Meet the Team at Animal Medical Center

Dr. Laura Cauthen

DVM

Laura Cauthen, DVM, is the owner and founder of Animal Medical Center of Tyler. A Mount Vernon, Texas native, Dr. Cauthen received her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M–Commerce. She completed her DVM degree at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. She spent three years acting as Chief of Staff in a Tyler area veterinary practice before founding Animal Medical Center of Tyler in 2011.

Dr. Cauthen and her staff are committed to offering only the highest quality veterinary care. She has a special interest in oncology, soft tissue surgery, and dermatology. Dr. Cauthen enjoys all aspects of small animal practice, especially forming lifelong relationships with clients and their pets.

Dr. Cauthen has been married to her husband Jason for 16 years, and they have four children: Journey, age 12; Lillie age 8; Luke, age 5; and Beau, age 4. Dr. Cauthen and her family are members of Dayspring United Methodist Church. When not at work, Dr. Cauthen is an avid tennis player and enjoys spending time with her extended family.

She is a member of several veterinary organizations, including the East Texas Veterinary Medical Association (ETVMA) and the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA).

Dr. Joy Neely

DVM

Joy Neely, DVM, has called East Texas home for most of her life. Upon graduation from Lindale High School, she attended Texas A&M University, graduating with a degree in Biomedical Science in 1998. After four years of veterinary school, she graduated in 2002 from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. Her career has had many twists and turns, resulting in unique experiences that have developed her skills and kept life interesting. She began her career as a small animal and equine practitioner. Later, she narrowed her focus to small animal medicine and veterinary practice ownership in the Denton area for several years before deciding to move back to East Texas.

Once back home, she continued her career in small animal medicine and surgery. She was also offered a position at the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Texas, as a veterinarian working on animals of all shapes and sizes! She has had the opportunity to work on everything from parakeets to elephants! This challenging job has honed her veterinary skills and knowledge of many new species. She continues to be a consulting zoo veterinarian at Caldwell Zoo but has made Animal Medical Center her home base to practice small animal and exotic pet medicine. Dr. Neely loves all aspects of veterinary medicine and the challenges it can bring on a day-to-day basis. Even after 20 years in the industry, she still loves the people, the pets, and the profession of veterinary medicine.

Dr. Neely is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, and the East Texas Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Neely, her husband, Rex, and their 8-year-old son, Luke, are long-time members of Rose Heights Church in Lindale. The family enjoys helping Luke in the practice pen and hauling him to compete at youth rodeos across the state in their spare time. Most everything the family does centers around animals!

Ellen Butler

Office Manager

Ellen Butler is our office manager and has been a founding staff member of AMC Tyler since our opening in 2011. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UT Tyler in 2016. When not helping pets and their owners at AMC Tyler, she enjoys playing with her dogs, Henry and Buster, taking care of her nieces and nephews, and spending time with her family. Ellen loves all animals but has a special place in her heart for “big goofy dogs.” Her favorite part of working at AMC Tyler is being able to aid in the process of helping sick pets become healthy again.

Lauren Murrell

LVT

Lauren is a licensed veterinary technician from Washington state who has worked in the veterinary field since 2006. Her work interests include surgical procedures and anesthesia. When not helping pets at AMC, Lauren enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and very handsome pug, Bentley.

Dee Carruthers

Receptionist

Dee Carruthers is originally from Mt. Pleasant, Texas. She has worked with animals for over six years at veterinary clinics and zoos. She has a love for all animals but especially kittens. She enjoys being at home with her cats and dog and painting in her spare time.

Celeste Driggs

Groomer

Celeste Driggs has been grooming for over 20 years. Originally from Arlington, she moved to the Tyler area in 2004. She has two daughters, Elena and Anna, and the Great Pyrenees named Roxy. Her favorite pets to groom are large dogs of any breed!

Alyssa Perkins

Veterinary Assistant

Alyssa was born and raised in Tyler, TX, and has been interested in the veterinary field since the 6th grade. She has a dog and two cats; her favorite breed is the Great Dane. She enjoys hanging out with her friends and shopping in her spare time.

Emily Brady

Groomer/Veterinary Assistant

Originally from Las Vegas, Emily now resides in Whitehouse with her three daughters and multiple pets. Emily has been grooming since 2010 and also has many technician skills. When not pampering her clients’ fur babies, she loves spending time with her daughters and their zoo of animals including dogs, chickens, a guinea pig, and hairless cats! Emily loves all animals but has a special place in her heart for senior pets. Her favorite part of working at AMC is building lasting bonds with our clients.

Magen Elliott

Veterinary Assistant

Initially looking to become a high school English teacher, Magen realized her passion was helping pets. She completed her Associate in Veterinary Technology degree at Tyler Junior College in May 2019. She enjoys unusual cases and providing client education. At home, she finds comfort in the company of her daughter, two dogs, and two cats.

Bre Bade

Veterinary Assistant

Bre’s love of animals started at a young age. She began grooming as a profession and eventually became interested in veterinary medicine. Bre graduated from the TJC Vet Tech Program in 2019 and found her life’s calling in caring for pets. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her human daughter, Elizabeth, and her dogs, cats, and Blood Python.

Ashley Stegall

Veterinary Assistant

Born and raised in Tyler, Ashley graduated from Whitehouse High School in 2014. While attending school, she found her passion for veterinary medicine and completed the Veterinary Technician Program in her senior year. Ashley has been working with animals since 2017 and enjoys helping sick pets feel better and get healthy. In her free time, Ashley enjoys many hobbies and spending time with her family, friends, and two dogs, Aussie Babe and Daisy.