Meet the Team 

Steven Guzmán, 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 live on a farm with their children and 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.
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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!

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!

Samantha Fohn
Head 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!

Jess Deon
Veterinary Technician

Originally from Louisiana, Jess moved to the Austin area in 2015 when her husband started physical therapy school.  Jess graduated in May 2020 from Texas State University with her bachelor's degree in agriculture and animal science, with hopes of one day going to veterinary school.
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In her free time, Jess likes to travel and go to concerts with her husband.  Jess currently has 1 cat named Kitty and 3 dogs named Nikko, Natty and Reid.  Jess also enjoys working out and spending a majority of her time outdoors.

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.