Dr. Brawner is an Auburn native who graduated from Auburn High School in 1990 before moving on to Auburn University where he obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Zoology prior to attending the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. He obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2001 and accepted a job as an associate veterinarian at Carriage Hills Animal Hospital in Montgomery where he spent eight and a half years before coming back home to Auburn to take over as the owner and primary veterinarian of PetVet Animal Health Center. Dr. Brawner’s areas of professional interest include preventive medicine and wellness care, dentistry and oral surgery, and soft tissue surgery.

Dr. Brawner is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Feline Practitioners, and the Foundation for Veterinary Dentistry. He is also Fear Free Certified.

While in Montgomery, Dr. Brawner met his wife Meredith. They were married in September of 2003 and the couple now has four children, Will, Anna Kathryn, Jack, and John Thomas. They also have three dogs: Molly, Charlie and Josie; three cats: Gnat, Leo, and Mable; three pigs: Walter, Hank, and Rosie; and a small flock of chickens. Dr. Brawner and Meredith are excited to serve and be a part of this great community.

Dr. Starla Riggs joined the PetVet staff as our second veterinarian in February of 2014 and became a partner in the business in January of 2021.  She is a 2013 graduate of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to attending the AUCVM, she obtained her undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, from Auburn University in 2009.

Dr. Riggs is originally from Monroeville, Alabama, and moved to Auburn in 2004 to attend Auburn University. She met her husband, Jason, during her time as an undergraduate, and the couple was married in 2007. Jason is an attorney in Opelika who works primarily with the family court as a guardian ad litem. The couple has two children, Isaac and Hannah. In addition to their children, Starla and Jason have two Golden Retrievers named Lexie and Sadie.

Dr. Riggs’ professional interests include emergency medicine, ultrasonography, preventive medicine, and soft tissue surgery. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association, and is Fear Free Certified.

Dr. Kileigh Speed, originally from Dothan, AL, joined our team of doctors in 2019 following graduation from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to this, she completed her undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Sciences, also from Auburn University. Dr. Speed is living her lifelong dream having wanted to be a veterinarian from the time she was three. Growing up, she spent much of her time gearing herself towards that goal, including working with us as a veterinary assistant prior to veterinary school.

Dr. Speed is married to another practicing veterinarian, Dr. Zac Hassler, whom she met during her undergraduate time at Auburn. Together they are living her other lifelong dream as they have two beautiful children and four dogs spanning small to large breed – All of which keep them on their toes. While away from the clinic, Dr. Speed enjoys watching movies, photography, drawing, and spending time with her friends and family.

Dr. Speed’s professional interests include preventive & emergency medicine, soft tissue surgery, and furthering the human-animal bond with thorough client communication and detailed patient care. She is currently a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association, East Alabama Veterinary Medical Association, and is Fear Free Certified.

Dr. Ron Montgomery earned his DVM, (cum laude), in 1982 and M.S. (Thesis on Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture) in 1987, both from Auburn University. He became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1988.

After brief faculty appointments at U.A.B. Medical School and Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Montgomery returned to Auburn in 1990 where he continuously taught and performed surgery until 2015. While there, he served as chief of surgery, director of the Southeastern Raptor Program, was voted Teacher of the Year, and awarded the Bruce Pratt distinguished Professorship.

He has authored 53+ refereed or invited scientific publications; 34 proceedings and abstracts; and has had over 50 contracts and grants. Dr. Montgomery has chaired committees for the American College of Veterinary Surgeons Symposium (1996, 1997), A.C.V.S. Program (1994, 1995), and the A.C.V.S. Exhibits (1993).

His research interests were Orthopedic Implants and Physical Therapy. Research awards include the Albert Triat Award, and International Knee Society co-author.

Upon his retirement from Auburn in 2015, Dr. Montgomery was voted Professor Emeritus by the faculty and administration.

We are happy to have Dr. Montgomery here at PetVet Animal Health Center. He is available on a referral basis to see orthopedic surgical cases as well as lameness evaluations and to consult on medical management of orthopedic conditions. Examples of some of the procedures performed at our hospital include: TPLO procedures for stabilization of cruciate ruptures, patella luxation stabilization, fracture repair, mass removals, OCD, FCP, FHO, biceps tendon release, exploratory surgery, joint surgery, arthrodesis, biopsies, foreign body removal, TECA, and more.

When Dr. Montgomery is not busy treating pets, he enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, college sports, and travel. His current pets include dogs, cats, and horses.

