Skip to main content

Our caring and compassionate veterinary care team!

Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Bear Creek Animal Clinic in Ashland! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!

Please call us at 541-488-0120 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members!

Dr. Jacqueline Church

Veterinarian

Dr. Jacqueline Church hails from Arizona. We've partnered with Oregon State Veterinary College for doctor training (preceptorship and externship) and Penn Foster for vet tech training. You may see new faces as we train the next generation of veterinary professionals.

She met her husband in vet school at Washington State University. They’ve traveled about the country practicing veterinary medicine, and chose to settle on the Rogue Valley 5 years ago. Dr Church loves all aspects of veterinary medicine. From dentistry, surgery, to hospice and end of life care. In her free time she enjoys reading, gardening, and practicing yoga with her toddler. She looks forward to continuing to build life long relationships with her patients and clients.

Dr. Gail Colbern

Veterinarian

Dr. Colbern works at the Bear Creek Animal Clinic as a relief Veterinarian. She is often with our clients providing top notch medical treatment.

Dr. Colbern received her DVM degree from UC Davis in 1982. She completed an internship in Large Animal Medicine and Surgery at University of Georgia, Athens and a residency and Master’s program in Equine Reproduction at Colorado State University, Ft. Collins. She completed Board Certification in Theriogenology (Animal Reproduction) in 1988 and a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Reproductive Immunology at the University of California, San Francisco in 1992.

During her residency and fellowship, Dr. Colbern completed extensive research on management of the transitional mare, equine endometritis, reproductive immunology and equine reproductive surgery techniques.

Upon completion of her residency, Dr. Colbern entered general equine practice in the Bay Area of Northern California. After four years of general practice, Dr. Colbern returned to research pursuits in Reproductive Immunology and, later, Cancer Immunology. She was involved in the development of four major therapeutics currently being used to treat cancer in human patients.

After retirement from research, Dr. Colbern returned to her roots of veterinary medicine and equine reproduction. She established a general veterinary practice in the GreenSprings area outside Ashland, Oregon. The GreenSprings Veterinary Service supplies general veterinary care to all animals in the GreenSprings and Lincoln, Oregon area. Dr. Colbern also provides equine reproduction specialty services to the entire Rogue Valley.

Dr. Ema Thigpin

Veterinarian

Dr. Ema Thigpin is a native of the Rogue Valley, born in Ashland and raised in Talent. She received her Bachelor's degree from Colorado State University and her Veterinary degree from Oregon State University. After vet school, she completed a one year internship in Alberta, Canada before returning home to start practicing in 2015. Dr. Ema is married to her highschool sweetheart and they have a wonderful son.

Dr. Rachel Stawski

Veterinarian

Dr. Rachel Stawski was raised in Yreka, California, completed undergraduate studies at Oregon State University, and graduated from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. She completed a one year internship program at Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group in Ventura, California, and went on to practice throughout the US. She is so excited to be back home in the Rogue Valley.

Dr. Rachel’s veterinary interests include dentistry, surgery, and urgent care. In her free time she enjoys being outside with her husband and two children, learning how to play the fiddle, horseback riding, and leading an enthusiastic troop of Girl Scouts.

Portia Robillard

VPM

Portia has embraced her "cat-lady" tendencies with pride, having four beautiful cats that share their house with her. She has a predominately business management and leadership background that she brings to the Bear Creek team, and has always had a deep love and appreciation for all animals. She is passionate about compassionate care and supporting strong, thriving teams that provide quality service with the patient's best interest at heart; BCAC is the perfect home for her. In her free time, she loves to read, watch movies, and loves being in the great outdoors with her husband.

Kayla Weisz

Veterinary Assistant

Kayla Weisz has over 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine and worked in numerous specialty hospitals throughout California and Oregon. She brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to our patients, clients, and hospital. Kayla was born and raised in the Rogue Valley and is excited to be serving her community at Bear Creek Animal Clinic.

In her free time Kayla enjoys several artistic pursuits such as painting, sewing, and jewelry-making. She loves hiking and swimming and is particularly fond of cold plunges.

Max Ashworth

Veterinary Assistant

Hello everyone! I’m Max! I’m a US Marine who decided to live the happy life of taking care of those who can’t speak for themselves. I have been a veterinary assistant for a little over 5 years now and it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made. I am originally from Mesa, AZ, but I moved out here in September of 2024. I look forward to not only taking care of your fur babies but also supporting you and their needs.