Meet the Team
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Steven Guzman, DVM
Owner & Veterinarian Dr. Guzmán graduated from Texas A&M University in 2013 and has practiced mixed animal medicine since. Raised in nearby Manor, TX, he enjoyed raising a variety of animals including dogs, cats, and a family dairy cow.
He and his wife Kassi and their three children live on a farm with their Blue Heeler, Tally, and enjoy spending time with family and friends. While not at the clinic, Dr. Guzmán enjoys boating, hunting, fishing and serving at their church. Nicole Benard, DVM
Veterinarian Dr. Benard completed her undergraduate and veterinary schooling at Texas A&M. Growing up in Central Texas, she has lived and worked on small farms with a menagerie of animals: from cats, dogs, goats, horses, backyard birds and a parrot, to fish, toads, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and a turtle!
She is certified in Fear Free handling and is currently working towards becoming certified in veterinary acupuncture. When not at the clinic or busy entertaining her cats at home, Dr. Benard spends most of her time rock climbing, running, hiking, and making up new recipes. She enjoys volunteering with Christian Veterinary Missions and hopes to continue with them in the future! |
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John Frizell
Practice Manager John was born and raised in the area, and after living in Colorado, and then northern Arizona, for the last several years, he is very excited to be back home again! With 40 years of leadership and management experience, John is thrilled to be joining the team at Deep Roots. He has two daughters, two kittens, and the world's best therapy dog that keeps him busy! His favorite quote is by James Herriot, and says, “If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans." He is looking forward to providing the clients and pets at Deep Roots Animal Clinic with exceptional service and care!
Patrick McManus
Head Surgical Technician Patrick has had a passion for animals since he was a boy. This led him into a career as a veterinary technician, where he has gained nearly a decade of experience working professionally with animals.
Married, a father of 2, and a pet owner of 3 dogs and a bird, he lives in a very busy and full house! When he is not working he enjoys bowling, taking his daughter to ballet, taking his son to basketball, and just spending time with his family. He is excited to meet the clients and pets that come to Deep Roots Animal Clinic! Samantha Fohn
Veterinary Technician Samantha grew up in Bastrop, TX, and as a child always had animals around: dogs, cats, chickens, horses and rabbits! She started working in the veterinary field in high school as kennel staff at a nearby clinic. She attended college at Texas State for a degree in Animal Science while improving her skills as a tech at King’s Highway Animal Clinic. After graduation, she went to work with whitetail deer for a few summers.
Upon returning home, she worked as a vet tech again and is always ready to grow and learn new skills. She spends most of her time off at home with her husband and daughter, playing with their Husky/Shepherd mix, Kallie, and their 2 cats Romeo and Tigerr! Racheal Mata
Veterinary Technician Originally from Philadelphia, Rachael has lived in Texas for 23 years. She has been in the veterinary field since 2007, and graduated from ACC in 2018 with an Associates in Liberal Arts and Pre-health sciences. She has been married for 11 years and stays busy with her daughter, her dog, Dante, and her cat, Autumn. She enjoys crocheting, fishing, painting, and horseback riding.
Jess Deon
Veterinary Technician Gabriela Mancera
Veterinary Technician Gabriela recently moved to the Austin area to attend Texas State University in pursuit of a Masters of Social Work degree. Although fairly new to the veterinary field, she is eager to further her knowledge. She has spent most her life surrounded by dogs and horses.
A long time goal of hers is to help individuals battling PTSD by creating an animal assisted therapy program with horses and dogs. She enjoys her free time by reading, doing photography, and hanging out with her dog. Grace McCoy
Kennel Technician Although born in Florida, Grace was raised around Austin, Texas for most of her life and has always had a passion for befriending and caring for animals. While working at a pet store fresh out of high school, she decided to further her career and expand her knowledge of animals by joining the Deep Roots team and enrolling in school to earn an associate’s degree.
In her free time, Grace loves going on hikes, writing stories, and can be commonly found floating the San Marcos river. She has a little old tortoiseshell kitty cat named Zoe, whom she loves dearly. She dreams of one day opening an animal sanctuary or rehabilitation center for neglected animals, preferably sea turtles. Sarah Pocock
Receptionist Sarah was born and raised in Austin, TX. She began her career with animals in 2013, working for four years as a front-office administrator, and veterinary technician for a clinic in Austin. After having her third baby, she decided to stay home with her children for a few years, until recently when she joined the team at Deep Roots! She has always enjoyed working with animals and has fur babies of her own: Fenix, her mini Australian Shepherd, and her newest addition, a kitten named Jolene.
Being a single mom of three keeps her on her toes. On her off time she is either poolside, hiking with her kids, or busy with her favorite hobby: photography. |