Dr. Kristen Pierson grew up outside Burlington on her family farm. She spent her childhood surrounded by many wonderful critters—-dogs, cats, hamsters, rabbits, fish, and horses—-but it was her paint horse, TJ, who influenced her career choice the most. She was certain she’d grow up to be an equine veterinarian one day. Kristen and TJ, born the same year, spent their teens traveling around the Pacific Northwest competing. They even made it to Oklahoma one summer for the Pinto World Championship Show. Through her horse-showing endeavors Kristen learned patience, determination, and perseverance, which proved to be important skills for her career as a veterinarian.

After graduating from Burlington-Edison High School and Skagit Valley College via the Running Start program, Kristen attended Washington State University where she completed her Bachelor’s of Science in Zoology. She was admitted to the College of Veterinary Medicine at WSU that same year as part of the class of 2010. Upon graduation she accepted her first position as an associate veterinarian at Chuckanut Valley Veterinary Clinic in Burlington. She practiced mixed animal medicine for several years, as well as feline-only medicine at the Chuckanut Feline Center in Bellingham. Her first major career move took place in 2017, shortly after the birth of her first child, when she accepted a small animal position at a private practice in Bellingham. Most recently Kristen has been seeing small animals at an independent clinic in northern Whatcom County. Dr. Pierson particularly enjoys dentistry and surgery. She is also a certified veterinary acupuncturist.

Outside of the clinic you can find Dr. Pierson raising her beautiful children (daughters Maeben and Lucy, and stepson Henry), and spending time with her oh-so-patient and supportive partner, Danny. Though she doesn’t have much of it, in her spare time she enjoys cycling, baking, gardening, and traveling. Dr. Pierson has a golden retriever named Judy, a cat named Fraidy, a flock of chickens, and a herd of horses (Tula, Doc, Macaroni, and another Lucy).