Get to know our Staff
Licensed Veterinary Technicians
Linda Merrill, LVT, VTS (SAIM)
Education: AA and AS in Veterinary Technology at Pierce College
Joined SVA: 1977
Interests: Scuba diving, travel, welding, house remodeling and growing orchids and cactus
Pets: Cody- Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Sally-mixed-breed dog, Raymond- Persian and Audrey- black and white shorthaired polydactyl cat. All rescues.
Lisa Coyne, LVT
Education: BS Biology at University of Michigan. California AHT license 1984-86 WA LVT 1987 – present
Joined SVA: August, 1988
Interests: I enjoy all sciences, especially those related to evolutionary biology. I’m hyperactive and self-medicate with lots of soccer and rock climbing. My family includes 4 sweeties: my husband Bob, daughter Meg, son Craig, and dog Martha. At work, my favorite areas are dentistry and surgery, though general nursing and clinical work are also very rewarding.
Pets: Martha – Border Collie/Shepherd, 10 years old. 4 fire bellied toads (They don’t notice each other.)
April Aiken, LVT
Education: AA in Arts and Sciences at Pierce Community College AA in Veterinary Technology at Pierce Community College
Joined SVA: November, 1997
Interests: I enjoy making glycerin soaps, salves, lip balm and facial masks. This year I am trying my hand at gardening – Italian herbs, mostly. Hopefully it’s a success. My family is also very important to me.
Pets: I have a mackeral tabby named Marbles and I rescued him from the long arm of the Humane Society. The newest addition is our dog named Halla, born earlier this year, she’s a super-duper mutt!
Jill Nicholls, LVT
Education: BS in Zoology at Western Washington University
Veterinary Technician license from St. Petersburg College online program
Joined SVA: May, 1998
Interests: Ultimate Frisbee, rock climbing, playing outdoors and traveling. I enjoy the surgery aspect of my job and learning new veterinary dentistry techniques.
Pets: Mackenzie- Border collie and Kaya- domestic short haired cat
Trish Watson, LVT
Education: BS in Elementary Education at James Madison University AA in Veterinary Technology at Pierce Community College
Joined SVA: January 1999
Interests: Hiking, biking and volunteering locally and abroad
Lisa Janning, LVT
Education: AS in Veterinary Technology at Saddleback College, CA
Joined SVA: February, 2007
Veterinary Interests: Emergency and critical care medicine, internal medicine, exotics and fostering kittens. I love cats, especially geriatric ones and volunteering at Brighthaven in Northern California.
Personal Interests: Hiking, camping, snowshoeing, gardening, taking my dogs to Chihuahua play day, fixing stuff, photography, spending time with my in-laws and being an auntie.
Pets: Zack Thomas and Alli Lou- Chihuahua, Whiskers, Phanton, Cherokee, Pepper, Samurai and Monkey- felines, B.J. aka Jay Bird- Yellow Nape Amazon I have had 20 years,