Robert Calabrese, BVMS
Medical Director

Dr Robert Calabrese (“Dr Rob”) offers clients a common-sense approach to their pet’s care. He is collaborative and uses clear communication so clients can make informed decisions.

Dr Rob’s goal is to educate his clients about maintaining their pet’s health and happiness at home. Clients enjoy Dr Rob’s kindness, sense of humor, and empathy. He has a special interest in dentistry, nutrition, and preventive medicine.

As Medical Director, Dr Rob is focused on team leadership to provide the highest quality care for his patients and a great client experience.

He keeps abreast of ever-changing industry trends to offer patients current and well-rounded treatment plans. He partners with specialists and other veterinarians to work through difficult cases. He is a proud member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and is Fear Free certified.

Dr Rob earned his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University in 2009. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. When not working at Firehouse Belterra Village you’ll find Dr Rob, his wife, son, daughter, and their yellow lab, named Turkey, exploring the Texas Hill Country.

Mike Lawton, BVMS
Veterinarian

Dr Mike Lawton aims to build a trusting relationship with clients and patients alike. His availability and attention to detail leave a lasting impact. He designs treatment plans that work for both the pet and their humans.  

Clients appreciate his understanding and empathetic nature. Dr Lawton’s calm presence helps pets relax during check-ups. A former college head basketball coach, Dr Lawton finds inspiration from leading a team. This allows him to nurture a positive and fun-filled work culture with team members.

Dr Lawton specializes in reptiles and amphibians and is Fear Free certified. He has an affinity for canine neurology and rehabilitation. To stay current in veterinarian medicine, he enjoys attending conferences and continuing education seminars.

When not at Firehouse, Dr Lawton enjoys spending time with his wife, who is also a Firehouse veterinarian. Together they have a busy house with two daughters and twin sons. They also share Blue, a blue heeler, and Loni, a senior chihuahua. When not leading his daughter’s Girl Scout troop or coaching t-ball, Dr Lawton can be found cheering for Arizona basketball.

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.

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.

Candice Lyons
Client Service Coordinator

Candice’s warm, friendly personality helps clients and patients feel welcome and safe. She is an active listener who not only hears client concerns, but finds solutions for their needs. She is adept at reading patients’ body language and adapting her care to help support their needs. She helps out in all areas of the hospital, assisting with appointments when needed to make patient care go smoothly.

Candice joined the Firehouse team in 2015; after a brief break to attend school, she is excited to be back. Hard-working and outgoing, she supports her colleagues and helps teach them new skills. She is the “mama bear” of her Firehouse team. To keep her skills current, Candice enjoys attending online professional development classes.

After graduating from Avenue Five with her esthetician license, Candice opened a spa in Kyle, TX, where she works on the weekends. She has five children who keep her busy. When not working, she likes to travel with her family in the RV, go boating, and spend as much time on the water as possible. She owns two Pit Bulls – Buster and Chief.

Bio coming soon!

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.

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.

Bio coming soon!

Alex wants to make clients’ lives easier by tailoring her interactions to each client’s needs to ensure she can answer all their questions. Clients appreciate that Alex always makes sure pets feel safe at their appointments.

Alex approaches patients with caution, judging their comfort levels before beginning treatments. She also gives treats and pets to help them feel more secure. A lifelong learner, Alex follows major animal health organizations, reads articles, and attends training to keep her skills current.

Alex attended school through the United States Air Force and obtained a degree in Criminal Justice. When not working, she likes to go hiking, play volleyball with her friends, and spend time with her family. Cats hold a special place in her heart; she has two of his own: Ned and Momo.

Brandy excels at educating pet parents on the best ways to keep pets healthy and happy. She loves knowing that she is helping people and pets every day. A true believer in collaboration, Brandy wants clients to be involved in their pets’ appointments. Brandy understands that veterinary visits can be stressful for everyone, so she takes time to answer clients’ questions and uses Fear Free methods with pets to help them feel secure.

Brandy has been in the veterinary field since 2007 and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Firehouse. She is talented at reading pets’ body language and adapting her approach to their needs. She also enjoys discussing preventative care and dental care. While Brandy considers herself a dog person, she also loves working with small animals and exotics. She also has experience with farm animals. She keeps her skills current by attending CE events, learning from the veterinarians, and on-the-job training. Brandy also volunteers at spay and neuter clinics.

When not working, she likes to spend time with her sons, Nicolas and Jacob, at the river. Her pets include Loki, a rescue American Bulldog mix; Catwoman, a Terrier/Chihuahua mix foster fail, and Kayla, a spunky puppy; and Batman and Stormy, two rescue cats.