VETERINARIAN
Marie Lance, DVM
Growing up, Dr. Lance knew she would one day be a veterinarian. She began pursuing her goal when attending Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Graduating with a BS degree in Animal Science in 1990, she then attended the University of Georgia College for Veterinary Medicine. Receiving her doctorate in 1994, she has since successfully practiced veterinary medicine in hospitals located in Gwinnett and Hall Counties. She has studied Chinese medicine exclusively at the Chi Institute. Her field of practice has encompassed both large and small animals including horses, cattle, sheep, goats, alpacas, llamas, pocket pets and of course dogs and cats.
Her special interests lie in the fields of internal and complementary medicine, reproduction, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine and herbal therapy. Dr. Lance is active in the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Holistic Veterinary Association, and the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association and supports the local service canine units for search and rescue and law enforcement.
Lance Animal Hospital is the culmination of Dr. Lance’s vision to develop an integrative veterinary center that addresses the unique needs of each individual animal. It is her goal to administer the best care possible by integrating traditional medicine and complementary medicine in order to achieve a healthy, well-balanced pet.
NATURAL HEALING COORDINATOR
Davorin Bozja
Davorin completed his veterinary studies at the University of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1981. Davorin did his postgraduate studies from small animals at the University of Zagreb in Croatia in 1989. He received his certification in Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (VOM) in 2000. Davorin has attended many workshops including: small animal acupressure, traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, intensive pet massage at PET massage institute, advanced veterinary cold laser therapy training, aroma therapy training, and advanced veterinary cold laser therapy training. He is also an advanced Reiki master in Usui/Tibetian system. Davorin was recognized as a Board member of the International Association of Animal Massage and Body work in 2005. His awareness of various healing modalities is a valuable assets to our integrative practice.
OFFICE MANAGER
Heather Cliatt-Reese
Heather has been working with Lance Animal Hospital since 2011. Heather came to Lance after working with Animal Care Center of Suwanee for 15 years. She has always been an animal lover, doing pet sitting when she was growing up in Duluth GA. She has always rescued dogs and cats and found them good permanent homes. She also has seven rescue animals of her own. Five of the animals have come from Lance Animal Hospital. She has a total of 10 dogs and 1 cat. She lives in Dawsonville with her husband, Anthony, and her 20-year-old son. They also have the love of animals just like Heather. When she is not at work she is hanging out with family and friends canoeing the rivers and rescuing more animals.
ASSOCIATE VETERINARIAN
Dr. Tristan Sommers
Dr. Tristan Sommers, associate veterinarian, received her bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine at Lincoln Memorial University.
She is originally from Oxford, Alabama, but now lives here in Gainesville, Georgia with her husband (also a veterinarian), cat (a tuxedo named Bigote) and dog (a tuxedo named Quatro).
Dr. Sommers will be available for mobile veterinary services for routine vaccinations, diagnostics, and evaluating minor health concerns, servicing cats, dogs, horses, and small ruminants. Dr. Sommers will also be available for emergency services on a limited basis. She will be serving Hall, Forsyth, Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Habersham, and other surrounding counties.
Outside of work, Dr. Sommers enjoys hiking, reading books, playing video games, and watching movies. She hopes to one day visit every National Park in the United States (she has currently visited 8 National Parks).
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Sommers to Lance Animal Hospital! To schedule an appointment or learn more about the mobile veterinary services being offered, as well as hours of operation, please call (770) 503-7387.
VETERINARY ASSISTANTS
Jill Zabiegala
Jill has always been an animal lover since she was a little girl. She loved growing up with her horse, Topper, competing and training in Show Jumping from the time she was 8 years old. She joined the Lance Animal Hospital team in 2015 and has loved every minute of it. She and her 6 dogs enjoy a variety of dog sports including Retriever Field Trials, dog agility, and water sports. Jill enjoys spending time outdoors with her boyfriend and her daughter when she’s not at work.
Tiffany Birge
Tiffany is a seasoned veterinary technician who has been working in the field since the age of 16. She joined Lance Animal Hospital over a decade ago and quickly established herself as a dedicated and compassionate member of the team. Although she had to leave the hospital due to illness and a move back to her hometown, Tiffany was thrilled to return to her family at Lance Animal Hospital four years ago.
Since returning, Tiffany has worked her way back up from kennel attendant to her current role as a surgery technician. Her extensive experience and knowledge of veterinary medicine make her an invaluable member of the hospital team. Tiffany is passionate about providing exceptional care to all her furry patients and finds great satisfaction in seeing them thrive under her care.
