About Highland Animal Hospital

Cassie Williams

Cassie was born and raised in Big Spring. Cassie graduated from Forsan High School. She started a large animal rescue in 2018 and now has joined Highland Animal Hospital as the Client Service Representative.

Loree Dello

Loree was born in Big Spring and started at Highland Animal Hospital in March 2025. Loree is attending on-line classes at Howard College and is one class away from completing her degree. She received a full scholarship for Rodeo, competed in college rodeos for two years, and now is competing in the UPRA circuit. Loree is a very passionate animal lover. She has two dogs, Diesel and Peaches, and currently has nine horses; some of her favorites are Disco, Magnum, and Chicken Nugget.

Nate Long

Nate was born in Big Spring. Nate started working at Highland Animal Hospital in February of 2025. He has been homeschooled by his mother and is on track to earn his diploma in 2025. Nate has an unwavering passion for caring for animals. Nate’s goal is to become a Veterinary Technician. Nate shares his home with three companions: two dogs, Korra and Misty, and a cat named Kelso.

Cadence Claxton

Cadence was born in Big Spring, Texas. She graduated from Forsan High School in 2023. She has been with Highland Animal Hospital since February 2025 and would love to further her education with animals. She is currently taking online courses to become a vet tech. She has a one-year-old cat named Milli. Cadence has always had a love for animals and can’t wait to continue to help them.

Hailey Berry, DVM

Dr. Hailey Berry is from a small town in West Texas called Denver City. She attended Texas Tech University to pursue a degree in Animal Science from 2018-2021. She attended Oklahoma State University of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 2025 with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Her professional interests involve small animal surgery, small animal sports medicine and rehabilitation, emergency and critical care, and holistic medicine. Her favorite hobbies are reading, exercising, baking, and spending time with her husband, family, and friends. At home, she has a pug named Bear and a labrador mix named Leroy that she loves dearly.

Jenn Kleman, DVM

Dr. Kleman attended Texas A&M for her undergraduate degree and earned her DVM from Texas A&M’s veterinary school in 1997.  She practiced veterinary medicine in the panhandle for 9 years; of which 7.5 years she owned her own practice.  From there, Dr. Kleman relocated to Crawford, TX, and practiced in Waco for 4 years before moving to San Angelo in July of 2009.  She currently works part-time as a relief doctor for practices in San Angelo, works shifts at the Abilene Emergency Veterinary Hospital, and has begun part-time work for us here at Highland Animal Hospital. 

In addition, Dr. Kleman is a deployable member of the Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team.  The VET responds to disasters when requested by local or state authorities as well as supports Texas Task Force Search and Rescue canines.  She is also the VET’s Region 4 Leader.

Dr. Kleman is married to Rodney Kleman and has two daughters. Both girls attend Wall ISD and are very active in 4H, FFA, stock showing, livestock/wool judging, and softball.  Her oldest is a Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador as well as an FFA officer.
The family has two horses and multiple dogs and “barn cats.”

Kate Roeder, DVM

Dr. Roeder is from Fort Worth, Texas. She graduated from Texas Tech University in 2019 and graduated from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2023. Her professional interests involve small animal internal medicine, emergency and critical care, and holistic medicine. Her favorite hobbies include riding her horse, Beau, cooking, and spending time with her husband, friends, and family. She currently lives with her husband, Justin, three dogs, and a cat at home.

Scott Burt, DVM

Dr. Burt graduated from Texas A&M University with his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1983. After a 2 year residency with Dr. Akin Simpson here at Highland Animal Hospital, he purchased the practice in 1986. He is married to Debbie, and they have three daughters; Callie, LeDawn, and Codye. (All married also – hallelujah!) Harvey and Lollie make up their animal clan.

Dr. Burt and his wife, Debbie, are blessed by and love spending time with their grandchildren (Hayley, Boston, Jaxson, Ellye, Gideon, Ava, Berklee, Deacon, Finlee, Gryffon, Brighton, Ella, and Marliegh). Dr. Burt and Debbie are very active with their church, Trinity Baptist.

