Our Team
Michael Stone, DVM | Medical Director
Dr. Michael Stone is a 1999 graduate of Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2000 he completed an internship in Emergency and Critical Care in Milwaukee, WI. Since his graduation, Dr. Stone has been practicing emergency and critical care medicine.
In his spare time he enjoys hiking, backpacking, gardening and woodworking near his home in Gig Harbor and around Kitsap County or beyond on the Olympic Peninsula.
Mackenzie Adams, DVM, DACVS-LA | Surgery
Dr. Mackenzie Adams was born and raised in Bainbridge Island, Washington. She obtained a BS in Biology with honors (Summa cum laude) from Whitman College and her veterinary degree at Colorado State University (Magna cum laude) in 2011. Following veterinary school, she completed an internship and residency in Large Animal Surgery and became a board-certified surgeon in 2018 (Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgery, Large Animal). Dr. Adams has spent over four years at small animal specialty hospitals in San Francisco, CA receiving specialized training in small animal orthopedic and soft tissue surgery as well as critical care.
She is working towards her dual certification in both large and small animal surgery.
Dr. Adams and her husband moved back home to Bainbridge Island in 2021 to raise their two daughters and to be closer to family. Outside of work she enjoys doing anything outdoors including gardening and hiking. She spends pretty much every moment outside of work being a mom to two young kids, two dogs and a miniature horse.
Cameron Smithee, DVM
Dr. Cameron Smithee is an emergency medicine and wildlife veterinarian from Colorado Springs, Colorado. Although originally from the Rocky Mountain’s most colorful state, Dr. Smithee’s interest in nature and medicine has lead him to call five different states home – in addition to the South American country of Peru. Prior to receiving his doctorate of veterinary medicine from Oklahoma State University, Smithee pursued a degree in Zoology from the University of Oklahoma. An adventurist at heart, he loves backcountry snowboarding, kayaking, vigorous hikes, and traveling the globe – or nearest wilderness. When stuck inside, Smithee can be found reading, perfecting his culinary skills, or promoting his small art business.
Emma Spatz, DVM
Dr. Emma Spatz received her Neuroscience degree from Michigan State University in 2014. She worked as an assistant/uncertified tech for two years at an emergency and referral center in Bloomfield, Michigan before being accepted to the University of Glasgow.
Emma had two cats that are now in her reluctant parents’ custody until further notice, but she hopefully be getting a new four-legged friend in the near future to accompany her on hikes. Her other favorite activities include running, camping, the morning crossword, and playing games of all sorts.
Rawnie Torres, DVM, CVMMP
Dr. Rawnie Torres started working at Animal Emergency & Specialty Center in November of 2021 and has been working in the veterinary field since 2004. She completed undergraduate studies at Evergreen State College and received her DVM from Washington State University in 2013. She worked as a general small animal practitioner before deciding to focus on emergency and integrative medicine. She has obtained her CVA (Certified Veterinary Assistant) and CVMMP (Certified Veterinary Medical Manipulation Practitioner) and is currently pursuing her Master’s in TCVM and integrative veterinary medicine through the Chi University.
Rawnie and her husband of 15+ years are originally from Los Angeles, CA. They enjoy hiking, camping, gardening, and chasing after their many animals: 3 tiny humans, 2 dogs, and 2 cats.
David Burgess, DVM
Dr. David Burgess graduated from the University of Arizona in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. In 1987, he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Iowa State University. He’s been practicing emergency and critical medicine since 1988 with a special interest in soft tissue surgery, endoscopy, and emergency surgery.
Dr. Burgess resides in Poulsbo with his wife Jackie, their two boxers (Bug and Ali), and their cat Belle. Dr. Burgess enjoys hiking, biking, martial arts, painting, fishing, kayaking, woodworking/carving and guitar.
Dr. Burgess founded AETC with Dr. Carollynn Zimmers in 1993. Animal Emergency and Trauma Center is a 24 hour animal emergency hospital in Poulsbo. AETC serves areas as far East as Bainbridge Island, North to Kingston, South to Port Orchard and Gig Harbor and across the Hood Canal Bridge to Port Townsed and Port Angeles. Before starting the emergency animal hospital in Poulsbo, he worked as relief doctor for many veterinary hospitals in Kitsap County including Silverdale, Bremerton, Port Orchard, Bainbridge Island and Kingston.
