Our caring and compassionate veterinary care team!

Meet the Veterinarians & Team of West Brazos Animal Center in Bryan, TX! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!

Please call us at (979) 823-5004 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members!

Dr. James M Baggs
Veterinarian

A native of West Texas, Dr. Baggs was reared on and around ranches and animals of all sizes and types. He earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture Degree from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2001. In 2006, he graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University. Before moving back to Bryan to take over West Villa Maria Veterinary Clinic in 2007, Dr. Baggs practiced large and small animal medicine near Corpus Christi, Texas. Dr. Baggs takes a special interest in Orthopaedics and soft tissue surgery. In addition, Dr. Baggs is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys spending time with his wife, Jennie, and their three children (Jarrett, Jackson, & Jessie).

Professional Memberships: Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA), Brazos Valley Veterinary Medical Association (BVVMA), and the Veterinary Orthopedic Society.

Kristen Norris, CVPM
Practice Manager

Kristen has been an important member of the West Brazos family for more than ten years. She started as a technician during her undergrad years and now has a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from Texas A&M. Kristen acts as both technician and practice manager, providing compassionate care to both pets and owners. In 2020 Kristen became a credentialed Certified Veterinary Practice Manager and an active member of several Practice Manager Associations. As our resident reptile enthusiast, she has taught the staff a great deal about reptiles and is the main reason Dr. Baggs has been seeing reptiles for the past several years. When not at the office Kristen enjoys working on her country home and spending time with her two children Luke and Lexi.

Lisa
Receptionist

Lisa is our newest receptionist, moving here from Kansas. Although new to WBAC, Lisa has been working with animals for many years including working at an animal shelter and working at a dog training and boarding facility. Lisa enjoys hiking, swimming, spending time with family and travelling. Something very interesting about Lisa is that she enjoys cultivating golden oyster mushrooms!

Shelby H
Technician Supervisor

Shelby is a 2021 A&M graduate majoring in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. Her interests include horseback riding, painting, roller-skating, reading and playing with her dogs. Something interesting about Shelby is her artistic tattoos including a t-rex! As our surgical technician Shelby helps organize our morning surgeries, monitor your pets during surgery and make sure that the mornings at West Brazos Animal Center go smoothly. Shelby has three wonderful dogs named Rory, Whitney and Dallas and a sassy kitty named Toulouse.

Ashley
DVM In-Training Class of 2025

Ashley is a 2020 TAMU graduate who majored in Biomedical Science and Entomology. She is also starting her journey through vet school at Texas A&M and is looking forward to her career as a veterinarian focusing on care for exotics and birds. In her free time Ashley enjoys hunting, fishing, painting and taxidermy. At the clinic Ashley is our exotics guru and takes a special interest in all things birds and reptiles. Ashley has her own personal zoo including Kevin the prairie dog, Cosmo the coatimundi, Worm and Noodle the ferrets and Blue the coon hound. Ashley also has several reptiles including those that she rehabilitates and adopts in conjunction with a local rescue.

Jonathan
DVM In-Training Class of 2026

Jonathan is a graduate of Texas A&M majoring in Biomedical Sciences, and will be starting at A&M Veterinary School this fall.  In his free time he enjoys disc golf, ultimate frisbee, reading, and spending time outdoors. As an avid outdoorsman Jonathan especially enjoys hiking and spending time exploring new areas. Because he spends so much time in class, exploring the outdoors and playing disc golf, his perfect pet is his betta fish Finley.

Kyndra
Vet Technician III

Kyndra joined the WBAC family in 2021 after moving to the area from San Antonio. Kyndra brightens up the clinic with her cheerful and animated energy. In her spare time Kyndra loves to spend time with her two goofy dachshunds Nixon and Constantine. Kyndra is also currently working towards becoming a Licenced Veterinary Technician

Marisa
Vet Technician

Marisa or Marrishka as we call her around the clinic is a current Poultry Science major with a BIMS minor at Texas A&M. In her free time she enjoys painting, spontaneous road trips, and collecting plants. Marisa also enjoys music festivals and listening to all genres of music. Recently Marisa added two adorable kittens to her family named Beerus and Queso! Something interesting about Marisa is that her knees are about 90 years old and sound like popping bubble wrap when she picks up patients. She has also started powerlifting which will be a fantastic skill to have with some of our giant breed patients 😉

Leila
Vet Technician

Leila is a senior Microbiology major at Texas A&M.  She plans to go to veterinary school, specializing in Animal Sonography.  Prior to vet school Leila plans to pursue her LVT and become a licensed ultrasound technician. Leila is currently a Certified Veterinary Assistant who speaks French, Spanish, English, and a bit of Mandarin.  She enjoys spending time with her three golden retrievers named Sammy, Tanner and Callie.

Nora
Vet Technician

Nora, originally from Grapevine, made the move to Bryan in 2016 where she decided she wanted to be a Licensed Veterinary Technician. Nora is a current student at Blinn and hopes to complete the LVT program by the end of 2023. Once done with school, she is hoping to become a surgery technician. Nora showed and competed with horses for 9 years and loves to relive those moments with her horse Duke. Nora’s most recent addition to the family is her feisty cat, Grover.

Emily
Vet Technician

Emily is currently majoring in Biomedical Sciences, with a minor in Entomology, at Texas A&M. Once she finishes her undergraduate degree, she plans to go to veterinary school and continue working with small animals. Emily grew up in New Jersey where she spent time skiing and horseback riding. She has enjoyed her move to Texas, but takes any chance she gets to visit her family, pet guinea pig Nibbles, and two poodles named Bogey and Briar back home.

Lacee
Vet Technician

Lacee is a current biology major at Texas A&M Rellis Campus. She plans to go to veterinary school and would love to work with small animals. Lacee has 5 years of animal and obedience training experience that she brings with her to the clinic. In her free time, she likes to go on trips with her friends and family. Lacee is also a huge music fan; she enjoys going to concerts and her current obsession is Harry Styles! Lacee is the best “corgi mom” for her pups Joseph and Juniper.  

Teagan
Vet Technician

Teagan joined the WBAC team in November of 2022. She is currently working on getting her Veterinary Technician License at Penn foster. She has been working with and around animals her entire life while growing up on a farm. She enjoys being outdoors and doing anything that includes her blue lacy, Bella.