Debbie Burt

Debbie is the BOSS! The wife of Dr. Burt, she has been the backbone of our practice for the last 25 years. She is responsible for all staff scheduling, practice management, and accounting.

Angie Williams

Angie was born and raised in Big Spring and graduated from Forsan High School in 1995.  She received a certificate in Surgical Technology in 2002. She worked for us from 1994-2002 then went to work in Orthopedics from 2003-2013. Angie returned to Highland Animal Hospital in September 2013 and is now our Practice Manager as well as a technician.  Angie is married to Chad and they have three amazing children: Trevor, Hannah, and K’Leigh.  They have two fur babies Gypsy and Audi.  

Alex

Alejandra was born & raised in Garden City, Tx. Alex relocated to Forsan as a Sophomore & graduated High School in 2014. She first joined the Highland Animal Hospital team back in 2015, she was only here for a short while before moving out of state to Tennessee. After returning to Texas, she found her forever home in Big Spring with her loving spouse Robert. Alex has come back to join the amazing team and clinic that she’s missed so much. She has 2 children, Finn & Hazel who make her the proudest mom. Along with having a farm of animals to love on! She has 16 sweet outdoor cats that keep the snakes away from home & 3 big dogs, Loki, Nova and Hannibal that protect the family and home.

Ty

Hi, my name is Ty Cochrane! I’m a senior at Big Spring High School and am looking to attend vet school in the future. I love helping and getting to know the animals here at Highland Animal Hospital and have come to know and love the staff here as well!

Dalton

Dalton was born and raised in Big Spring. He graduated from Forsan High School in 2015 and went on to attend Texas A&M University. He graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Animal Science in 2020. He has gained almost 10 years of technician experience along the way. 

Dalton takes immense pride in educating clients while providing high-quality care to his patients. His favorite quote is “To us, pets are a piece of our lives, but to them we are their whole life”. 

Dalton’s family includes his beautiful wife Makenzie and his fur babies: Dexter, Pyper, Tater, Twiggy, and Tazzy. 

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, fishing, or anything to do with sports. 

Dalton looks forward to serving you and your pets with state-of-the-art compassion. 

Mackenzie

Mackenzie was born and raised in Lubbock, TX. She participated in dual credit classes up until she graduated from Wilson High School. While in High School, Mackenzie worked at a local spay/neuter clinic and continued working there while she went to college at West Texas A&M University. Mackenzie decided she wanted to move back home and continue just working in Vet Med. In 2023, she moved to a full-service clinic to get a better knowledge and more experience with a variety of different small breed animals. In September of 2024, Mackenzie moved to Big Spring and is now a part of the Highland Animal Hospital team.

Lisa

Lisa was born and raised in Big Spring, she graduated from Big Spring High School and then attended the Midland College Technician Program, graduating in 2004. She completed her clinical internship here at Highland Animal Hospital, then became a part of our clinic staff. Her family includes her husband Troy, daughter Mallory, son Brady, along with her pets, 3 dogs: Tae’A, Bruce, and Boden, her 2 cats Tootles & Mavis.

Jennifer

Jennifer was born and raised in Leaner Texas, Jennifer graduated from Leander High School in 2010. She attended Texas State University and studied Wildlife Biology. Jennifer started working as a veterinary assistant 5 years ago and has loved it! She is married to her wonderful husband Ryan Roman, has one daughter Raelynn June, and one Catahoula furbaby named Luna.

Audrey

My name is Audrey. I graduated from LCCC in 2020 with a degree in Health Information
Technology. After that I got my first job in vet med and have worked as a veterinary receptionist for the last 4 years. I enjoy working in an animal hospital because I get to see so many cool animals everyday and have the opportunity to help families and their pets during difficult times. In my free time I enjoy reading and baking. I cannot wait to start baking for my new coworkers as I am a new addition to Highland Animal Hospital. I have two senior cats (Raven and Poe) and a dog (Ghost) who is the definition of a heinz 57. He doesn’t like to go anywhere without his favorite toy carrot.

