About Sara Render Hopkins, DVM, CVA, CHPV

I was raised in Toronto, Canada and moved with my family to the United States in 1991. I’m happy to call Washington State my home, where I’ve lived since 1996.

For years I knew that I wanted to work with animals. I completed my veterinary education at Washington State University in 2000, and more recently, veterinary acupuncture through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS).

I practiced at an Eastside small animal clinic for 11 years. I loved my work there, particularly my patients and their families. In the later years, I developed an interest in pain management and a passion for giving pets the dignified and loving end-of-life journey they deserved. In 2013, I felt the need to combine my acupuncture training with my love for compassionate care of animals in a home-based setting, and founded Compassion 4 Paws.

I’m so glad I did. I find nothing more fulfilling than offering pets the care and dignity they deserve in an environment where they’re completely comfortable.

In the fall of 2017, I became one of the first veterinarians to achieve certification in Animal Hospice and Palliative Care through the IAAHPC (International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care). The 16 month course furthered my knowledge to better support pets and their families during their end-of-life journey.

I live in Edmonds with my husband Dennis, our young son, our cats Tallulah and Sushi, and our dogs Roy and Tilley. During my free time I enjoy traveling, camping, reading, crafts and spending time with friends.

Click here to view Dr. Sara’s Educational Background & Professional Affiliations.

About Allison Edwards, DVM

I was raised in the Seattle area and am proud to be a 3rd generation Seattleite. I am happy to be back home after many years of being away at school. I completed my veterinary education at Washington State University in 2012 and then spent a year undertaking a small animal rotating internship at Alameda East Veterinary Hospital in Denver, CO (the clinic of Animal Planet’s ‘Emergency Vets’ television fame). Since graduation, I have been practicing emergency medicine. I believe this was the best preparation for my transition to hospice and end of life care, since the two often go hand in hand. I am so grateful to have made this move to Compassion 4 Paws  and truly feel as though I have found my calling. I find it so satisfying to be able to guide and assist people and their beloved pets during this difficult time.

I recently moved to Shoreline with my husband as we welcomed a new baby girl to our family.  In 2019 we lost our sweet Cattle Dog, Bella, to lymphoma, but are so fortunate to have our other two adorable pups, Henry and Lila, here to make us smile along with a rescue goldfish, Goldie, and axolotl, Toothless.  During my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, walking around Greenlake and sailing.  I am currently working on obtaining my certification in Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (CHPV) through the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) and am excited to incorporate my training into our practice.

About Kelli Smith, DVM

Growing up in Snohomish, WA, I realized my passion for helping animals at an early age while working at a local wildlife rehabilitation center.  I pursued my undergraduate work at the University of Oregon and received my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in 2009. Following veterinary school, I completed a small animal internship at Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine, primarily working in emergency medicine.

After returning to the Pacific Northwest, I enjoyed nearly 10 years in general practice where I began to realize my passion for treating senior pets, a time during which I feel they need the most care. I joined Compassion 4 Paws to provide guidance to families facing their pets golden years, to enhance a pets comfort, and to bring what peace and strength I may to ease the final parting.

I currently reside in Seattle with my husband, my two boys, and my two kitties, Trinity and Zoey. When not working, I enjoy baking, traveling, reading, and ballroom dancing.

About Tracy Fuelleman, DVM, CVA

I was born in Colorado but grew up in Southern California. I left California in 1980 to begin college at Seattle’s Pacific Lutheran University and went on to complete my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota in 1989. I returned to Washington State after completing vet school and have since called this area my home.

Following my return to the Pacific Northwest, I have had the pleasure of practicing veterinary medicine in several hospitals in the greater Puget Sound area. In 2015 I obtained my certification in Veterinary Acupuncture through Colorado State University. In the last several years, my focus of practice has evolved and I am very pleased and honored to work with Compassion 4 Paws to assist people and their precious pets in times of need.

I live in Seattle with my husband Don. When I’m not working, I enjoy traveling, gardening, food and wine, and reading.

About Tessa King, DVM

I was born and raised in Seattle and have lived here in Washington my entire life.  My dad is also a veterinarian and I spent much time in my youth observing and working in his clinic. I think the first time I watched him do surgery, I was about 4 years old!  I loved biology and of course animals and so decided to follow in his footsteps.  I went to Washington State University for both undergraduate and veterinary school, graduating from vet school in 2002.  After graduation, I headed back to western Washington, finally leaving Pullman behind, though I loved my time there and am definitely a Coug!

