Dr. Brawner is an Auburn native who graduated from Auburn High School in 1990 before moving on to Auburn University where he obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Zoology prior to attending the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. He obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2001 and accepted a job as an associate veterinarian at Carriage Hills Animal Hospital in Montgomery where he spent eight and a half years before coming back home to Auburn to take over as the owner and primary veterinarian of PetVet Animal Health Center. Dr. Brawner’s areas of professional interest include preventive medicine and wellness care, dentistry and oral surgery, and soft tissue surgery.

Dr. Brawner is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Feline Practitioners, and the Foundation for Veterinary Dentistry. He is also Fear Free Certified.

While in Montgomery, Dr. Brawner met his wife Meredith. They were married in September of 2003 and the couple now has four children, Will, Anna Kathryn, Jack, and John Thomas. They also have three dogs: Molly, Charlie and Josie; four cats: Gnat, Leo,  Pumpkin and Mable; one pig named Poppy, and a small flock of chickens. Dr. Brawner and Meredith are excited to be in Auburn and enjoy the opportunity to serve and be a part of this great community.

Dr. Starla Riggs joined the PetVet staff as our second veterinarian in February of 2014 and became a partner in the business in January of 2021.  She is a 2013 graduate of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to attending the AUCVM, she obtained her undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, from Auburn University.

Dr. Riggs is originally from Monroeville, Alabama, and moved to Auburn in 2004 to attend Auburn University. She met her husband, Jason, during her time as an undergraduate, and the couple was married in 2007. Jason is an attorney in Opelika who works primarily with the family court as a guardian ad litem. The couple has two children, Isaac and Hanna Kate. In addition to their children, Starla and Jason have a Golden Retriever named Lexie, and a cat named Gully.

Dr. Riggs’ professional interests include emergency medicine, ultrasonography, preventive medicine, and soft tissue surgery. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association, and is Fear Free Certified.

Dr. Kileigh Speed is the newest addition to our team of doctors. She graduated from the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2019 following completion of her undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Sciences, also from Auburn University. She is originally from Dothan, AL and recalls wanting to become a veterinarian from the age of 3 years old. So she’s living her lifelong dream. She spent much of her time growing up gearing herself towards that goal, including working with us as a veterinary assistant prior to veterinary school (some of you may know her from that time).

Dr. Speed is married to another practicing veterinarian, Dr. Zac Hassler, whom she met during her undergraduate time at Auburn. She currently has a Catahoula named Murphy and enjoys taking him on adventures whenever possible. She also has four other dogs named Ellie, Nilla, Yoda, and Ewok that spend most of their time in Dothan with her parents, but she still claims them as her own. While away from the clinic, Dr. Speed enjoys watching movies, photography, drawing, and spending time with her friends and family (furry friends included).

Dr. Speed’s professional interests include emergency medicine, soft tissue surgery, behavior, and furthering the human-animal bond with great client communication and detailed patient care. She is currently a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association, and is Fear Free Certified.

Dr. Ron Montgomery earned his DVM, (cum laude), in 1982 and M.S. (Thesis on Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture) in 1987, both from Auburn University. He became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1988.

After brief faculty appointments at U.A.B. Medical School and Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Montgomery returned to Auburn in 1990 where he continuously taught and performed surgery until 2015. While there, he served as chief of surgery, director of the Southeastern Raptor Program, was voted Teacher of the Year, and awarded the Bruce Pratt distinguished Professorship.

He has authored 53+ refereed or invited scientific publications; 34 proceedings and abstracts; and has had over 50 contracts and grants. Dr. Montgomery has chaired committees for the American College of Veterinary Surgeons Symposium (1996, 1997), A.C.V.S. Program (1994, 1995), and the A.C.V.S. Exhibits (1993).

His research interests were Orthopedic Implants and Physical Therapy. Research awards include the Albert Triat Award, and International Knee Society co-author.

Upon his retirement from Auburn in 2015, Dr. Montgomery was voted Professor Emeritus by the faculty and administration.

