Dr. Jackie Curfman
Veterinarian, Partner Veterinarian
Dr. Jackie Curfman grew up in Edinburg, Texas, where she enjoyed the company of all family pets, from the traditional dogs and cats to turtles, lizards, tarantulas, and snakes. The older she got, the more her interests in medicine and science started to grow. For Dr. Curfman, a career in veterinary medicine was simply the perfect fit!
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 daughter share their home with a number of adorable animal companions. They have a pair of Sphynx cats named Olive and Tini who act more like dogs than cats; a spunky Cornish Rex cat named Rico and Alice the Ball Python. Dr. Curfman shares her office with Queen Octavia, a beautiful Pink Toe Tarantula.
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 daughter share their home with a number of adorable animal companions. They have a pair of Sphynx cats named Olive and Tini who act more like dogs than cats; a spunky Cornish Rex cat named Rico and Alice the Ball Python. Dr. Curfman shares her office with Queen Octavia, a beautiful Pink Toe Tarantula.
Dr. Katy Levitt
Veterinarian, Partner Veterinarian
Summertree Animal & Bird Clinic has played an integral role in Dr. Katy Levitt’s life ever since she was a child. She grew up bringing her family pets—and stuffed animals—to see Dr. Hays, and he gave her the opportunity to participate in procedures and learn about medical decisions right there in the exam room. Now, Dr. Levitt’s journey has come full-circle: she’s a veterinarian and part owner of the clinic!
Dr. Levitt earned a degree in music performance from Emory University in Atlanta, taking a summer job here at Summertree Animal & Bird Clinic as a veterinary nurse assistant between her junior and senior years at Hockaday. That’s when her childhood fascination with the world of animal care was rekindled—it wasn’t long before Dr. Levitt decided to focus on veterinary medicine full-time! She returned to school at Louisiana State University’s veterinary program to become a licensed veterinarian, completing an internship at the Belize Zoo and at a dairy cattle practice in Sulphur Springs, Texas, before launching her career in private practice.
Dr. Levitt was thrilled to become a veterinarian with the Summertree Animal & Bird Clinic family in January of 2016. Medically, she’s interested in neurology work and dentistry, and she’s also passionate about making sure all of her patients feel comfortable during their appointments; Dr. Levitt even completed the Fear Free program last year and is committed to minimizing pets’ stress and anxiety during veterinary visits.
Away from the office, Dr. Levitt loves playing the piano and listening to classical music. She even played viola in the orchestra during college, and had the opportunity to perform in New York City’s Lincoln Center! She’s also an avid runner and hopes to run a half-marathon in the near future. At home, Dr. Levitt and her husband live with their two young daughters; two dogs—Kaiser, a food-loving German Shepherd, and Bonaparte, a Pit Bull/Dachshund mix who was Dr. Levitt’s dog for her surgery lab during veterinary school—as well as a citron-crested Cockatoo named Tumbleweed.
Dr. Levitt earned a degree in music performance from Emory University in Atlanta, taking a summer job here at Summertree Animal & Bird Clinic as a veterinary nurse assistant between her junior and senior years at Hockaday. That’s when her childhood fascination with the world of animal care was rekindled—it wasn’t long before Dr. Levitt decided to focus on veterinary medicine full-time! She returned to school at Louisiana State University’s veterinary program to become a licensed veterinarian, completing an internship at the Belize Zoo and at a dairy cattle practice in Sulphur Springs, Texas, before launching her career in private practice.
Dr. Levitt was thrilled to become a veterinarian with the Summertree Animal & Bird Clinic family in January of 2016. Medically, she’s interested in neurology work and dentistry, and she’s also passionate about making sure all of her patients feel comfortable during their appointments; Dr. Levitt even completed the Fear Free program last year and is committed to minimizing pets’ stress and anxiety during veterinary visits.
Away from the office, Dr. Levitt loves playing the piano and listening to classical music. She even played viola in the orchestra during college, and had the opportunity to perform in New York City’s Lincoln Center! She’s also an avid runner and hopes to run a half-marathon in the near future. At home, Dr. Levitt and her husband live with their two young daughters; two dogs—Kaiser, a food-loving German Shepherd, and Bonaparte, a Pit Bull/Dachshund mix who was Dr. Levitt’s dog for her surgery lab during veterinary school—as well as a citron-crested Cockatoo named Tumbleweed.