Connie

Connie is one of the smiling faces you will meet when you walk through the front door. She has been working with us as a client service representative since 2017.  Her and her husband, Marc, have 2 children Kristin and Logan. They currently reside in Montgomery and she makes the drive to work with us at PetVet everyday. She loves working here, giving smooches to all the new puppies. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family and three fur babies: Maddie, Molly and Mya. 

Ashley

Ashley is our Licensed Veterinary Technician. She joined PetVet 8 years ago and is currently our longest employee! Although she was raised as a military brat moving around to new places often, she spent most of her high school years in Enterprise, AL before moving to Auburn 10 years ago. She received a bachelor’s degree in Zoology in May 2014, an associate degree in the Veterinary Technician program in May 2021, and passed her VTNE which credentialled her as a Licensed Veterinary Technician in December 2021. Her love for veterinary medicine started early at the age of 5 and she has spent her life knowing she wants to work with animals. In her spare time, she enjoys working on her house in Auburn and visiting her parents in Enterprise. She is a lover of all things Disney, Harry Potter, and Criminal Investigation shows. She currently has two lively doggos: Princess Leia a rescue Beagle mix and Daisy a rescue Jack Russell Terrier. She is allowed to share a home with her cat Lady Sif who is a longhair domestic originally found in the dumpster as a kitten.

Chris

Chris is our surgical assistant. Whenever your pet visits us for any surgical procedure, Chris is our guy behind the scenes monitoring their anesthesia. Originally from New York, he made his way south in 1995 and has resided in Prattville, AL since. Chris first met Dr. Brawner while working with him in Montgomery and joined him at PetVet 5 years ago. Outside of work, he enjoys numerous activities to occupy his time. His greatest passion is photography, and he enjoys the opportunity to capture images of landscapes, birds, and herps both locally and across the country. He is an avid hard rock music fan and can often be found in the concert crowd on the weekends. Chris has numerous furry companions at home including several Shetland Sheepdogs, English Pointers, one Clumber Spaniel, one Frenchie, and a cat who likely very much thinks she is a dog.

Giselle

Giselle is one of our exam room assistants. She is originally from Clearwater, Florida but has lived in Auburn for the past 4 years. While in Florida, she received her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from The University of Florida before making her way to the loveliest village on the plains. Giselle has always had a passion for making a difference in the lives of animals and their owners, and over the course of her three years at PetVet has gained a remarkable ability to educate and build relationships with clients. In her time away from work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter; outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and going to the beach; traveling to new places; and visiting her family in Florida. Giselle has three wellloved pups: Kingsley, Wiley, and Molly who also serves as a therapy dog for patients in hospitals and nursing homes. She was recently accepted into Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine class of 2026 and will transition into a part time role while she attends vet school over the next four years.

Karris

Karris is one of our exam room assistants. She is originally from Millbrook, AL but has made Auburn home for the last 6 years. Karris has always wanted to work with animals for as long as she can remember initiated by an experience as a little girl with a caring veterinarian and one of her family pets. She has a little boy named Jaxson who keeps her constantly in motion outside of work – he has therapy three times a week, is in school part time, loves the park, and being at his favorite place Surge Trampoline Park. Karris plans to attend school to obtain her veterinary technician license once Jax enters school full time. She currently shares her heart with three furry companions: Skylar, a border collie mix she adopted 4 years ago; Sookie, a Siamese mix who came in to PetVet as a stray and captured Karris’ heart; and Sisu, her newest rescue kitten.

Amanda

Amanda is one of our exam room assistants. She is originally from Birmingham, AL where she graduated from The University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. She has lived in Auburn for 7 years and has been with us at PetVet for 3 years. Veterinary medicine has been a passion of hers since she was 3 years old, initially out of a love for working with animals but her interest has grown into building relationships with clients. Her free time is filled with time at the park, skydiving along with other adrenaline rush outdoor activities, and spending time with her friends and family. She is partial to Huskies and currently has three: Duchess, Duke, and Gypsy. Her home is also made to be quite entertaining by her kitty Oliver named from her favorite movie Oliver & Company.

Mary Graf

Mary Graf joined our staff in May 2021 as an assistant in our boarding area. Originally from Mobile, AL, she moved to Auburn 1 year ago to become a full-time student. She is currently majoring in Integrative Biology and Pre-Vet at Auburn University with plans to attend vet school following graduation. Her long-term goal following graduation from vet school is to work with both companion and exotic animals, which developed after caring for her own bearded dragon. She feels they can be very misunderstood, and she would love to be able to share her great experiences with others. In addition to her bearded dragon named Little Foot, she also has a cat named Puck. Her time outside of work is spent at school, studying, and crocheting.