Patty Selvidge, Hospital Director
Patty Selvidge graduated from Knapps College of Business in 1982. Since then, her career focus has been in management and corporate training. She has worked mostly in the financial and hospitality industries which include the following companies: The Russell Company, Harborstone Credit Union, Russell/Mellon Analytical Services, KeyBank Holland America and Ric Hansen Entertainment.
Patty joined AETC in April of 2010 as the Practice Manager and has truly enjoyed the experience of learning the veterinary field. She loves the amazing compassionate team she works with while watching them care for the community’s pets and families.
Patty lives in Silverdale with her husband Ron. Their pet family includes their dog Crew and Lucy the cat. Patty loves spending time with her family including 3 sons, 1 daughter and 5 grandkids. During her spare time, Patty enjoys sailing, hiking, gardening, and cooking.
Amity MacKinnon, LVT | Technology and Operations Manager
Diane Gates | Leadership Administrator
Diane Gates has worked in the veterinary field for over 30 years and joined Animal Emergency & Specialty Center in 2012.
She has worked in patient care and has a long history specializing in customer service. Her extensive experience is shared with our staff as she leads classes in Client Services.
Diane is honored to be a caregiver to her mother Judy, and share her love of the Pacific Northwest with her. Her favorite things to do when not working are reading, gardening, and being on the water.
Diane has two cats, Opossum and The Panther, and is AESC’s official “Cat Lady”. She has even named our cat ward the Diane Gates Memorial Feline Ward, despite being very much alive.
Charlotte Neale, LVT, VTS (ECC) | Training Coordinator
Charlotte Neale has worked in the veterinary field since 1998. Her first 10 years were spent in shelters, followed by general practice medicine, and then emergency and specialty care. Charlotte is a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) and a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care (VTS, ECC). She has a Bachelor’s degree in Management and will soon complete her Master’s degree in Biology with an emphasis in Higher Education.
Since 2014, Charlotte has taught veterinary technology students enrolled in an Associate’s degree program. Her favorite subjects to teach are anesthesia, anatomy and physiology, and laboratory procedures. She’s originally from Western New York, but lived in Arizona from 2004 until recently. In 2022, Charlotte and her family moved to the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. She is an unapologetic “cat person” and recently branched out into an aquarist hobby.
As AESC’s Training Coordinator, Charlotte’s role in the hospital is to ensure that the staff has hands-on skills and the most current knowledge they need to care for patients, as well as to support the local veterinary community with continuing education opportunities.
Alivia Wheaton, LVT | Operations Manager of People
Alivia Wheaton graduated from UNC Wilmington with a BS in Marine Biology. While in college, she began her veterinary career as a kennel attendant in a local animal hospital. After graduation, she continued working in the veterinary field after moving to WA state, and in 2003, she became a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT). Alivia found a passion for emergency medicine and has been working with AESC in some capacity since 2003. During that time, she has continued to learn and grow as a technician, and ultimately into the People and Operations Manager she is today. Alivia is proud of the team she has helped to build and support at AESC and is dedicated to the continued growth of the hospital.
In her down time, Alivia enjoys spending time with her husband Chris, and her young children, Madi and Cash. They share their home with an energetic dog, two goldfish, and two bala sharks. Together (except for the fish), they work on a vast array of projects, explore the Kitsap Peninsula, and try to get outside as much as possible!
Nancy Hunziker LVT | Inventory Manager
Nancy Hunziker has worked in the veterinary field since 1997. Although she has worked in family practice as well, her passion has been emergency medicine. Nancy joined what was then, Animal Emergency & Trauma Center in 2001, and became a licensed veterinary technician in 2010.
After an amazing 21 years providing patient care for Animal Emergency, she has now advanced to Inventory Manager, overseeing the entire hospital inventory. Nancy has retained her LVT status and does help with patient care from time to time. (Especially if the patient is a Newfoundland!)
When not working, Nancy enjoys spending time with her grandkids and traveling. She especially loves cruises and anywhere with a beautiful beach.