Dr. Laura Brazelton
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Laura Brazelton’s childhood pets were a favorite part of her home life growing up. She’s known ever since she was a little girl that she wanted to one day care for pets professionally! Dr. Brazelton hasn’t looked back since—she’s proud to help the pets and animal owners of the area as a veterinarian with the Summertree Animal & Bird Clinic family.
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 quite the bustling household with a young son; Tucker, a loveable and sweet Puggle; Guapo, an adorable chinchilla; and a crested gecko, Guinevere, whose favorite pastime is walking sideways on her tank wall.
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 quite the bustling household with a young son; Tucker, a loveable and sweet Puggle; Guapo, an adorable chinchilla; and a crested gecko, Guinevere, whose favorite pastime is walking sideways on her tank wall.
Dr. Beverly Finneburgh
Associate Veterinarian
For Dr. Beverly Finneburgh, veterinary medicine runs in the family. Her mother is a retired small-animal vet, so she’s been around the world of animal care her entire life. As she grew a bit older and developed an interest in science, Dr. Finneburgh realized that following in her mother’s footsteps would allow her to learn more about animals’ behavior and health while making a real difference in the lives of both pets and their owners. That’s why she decided to become a veterinarian!
Dr. Finneburgh—Dr. Finn to most of her clients and fellow staff members—was still in high school when she began working as a Kennel Technician at a veterinary hospital in the Dallas area, where she grew up. She attended Texas A&M University for both her undergraduate degree in biomedical science and her veterinary degree, working various Technician jobs and serving at the Dallas Zoo during her undergraduate years and also working in the University’s parasitology laboratory during that time. Dr. Finn had a few unforgettable experiences abroad throughout her veterinary school career—she has fond memories of working with wild hoofstock veterinarians in South Africa and helping wildlife as a part of the Tampobata Macaw Project in Peru!
After graduating with her Doctorate, Dr. Finn completed a year-long rotating small-animal and surgery internship at Kansas State University, then practiced overnight emergency medicine to gain even more confidence in her medical and surgery skills. When the time came for a change of pace and a chance to connect more deeply with her clients and patients, Dr. Finneburgh decided to enter the world of general practice—she joined the team here at Summertree Animal and Bird Clinic in the fall of 2019, and has been serving the area’s pets and animal parents ever since.
Medically, Dr. Finneburgh enjoys exotic animal medicine and also loves to study samples under the microscope. She’s always been fascinated by the complex relationships between parasites and their hosts! Above all, she loves to connect one-on-one with pet owners and particularly enjoys educating clients on animal nutrition and husbandry.
When she’s not at work, Dr. Finn can be found writing, reading fiction, hiking, and traveling.
Dr. Finneburgh—Dr. Finn to most of her clients and fellow staff members—was still in high school when she began working as a Kennel Technician at a veterinary hospital in the Dallas area, where she grew up. She attended Texas A&M University for both her undergraduate degree in biomedical science and her veterinary degree, working various Technician jobs and serving at the Dallas Zoo during her undergraduate years and also working in the University’s parasitology laboratory during that time. Dr. Finn had a few unforgettable experiences abroad throughout her veterinary school career—she has fond memories of working with wild hoofstock veterinarians in South Africa and helping wildlife as a part of the Tampobata Macaw Project in Peru!
After graduating with her Doctorate, Dr. Finn completed a year-long rotating small-animal and surgery internship at Kansas State University, then practiced overnight emergency medicine to gain even more confidence in her medical and surgery skills. When the time came for a change of pace and a chance to connect more deeply with her clients and patients, Dr. Finneburgh decided to enter the world of general practice—she joined the team here at Summertree Animal and Bird Clinic in the fall of 2019, and has been serving the area’s pets and animal parents ever since.
Medically, Dr. Finneburgh enjoys exotic animal medicine and also loves to study samples under the microscope. She’s always been fascinated by the complex relationships between parasites and their hosts! Above all, she loves to connect one-on-one with pet owners and particularly enjoys educating clients on animal nutrition and husbandry.
