Dr. Zimmers graduated from Michigan State University in 1980. Her first veterinary position was in a large animal practice outside of Green Bay Wisconsin. The practice was 95% dairy and Dr. Zimmers spent many cold nights outside delivering calves and treating sick cows. She was one of the first female dairy veterinarians in Wisconsin.

After proving to herself and the farmers that she could do the job, she moved to the Seattle area where she did relief shifts at area veterinary hospitals. She started Animal Emergency and Trauma Center with Dr. Dave Burgess in 1993. AETC opened its doors in July of 1993 and Dr. Zimmers practiced emergency medicine exclusively until her retirement in 2009.

Although she is still involved in management decisions and oversight at the hospital, she finds ample time to travel and pursue her other hobbies. Dr. Zimmers also volunteers as the Iditarod Lead Veterinarian in Anchorage.

Dr. Burgess graduated from the University of Arizona in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. In 1987, he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Iowa State University. He’s been practicing emergency and critical medicine since 1988 with a special interest in soft tissue surgery, endoscopy, and emergency surgery.

Dr. Burgess resides in Poulsbo with his wife Jackie, their two boxers (Bug and Ali), and their cat Belle. Dr. Burgess enjoys hiking, biking, martial arts, painting, fishing, kayaking, woodworking/carving and guitar.

Dr. Shelby Watson has been practicing as an emergency veterinarian on the Kitsap Peninsula since 2004. A Midwest native, she graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Zoology in 1997, and the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. Dr. Watson has pursued advanced training in ultrasound imaging, and thrives on the varied caseload (and odd hours) of emergency medicine.

Dr. Watson resides in Silverdale with her husband and their young son, and multiple pets: a very retired racing greyhound, two vocal and opinionated kitties, and a flock of chickens. Her other interests include reading, gardening, running, hiking, rock climbing, and riding motorcycles.

Dr. Graupmann received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Oregon State University in 2004. Prior to that, she lived in Arizona where she completed her Bachelor’s in Zoology at Northern Arizona University.

She spent her first five years as a veterinarian at a 24-hour small animal practice in Vancouver, Washington where she learned to appreciate the complexity and challenge of emergency medicine. Since then, she has taken special interest in cases that involve cardiology, oncology, pain management and endocrinology.

She enjoys spending time with her husband, their three dogs, their cat and their red-fronted macaw. She resides in Gig Harbor, and her hobbies include hiking, camping, reading, yoga and working out at the gym.

Dr. Stone is a 1999 graduate of Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2000 he completed an internship in Emergency and Critical Care in Milwaukee, WI. Since his graduation, Dr. Stone has been practicing emergency and critical care medicine.

In his spare time he enjoys hiking, backpacking, gardening and woodworking.