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.
Dr. Zoe G. D. Kolkhorst
VETERINARIAN
Dr. Zoe earned her bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University in 2012 and completed her master’s degree in 2018 with a thesis on Avian Bornavirus. She graduated from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 2022 and has since been practicing both small and large animal medicine. Dr. Zoe has a special interest in ultrasound diagnostics. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, tending to her aquarium, and spending time with her husband, Justin, their dogs, Chuy and Lulu, and her Maine Coon cat, Azula.
Kristen Norris, CVPM, CPACO
HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR
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 wears many hats and is currently focused on creating a smooth transition from our current clinic to our much larger hospital and boarding facilities, while always 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.
Shelby Hasting, CVPM
PRACTICE MANAGER, VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SUPERVISOR
A 2021 Texas A&M University graduate in Wildlife and Fisheries Science, Shelby recently achieved her CVPM certification and is actively working on earning her LVT certification. She plays a key role in ensuring the clinic runs smoothly throughout the day and takes great pride in providing exceptional care for our patients. Outside of work and her studies, Shelby loves spending time with her four-legged companions: her dogs Rory, Dallas, and Whitney, and her cat Toulouse.
Lisa
CLIENT CARE SPECIALIST
Lisa joined the WBAC team after moving here from Kansas. 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!
Mara
CLIENT CARE SPECIALIST
Mara leads our Client Care team with professionalism, patience, and a huge smile. She has combined her love for animals with her years of customer service and hopes to one day get into a Vet Tech program! When she is not at work, she loves to watch crime shows, read romantic mysteries and crime books, go hiking and just hang out with her energetic Jack Russell, Daisy Mae and her sweet rescue, Violet. She have plans on traveling so many places, the list keeps on growing every day!
Rylin
CLIENT CARE SPECIALIST
Rylin is a 2nd generation Aggie expecting to graduate in 2028 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Animal Science. She hopes to get into a vet school when the time comes. She has spent her whole life growing up on a family ranch and loves animals. In her spare time she likes to talk to God, do her nails, read, and hangout with her friends.
Summer
CLIENT CARE SPECIALIST
Summer is currently an Animal Science major and Agribusiness Entrepreneurship minor at Texas A&M University. She grew up in a small town called Perrin, TX. Summer showed numerous livestock projects in FFA and hopes to pursue a career in artificial insemination in livestock! She enjoys being around livestock, shopping, and reading!
McKinley
CLIENT CARE SPECIALIST
Karen, CISSP, CPACP
INTEGRATION SPECIALIST
After many years of taking care of the WBAC computers and equipment, Karen officially joined the team and will be helping prepare for our technology expansion as we move into our new hospital/boarding facilities. She also works at our front desk where she enjoys meeting our wonderful clients and patients. Karen started her career in veterinary medicine and then ventured into a lengthy career in information technology. Returning to veterinary medicine has brought back so much joy, while still allowing her to keep a hand in the IT world. Outside of work, Karen finds joy in cultivating her garden, caring for her reptile companions, and cherishing moments with her grandkids.
Leila
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
Leila is 2024 Texas A&M Microbiology Graduate. To further her education, Leila is working towards her LVT and hopes to 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.
Teagan
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
Teagan brings a wealth of experience to our clinic, thanks to her upbringing on a farm where she developed a deep connection with animals. Her passion for animal care shines through in her work. When she’s not busy at the clinic, Teagan loves spending time outdoors with her Red Lacy, Bella and caring for her beta fish, Moby.
Alexis
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
Alexis is currently a student at Texas A&M University majoring in Animal Science and minoring in Biomedical Science. She plans to attend Veterinary School to focus on large animal and equine sports medicine. Alexis grew up around cattle and horses, and showed livestock for 10+ years. She currently helps families in her hometown of South Texas, and remains heavily involved in the stock show industry. In her free time she enjoys reading, cooking, watching movies, and spending time with her Australian shepherd Maddie.
Cioleniz
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
Cioneliz is a student at Texas A&M University, majoring in Poultry Science. She aspires to attend veterinary school in the future. Originally from Puerto Rico, she later moved to Katy, Texas. In her free time, Cioneliz enjoys watching movies, indulging in ice cream, participating in clubs, and spending quality time with her family.