I have worked in both private general practice as well as shelter medicine.  Prior to joining Compassion 4 Paws, I worked in a practice that provided house calls both for general medical concerns as well as end-of-life care.  It was during this time I realized what an incredible gift it is to be able to help both people and animals through the end-of-life transition in the comfort of their own homes.  I feel honored and blessed to be part of the Compassion 4 Paws team and to be able to provide such a needed service to people and their beloved pets.

I live in Bothell with my husband, two daughters and three fur children – two Husky mixes, Layla & Lucy, and a tabby cat named Charles Hamm.  I love being in the garden, camping, and out in nature when the sun is shining.  When it’s raining, I prefer to be inside baking or snuggling and reading with my kids.

About Shawnee Neubauer, Practice Manager and Care Coordinator

I began my career in veterinary medicine when I was just 18 years old.  Over the next several years, my dedication and experience helped me to evolve from being a kennel assistant to a veterinary technician, and eventually to a practice manager for a group of small animal hospitals located just outside of Phoenix, Arizona, where I stayed for many years.  As life took my family and I to several states around the western US, I continued my commitment to helping pets and their families.  Whether I was working in veterinary medicine directly, or just volunteering my time and services to various rescue organizations – animal health and wellness has always been my greatest passion.

I happened upon my position with Compassion 4 Paws when I had to call Dr. Sara out to our home to help us say goodbye to our heart dog, Bud.  It was such an emotional time and we were utterly devastated.  But, to see first-hand the gift that in-home euthanasia provided to our sweet boy (and us) that night, I knew it was something I had to be a part of.  I am so honored to assist you and your family through your end of life journey with your beloved pet.

My husband and I now reside in Northern Colorado where we enjoy the great outdoors with our two amazing rescue pups:  our border collie, Jack and our Maremma Sheepdog, Lukas.  I also enjoy volunteering with the Colorado Master Gardeners Program and Mountain Pet Rescue whenever I can.

About Tasha Denison, Care Coordinator

I knew from a young age that I wanted to work with animals. At 18 my passion became a reality when I began working at a veterinary practice. Over the years, I had opportunity to travel to different veterinary hospitals to better my team building skills, client education and improve staff morale when needed.

I am incredibly thankful to have found my calling with Compassion 4 Paws. I strive to help families through their most difficult times and hope to make their transition as smooth as it can possibly be. It is a true blessing to work with such an amazing team who are equally as passionate about the relationship between people and their beloved pets.

In my spare time, I enjoy lounging in the sun, going out with friends and spending quality time with my pup, Gotti, and my son. You can find us working on our toys in the shop or supporting our Seahawks during football season!

About Eliza Berry, Care Coordinator

I have been dedicated to the care of pets and their human companions in Washington State for over 20 years. At the age of 17, I started working in emergency clinics and general practices as a veterinary assistant and lead client service coordinator. After earning my degree in Biology from UW in 2015, I transitioned to human health care where I worked for 2.5 years as a patient service representative providing between visit care. I am happy to once again be a part of the field I am passionate about, and continue my work with animals. I truly value the bond we have with our pets, and having experienced saying goodbye to my beloved 15-year-old dog Willie in my home, I am grateful to be a part of the Compassion 4 Paws team helping others through this same experience.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my kitties Xena and Wombat, jogging, traveling with my husband and being a devout Seattle Sounders soccer and Husky football fan!

About Dennis Hopkins, Logistics

I’m grateful to say I was able to create a thriving remodeling business from the ground up, one that focused on integrity, efficiency and environmental stewardship – all of which are very important to me.

When Sara began to consider leaving general veterinary practice to start Compassion 4 Paws, I realized the potential for helping people and their beloved pets in this type of in-home care.  At that time I decided to retire my remodeling business and began focusing more on Compassion 4 Paws.  As I watched the practice grow, I began to recognize some of the business insufficiencies that were time consuming and cumbersome for the doctors as well as the care coordinators.  I applied my project management skills and rallied a team of consultants and software developers to create a software application for mobile hospice veterinarians to make the business side of their practice more efficient . And that was the start of REX Veterinary Software. I also assist with the day-to-day operations at Compassion 4 Paws making sure the team is equipped to help the people and the pets they love.