About Our Team
Hi, I’m Monica!
I have always loved animals and feel so lucky to spend my days helping pets and their families. As a Client Care Representative at Cypress, I especially enjoy welcoming our patients and their people, helping everyone feel comfortable and heard, and making each visit a positive experience. Although I’m new to veterinary medicine, I have years of experience caring for pets through my pet- and housesitting business, which has been my favorite “side hustle” of all time!
I love being part of the Cypress team and am grateful to work alongside such caring and dedicated people. I hope every client feels genuinely welcomed, cared for, and supported when they walk through our doors or call us.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my son, Xavier, family, and friends. I love cooking, reading, hiking, camping, traveling, live music, and watching hockey. Fun fact: I used to own a brewery!
I look forward to welcoming you and your furry family members to Cypress!
Hi, I’m Cassie! I have always known I wanted a career where I could make a positive difference in the lives of pets and their families. As a veterinary assistant, I enjoy supporting our veterinary team, caring for our patients, and helping make each visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to know our clients and their pets. I strive to treat each patient with the same kindness, patience, and compassion that I would show my own pets, while recognizing that every animal has their own unique personality and needs.
At home, I have three cats and one dog, including one especially spicy cat who has taught me that sometimes a little extra patience and understanding can go a long way!
When I’m not at the clinic, I enjoy spending time with my family and being outdoors. I’m grateful to be part of a team that is dedicated to providing thoughtful, compassionate care, and I look forward to meeting you and your furry family members!
Hi! I’m Claire, the lead veterinary assistant/nurse here at Cypress. I’m passionate about providing quality care and paying close attention to the little details that help your furry family members feel safe, comfortable, and well cared for. In my role as lead, I help support our doctors and veterinary team, coordinate patient care, and help keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. I especially enjoy being able to work closely with our patients and their families and help make each visit as positive and comfortable as possible.
I’m currently working toward becoming a licensed veterinary technician through the San Juan College LVT program. I’m excited to continue learning and growing my skills so I can provide the best possible care for our patients.
¡También hablo español! A mí me importa la salud y la comodidad de tu mascota.
I also speak Spanish! Your pet’s health and comfort are important to me.
In my free time, I enjoy singing in community choir, playing games, and relaxing with my partner and my cat Meeko.
Hi, I’m Rachel!
I’ve loved animals for as long as I can remember and have always been fascinated by science and medicine. Veterinary medicine felt like the perfect combination of both! My background is primarily in clinical research, and I’ve also spent many years as a petsitter. I’m excited to bring my love of animals and helping others to the Cypress team.
I especially enjoy getting to know our clients and their pets and am fascinated by animal behavior and learning why our pets do the things they do. I always try to meet people where they’re at and provide support that fits their individual needs.
Outside of the clinic, I love being outdoors and enjoy hiking, camping, and paddleboarding. I’m also a bit of a hobby enthusiast and enjoy baking, sewing, reading, and all things fantasy—especially The Lord of the Rings!
At home, I have two pets: Milo, my feisty cat, and Cooper, my gentle giant of a Lab mix. I’m grateful to be part of the Cypress team and look forward to meeting you and your furry family members!
Hi there! I am a LVT here at Cypress Vet! I have worked in Vet Med for over 5 years now and have a passion for surgery and anesthesia! I have 2 fluffy creatures of my own, a cat named Georgie, and a Husky named Finn. In my free time I like to spend as much time as possible outside, whether I’m hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, looking for whales or sitting on a beach! I also like to relax by reading, snuggling with my animals and making jewelry. I am passionate about making pets and their owners as comfortable at the vet as possible, whether it be a new patient exam, surgery, or end of life care. Thank you for trusting me with your pets!
Hi I’m Mackenzie! I have always had a passion for animals, and I feel so lucky that I have been able to turn that into my career. I started my Vet Med journey in 2017 where I worked at a local animal shelter, and I knew that this is the job for me. Patient care is my highest priority, and I aim to care for every patient as if they were my own pet. I have a passion for anesthesia and dentistry. I also enjoy working with shy animals and earning their trust. I have two Pitbulls, Mazi and Mushu, and a kitty named Mister Man who are my pride and joy! When I am not at work, I like to spend time with my family and get outside as much as possible.
Hi, I’m Kim, and I can’t wait to meet you and your fur babies!
I knew from a young age that I wanted to work with animals, and in 2020, I finally decided to make the transition into veterinary medicine. I have a special love for our feline friends, and I am especially passionate about making sure your animals feel safe, comfortable, and fear-free throughout their entire time at our hospital.
I have five animals of my own: Bubba the Frenchie, Rey the Chihuahua, and my Beatles cats, Penny Lane, Lucy in the Sky, and Hey Jude.
When I’m not working, you can find me curled up with a good book, taking a stroll through nature, or hunting down some vintage uranium glass to add to my collection!
Dr. Baker moved to Seattle in 1996 and earned her DVM from Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. In 2019 she and her family made beautiful Bellingham their home.
Her areas of interest include internal medicine, dermatology, geriatrics, and preventative care. Her goal is to work with you as a partner to keep your furry family members happy and healthy and to honor the human-animal bond.
When out of the office, Dr. Baker enjoys hiking, sea kayaking, and cycling with her husband, Andrew. Two pets complete their family: Bernie, a sassy 12-year-old tabby cat, and Hank, a 10-year-old border collie mix – as sweet as can be but a little mischievous!
Eva is passionate about the power of preventative medicine, emphasizing healthy lifestyle choices for her patients. She likes to ensure that families are empowered in decision making for their beloved pets by working together to discuss therapy options and develop attainable treatment plans for each individual. She is especially passionate about geriatric care and ensuring that her patients are comfortable, maintaining a good quality of life for as long as possible.
Eva moved to the Bellingham area to be closer to the mountains she loves to recreate in. When she is not hard at work, Eva teaches fitness classes and enjoys practicing yoga. She thrives on nature and travel, and loves to hike and camp with her dog Porter and her cats (yes, cats), Fuzz, Church and Eddie.
Aaron is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a 2016 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, he practiced in Vermont, on the Olympic Peninsula, and finally landing in the Bellingham area. He loves the trifecta of ocean, rivers, and mountains. Professionally, he enjoys soft tissue surgery, preventative medicine, ophthalmology, and digging deep into odd cases. His goal is to provide clear and transparent communication regarding individualized treatment plan options for you and your pet, all with a sense of compassion and gentleness. When not at work, you can usually find him fishing or on a bike. The squad consists of three dogs (Belle, Walter, and Clementine), and Mac the cat.
“Hi, I’m Dr. Ghia Zalewa, and I can’t wait to meet you and your furry friends! I was a wildlife biologist in Colorado before my partner and I moved to Australia, where I earned my DVM at The University of Melbourne.
We then stayed, and I worked at a small animal practice just outside of Melbourne. After moving back to Colorado, we decided to make the leap to Bellingham!
I’m passionate about providing modern medicine, and I am also certified in veterinary medical acupuncture. I have a particular interest in preventative medicine, soft tissue surgery, and integrative approaches to chronic pain management in our older patients.
My favorite things outside of work include hiking with my doggo, mountain biking, snowboarding, and the occasional surf trip. I also dabble in beekeeping and backyard veggie gardens. Come say hello!”
