Jacqueline Sehn, DVM, CVH, VetMFHom

Jacqueline Sehn, DVM, VetMFHom, was born and raised in Brazil, where she attended Veterinary School at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, having graduated in 1983. After working for a few years in a mixed animal practice, she traveled to Europe to further her studies in Homeopathy.

She moved to NYC in 1987 and has lived and practiced veterinary medicine on Mercer Island, east of Seattle, since 1996. Her life's passion has always been to heal our dog and cat friends.  She keeps current with state of the art orthodox veterinary techniques, as well as alternative treatment modalities of homeopathy, chiropractic and nutrition/nutraceuticals.

Dr. Sehn is a member of the following associations:

• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

• Washington State Veterinary Medical Association (WSVMA)

• American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA)

• Washington State Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (WSHVMA) (co-founder)

• Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy (AVH) - Past President, Certified (CVH)

• American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) - Certified (CVC)

• International Association for Veterinary Homeopathy (IAVH) American representative (2001-2007)

Dr Sehn has changed her name back to her maiden name. You may know her as Dr. Jackie Obando. 

Lisa Brienen, DVM

I have always loved and been interested in all kinds of animals since I was a young child. My family traveled too much to have more than hermit crabs and fish for pets but I attempted to make up for this lack by visiting zoos all over the world. Originally my plan was to be a zoo veterinarian and be involved in the preservation of endangered species. After a few years working in and experiencing externships in zoos (Zoo Negara Malaysia, Toronto International Zoo, Sacramento Zoo) I realized that zoo life was a bit too dangerous for me so I started searching for a form of veterinary medicine that fitted my interests and beliefs. When I discovered Dr. Richard Pitcairn's Basic Homeopathy Course for Veterinarians it was the beginning of my journey in healing.

Dr. Brienen's credentials:

• Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University 1992

• Basic Course in Veterinary Homeopathy (Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy) 1996-97

• Advanced Course in Veterinary Homeopathy in 1998

• Teacher and Mentor Dr. Richard Pitcairn

• Certified Veterinary Homeopath 2002

• Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy Board Member

• AVH Journal Chair and contributor

• AVH President Elect

Dr. Brienen is a member of the following professional associations:

• Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy

• American Veterinary Medical Association

• King County chapter of the Holistic Veterinary Medical Association

• American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association

• Washington State Veterinary Medical Association

Prior to these advanced certifications, Dr. Hsu completed veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania in 2001, a small animal rotating internship at a private practice in upstate New York in 2002 and a small animal internal medicine residency at University of Missouri in 2005. 

Dr. Hsu spent several years as an internal medicine consultant for a reference laboratory.  In this role, she was able to consult with primary care veterinarians on about 50 pets a day, gaining quite a bit of experience through the number of cases she was able to indirectly see this way.  However, she really missed working with pet owners and pets more directly.  Back in private practice, she is greatly enjoying being more directly involved with patient care.  Her background in internal medicine and acupuncture allows her to view her patients from both a Western and Eastern medicine perspective.

When she is not working in her role as a veterinarian, Dr. Hsu can be found hiking in Washington’s gorgeous forests and mountains.  She also enjoys being a student and teacher of yoga and meditation.  Home life is full with her husband, one teenage son, a dog, a turtle, two cats, and four guinea pigs.

Sandra Durst, DVM

I am an Illinois native who has been a relief vet in the Puget Sound area for almost 12 years now, since becoming the mama of two fantastic kids.  My beautiful daughter is 13 and my very handsome son is 10.  Both attend school in the Bellevue School District.

After graduating from the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign in 2002, I worked in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin until Microsoft brought us out to Bellevue in 2010.

I enjoy both small animal, exotic (small mammal, birds and reptiles) and wildlife medicine and surgery.  We currently have a small dog, Niña, two ducks, rabbits, a guinea pig, and several hens, who all certainly keep our little chiweenie very busy.

I look forward to meeting you and your family, and have thoroughly enjoyed my time so far with Dr. Jackie and her amazing staff.  I am very happy to join the Mercy Vet team.

