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Our caring and compassionate veterinary care team!

Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Briarcrest Veterinary Care Center in Tucson! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!

Please call us at (520) 298-4123 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members!

Suzie Maki, DVM

Medical Director

Dr. Suzie Maki graduated from Colorado State University Veterinary School of Medicine in 2009. Dr. Maki completed advanced training with a general rotating internship at Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson, where she continued to work as an Emergency veterinarian until joining Briarcrest. Dr. Maki is married and owns two Labrador Retriever. Dr. Maki was born in South Dakota but raised in Tucson from the time she was 3 years old, actually right by Briarcrest Veterinary Care Center. She attended Salpointe Catholic High School and graduated from the University of Arizona with her bachelor of science. Go CATS! Dr. Maki’s compassion, diligence to diagnose and improve animal welfare make her a great fit for Briarcrest.

Kerry Collins, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Kerry Collins, born and raised in Iowa, completed her undergraduate and veterinary training at Iowa State University in 2003. After practicing near her hometown for 2 years in a mixed animal practice, she relocated to Tucson Arizona to enjoy year round warmth and sunshine. Dr. Collins has practiced in Tucson since 2005 as both a critical care/emergency and general practice doctor and enthusiastically joined the Briarcrest family in March 2016. Her commitment to providing compassionate and superior care for her patients matches that of Briarcrest’s. She has completed advanced training in veterinary dentistry and diagnostic ultrasound. Additional interests include internal medicine, preventative care, and soft tissue surgery. Dr. Collins loves Arizona, where she met and married her husband, Sean. They have a Chihuahua-Maltipoo (Oliver). In their free time, Dr. Collins and her husband Sean enjoy hiking, running, road biking, and have completed several triathlons.

Dr. Riley Schmieder, DVM

Dr. Riley Schmieder is originally from southeast Iowa. She attended Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in biology with minors in chemistry and Spanish in 2019. While at Bethel, she played basketball and worked as a veterinary assistant at Great Plains Pet Hospital. She graduated from Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine with her DVM in May of 2023. She’s excited to move to Tucson to escape the Midwest winters! Dr. Schmieder has special interests in preventative care, radiology, and soft tissue surgery. She is excited to join Briarcrest’s compassionate team and learn from Drs. Maki and Collins. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading, watching movies, and trying new coffee shops.

Dr. Olivia Aarrestad, DVM

Dr. Olivia Aarrestad graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2021. Shortly after, she traded her snow boots for Birkenstocks and moved to Tucson to complete a small animal rotating internship. Dr. Aarrestad practiced emergency medicine before joining the Briarcrest team in 2023. Her special interests include endoscopy, soft tissue surgery, exotic animal medicine, and shelter medicine. In her free time, the Wisconsin native enjoys playing violin for her cat, Ginny, exploring the desert landscape with her pup, Anya, having game nights with her friends, and reading by the pool.

Christy Watson

Practice Manager 

Christy Watson joined the Briarcrest team in 2022 as practice manager. She graduated from Arizona State University in 2005 with a BSN in Nursing but left ” human nursing” to pursue Administration. Christy is originally from Connecticut but worked as a Travel Nurse across most of the country before settling in the beautiful Sonoran Desert. Christy is mother to one pretentious pre- teen boy, a kitty named Litten and the adorable Mr. Claus, pictured here. Currently, her time is filled with puppy training and ” kindness” rock painting.

Barb Bove

Head Receptionist

Barb Bove, initially a client and joined the practice in June 2003 as a receptionist. Several years ago was promoted to her current position of Head Receptionists. Barb is married, loves corvettes and has two kitties named Pixie and Lacey. 

Vanessa R

Veterinary Technician

My name is Vanessa and I’m a first-generation college student. I am a senior at the University of Arizona, majoring in Veterinary Science and minoring in ASL. I knew i wanted to work in veterinary medicine when I used to get in trouble as a kid attempting to care for all the stray animals walking the streets of Mexico. I started at Briarcrest in 2021 as a kennel technician and worked my way through being a Vet receptionist to a Vet assistant and hope to become a Vet technician before I attend Vet school. 

Barbara E

Veterinary Assistant

I have had animals all my life.  In my younger days, I rescued animals.  Now that my family is cared for, I decided to go back to school for a Veterinary Assistant Certificate.  Today I help keep your pet healthy and happy.

Lainey

Veterinary Assistant

My name is Lainey and I am a Certified Veterinary Assistant. I joined Briarcrest in 2022! I am also a sophomore studying Biochemistry and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Arizona, in hopes of becoming a veterinarian someday! I have always had a passion for animals as I have participated in the 4H program since I was 9. I currently have a lot of chickens, rabbits, and dogs. I love working at Briarcrest because the staff and doctors here make it feel like a family and they take every opportunity to educate us and help us to become better Veterinary Professionals!