Doctors
Dr. Travis Thurman
Owner and DVM
Dr. Thurman, a proud Bakersfield native, is the founder and lead veterinarian at Thurman Veterinary Center. A graduate of Highland High School, he earned his undergraduate degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo before attending veterinary school at St. George’s University, completing his clinical year at Texas A&M University in 2008. After returning to Bakersfield, Dr. Thurman joined the team at San Joaquin Veterinary Hospital before opening the doors to Thurman Veterinary Center in October 2011. Raised in the livestock industry, he got his start in 4-H at just 8 years old and continued through FFA, showing swine, cattle, and sheep. Today, he remains actively involved in supporting local 4-H and FFA groups. While his background is rooted in large animals, Dr. Thurman’s true passion lies in caring for companion animals of all breeds and sizes.
Outside of the clinic, he enjoys spending time on his family’s ranch, traveling, fishing, hiking, snowboarding, and cheering on his favorite sports teams. Dr. Thurman truly feels he is living his dream—combining his love for animals with a life of service, adventure, and community.
Dr. Julie Mischke
Associate Veterinarian DVM
Dr. Julie Mischke has known she wanted to become a veterinarian for as long as she can remember. Inspired by the Black Stallion novels as a child, her passion for animal care has been a lifelong calling. A graduate of Colorado State University, Dr. Mischke eventually made Bakersfield, California her home, where she continues to live out her dream of providing exceptional veterinary care. She is deeply committed to the well-being of every pet she sees and finds fulfillment in the variety and challenges that each day in veterinary medicine brings.
Outside of work, Dr. Mischke enjoys spending time outdoors, riding horses with her grandchildren, and working with her dogs—both in the field and in competitive events such as rally and obedience. She is thrilled to call Thurman Veterinary Center her new home and looks forward to many more years of serving pets and their families.
Dr. B. Elaine Fleeman
Associate Veterinarian DVM
Dr. Fleeman grew up in both Oregon and California and followed her love of animals to Oregon State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. She has a big heart for fostering shelter pets—especially those in need of extra medical care—and loves giving them the chance to heal and find happy homes.
When she’s not caring for patients, you’ll often find her in the garden, traveling across the country to visit family, or snuggled up with her own beloved pets.
Managers
Jillian
Business Manager
Jillian is the Business Manager at Thurman Veterinary Center and an integral part of the TVC family. While she may not be in the office every day, her behind-the-scenes contributions help keep the practice running smoothly. Outside of work, Jillian enjoys adventuring with her husband and two children. Together, they love hiking and camping, often traveling across the U.S. to explore new places. At home, Jillian is a proud pet mom to two one-eyed cats, Pete and Penny, and an energetic Australian Shepherd named Hank. Her dedication to both her family and the TVC team is felt in everything she does.
Marissa
Office Manager
With over 20 years of customer service experience and a decade dedicated to the veterinary field, Marissa brings a deep understanding of both client care and compassionate service to her role as the Thurman Veterinary Center Office Manager. Marissa is committed to ensuring every client has a positive and welcoming experience at TVC. Outside of work, she’s a proud parent of three and enjoys spending quality time with her kids, family, and friends. Whenever possible, she loves heading to the coast to visit family and recharge by the ocean.
Customer Service Representatives
Jeanette
Lead Customer Service Representative
Jeanette was born and raised in Bakersfield, California. She currently works as the Lead Customer Service Representative, where she enjoys connecting with people and helping solve problems every day. She’s a proud parent of four amazing children, and family is at the heart of everything she does. She loves veterinary medicine and shares her home with Kona, her energetic Australian Shepherd. In her free time, she loves heading to the beach and making lasting memories with her loved ones.
Daniela
Customer Service Representative
Daniela is a valued member of the Customer Service Representative team at Thurman Veterinary Center. She has been working in veterinary medicine since 2019 and is known for bringing kindness, compassion, and exceptional service to every client interaction. Daniela’s love for animals began at a young age and continues today with her four beloved dogs—Felix, Milo, Sammy, and Luca. In addition to her work at TVC, Daniela has a passion for baking and runs her own small business, often treating the staff to her delicious homemade creations. When she’s not at the front desk or in the kitchen, Daniela enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends.
Gracie
Customer Service Representative
Gracie is a dedicated member of the Customer Service Representative team at Thurman Veterinary Center. With three years of experience in veterinary medicine and a lifelong background in horses and livestock, Gracie has always felt a strong connection to animals. Throughout her life, she has navigated the challenges of dyslexia, and found that being around animals not only brought her joy but also helped her overcome obstacles. This discovery inspired her to pursue a career where she could be surrounded by the pets she loves. Outside of work, Gracie enjoys spending time at the beach with her two children and unwinding on the dancefloor—line dancing several times a week with friends and coworkers. Her passion, resilience, and positive energy shine through in everything she does.
