Our Veterinarians

Dr. Curfman’s first foray into the world of animal care came when she started shadowing her family veterinarian in her hometown of Edinburg; she discovered quickly that small-animal and exotic medicine was her favorite area of veterinary care. Dr. Curfman attended Texas A&M University for her undergraduate studies—she gained hands-on experience as a Technician at a clinic in Pharr, Texas during her first summer back home, and secured a position at another clinic in Bryan during the school year—before gaining acceptance into the University’s College of Veterinary Medicine to become a licensed veterinarian. Immediately after graduation in 2012, Dr. Curfman joined the team here at Summertree Animal & Bird Clinic and has been serving the pets and animal owners of the area ever since!

Dr. Curfman loves performing ultrasound scans to solve complex medical puzzles, and she also likes the challenge of treating exotic pet species. Most of all, Dr. Curfman loves to spend one-on-one time with the pet owners of the area and develop close relationships with their beloved companions.

Dr. Curfman enjoys singing, listening to music, attending concerts, and tending to her garden during her time away from the clinic. She and her husband, Chris, have a daughter and also share their home with a number of adorable animal companions. They have a Doberman, Vega, who is the most sweet-natured dog Dr. Curfman has ever known; a pair of Sphynx cats named Olive and Tini who act more like dogs than cats; a spunky Cornish Rex cat named Rico; Alice the Ball Python; and a crested gecko named Joan Jett.

Dr. Brazelton is originally from Illinois, and first began working at a local animal hospital while she was still in high school. After completing her undergraduate and veterinary degrees, she began practicing at a bird-and-exotic-only practice in the Midwest. Around 2009, Dr. Brazelton decided that she also wanted to care for dogs and cats—when a friend of hers told her about an opening here at Summertree Animal & Bird Clinic, she jumped at the chance! Dr. Brazelton relocated to Texas and has been a part of the clinic team ever since.

Around the hospital, Dr. Brazelton particularly likes using preventative medicine techniques to provide companions with good health throughout every stage of life. She loves the unique challenges of exotic pet cases.

When she’s not tending to pets’ needs here at the clinic, Dr. Brazelton can be found hiking, reading, playing the piano, or spending quality time with her family at home. She and her husband have a young son and also share their lives with several pets: a pair of loyal and loveable dogs named Kennedy and Tucker; two mischievous Chinchillas who go by Chalupa and Guapo; and a crested gecko, Guinevere, whose favorite pastime is walking sideways on his tank wall.

Dr. Hays was still a teenager when he began working at a veterinary practice in Houston that treated exotic pets in addition to dogs and cats. Next, he attended Texas A&M University to earn his degree in veterinary medicine. After graduation, Dr. Hays had the unique opportunity to help open a practice for two Dallas-based veterinarians—the hospital would ultimately become Summertree Animal & Bird Clinic! Dr. Hays has been helping the area’s pets and animal owners as a member of the practice family since 1980.

Dr. Hays and his wife, Kim, have two daughters and four wonderful grandsons. They also share their lives with a number of pets. Their dog, Allie, is a Dallas Animal Services rescue whose main mission is to keep the backyard squirrel-free; Sammie the rescued cat spends most of his time tormenting the dog and reminding his owners that he is hungry; and the family’s two parrots love dancing and participating in any phone call that might be happening in the house.

In March 2018 Dr. Hays retired from general practice but he still does relief work from time to time as his love for animals will never wane. When he’s not spending quality time with family or caring for pets here at the clinic, Dr. Hays likes to stay active by hiking—often in the mountains of Montana—and bicycling. He’s fond of both mountain and road biking, and has even cycled in multiple countries; his favorite so far was Vietnam!