Get to know our veterinary team
We are solely dedicated to your pet’s care! We look forward to getting to know you, and we hope you’ll take the time to scroll down and get to know us.
Our Founders
Shannan Hunter, LVT, VTS (SAIM)
Shannan grew up in the suburbs of New York City. She attended the State University of New York at Oswego where she studied the unique combination of zoology and theater. After receiving her BS in 2005, Shannan relocated to colorful Colorado, where she attended the Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology. She relocated with her partner Erik, to Santa Barbara, California, where she became the head technician of a privately owned general practice, which was later gobbled up by a corporation. After three years in general practice, Shannan moved into specialty medicine and joined a privately owned emergency and specialty hospital in Ventura, California, which has since become corporately owned.
In 2010, Shannan and her partner packed up their three Siberian Huskies and polydactyl cat and moved to Seattle, in search of a place to put down roots. She met Dr. Mitchell Fults in 2011, at a local emergency and specialty hospital where he was a vital resource in mentoring her to achieve her Technician Specialty in Small Animal Internal Medicine. This practice is now corporately owned. For the past 10 years, Shannan and Mitchell have worked together as leaders and mentors in yet another corporately owned hospital.
Shannan is a passionate leader who has technical interests in immune-mediated disease, endocrinopathies, and extracorporeal therapies. She has authored book chapters and frequently lectures including at ACVIM. She is most passionate about preserving, safeguarding, and advancing the roles of veterinary nurses within this industry. Becoming a veterinary technician is not a consolation prize or a pit stop on the way to becoming a DVM. She believes that being a veterinary technician is a career path, and she hopes to be a part of creating a future where veterinary nurses are as respected as their human counterparts.
In her spare time, Shannan is typically trying to keep up with the schedule of her 6-year-old daughter, gardening, camping, and failing to keep her husky from digging holes in the yard. Shannan is a strong advocate of the arts and believes that the world would be a better place with more theater kids in it.
Mitchell Fults, DVM, DACVECC
Emergency and Critical Care Specialist
Dr. Mitchell Fults graduated from Western University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. After finishing a rotating internship he completed a residency in emergency and critical care medicine at DoveLewis in Portland, Oregon. He became board-certified in emergency and critical care medicine in 2012 and has remained in the Pacific Northwest since. After residency, he worked for a few years at a specialty hospital in North Seattle, where he met Shannan Hunter.
For the past decade, he has worked (with Shannan) at another multi-specialty corporate-owned hospital in the Renton/Tukwila area, where he mentored several doctors, ran the dialysis program, and was medical director. But something was lacking. Increasing prices meant fewer people could help their companions, support staff couldn’t get the support they deserved. With some convincing from Shannan, he co-founded OGVECC to help tip the scales in the other direction and try and bring veterinary medicine back to the community.
He is passionate about resuscitation medicine, emergency surgery, acute kidney injury, extracorporeal therapies (dialysis, hemoperfusion, plasma exchange), and mentoring doctors in emergency medicine. He has a wife, Julia, who is also a veterinarian (they met in vet school), and 3 kids who frequently call him a boomer or tell him he is mid or cringe. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his wife, cycling, gardening (especially growing tomatoes and basil), reading non-fiction (he does not read fiction), woodworking, and drinking delicious cocktails and beer.
Our Veterinarians & Staff
Hannah Poole, DVM
Emergency Clinician
Dr. Hannah Poole is a Florida native who graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018. Dr. Poole has always dreamed of becoming an emergency veterinarian, even back in elementary school, when she would insist that her older sister watch Emergency Vets on Animal Planet with her nonstop. After completing vet school, Dr. Poole moved to the Pacific Northwest and completed a rotating internship with Seattle Veterinary Specialists in 2019. Following her intern year, Dr. Poole joined a large specialty hospital and spent the next 5 years further refining her skills and strengthening her love for emergency medicine. Her favorite cases to treat include acute kidney injuries, trauma, and toxicities. She also developed a special interest in extracorporeal therapies and is a part of the extracorporeal program (dialysis, hemoperfusion, and therapeutic plasma exchange). Dr. Poole has many interests, but her favorite part of coming to work each day is connecting with families and working as a team to achieve the best possible outcome for their furry loved ones.
When not at work, Dr. Poole loves to hike, camp, travel, and enjoy live music. She has two rescue cats and a tiny lab/rottweiler/pitbull mix (who tends to have a lot of opinions).
Justina H, Assistant Practice Manager
With over a decade of experience in the emergency and specialty veterinary field, I’ve learned to embrace the chaos, adapt to the unexpected, and always make time for a quick cuddle with a furry friend. I’m proud to be part of this incredible team led by Shannan and Mitchell, whose vision and passion have truly transformed veterinary care. Working alongside them for the past ten years has been an inspiring journey, and I’m thrilled to contribute to their mission of redefining exceptional medicine.
At home, I fully embrace my role as a crazy cat lady with a minor in Rottweilers. Sharing my life with three cats and three Rottweilers means there’s never a dull moment—and plenty of personalities to keep me on my toes.
I’m deeply committed to the “why” behind what we do, always staying grounded in our mission to provide outstanding care for pets and their families. Whether it’s managing a hectic day at the hospital, finding ways to support my team, or going the extra mile for clients, I strive to bring passion, humor, and heart to everything I do.
Katie E, Practice Manager
Born and raised in California’s Central Valley, Katie Ellefson discovered her love for animals early—fostering and bottle-feeding puppies and kittens as a child before moving on to raising guide dogs for the blind at just nine years old. These experiences nurtured her deep understanding of animal behavior and sparked a lifelong passion for the incredible bond between people and their pets.
With a strong background and foundation in both human and animal communication, Katie is driven by a heartfelt desire to help clients feel informed, empowered, and supported. She’s especially passionate about supporting OGVECC’s mission to making veterinary medicine more accessible and less intimidating, always striving to connect with clients in a way that builds trust and confidence.
At home, Katie embraces life’s coziest moments with her husband, three spirited French Bulldogs, and two affectionate cats. Her favorite way to unwind? A full-on cuddle puddle of fur, snacks, and a good book or show.
Drew Allison, DVM
I enjoy skiing, mountain biking, backpacking, and traveling when I am not at work. I came to Old Growth Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care because of their goal to make veterinary care more accessible.
Gabby Ng, DVM