Kim

Kim graduated from Coahoma High School in 2014 and after attended Howard Collage where she graduated with her Associate’s degree in General Science. She has always had a love for animals and caring for their needs. Kim is married to Corey and has a beautiful little girl named Lylah. She also has 3 dogs named Titus, Willow, and June and 2 cats named Pumpkin and Freya.

Melissa

Melissa was born in Lamesa Texas and graduated from Lamesa High School and attended Howard College. Melissa joined our team in 2017 and has a passion for caring for animals. Melissa is married to Bryan and has three sons; Brandon, Zachory & Ryan. She has three cats; Mama Burls, Batcat & Robin, and two dogs; Husky and Rusty.

Hannah

Hannah started working here in 2019 while in high school. Hannah graduated from Forsan High School in 2021 and started working as a full-time employee after graduation. Hannah started as an animal care provider and has advanced into the Technician role. Hannah loves taking care of hospitalized patients and loves using her skills to cater medicine to each of her patients and gets so much joy from seeing them heal and go home to their families. Hannah has three fur babies of her own, Sevie, Thea and Rocky.

Valerie

Bio coming soon!

Leah

Leah was born and raised in Big Spring. She is currently attending Big Spring High School. Leah will soon graduate with class 2022. After High School, Leah plans on attending Veterinary Technician school and will continue to work at Highland Animal Hospital as she furthers her education in the Veterinary world.

Lauren

Lauren was born and raised in Big Spring, TX. Lauren graduated from BSHS in 2017 and attended Howard College before finding her way into veterinary medicine. In 2019 she had a beautiful baby boy and after staying home for a year returned to work in Emergency Veterinary Medicine before transferring to Highland Animal Hospital. Lauren started working for us in February of 2021 and has been a great asset to our team. Lauren’s family includes Christopher, Ryan, & her 2 fur babies: Ky and Lucipurr.

Jace

Bio coming soon!

Anna

Anna graduated from Coahoma High School in 2015. She then went on to graduate from Abilene Christian University in 2018 with her bachelor’s before returning to Big Spring. She has since worked in several areas before finding Highland and falling in love with the practice. She has 4 dogs: Cimarron, Bear, Xena, and Gracie, and 2 cats: Big Mama and Little Bit.

Aloura

Aloura was born and raised in Big Spring, and graduated from Coahoma High school. Aloura moved to Central Texas for college for a few years. Aloura started at Tarleton State University but decided to change paths. In 2017 she started classes at McLennan Community College in a Veterinary technician program. Aloura started as a technician in a small rural clinic in Clifton TX halfway through her schooling. She graduated from the Vet Tech program in May of 2019 and continued working as a Vet Tech. Aloura passed her national and state exams in 2019 and was officially licensed in October. Aloura worked at another very large mixed practice in Waco TX in early 2020. Aloura decided to make the move back home in August of 2020 to be closer to my family. Aloura has been part of the at Highland since November 2020 and she “loves every second of it!” Aloura has been a great fit to our team.

Mouse

I came to Highland Animal Hospital in 2012 when a good Samaritan found me on the side of the road after I was hit by a car. I had several injures. Dr. Burt and staff helped nurse me back to health and gave me a home. I am truly blessed, but don’t be fooled, I do run the place.

I enjoy Temptation treats and I will not leave you alone until I get them. I will knock things off shelves if I am being ignored.

I also enjoy hiding when it’s time to go to bed. Hide and seek is my favorite game.

I am not a fan of dogs and try to stay far away from them. I do love laying on the front counter and greeting the clients and letting them pet me until I get tired of it. You know it’s on my terms.