Tracy

Tracy, our wonderful Operations Manager, joined our team in July 2011 and has been a guiding light for our patients, clients, and staff ever since. With more than 20 years in veterinary medicine, she brings a rare mix of medical know-how, heartfelt compassion, and a true gift for leadership.

Tracy has wanted to work with animals for as long as she can remember. Growing up, her home was always full of pets, including dogs, cats, goats, fish, hamsters, birds, and even newts! At just eight years old, she began showing cats in 4-H at the Whatcom County Fair, where she learned that showing animals is about so much more than handling them. Her young mind soaked up knowledge on husbandry, breed standards, anatomy, nutrition, and the diseases that affect each species. 

Those early days sparked her curiosity, and at 14 years old, she began her first job as a veterinary assistant when her family veterinarian took her under her wing. Originally, she dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, but with more hands-on experience, she realized her true passion was veterinary nursing. She loved building relationships with pets, educating families, and advocating for her patients every step of the way. Becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician turned out to be exactly where she was meant to be.

As her career grew, Tracy discovered a passion for the business side of veterinary medicine, too. Over the years, she has served as an LVT, technician supervisor, assistant manager, and hospital administrator. Today, she combines her love of medicine with leadership, mentorship, operations management, and team development. Her goal is to create a place where both patients and veterinary professionals can thrive. 

As a lifelong learner, Tracy is always looking for ways to grow, whether that means learning something new in medicine or finding better ways to support our team and clients. She believes strong teams grow through trust, communication, and a willingness to invest in one another.

"What I love most about Firgrove is our commitment to practicing exceptional medicine," Tracy shared. "We don't settle for the easiest answer or the quickest fix — we ask questions, dig deeper, and work together to find the best possible outcome for our patients."

Education

• Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science, Zoology, Washington State University

• Licensed Veterinary Technician, Bellingham Technical College

• John Maxwell Certified Coach, Speaker & Trainer certified in leadership development, communication, coaching, and personal growth

Volunteer Work

Tracy volunteers with the Whatcom County Humane Society and each year supports the Whatcom County Youth Fair, a tradition that was integral to developing her own path in animal care since she was a young girl. Giving back to the event fuels her passion for mentoring veterinary professionals and developing future leaders in our industry.

Home Life

When not at the hospital, you'll usually find Tracy spending time with her husband and three kids. Their family enjoys being outdoors — camping, fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, swimming in the lake, or simply enjoying time together. Tracy’s other interests include gardening, traveling, attending concerts, exploring new places, and learning new things. Led by her curious nature and deep passion for continued growth, she lives by the belief that some of life's best lessons happen outside the classroom, and she’s always looking for her next adventure.

Her family also includes her wonderful pets: Riot the pit bull, Sarah the Siamese, Kaiya the Savannah, Mr. Miyagi the Malawi squeaker catfish, and several African Cichlids.