Sandy Gaston, Surgical Recovery

It's great being back at MercyVet. I worked with Dr.Sehn in the very beginning, the first year. At that time I did a little of everything at the clinic, as we all did. While I was working there I was also doing my own healing work as a behaviorist-using various forms of energy work. After the clinic got going it was time for me to go back to taking care of myself and my clients.

This time I will be recovering surgical and dental patients using energy work, flower essences and Acutonics. The Acutonics healing system is a needle-less, non-invasive treatment that is similar to acupuncture. Precision calibrated tuning forks are applied to the specific acupuncture and acupressure points that access the body's meridians and chakra energy systems. This stimulates and balances the body's subtle energy field to promote healing and inner harmony. So when you have a companion animal that is having an anesthetic procedure at MercyVet, I will be there to help balance them before the procedure (I like them to hear my voice and see me and feel who I am before they have their work done). And when they are brought to me after their procedure I will be holding them and talking to them softly, helping them feel safe when they wake up. I will use all of my many years of training in energy modalities to help them recover to the fullest. I look forward to working with each animal as an individual-- a precious, one-of-a-kind jewel. What I do with one I may not do with another because each being needs something different in their recovery process.

Daisy Whitley, Office Manager

Daisy has always had a heart bursting with love for animals! She is a mother to two beautiful dogs Adrienne and Kuni, who have captured her heart, and exponentially enriched her life; 
When she isn't adventuring around the PNW with her fur-children, Daisy is MercyVet's Office Manager! Daisy loves working and interacting with the staff, patients and clients of MercyVet - helping to create a warm, welcome, and healing environment for those in need.

She is a strong proponent of animal rescues, and is passionate about the benefits of holistic medicine for all living creatures. One story of which is very close to her heart: Rocky, her 14 year old, forever-puppy pitbull. His final years were full of love (he made everyone's day brighter just by seeing him!) and low on pain; truly a testament to the health benefits of acupuncture, homeopathic remedies, and chiropractic work!

You'll see her at the clinic with the newest addition to her fur-family, Adrienne! She's a rescue pup who has proudly displayed the defining traits of a pitbull: A sweet little wigglebutt, with boundless energy! ...Until she gets cuddled up with you, then it's nap time! 

Amy Thompson, Lead Receptionist and Veterinary Assistant 

Juliana Mendes Kaplan, LVT

I was born and raised in Bahia, Brazil and studied Veterinary Medicine at the State University of Santa Cruz. 

 While at University, I focused on Parasitology research, which is one of my passions. 

 Since moving to Seattle in 2014 , I’ve continued pursuing my passion for animals as a licensed veterinary technician here at MercyVet.

 In addition to working with cats and dogs, I love to spend time with my cat, Cookie, and my dog, Winston.  

Kelsey Leatherman, Lead Veterinary Technician

Hi there! My name is Kelsey and I am a Veterinary Assistant! Born and raised in Illinois (yes the ‘s’ is silent), I moved out here in April of 2018 to continue chasing after my dreams of working with animals. I joined the MercyVet team in September 2019.

  Previously I’ve worked in a Doggie Daycare and as a Kennel Attendant, along with being a Veterinary Assistant too. I’ve been working my tail off at school to become the Best Veterinary Technician that you’ll ever see! It is my belief that a person should know every position; I know what I expected of myself so I’ll know what to expect of someone else.

Since our move from Illinois to Washington, my now husband, who works as a Construction Superintendent, and I have not had a day we regretted the move, we absolutely love it here! When neither of us are at work we enjoy water sports like wake surfing, wakeboarding, and knee boarding, along with jetskiing; in the winter it’s all snowboarding and snowmobiling!

 To those who know me it’s no surprise I’ve chosen a field with animals. It’s fast paced, challenging, and only the strong survive. I want to make a difference in the lives of our best mates, whether it be a dog, a cat, horse or bunny, I want to do everything I can to make a difference.