Cristal
Customer Service Representative
Cristal was born and raised in Bakersfield, CA, and brings over 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine to her role as a Customer Service Representative. She has a warm and welcoming personality that helps clients feel at ease while ensuring their pets receive the best care possible. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her daughter, especially on trips to the beach and while exploring new places. At home, she shares her life with her beloved dog, Boots.
Veterinary Technicians/Assistants
Garrett
Lead Veterinary Assistant
Garrett is our Lead Veterinary Assistant here at Thurman Veterinary Center. Originally from Washington, his love for animals brought him to our team, where he quickly grew from Kennel Technician to Kennel Supervisor and then to Veterinary Assistant. With his dedication and hard work, he soon became our Supervising Veterinary Assistant, and he loves being able to help pets and their families every day. When he’s not at the clinic, Garrett enjoys spending time with his partner, cheering on his favorite baseball teams, and traveling with their fun-loving French Bulldog, Carter.
Savannah
Registered Veterinary Technician
Savannah is a Southern California native who recently made Bakersfield her home. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Health Science from California State Polytechnic University and has been a licensed Registered Veterinary Technician since 2016. Throughout her career, Savannah has focused on small animal medicine, working primarily with cats and dogs and bringing a wealth of experience and compassion to each patient she cares for. At home, she’s a proud dog mom to Bandit and Gidget. When she’s not at work, Savannah enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors, and unwinding with a classic Disney movie.
Kimberly
Registered Veterinary Technician
Kim is a Registered Veterinary Technician at Thurman Veterinary Center with a lifelong passion for animal health care. Raised around a variety of animals, she always knew her path would lead to veterinary medicine. Kim graduated from the San Joaquin Veterinary Technician Program and holds an Associate’s degree in Animal Science from Bakersfield College. She brings a broad range of experience to the team, having worked in General Practice, Surgical Specialty, Shelter, and Emergency medicine. Kim is currently pursuing a specialty certification in Clinical Practice or Nutrition to further expand her skills. Outside of work, she enjoys working out, going to rock concerts, and spending quality time with her family. At home, Kim is kept busy by her two dogs, Gomez and Oli, two cats, Moody and Penne, and her Sulcata Tortoise, Tonka.
Eileen
Veterinary Assistant
Eileen is a Veterinary Assistant at Thurman Veterinary Center with a strong passion for animal care and a heart for both pets and their people. She completed the Veterinary Technician program at Bakersfield College in 2019 and has been working in the veterinary field ever since. With plans to continue her education, Eileen aspires to become a veterinarian in the future. Her compassion and dedication shine through in every interaction. Outside of work, Eileen enjoys cooking, spending time outdoors with friends, family, and her pets, and exploring new places through travel. She shares her home with two dogs, Blaze and Smokey, and two bunnies, Taiyou and Tsuki.
Molly
Veterinary Assistant
Molly is a Veterinary Assistant at Thurman Veterinary Center with a strong passion for animal care and science. She recently earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from California State University, Bakersfield, and is excited to continue building her career working with animals. Molly brings enthusiasm and compassion to her role, always striving to provide the best care possible. At home, she enjoys spending time with her three dogs—Sadie, an English Bulldog; Cooper, a Labrador Mix; and Palmer, a French Bulldog—along with her cat, Milo. In her free time, Molly loves traveling to new places and relaxing with a fishing pole in hand.
Faliciti
Veterinary Assistant
Faliciti is a Veterinary Assistant at Thurman Veterinary Center who brings experience, passion, and a lifelong love of learning to the team. She began her veterinary career in Tehachapi in 2018 and recently relocated to Bakersfield to continue her journey at TVC. Faliciti is always seeking to grow her knowledge—often through her love of reading—and she’s determined to advance her career in veterinary medicine as far as possible. For her, the sky’s the limit. Outside of work, she cherishes time with her son and moms, especially when they’re building Lego sets or adding to her ever-growing Harry Potter collection.
Bailee
Veterinary Assistant
Bailee is a Veterinary Assistant at Thurman Veterinary Center with a lifelong goal of becoming a Veterinarian. She began her journey at TVC as a Kennel Technician and, through hard work and dedication, has recently advanced to her current role. Bailee has a deep love for animals and is committed to continuing her education in veterinary medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys quality time with her family and her two dogs—Faith, a Chihuahua mix, and Oaklee, a Labrador Retriever. In her free time, Bailee loves attending concerts with friends, watching movies, and heading to the beach to relax and make memories with her loved ones.
