Dr. Katie Lambden
I can truthfully say that being a veterinarian was my first career goal as a child. I grew up in California in a small house in the city with a big collection of pets. After graduating from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a degree in biology, I became distracted by travel and bicycling and ended up spending several years bike touring and racing semi-professionally. After meeting my husband and starting a family, I eventually made my way to veterinary school at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Massachusetts. After graduating a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, I accepted a commission into the US Army and served four years as an Army veterinarian. Stationed at Holloman AFB, I fell in love with beautiful southern New Mexico and decided to make the Alamogordo area my family’s permanent home. I currently serve in the US Army Reserves. In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, camping, and trying to keep up with our small herd of Nigerian Dwarf Goats, an off the track thoroughbred mare, and a growing collection of house pets including 3 dogs (Gumby, Chase, and Peanut) and 3 cats (Maybelle, Monty, and Ninja).
Dr. Allison Deugwillo
I grew up in Maryland, riding horses from a young age and competing with the University of Maryland equestrian team as an undergraduate. I then went on to Kansas State veterinary school, graduating in 2013. I accepted a yearlong equine medicine and surgery internship at Chino Valley Equine Hospital in California, then moved back to the east coast to spend almost 6 years as a resident veterinarian at a large breeding farm. Deciding to seek new opportunities and warmer weather, I moved to the Land of Enchantment in 2020. While horses continue to be a passion of mine, I have decided I love the change of pace that comes with small animal work! When I’m not working, I enjoy camping and hiking with my dogs.
Christine Moore
Don’t be offended if I am nicer to your pet than I am to you. I just like animals better. I have infinite patience for them (and, it’s true, sometimes a limited amount for people). I spent many years working at the animal shelter in Austin, TX, where we performed thousands of surgeries a year and worked tirelessly to get more animals adopted. My job is to care for the animals, and I’m proud to say I do it well. Each one of my patients – especially the sick ones – creeps into my heart and stays there forever. I claim one husband, two human sons, and a few cats and dogs: Bubba, Shiner, Joey, Alyvia, Wally, Baby Kitty, and Psycho.
Wendy Hughs
I am happy to come to Paw in Hand with a wealth of experience in veterinary reception. Born in Truth or Consequences and having lived in various locales within the state of New Mexico, as well as a stint in Las Vegas, Nevada, I have called Alamogordo home for the past decade. In my opinion, the location - between the Sacramento mountains and White Sands - is ideal! I love White Sands, and I particularly enjoy sharing the beauty of the dunes with my dog Khaleesi. Adopted from Animal Control, Khaleesi’s nickname, “The Queen,” sums it up: she rules the roost.
Amy Whittaker
Originally from England, I immigrated to the United States in 2010 and have since become a proud US citizen. My passions include farming, livestock, camping, and community service. I served with AmeriCorps wherein I taught children how to grow food and prepare it, as well as other food justice related work. I have two sons aged 9 and 10, and a dog that enjoys the outdoors as much as I do. A lifelong love for all animals, an aptitude for the sciences, and an interest in agriculture leads me to the goal of becoming a large animal veterinarian. Although you’ll see me here with small animals, I also help work cattle on rangeland and have raised livestock including chickens, ducks, turkeys, sheep, calves, pigs, and horses!
Megan Holm
My hometown is Deming, NM but I moved to Lincoln County in 2016. After graduating high school, I worked as the Deputy Clerk & Finance Officer for a small municipality. However, being a veterinary technician is my dream job and it brings me so much fulfilment. I love all animals, except for sloths (so creepy!). Raccoons and cats are my favorites; this comes in handy in my role as the Cat Whisperer here at the clinic. I don’t mind getting hurt or dirty in the process of helping an animal; I have crawled down a drain pipe for a kitten and run down a highway in flip-flops for a lost dog. I strongly believe that pets are family, not accessories. I have two cats of my own, Crowley and one-eyed Arya, and two dogs, Ladybug and Kaldir.
Danielle Dowis
Growing up in Oklahoma, I was a keen participant in Future Farmers of America and raised Boer goats over several years. I also had a succession of family felines who taught me the ways of the cat. After high school, I worked at an animal hospital in Oklahoma. When my husband joined the Air Force, we moved here to Alamogordo. I’m working on a degree in political science in my spare time (with a double major in Spanish) and dream of going to law school. I have one cat, Jack(ass), who runs the household. I love the mountains of New Mexico, though it’s quite a change from the Oklahoma plains!
Garrett Pruett
I am a recent transplant from Austin, Texas to Alamogordo. I was raised by my mother, who worked at a shelter, fostering all kinds of pets, so you could say that caring for animals is in my blood. I previously worked as a dog groomer, but learning the medical side of animal care has been an exciting transition. When I’m not wrangling animals, I enjoy singing, writing songs, and recording my second album. I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to work in the veterinary field, and extremely proud to join the outstanding team here at Paw In Hand.
Ashley Stricker
I moved to New Mexico in the spring of 2020, after marrying my wonderful husband who was already stationed in Alamogordo. Between small animal practices and livestock facilities, I have been in veterinary medicine for over 4 years. After attending college in Oklahoma for Television and Film Production, my passion for animals and their well-being won me over in the end. I am currently enrolled in the Veterinary Technician program through PennFoster, pursing my goal of becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician. I am the “mom” to three energetic pups; a Lab mix, Blue Heeler/Pitbull mix and a German Shepherd. In my free time, I practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as well as spending time with my husband outdoors and on the water.
Carmen Guerdrum
Don't be thrown off if my cajun twang comes out from time to time. As they say, you can take the woman out of Louisiana, but you can't take the Louisiana out of the woman. Growing up, my mother operated a bird sanctuary and rehabilitated all sorts of animals. Thus I've come in contact with a plethora of creatures, both large and small, domestic and wild. In my early 20's I decided to dive head first into the world of veterinary medicine, and in 2020 I graduated from San Juan College with my Associates in Veterinary Technology. I am a proud RVT and ready to take on whatever is thrown my way. I have 2 fuzz babies of my own, Almond Joy and Buttercup Potato. I also have a daughter who will be 2 years old this coming May. (If that's not a testament to my nurturing abilities, I'm not sure what is!) I look forward to meeting you and your lovely furry companions!
