Randy David Aronson, VMD ~ Veterinarian/Practice Owner
A member of the National Speakers Association, president of Speaking of Healing, columnist and host of the call-in radio talk show "Radio Pet Vet", has also owned a successful practice helping and healing animals for over 25 years. Blending eastern and western philosophies, he encourages strategies of health and well being for pets and the humans that care for them. In his practice, Randy David Aronson incorporates complementary therapies and is certified in animal acupuncture, herbal medicine and chiropractic care.
He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine where he received The Leonard Pearson Prize, the highest honor bestowed on a graduate. In 1989 he was chosen as one of eight veterinarians country wide for a wildlife leadership and medicine scholarship given by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation at Tufts University. He founded Speaking of Healing in 2004.
Geren T. Thurston, DVM ~ Veterinarian/Practice Owner
For Dr. Geren Thurston, a passion and appreciation for animals combined with a love for science and problem solving shaped a childhood dream of becoming a Veterinarian. As soon as she had her driver’s license, she secured her dream job cleaning kennels and walking dogs at a Veterinary Clinic in Nebraska. Through this early experience, she was transformed by the profound human-animal bond, the magical connection of meaning and joy that we share with animals. Witnessing the important role medical care, disease prevention and education have in the lives of people and their beloved pets, resolved her to continue her pursuit of Veterinary Medicine. Sharing in, protecting and prolonging the relationships that we experience with animals is her enduring source of inspiration and fulfillment.
Dr. Geren Thurston fell in love with Tucson during her undergraduate education, earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arizona in 1997. She attended Veterinary School at Colorado State University in Fort Collins and received her D.V.M. degree in 2001. She was a fine student, recognized through varied academic and service achievements.
Upon completion of Veterinary School in 2001, Dr. Geren Thurston eagerly returned to Tucson to begin her career caring for dogs and cats. Since 2003, she has been blessed with a great mentor, exceptional clients and patients at River Road Pet Clinic, where she continues to work and divide her professional time. She enjoys the challenges and rewards of general practice, from puppy and kitten exams to end of life care, as well as the preventative, surgical and medical services in between.
After many years of planning, Dr. Geren Thurston and her best friend & husband, Dr. Randy Aronson, opened P.A.W.S. in July of 2008. P.A.W.S. is the embodiment of their shared passion and vision for the future of Veterinary Medicine, as well as their commitment of caring for pets and people of Southern Arizona.
In her free time, she loves goofing around with their son, Benjamin. She enjoys being outdoors, going to the movies, working around the house, hiking and Pilates classes.
Dr. Halstead~ Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Kathryn Beers Halstead was born and raised in Casa Grande, Arizona. She had a love for animals from an early age and was active in the 4-H sheep, horse and veterinary science programs.
Dr. Halstead completed her undergraduate studies and doctorate of veterinary medicine degree at Colorado State University, graduating in 2004. During this time she was active with the CSU equestrian team, Habitat for Humanity and was a working student at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since graduation, Dr. Halstead returned to Arizona and has worked in dairy cattle, equine and small animal general medicine and surgery.
Dr. Halstead's professional interests include soft tissue surgery, senior pet care and pain management. She is currently a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and enjoys fostering and rehabilitating sick and injured homeless pets.
Dr. Halstead's personal interests include hiking and mountain biking with her husband, river guiding, frisbee-dog events and surfing.
Laura ~ Certified Technician / Hospital Administrator
Laura first pursued her career and education in Commercial/Graphic Design and Art. In 1992, after designing cabinetry for a local veterinarian’s office, Laura decided to follow her new found love of Veterinary Medicine and she has enjoyed being a veterinary technician ever since.
Laura attended Pima Medical Institute from 1994 through 1995, after completing her internship she spent many years working hard and improving her skills. Laura has a strong passion for continuing education, microscope work and in-house lab. Laura quickly advanced from veterinary assistant to veterinary technician to office manager at a local pet clinic. After working eight years, the practice was sold and with little transition time she soon found a new home at a vet hospital closer to Oracle, where she resides. At this practice she was responsible for staff training and initiated getting in-house lab equipment for the clinic. In early 2007 Laura attended a seminar in which Integrative Veterinary Medicine was the topic. This kind of Complementary Medicine inspired her so much, that when she heard that Dr. Aronson was building a new state of the art veterinary facility, she knew that she had to be involved. Laura has been with P.A.W.S. from the beginning.
She's been happily married since 1992 and has two gorgeous daughters, whom are very involved in the equine world. Her pets are many: 5 dogs, 2 cats, 4 chickens, 2 horses, 2 guinea pigs, snake, a turtle and 8 fish. In her spare time Laura enjoys camping, hiking, mountain bike riding, gardening, decorating, playing the viola, spending time with family & friends, designing websites, horseback riding and playing with her pets.
Audrey ~ Lead Technician
Audrey has worked in the veterinary field for seven years and joined the P.A.W.S. team so that she could expand her knowledge base to include Alternative Medicine. She especially enjoys the hands-on aspect of her work and making each pet’s visit as comfortable as possible.
Audrey’s particular interests include assisting with surgery, in-house lab work, as well as other technical procedures. She finds working at P.A.W.S. fulfilling because of the compassionate clientele and their desire to embrace treatments on the cutting edge of veterinary medicine. At home Audrey shares her days with her three dogs; Dallas, Cinder and Joey.
Angela ~ Certified Veterinary Technician/Purchasing Mgr.