Genasea
Veterinary Assistant
Genasea has always had a passion for animals and joined our team after graduating from San Joaquin Valley College’s Veterinary Assistant Program. Known for her upbeat outlook and positive attitude, she first started with us as a Customer Service Representative before moving to the Kennel Assistant Team. Through her hard work and dedication, she quickly advanced into training as a Veterinary Assistant, where she now enjoys working hands-on with our amazing patients every day. Outside of work, Genasea loves cheering on her favorite team (Go Raiders!), visiting the beach, reading a good book, and spending time with her seven siblings.
Kennel Technicians
Stephanie
Kennel Supervisor
Stephanie was born and raised in Bakersfield, California. Stephanie developed a deep appreciation for animals at an early age, growing up surrounded by a variety of pets. This lifelong connection sparked a passion that eventually led her to fall in love with veterinary medicine. Now a proud parent to twin daughters and a young son, she is more motivated than ever to pursue her career in vet med—which not only fulfills her love for animals but also allows her to set an example of compassion and dedication for her children.
Isabella
Kennel Technician
Isabella is a Kennel Technician at Thurman Veterinary Center with a bright future in veterinary medicine. She first joined the TVC team through her high school ROC program, where she stood out for her dedication and passion for animal care. As soon as the opportunity arose, Isabella officially became part of the team. A lifelong animal lover—especially when it comes to her cat, Finn—Isabella has always known she wanted to work in veterinary medicine. She will be starting the Registered Veterinary Technician program in the fall and hopes to one day become a Veterinarian. In her free time, Isabella enjoys making memories with friends and family and soaking up the sun at the beach.
Aracely
Kennel Technician
Aracely is one of our dedicated Kennel Assistants at Thurman Veterinary Center. She was born in Ventura, California, and spent part of her life in Jalisco, Mexico, before settling in Bakersfield in 2018. A recent graduate of the SJVC Veterinary Assistant Program, she hopes to continue her education and one day become a Registered Veterinary Technician. At home, she adores her cat, Michi, a fluffy domestic medium hair. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and exploring new places, trying out the newest restaurants, binging crime shows and action movies, and spending sunny days at the beach with her son.
Miranda
Kennel Technician
Born and raised in Bakersfield, California, with strong roots in Mexico, Miranda has been surrounded by animals and equestrian culture for as long as she can remember. Growing up with 14 horses and 2 dogs, she began competing in both Mexican rodeo and English horse jumping at the age of six. This deep connection to large animals inspired her passion for veterinary medicine and led her to earn her Certified Veterinary Assistant credential. Now, she is eager to gain more hands-on experience and continue learning as she pursues a career in veterinary medicine.
Mikayla
Kennel Technician
Mikayla is a Kennel Technician who grew up in Wasco and has always had a passion for animal care. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Science and a minor in Biochemistry, and her ultimate goal is to become a Veterinarian. In high school, she was actively involved in FFA, where she raised and showed market hogs, further fueling her love for animals. At home, she enjoys spending time with her three dogs—Coco, Nala, and Luna.
Kadence
Kennel Technician
Kadence was born in Bakersfield, California, and spent part of her childhood in Missouri before returning to Bakersfield during high school. With a lifelong passion for animals, she is now pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. Her love for all creatures—big and small—has been a guiding force throughout her life. Kadence shares her home with a lively mix of pets, including dogs, geckos, and a python, reflecting her deep connection with animals of all kinds.
Sal
Kennel Technician
Meet Sal, one of our dedicated Kennel Technicians. Born in Bakersfield, CA, and raised in nearby Shafter, Sal served four years in the Marine Corps immediately after high school, bringing discipline, commitment, and a strong work ethic to everything he does. Following his military service, he pursued his passion for animal care by enrolling in the Veterinary Assistant program at San Joaquin Valley College, where he was connected with Thurman Veterinary through a school externship. Now a valued member of our team, Sal is working toward his long-term goal of becoming a veterinarian. In his free time, he enjoys trips to the coast, plant shopping, exploring local coffee shops, and spending time with his two beloved domestic shorthair cats, Kai and Pumpkin.
Joeleen
Kennel Technician
Joeleen is a compassionate and dedicated Kennel Technician who has always had a deep love for animals. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Kern County from a young age, she followed her passion by enrolling in the Veterinary Assistant program at San Joaquin Valley College. Her lifelong connection to animals is clear—she currently shares her home with two dogs, a cat, a tortoise, and a fish. Outside of work, Joeleen enjoys spending quality time with her close-knit family, including her two sisters, and loves to travel whenever she gets the chance.