We are happy to have Dr. Montgomery here at PetVet Animal Health Center. He is available on a referral basis to see orthopedic surgical cases as well as lameness evaluations and to consult on medical management of orthopedic conditions. Examples of some of the procedures performed at our hospital include: TPLO procedures for stabilization of cruciate ruptures, patella luxation stabilization, fracture repair, mass removals, OCD, FCP, FHO, biceps tendon release, exploratory surgery, joint surgery, arthrodesis, biopsies, foreign body removal, TECA, and more.

When Dr. Montgomery is not busy treating pets, he enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, college sports, and travel. His current pets include dogs, cats, and horses.

Alex Cervasio

Alex is another friendly face at our front desk and also works diligently behind the scenes organizing all things office related. She was born in Atlanta, spent 3 years in Dothan, and moved to Auburn in August of 2016 when she joined us here at PetVet. Alex is currently a part-time student with aspirations of becoming a pharmacist in the future. She feels there is nothing greater than relationships and enjoys having the ability to connect with people through their pets. You can find her unique arts and crafts through her Etsy page, FaithfulBee Designs. She also loves to read and play board games in her free time. She has five furry companions: Boomer, a beagle mix; Rue, a chonky calico; Duke, a Boxer-mix; Baby Kitty, the world’s best cat; and Harley, a domestic long-hair who had his chin sutured with a button as a small kitten.

Connie

Connie is one of the smiling faces you will meet when you walk through the front door. She has been working with us as a client service representative since 2017.  Her and her husband, Marc, have 2 children Kristin and Logan. They currently reside in Montgomery and she makes the drive to work with us at PetVet everyday. She loves working here, giving smooches to all the new puppies. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family and three fur babies: Maddie, Molly and Mya. 

Katie

Katie has been with us as a client service representative for less than one year. She is originally from Alexander City but moved to Auburn in 2017 and joined our staff in 2021. For as long as she can remember, she has had a great connection with animals; she loves to be around them but also loves helping owners. Getting to know owners and their pets is extremely rewarding for her. The happiness pets bring her is a great feeling and hopes to one day attend school to become a veterinarian. In her free time, she enjoys reading; her favorite book is The Silent Patient; traveling to visit her fiance who is currently serving in the army; and playing board games. She currently has a four year old maltipoo named Bruno and his favorite activity is napping with his mom.

Ashley

Ashley is our Licensed Veterinary Technician. She joined PetVet 8 years ago and is currently our longest employee! Although she was raised as a military brat moving around to new places often, she spent most of her high school years in Enterprise, AL before moving to Auburn 10 years ago. She received a bachelor’s degree in Zoology in May 2014, an associate degree in the Veterinary Technician program in May 2021, and passed her VTNE which credentialled her as a Licensed Veterinary Technician in December 2021. Her love for veterinary medicine started early at the age of 5 and she has spent her life knowing she wants to work with animals. In her spare time, she enjoys working on her house in Auburn and visiting her parents in Enterprise. She is a lover of all things Disney, Harry Potter, and Criminal Investigation shows. She currently has two lively doggos: Princess Leia a rescue Beagle mix and Daisy a rescue Jack Russell Terrier. She is allowed to share a home with her cat Lady Sif who is a longhair domestic originally found in the dumpster as a kitten.

Chris

Chris is our surgical assistant. Whenever your pet visits us for any surgical procedure, Chris is our guy behind the scenes monitoring their anesthesia. Originally from New York, he made his way south in 1995 and has resided in Prattville, AL since. Chris first met Dr. Brawner while working with him in Montgomery and joined him at PetVet 5 years ago. Outside of work, he enjoys numerous activities to occupy his time. His greatest passion is photography, and he enjoys the opportunity to capture images of landscapes, birds, and herps both locally and across the country. He is an avid hard rock music fan and can often be found in the concert crowd on the weekends. Chris has numerous furry companions at home including several Shetland Sheepdogs, English Pointers, one Clumber Spaniel, one Frenchie, and a cat who likely very much thinks she is a dog.

