We’re one big family.
Get to know the team that has dedicated their lives to taking the absolute best care of your pet.
Alison Alcantara
Hospital Manager
Ali knows the importance of building trust with clients and within the veterinary team. She loves meeting and getting to know clients and their pets. Ali’s favorite thing about Firehouse is how the team learns about each pet so that they can make individualized recommendations for clients. She also loves how the doctors collaborate with clients to ensure that pets receive the best care.
Ali joined the Firehouse team in 2019 as a Client Service Coordinator. In her role as hospital manager, she is passionate about setting up her team for success. She has completed Communication Training and is currently working on her Fear Free Certification. Ali also attends continuing education courses about how to improve the client experience and help develop her team. She loves helping clients with any questions or concerns they may have. Her favorite thing about her role is coaching her team to provide the most successful client and patient experience.
She graduated from the University of Florida with a BA in Psychology (with minors in Latin American Studies and Brazilian Portuguese). Because of her lifetime love of animals, Ali found a home in the veterinary field. Her favorite pastime is eating, but she also enjoys all outdoor activities that Austin has to offer (hiking, swimming, biking, roller skating). Otherwise, she can be found at home, curled up with a good book or watching television with her two pets: Lito, a Lhasa Apso mix, who is Ali’s partner in crime, and Patty, a rescue kitten.
Barbara Boechat, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr Barbara Boechat’s philosophy is that happy pets lead to happier clients. Her friendly disposition and “think outside the box” approach help her connect with clients. She is Fear Free certified and uses her knowledge to make nervous patients comfortable.
She emphasizes preventive care so pets can live long, happy, and healthy lives. Dr Boechat also values communication. As such, she ensures clients are aware of, and in agreement with, each step of the visit. Dr Boechat loves explaining diagnoses and always gives clients treatment options.
Dr Boechat has a special interest in soft tissue surgery, like spays, neuters, and mass removals.
Dr Boechat stays up-to-date with developments in veterinary medicine with continuing education. She reads industry journals, views videos, and attends conferences.
She attended the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil. On weekends, she and her husband try new restaurants and breweries with friends. They recently welcomed their new baby, Lara. A lover of all dogs, Dr Boechat holds a special place in her heart for dogs, especially Panda, her mix-breed pup.
Michelle Henthorne, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr Michelle Henthorne is passionate about making a difference in pets’ lives. You can rest assured she provides personalized treatment for each pet and thrives on solving complex cases.
Clients appreciate her collaborative approach and her lasting relationships with each family. She is happy to partner with clients and plan for pets requiring extra resources or time. Dogs and cats love her gentle handling and positive reinforcement. They also enjoy the treats she uses to help them stay comfortable at visits. While she loves all pets, Dr Henthorne has a special place in her heart for cats.
She enjoys helping pets with skin and ear conditions. She is passionate about pain management to improve quality of life for older pets.
Dr Henthorne attended Texas A&M University for her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science, as well as for vet school. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and pets: dogs Quito (longhaired dapple dachshund) and Maisie (cairn terrier/yorkie mix), and Mozzie, a black cat. She also likes to exercise, cook, and bake (especially sourdough bread!).
Gerri Combs
Client Service Coordinator
Gerri loves building lasting relationships with clients and pets. Her goal is to make each client and patient feel welcome and supported. She has been in the animal care field since she was thirteen, and has experience as a patient caretaker, practice manager, and working with local no-kill shelters.
To keep pets comfortable during their appointment, Gerri provides treats, love, and positive reinforcement. She helps maintain flow in the lobby so that pets have more time in the exam room to acclimate before their appointment. Gerri also loves giving clients tours of the hospital and introducing them to the Firehouse team. She has a special bond with cats.
In her spare time, Gerri enjoys spending time with her granddaughter and her granddaughter’s two cats, Covey and Rue Bear. She enjoys going to see new movies and concerts and exploring Austin’s restaurants and breweries.
Ashley Leverenz
Client Service Coordinator
Ashley (she/her) enjoys getting to know each client and patient at Firehouse. She is able to create a bond with clients because of her helpful and outgoing personality. She wants clients to feel heard and understood so they can be comfortable asking questions or voicing concerns. Ashley helps clients feel confident and supported through transparency and collaboration.
Ashley takes her time with pets, getting to know them so she can tell when something seems off. She is passionate about helping senior pets live comfortable, happy lives. She grew up surrounded by dogs, so she has a soft spot for dogs of all breeds.
Ashely studied Sports Marketing, Public Relations, and Events at Columbia College Chicago. She shares her home with Daisy, an Australian shepherd, and Phoebe, a domestic shorthair cat. In her free time, she enjoys baking, crafting, attending concerts, and traveling. Her goal is to visit every national park.
DeAndra Montoya
Veterinary Technician
DeAndra is a passionate, thorough animal lover. Clients love her detailed communication, including how she asks questions to ensure she understands all their concerns. Her goal is to provide the best possible care for all clients and their pets. Clients also appreciate her sense of humor.
DeAndra is Fear Free certified and uses her skills to make each pet feel comfortable. She loves checking in on pets after their appointments to see how they are doing. For DeAndra, each pet who visits Firehouse is family, and their care extends to after their appointments.
She shares her heart with Capone, her Pit Bull. When not working, she loves to play games and try out new restaurants.
Katie Henderson
Veterinary Technician
Having worked with animals since she was a young girl, Katie has a gentle and empathetic nature. She knows that making veterinarian visits less stressful for the patient allows the visit to be less stressful for the client. Katie’s value of preparation assists the team in making quick and efficient decisions in our patient’s treatment plans.
Staying informed with the best, most accurate information to share with clients and even other coworkers is important to Katie as she continues her degree in Science.
During her free time, Katie is traveling and loving on her two Richmond SPCA rescue dogs, Tank, and Captain Morgan.
Amanda Lopez
Veterinary Technician
Amanda loves meeting the people and pets who come to Firehouse. She works with clients to answer all their questions and ensure they leave the hospital feeling confident about their pets’ care and treatment plan. She wants clients to know that they are not alone in their pets’ health journeys.
Amanda reviews pets’ records before veterinary visits and creates a plan to keep the pet comfortable. She also creates notes about how the pet did at their current visit and what Fear Free techniques helped the pet feel secure. She takes time greeting pets and adjusting her approach based on their body language. Amanda is Fear Free certified.
A self-proclaimed cat person, Amanda shares her home with her two rescue cats: Punchy and Pipa. Since she is new to Texas, she loves spending her free time exploring Austin and the surrounding area.
Alessandra Berg
Veterinary Technician
Allie (she/her) works with clients to ensure they and their pet have a comfortable and beneficial experience while at Firehouse. She listens to their concerns, provides advice, and answers their questions. To Allie, clients are an equally important part of the animal care team. She is also Fear Free Certified.
Allie is a trained anesthetist, so she is a valuable member of the surgery team. She greets pets calmly, letting pets relax before starting the appointment. She wants pets to have the best possible experience, so she adjusts her care to meet their needs.
While studying to be a veterinary technician at a German vocational school, Allie worked in two different vet practices. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the clients and patients at Firehouse. Since Allie and her husband are new to Austin, she loves exploring the area, spending time outside with her dog Clyde, or reading a good book. She is a kickboxer and also enjoys going swimming and hiking.