Sierra
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
Sierra is currently a student at Texas A&M majoring in Wildlife and Fishery Sciences. She plans to attend Veterinary school to focus on small and exotic animals. Sierra grew up on a farm in upstate New York and had a zookeeper for a dad so she has always been surrounded by animals. In her free time Sierra loves to read, travel, participate in campus activities but most of all spend time with her little, fluffy pomeranian Dolly.
Kelsey
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
We’re excited to welcome Kelsey to the WBAC team! Kelsey is a senior Animal Science major at Texas A&M University and an active member of the women’s club soccer team. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer, working out, cooking, and spending time with friends over card and board games. Growing up with several family pets, including her dog Ditzy, her love for animals has always been a big part of her life. After gaining valuable experience working at a veterinary clinic in her hometown of Houston, Kelsey is thrilled to join us at WBAC. Recently back in Bryan-College Station, she’s looking forward to staying in the area as she works toward her goal of getting into veterinary school—fingers crossed!
Jordan
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
Jordan is currently an Animal Science major and Biomedical Sciences minor at Texas A&M University, and she hopes to eventually attend vet school to go into small animal emergency medicine. She grew up in a small town called Mont Belvieu, TX, but eventually moved to the bigger city of Houston! She grew up raising all kinds of animals such as dogs, cats, and various species for FFA. In her free time Jordan enjoys reading, hanging out with friends/family, and spending time with her dog Cali!
Kaitlyn
VETERINARY ASSISTANT
Kaitlyn is an Animal Science major from Houston, Texas who has a passion for veterinary medicine and animal welfare, and plans to pursue veterinary school to practice mixed animal medicine! Kaitlyn grew up being around and raising livestock as well as having Dobermans at home for as long as she can remember. In her free time, she loves listening to music, serving the community, watching movies, and spending time with her friends and family.
Malison
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
Malison is currently an Animal Science major and Ag Leadership minor at Texas A&M University where she will graduate in May 2026. She plans to attend veterinary school where she will pursue a career in large and small animal veterinary medicine. Malison grew up in Gunter, Texas where she raised and showed livestock, as well as worked on family ranches now and then when needed. In her free time she loves livestock shows, rodeos, concerts, hunting, fishing, and doing anything outdoors with her golden retriever Rooster.
Claire
VETERINARY ASSISTANT
Claire is a 2025 Animal Science graduate applying for veterinary schools. She has spent time learning at the Sixes, with performance equine athletes, and in small animal clinics in Houston where she grew up, but Claire is most excited to be a part of the WBAC team! In her free time she can be found camping, fly fishing, playing guitar or card games, and doing any kind of craft. Claire loves to learn new things and keep growing her ever expanding arsenal of new skills.
Addison
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
Addison graduated from East Texas A&M with a B.S. in animal science and a minor in equine science on the pre-veterinary track as a student athlete on the women’s soccer team. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Agriculture degree in animal science at Texas A&M with the goal of going to veterinary school to become a mixed animal veterinarian. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her German Shepherd, Cubby, and her friends and family, working out, fishing, trail riding, and cooking.
Brooke
VETERINARY ASSISTANT
Brooke is currently studying to get her Bachelors in Animal Science at Texas A&M. She would like to eventually have a mixed animal practice. Brooke grew up on a small ranch raising Brangus cattle and has always had horses. She used to barrel race for a few years before college! Brooke has two dogs, a corgi named Ellie and a miniature Australian shepherd named Earl who she enjoys taking on walks in her free time.
Chesney
VETERINARY ASSISTANT
Chesney has been working with animals for as long as she can remember, and she loves getting to know all kinds of them — from reptiles to the pups who just need a little extra patience. When she’s not at the clinic, she spends a lot of time involved in animal rescue, helping pets find the safe and loving homes they deserve.
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Jillian
VETERINARY ASSISTANT
Jillian is a sophomore animal science major at Texas A&M on a pre-veterinary track. She is initially from Louisiana so she loves to cook for people. She has been volunteering and working in veterinary clinics and hospitals since her freshman year of high school. Something she’s really passionate about is animal welfare, which is why she’s on Texas A&M’s animal welfare and behavior judging team! She’s super social and loves meeting and talking to our clients!
Jackson
FACILITY MAINTENANCE