When she’s not at work, Dr. Finn can be found writing, reading fiction, hiking, and traveling.
Dr. Michelle Wilson
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Michelle Wilson wasn’t allowed to have noisy or high-maintenance pets as a child, so she contented herself with an assortment of fish and hermit crabs until she could volunteer at the local animal shelter. As she went through her middle-school years, she started to develop an interest in science and medicine, and a thought began to take shape: what if she could do something that involved both medicine and animals? Young Dr. Wilson soon decided that she would become a veterinarian when she grew up! Her dream came true—she’s proud to serve as an Associate Veterinarian here at Summertree Animal Clinic.
Dr. Wilson hails from Edmond, Oklahoma and was only 14 years old when she started shadowing at the veterinary clinic of a family friend. Two years later at 16, she started working in the kennel of another local hospital. She knew right away it was the perfect path for her! Dr. Wilson rose in the ranks to become a Veterinary Assistant as she completed her high school years, and then headed off to Oklahoma State University for both her undergraduate and Doctoral degrees. During her senior year of veterinary school, she visited a few practices in the Dallas area, and Summertree Animal Clinic made a lasting impression. Dr. Wilson was happy to accept a job offer a short time later, and the rest is history.
Medically, Dr. Wilson enjoys parasitology and loves to examine samples under the microscope. She’s also particularly fond of rabbit care. She had a rabbit as a child and quickly became obsessed, and she’s loved our floppy-eared friends ever since. In fact, Dr. Wilson and her husband, Tyler, have a rabbit of their own at home: the sweet but sassy Doc.
When she’s not at work or spending time with family and friends, Dr. Wilson enjoys caring for her many plants, cooking and baking, hiking and camping in the great outdoors, and exploring all that the Dallas area has to offer. Dr. Wilson and Tyler are also active in their church and love to do missionary work abroad. Between the two of them, they have eight trips in various countries under their belts, and hope to go on many more adventures in the future!
Dr. Wilson hails from Edmond, Oklahoma and was only 14 years old when she started shadowing at the veterinary clinic of a family friend. Two years later at 16, she started working in the kennel of another local hospital. She knew right away it was the perfect path for her! Dr. Wilson rose in the ranks to become a Veterinary Assistant as she completed her high school years, and then headed off to Oklahoma State University for both her undergraduate and Doctoral degrees. During her senior year of veterinary school, she visited a few practices in the Dallas area, and Summertree Animal Clinic made a lasting impression. Dr. Wilson was happy to accept a job offer a short time later, and the rest is history.
Medically, Dr. Wilson enjoys parasitology and loves to examine samples under the microscope. She’s also particularly fond of rabbit care. She had a rabbit as a child and quickly became obsessed, and she’s loved our floppy-eared friends ever since. In fact, Dr. Wilson and her husband, Tyler, have a rabbit of their own at home: the sweet but sassy Doc.
When she’s not at work or spending time with family and friends, Dr. Wilson enjoys caring for her many plants, cooking and baking, hiking and camping in the great outdoors, and exploring all that the Dallas area has to offer. Dr. Wilson and Tyler are also active in their church and love to do missionary work abroad. Between the two of them, they have eight trips in various countries under their belts, and hope to go on many more adventures in the future!
Dr. Hugh B. Hays
Veterinarian (Retired)
Dr. Hugh Hays has felt a deep connection and love for animals ever since getting his first dog, Mister, when he was only five years old. As he worked through some health issues of his own throughout childhood, an interest in the medical field started to blossom. By the time he reached his teenage years, Dr. Hays’ mind was made up: he would work to better the lives of pets by becoming a veterinarian!
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. Their dog, Allie, is a Dallas Animal Services rescue whose main mission is to keep the backyard squirrel-free.
In March 2018 Dr. Hays retired from general practice. When he’s not spending quality time with family, 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!
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. Their dog, Allie, is a Dallas Animal Services rescue whose main mission is to keep the backyard squirrel-free.
In March 2018 Dr. Hays retired from general practice. When he’s not spending quality time with family, 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!
