hails from Michigan, and knew early that animals were “where it’s at” for her. She worked her way up the ranks from kennel assistant, to veterinary assistant while going to school. In 2006, she graduated with honors from Michigan State Eli Broad College of Business with a degree in finance and a certificate in Veterinary Technology. She worked in private practice and then at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University in their oncology department.
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
Diva of All Details
Like Dr. Mandi, Tanya started her veterinary career with dairy cows. As a teenager, she lived and worked on farms in Tillamook, Oregon as a relief milker. After enjoying her first baby as a stay-at-home mom, she starting looking for her next adventure. She explored “hats” of different careers but no matter what direction she tried, veterinary technology kept calling her back. She graduated from Portland Community College as a Certified Veterinary technician in 2008. She spent four years as a general practice technician, but truly found her passion in surgery, anesthesia and post-op care. A surprise and joyous detour in 2018 was the birth of her son! Tanya works afternoons at Healing Arts so she can be at home during the day with her son and granddaughter who are the same age!
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.
Quimby Lombardozzi, CSAMT
Certified Small Animal Massage Therapist
For as long as she can remember, animals have captured Quimby’s heart and have been an important part of her life. She was inspired to become an animal massage therapist after taking an introductory massage class many years ago and witnessing the transformative effects of massage on her dogs. She then began volunteering at a local shelter and decided to pursue a path in animal wellness. Thus began her shift from a 20-year career in the performing arts to her long-held dream of working with animals.
In 2012 Quimby enrolled in the Northwest School of Animal Massage and subsequently earned certifications in foundation and rehabilitation massage. She opened ResQ Animal Massage (celebrating 10 years in 2023) and has been going strong ever since. Her clients are dear to her and the animal/human connection established during massage is her favorite part of the job.
Quimby loves and serve all dogs but has a special place in her heart for rescued animals. Over the last decade she’s worked with Oregon Humane Society, Multnomah County Animal Services and Family Dogs New Life Shelter, having donated massage services to hundreds of shelter and foster dogs awaiting adoption. She is proud to work cooperatively with veterinarians and shelters in the community to best support each animal’s whole-body wellness.
On the home front Quimby and her husband are the adoring guardians of a very affectionate and engaging supermutt named Tug, who pulls at their heartstrings and keeps them laughing in equal measure daily.
Dr. Gieselle Calundre, DVM
Virtual Health Care Associate • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Customer Care Representative • Our Kindness Coordinator
Gieselle is coming through our phone to our clients all the way from the town of Don Carlos in the province of Bukidnon, on the island of Mindanao, in the Philippines. She is the youngest of 3 children raised by a widowed but powerful mother, who is an accounting clerk for the Philippine government. She attended veterinary school on Mindanao and then worked for 2 years at a small animal clinic before joining our team at Healing Arts. She has 3 amazing little pugs, a Husky and a Lab in her household. When she is not working, she spends her time baking, playing volleyball and badminton and watching medical documentaries.
Delaney Hill
Customer Service Representative
Delaney is almost a Portland native—she moved here from Arizona at the age of nine and has remained deeply connected to the local community ever since. After an extensive search for the right fit at our front desk, Delaney impressed us so thoroughly with her poise, tact, and warmth that we hired her on the spot!
Before joining Healing Arts Animal Care, Delaney spent the last two years working in a grooming salon—an experience that earned her serious “pet stripes” in our book. Anyone in veterinary medicine knows the magic it takes to make a wiggly, four-legged friend look picture-perfect!
Outside of work, Delaney is an avid photographer and enjoys spending time hiking and camping with her Miniature Australian Shepherd, Ellie. At home, she shares her space with a sweet kitty named Jasper.
Amari Kent
Kennel Assistant
Amari is the behind-the-scenes force that keeps Healing Arts Animal Care running smoothly. From cleaning and restocking to washing and folding, if it’s fresh, organized, and ready to go, it’s likely Amari’s handiwork.
Born in Fort Hood, Texas, Amari later moved to Oregon and graduated from Merlo High School in Beaverton. Before joining Healing Arts, she worked at Ground Up, a fellow woman-owned company known for its delicious nut butters.
Outside of work, Amari enjoys drawing, playing board games, riding her bike, and spending quality time with her beloved kitties, Kitty and Kimi. Her favorite food is potstickers, her favorite holiday is Christmas, and she comes from a large, close-knit family with two sisters and five brothers.
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.
