Dr. Ruth's family origins are Southern Maryland and Missouri. She started her prior career in the U.S. Army and transitioned out of Active Duty to pursue her interest in Medicine. It was at this time she shifted her focus from the traditional human medicine track to Veterinary Medicine and earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri. She worked in a mixed-animal practice in Missouri prior to relocating to the Inland Northwest in Spring 2012. She continued in our local veterinary community in a mixed-practice (small, exotic, and occasional large animal) for 10 years prior to stepping into the role of Medical Director at NSVC in Spring of 2022. She values improving the human-animal bond and strives to create a supportive, informative veterinary visit by focusing on providing the care she would want to receive as a client. Dr. Ruth and her family share their home with 2 cats, Falcons, and a few rambunctious English Setters. When not at the clinic, you will find Dr. Ruth recharging in Nature (gardening, hiking, foraging, floating on her paddleboard or skiing).

Dr. Julie Janiak was born and raised in Montana. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology and a
minor in history from Pacific Lutheran University before obtaining her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
from Colorado State University. She has also completed certification in medical acupuncture for veterinarians and a small animal rotating internship at VCA Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle. She is passionate about preventative medicine, geriatric care, pain management, and fostering the human-animal bond. She is Fear Free certified and strives to make visits to the veterinarian as stress free and positive as possible. Dr. Janiak enjoys traveling, volunteering, attending live music events, camping, hiking and floating rivers and lakes with Clyde, her yellow lab. She also shares her home with KitKat, a tuxedo cat whose favorite activities include sleeping, eating and playing with Clyde.

Baylee was born and raised in Sacramento, California. She received her bachelor’s degree in Pre-Veterinary Animal Science and a minor in Equine Science from California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, California. She began her career in veterinary medicine in 2016 as a veterinary assistant at an equine hospital, then moved to a small animal and exotics clinic where she worked with critters ranging from cats and dogs to reptiles, birds, and pocket pets. While working on her degree she accepted a position at Cal Poly’s on-campus equine unit as an assistant manager helping to run the unit, as well as manage the equine breeding and foaling enterprises offered to students at the university. After graduating in 2020, Baylee moved to the Spokane area and began working as a veterinary assistant under Dr. Christine Alstead here at North Spokane Veterinary Clinic. When Dr. Alstead retired in 2021, she began her role as practice manager under the clinic’s new owners. Baylee spends her free time riding horses, going to the gym, or hiking with her dog Clint, a Pit Bull-Heeler mix. She also has 2 kitties at home, Sophia and Hans.

Havilah is originally from Seattle, and now residing on the South Hill of Spokane. She graduated from Yakima Valley Community College with a degree in veterinary technology in 2018, and quickly found her passion working in a mixed animal practice. She has a special place in her heart for small breed and senior pets, as well as interacting with clients and witnessing the bond they share with their pets. Outside of work Havilah enjoys longboarding, hiking, and crafting herbal medicine. She shares her home with her fiance Colten, a Chihuahua, a Mastiff-Boxer mix, a cat, and two rabbits. 

Desiree was born in Spokane, but raised in Anchorage, Alaska. In 2011 she moved back home to Spokane. She began her career in veterinary medicine here at North Spokane Veterinary Clinic in 2022 as a receptionist. In 2023 she began training as a veterinary assistant, and is now enrolled in school to become a licensed veterinary technician. In her free time, Desire likes to go camping and hiking with her dogs. Her pets include a 12 year old Dachshund named Roxy, a 6 year old American Bulldog named Diamond, a 2 year old Healer-Pit Bull mix named Bluu, a 1 year old Pit Bull named Nala, and a 2 year old Russian Blue kitty named Little Blue .

Sarah was born and raised in Spokane, WA. In 2021 she began her career in veterinary medicine as a receptionist. In her free time Sarah enjoys putting together puzzles, gardening, and playing board games with her family and friends. She also loves to float on the lake and go fishing. At home Sarah has a 12 year old Chihuahua named Bonita, a 2 year old yellow Lab named Obadiah, an 8 month old Lab-Treeing Walker Coonhound mix named Odysseus, a 16 year old Russian Blue named Tasha, a 12 year old Tabby named Max, and a 4 year old Tabby named Leo.

Kira grew up near Boise, Idaho where she began her career in veterinary medicine as a kennel assistant at a local animal shelter in 2019. After moving to Portland, Oregon she began working as a veterinary assistant, learning more about the medical aspect of the field. In 2022 Kira moved to the Spokane area and continued her career as a veterinary assistant, and became Fear Free Certified. She is currently enrolled in the Penn Foster Veterinary Technician program and working toward her goal of becoming a licensed veterinary technician. In her free time Kira loves to work in her garden, go outdoors with her partner and young daughter, and spend time with her pets-4 dogs, 3 cats, 2 goats, 5 chickens, 5 ducks, and 1 Savannah monitor lizard.