Angela attended Pima Medical Institute and began working as a Veterinary Technician in 2007. She enjoys her job immensely and loves assisting the doctor during examinations.
Angela and her husband share their home with their young son, 4 dogs and a cat. In her spare time she enjoys going to the movies, hiking, riding dirt bikes and spending time with family and friends. She is currently taking classes at Pima Community College to further her career in the veterinary field.
Karyn ~ B.S., C.V.T. & Rehabilitation
Karyn is a Certified Veterinary Technician and has been in the field for approximately 8 years. Prior to coming to PAWS, Karyn was working at a small animal general practice in Tucson. She met Dr. Aronson immediately developed an interest in alternative and integrative medicine because her dogs were suffering from orthopedic issues, and she did not want to pursue traditional treatment. While in college Karen worked in the field of child welfare and family preservation, where she worked in the homes of families involved with Child Protective Services. She graduated in May of 2008 from The University of Arizona with a BS in Family Studies and Human Development, and has returned to school to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. Karyn is a 2008-2009 professional member of the Society for Behavioral Veterinary Technicians and works with Dr. Vanya Moreno and Animal Magnetism assisting with obedience and socialization classes. She has also completed additional training in the field of canine rehabilitation through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in Wellington, FL. Her areas of special interest include behavior and training, rehabilitation, and animal welfare and rescue.
Karyn shares her life with five dogs: 2 English Setters named Boomer and Gidget, two Corgi mixes, Daisy and Lilly, and Rudy, a Bassett hound/Rottweiler mix. Her dogs are the love of her life and she knows what an important role dogs play in the lives of every owner. She strives to ensure that all patients are treated as one of her own. Although Karyn does not presently have cats, she is a cat lover all the same. Outside of school and work, she enjoys hiking, yoga, Pilates, horseback riding, and spending time with her dogs, friends and family.
Lil Szente ~ Technician Assistant & Customer Service Representative
Lil joined P.A.W.S. during Winter Solstice, 2009. After working as a nurse from 1985 – 1997, Lil followed her life long interest into Veterinary Medicine. In 2009 she attended the veterinary technician assistant program at Pima Medical Institute, where she graduated, eager to start her new career.
Lil has 2 cats, Hobbs, the orange tabby, and Suki, the orange Persian. On the dog side of the family there is Auggie, the Queensland Heeler, and Bucky, the Akita/Lab mix.
On her weekends and days off you can find Lil spending time with her husband and two children, as well as enjoying her interests; advertising and computer science.
Yolanda ~ Certified Veterinary Technician
Yolanda has been with P.A.W.S. since the beginning. She graduated from Pima Community College's Veterinary Technology program, has her Associates degree of Applied Sciences and is working toward becoming a certified veterinary technician.
Animals have always been Yolanda’s passion and she feels very lucky to be working with the pets she so admires.
Yolanda shares her home with her two sons, husband and various pets. In her spare time she enjoys beading as a hobby.
Sherri ~ Certified Rehabilitation Assistant
Sherri has been in the veterinary field since 1984. She started as a kennel assistant and worked her way up to become a veterinary assistant. She spent 7 years in the emergency veterinary field—two of them as a supervisor, and has always had a strong interest in rehabilitation and in geriatric patients. In 2005 she gave up her supervisory position at the veterinary emergency clinic to pursue her passion in rehabilitation. She attended the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in Florida where she had the highest score ever obtained on the final exam and became certified in canine rehabilitation. With a strong desire to offer the best care for her patients, she continued her education with advanced neurology rehabilitation, canine sports rehabilitation, custom splinting and bracing, and an externship at Dr. Marcellin-Little's rehabilitation facility.
Sherri developed and instituted a rehabilitation facility in North Carolina where she worked until March of 2009, at which time she was offered an amazing opportunity to work with Dr. Aronson and the staff of P.A.W.S. Veterinary Center. Henceforth, she married a very wonderful man, Jim, in February of 2009, went on a fabulous San Antonio honeymoon, came home, loaded a moving truck, and drove across the country for 4 days with her new husband and her beautiful kids Lindsey and Tyler.
Now in Tucson, Sherri is adjusting to the heat, loving the city, P.A.W.S. and is very excited to be able to offer it's patients an option for pain relief, longer quality of life, and quicker recovery time.
Kimberly ~ Lead Customer Service Rep and Technician Assistant
Kim grew up in Miami, Florida and attended the New World School of the Arts, from which she graduated in 1991.
Kim recently moved from Tampa to Tucson, and has been working as a veterinary assistant since 2003. Working with animals has become a passion of Kim’s.
Kim is a very outgoing and cheerful person, and often is the one that can put a smile on your face after a busy day. You can definitely say she is “short but sweet” (referring to her height).
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Julia ~ Housekeeping/Kennel
Over the years Julia has worked in both the pet and housekeeping fields, including, but not limited to: pet sitting, vet clinic receptionist and owning her own house cleaning business.
Julia was about 12 years old when her parents bought her a Scottish Terrier that she was supposed to train and show. Age 13 came around and a very sick, small kitten arrived on her doorstep. She spent many days sleeping in the bathroom with “Little Sandels” until he recovered. Julia thought this kitten could do no wrong but the rest of the family thought otherwise, especially as he got older. Other wonderful dogs and cats have crossed Julia’s path over the years and were regarded with warmth and as a strong part of her family bringing laughter, joy and innocence into her life.