When not at work, Tiffany enjoys spending time with her beloved fur kids: Stella, Dani, Elivis and Chanel. She also has a love for gaming, 4-wheeling, fishing, and spending quality time with her family. With her dedication to animal care and her extensive knowledge of veterinary medicine, Tiffany is a true asset to the veterinary field.
Brittney Preston
Brittney was born in Greenville, SC and has lived in Gainesville, GA for the past 27 years. She attended the University of North Georgia. Brittney has been in the veterinary field for 10 years. She started as a receptionist at Murrayville Vet Clinic and then became a veterinary technician. She always wanted to be either a marine biologist or a veterinarian.
Brittney joined Lance Animal Hospital in December of 2022. Since she was a little girl, she has loved animals in all shapes and sizes. She enjoys spending time with her dogs, taking them camping, hiking, and to the lake. She currently has two dogs, Mikaela (Siberian Huskey), and Shiva (Alaskan Klee Kai), Kavu (Ball Python), Artemis (Hamster) and Aqua (Betta Fish).
Kyler Olson
While Kyler was born in Lansing, MI, he grew up and still live in Gainesville, GA. Currently Kyler is a student at the University of North Georiga working on his bachelors degree in Biology. Upon graduation, Kyler plans to pursue his veterinary degree at the University of Georgia. Kyler has wanted to become a vet since he was a young boy. He currently has a golden-doodle named Doc. Kyler is family-oriented, loves to learn new things, and is always ready to help those in need.
RECEPTIONISTS
Tonya Deemer, Head Receptionist
Tonya joined the team at Lance Animal Hospital in Spring of 2017 after working with Alpharetta Animal Hospital for 9 years. While she was most drawn to the family atmosphere at Lance, she really loves the opportunity to meet and spend time with the elder dogs and cats that may have special needs. It was after her own pet, Flash, her Great Dane, was diagnosed and later passed from Cancer, that she took a real interest in the different approaches with diet and holistic medications. She enjoys learning something new at work everyday. When she is not working, her favorite past time is cooking for her boyfriend Chris and their three hungry boys Champ (German Shepherd), Nemo (Lab Mix) and Chuckie Cheese (Rottie Mix)……..and sometimes their four cats!
Denise Mathis
I`m Denise Mathis, I`ve been with lance Animal Hospital for 10 years. In the business for 16 years. I am lead Receptionist. My main concern is our clients and taking care of their pets and making sure all is copacetic. I love being the voice for them!
I have one daughter, 38. She`s in Business Insurance in Atlanta and the light of my life, my best friend!
I have 4 pets: Meji (Chihuahua), Chewlay (Papillon), Haley Sue(Australian Cattle Dog) and Trip (golden). All were rescued from or with the help of Lance Animal Hospital. They are all geriatric, except Trip who is a wonderful 3-legged fellow. All have a lot of life in them and keep me laughing. My life would be very boring without my Fur Babies!
Dorene Deeter
Dorene has been with Lance Animal Hospital since 2022. She married her high school sweetheart, Greg and spent the first 21 years traveling the world as an Air Force wife. Having a great love for animals, she was drawn to the veterinary field and has filled many roles for several animal hospitals throughout her career. At Lance Animal Hospital she is excited to learn how alternative medicine, combined with modern medicine, plays a part in keeping pets happy, healthy, and living longer lives. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with clients and works hard to provide great customer care. Dorene has two adult children, a daughter-in-law, and two amazing grandsons that she visits as often as she can. She and Greg share their home with her two dogs, Lakai and Finn. In her free time, she loves to hike, exercise, cook and read.
KENNEL / BOARDING
David Latimer
David works in the kennel and boarding area of the hospital. He immigrated to the United States 12 years ago following a 22 year career with the British Army Medical Services, practicing as a dental hygienist in Cyprus, West Germany and West Berlin, several years teaching at the RADC Headquarters in England and retiring as a senior Warrant Officer producing all dental health audiovisual programs for worldwide distribution. This was followed by 10 years with Vodafone, at that time the largest European cell phone carrier. Thanks to his army career he is well-traveled, and the United States is his 23rd country visited. His two great loves are English Springer spaniels and photography, both of which are evident at the hospital – two walls of photographs and a goofy black and white Springer named Buddy.