Giselle

Giselle is one of our exam room assistants. She is originally from Clearwater, Florida but has lived in Auburn for the past 4 years. While in Florida, she received her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from The University of Florida before making her way to the loveliest village on the plains. Giselle has always had a passion for making a difference in the lives of animals and their owners, and over the course of her three years at PetVet has gained a remarkable ability to educate and build relationships with clients. In her time away from work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter; outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and going to the beach; traveling to new places; and visiting her family in Florida. Giselle has three wellloved pups: Kingsley, Wiley, and Molly who also serves as a therapy dog for patients in hospitals and nursing homes. She was recently accepted into Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine class of 2026 and will transition into a part time role while she attends vet school over the next four years.

Karris

Karris is one of our exam room assistants. She is originally from Millbrook, AL but has made Auburn home for the last 6 years. Karris has always wanted to work with animals for as long as she can remember initiated by an experience as a little girl with a caring veterinarian and one of her family pets. She has a little boy named Jaxson who keeps her constantly in motion outside of work – he has therapy three times a week, is in school part time, loves the park, and being at his favorite place Surge Trampoline Park. Karris plans to attend school to obtain her veterinary technician license once Jax enters school full time. She currently shares her heart with three furry companions: Skylar, a border collie mix she adopted 4 years ago; Sookie, a Siamese mix who came in to PetVet as a stray and captured Karris’ heart; and Sisu, her newest rescue kitten.

Amanda

Amanda is one of our exam room assistants. She is originally from Birmingham, AL where she graduated from The University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. She has lived in Auburn for 7 years and has been with us at PetVet for 3 years. Veterinary medicine has been a passion of hers since she was 3 years old, initially out of a love for working with animals but her interest has grown into building relationships with clients. Her free time is filled with time at the park, skydiving along with other adrenaline rush outdoor activities, and spending time with her friends and family. She is partial to Huskies and currently has three: Duchess, Duke, and Gypsy. Her home is also made to be quite entertaining by her kitty Oliver named from her favorite movie Oliver & Company.

Morgan

Morgan served our boarding guests during her first year with us but has transitioned into the role of exam room assistant. Originally from Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, she has had a passion to work with animals her entire life. She received her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Virginia Tech in 2017. Morgan has a love for adventure, traveling cross country via car three times with her travel companion Cooper, a 3-year-old rescue Boxer mix. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and cooking.

Emily

Emily is a part-time exam room assistant who is originally from Montgomery, AL. Emily is currently a student at Auburn University majoring in Animal Science Pre-Vet with a minor in Public Health with aspirations to attend vet school following graduation. She wants to help care for pets because she is passionate for the well-being of animals, and it brings her joy to be able to help veterinarians care for them. In her time away from work and school, she loves to play basketball, spend time at Chewacla with her dog, going to the gym and doing yoga. She currently has a 4-year-old Border Collie mix named Sadie who loves to speak, play dead, and play basketball with Emily.

Mary Graf

Mary Graf joined our staff in May 2021 as an assistant in our boarding area. Originally from Mobile, AL, she moved to Auburn 1 year ago to become a full-time student. She is currently majoring in Integrative Biology and Pre-Vet at Auburn University with plans to attend vet school following graduation. Her long-term goal following graduation from vet school is to work with both companion and exotic animals, which developed after caring for her own bearded dragon. She feels they can be very misunderstood, and she would love to be able to share her great experiences with others. In addition to her bearded dragon named Little Foot, she also has a cat named Puck. Her time outside of work is spent at school, studying, and crocheting.

Jackson

Jackson joined our staff in June 2021 as an assistant in our boarding area. He is from Helena, AL and moved to Auburn in the fall of 2020 to attend Auburn University as an Integrative Biology major with aspirations to attend vet school. Jackson feels that doing a job where he can help others and their animals is extremely fulfilling. He currently has a chocolate lab named Milo who loves car rides, hugs, and peanut butter. In his free time, he plays the bass for the Auburn University Jazz Combo.