About Dr. Lori Gibson and Associates
Compassionate Care is offered 7 days a week by Dr. Lori Gibson and two associate veterinarians, Dr. Elaine Stephens and Dr. Melissa Shaver, and practice manager, Dr. Andrea La Raus:
Dr. Lori Gibson
Dr. Lori Gibson received her undergraduate education at the University of Portland, Portland, OR, and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1999 from Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Corvallis, OR, in partnership with Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Pullman, WA.
She began her veterinary career as an Associate Veterinarian working with small animals at a clinic in West Linn. She has also worked in the medical device industry managing projects related to drug-eluting intracoronary stents, and pacemakers and defibrillators for use in human clinical medicine. Desiring a return to her “roots”, Dr. Gibson began Compassionate Care because she recognized the great need for a full-time home euthanasia service available both by appointment or on an emergency basis, and dedicated to pet owners and their companions.
Dr. Gibson has a current license to practice veterinary medicine in Oregon and Washington, and is a member of the Portland Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA), the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA), the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association (WSVMA), and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). She also currently serves the veterinary community as an Executive Board Member of the Portland Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Gibson lives in Tigard, OR, and spends her free time with her husband Scott and 4 year old son Noa, enjoying great Portland cuisine, and attending and supporting local events. The family have two cats – Zane and Mila.
Dr. Elaine Stephens
Dr. Elaine Stephens received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1999 from the Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Corvallis, OR, in partnership with the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Pullman, WA. Prior to her veterinary career, she was a registered nurse working in Intensive Care and Emergency settings in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Portland, Oregon.
Dr. Stephens has a current license to practice veterinary medicine in Oregon, Washington, and New Mexico. In addition to her work with Compassionate Care, Dr. Stephens provides veterinary relief services to small animal clinics, shelters, and volunteer organizations like the Feral Cat Coalition and PAW Team She is active in professional organizations including the Portland Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA), the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA), and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
When Dr. Stephens is not working, she is a member of the sandwich generation, spending time with octo and nono generations of family on the West Coast and in New Mexico, as well as reading to and taking her 4 year old grandson to the zoo. Relaxation means local still water canoe and kayak trips, dog walks, agate hunting (Oregon beaches and New Mexico mountains have great agates!!) and lots of leisure reading – she is never found far from the library or a bag of books. Elaine is a kind, personable and thoughtful veterinarian known for her caring and taking time with pets and people.
Dr. Melissa Shaver
Dr. Melissa Shaver received her undergraduate degree from Oregon State University. In 2006 she received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Corvallis, OR, in partnership with the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Pullman, WA.
Dr. Shaver began her veterinary career as an associate veterinarian at Carlton Veterinary Hospital, Carlton, OR, and then the Animal Care Clinic, Wilsonville, OR. She continues to practice part-time at those clinics.
Dr. Shaver has a current license to practice veterinary medicine in Oregon and Washington. She is a member of the Northwest Equine Practitioners Association, and the Arabian Horse Breeders Association of Oregon. In addition to her love of small animals, Dr. Shaver and her husband are passionate about Arabian horses, which they breed and show on their small farm. Dr. Shaver is a much-loved small animal practitioner known for her empathetic and gentle manner.
Dr. Andrea La Raus
As Dr. Andrea La Raus tells it, the story goes that as a four year old growing up in Idaho, she told her mom that she wanted to be a vet and have a horse. In 1991, she received her undergraduate degree from the University of Idaho Moscow, ID. In 1995, she received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Pullman, WA.
She began her veterinary career as a small animal practitioner in southern Oregon. She moved to the Portland area in 1997 and worked at several area clinics as an associate veterinarian and later providing veterinary relief. Working with and supporting the bond between clients and their pets was one of the most rewarding aspects of her career. Dr. La Raus holds a current veterinary license in Oregon and is a member of the Portland Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
When not at work, Dr. La Raus likes to spend time with her husband, 3 cats, 1 dog and 1 horse. Dr. La Raus has a never ending quest for veterinary knowledge and is very active in the veterinary community, including volunteering at organizations such as the PAW Team.
