Karen Wolf, MS, DVM, DACZM, is our head veterinarian.

She received a master’s degree from University of Maryland in partnership with the Smithsonian National Zoo focusing on the reproductive physiology of the endangered black footed ferret. She then earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.

After receiving her DVM, she completed a one-year internship in small animal medicine at a busy private practice in Arizona, followed by a yearlong internship in zoological medicine at Kansas State University. She then completed a three-year residency program in zoological medicine at the North Carolina State University with the majority of her time spent at the North Carolina Zoo.

Dr. Wolf is board certified in zoological medicine. She relocated to Washington to fulfill her dream of becoming a full-time zoo veterinarian. She loves the lushness of the Pacific Northwest and doesn’t mind the rain. She likes to travel and explore nature with her dogs, family and friends.

Cassidy Soehnlein, DVM is one of our Associate Veterinarians

Dr. Soehnlein earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine.

After receiving her DVM, she completed a one-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery in Tampa, Florida followed by a yearlong internship in zoological medicine at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. During her time at the Zoo, she also spent time working with the veterinary team at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. She fell in love with the staff, the collection, and the Pacific Northwest. She is grateful to have joined the team after her internship as an associate veterinarian for both Point Defiance Zoo and Northwest Trek.

Dr. Soehnlein is originally from Florida, but has gladly exchanged palm trees and sunshine for mountains and rain. She loves spending time outside including hiking, kayaking, or longboarding. She has her own little zoo at home with two dogs, three cats and two red-footed tortoises.

Julie Lemon, LVT is one of our clinical veterinary technicians, who support the veterinary team for procedures, lab work, animal treatments and more.

She graduated in 1997 from the veterinary technician program at the State University of New York, Delhi. After interning at Cincinnati Zoo and Indianapolis Zoo, she worked at Lincoln Park Zoo, and began at Point Defiance in 2001.

Julie loves animals and has a golden retriever and a rescued Great Pyrenees/border collie cross at home, plus three horses too!

Read her story here.

Sara Dunleavy, BS, AAS, LVT is one of our clinical veterinary technicians, who support the veterinary team for procedures, lab work, animal treatments and more.

Sara earned her Bachelor of Science in ecology and conservation biology, and has worked as a veterinary technician at Pima Medical Institute (Seattle), the Smithsonian Zoo (Washingon, D.C.) and Pender Veterinary Centre (Virginia).

She loves outside adventure: traveling, hiking, backpacking rock climbing, cycling, mountain biking and ultimate frisbee.

Read her story here.

Bianca Martin, AAS, CVT is one of our clinical veterinary technicians, who support the veterinary team for procedures, lab work, animal treatments and more.

Bianca earned her associate of applied science degree at Cedar Valley College in Texas and has spent most of her career in small animal emergency and critical care practice. She transitioned into zoo medicine in 2022, fulfilling a temporary position at the Oregon Zoo and joined the health care team at Point Defiance Zoo in January 2023. Her favorite thing about working in the zoo veterinary field is how much collaboration goes into the animal’s care. The vet team often works alongside or consults with other veterinary specialists to care for our large variety of species. Being a veterinary technician requires constant learning and adaptation, which is very exciting.

When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time in the wilderness, exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her partner and two dogs, bird watching, wildlife photography, kayaking, hiking, and crafting.

Emily Mattox, BS, MBA, is our Animal Records and Regulatory Affairs Administrator. She manages our animal records, policies and permits, as well as keeping veterinary medical records and supports the veterinary team.

Emily has a bachelor degree in biology and animal sciences from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee; and an MBA from the University of Florida. She has worked as a keeper and registrar at the Racine Zoological Gardens, and as registrar at the Milwaukee County Zoo and Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment.