Staff of Slidell Veterinary Hospital
Toni Pyatt,
Hospital Practice Manager
Toni Pyatt worked in banking and management for 23 years before joining the Slidell Veterinary Hospital team in 2008. As our hospital practice manager, Toni is responsible for payroll, scheduling, supplies, billing, and the day-to-day hospital operations.
"I enjoy using my previous management experience to incorporate changes that will benefit our employees, enhance the experience of our existing clients, and bring additional clients to our practice," she says.
Outside of work, she loves spending time shopping, decorating her home, trying out new recipes, and exploring new places. Some of her favorite moments are spent out on the water boating and fishing with her husband, or visiting their two daughters while they are away at college.
At home, she stays busy with her two dogs, a spunky Yorkie named Bruno and a sweet miniature Goldendoodle named Marley, who keep life entertaining and full of energy.
Erika R. Walder,
Veterinary Technician
Erika R. Walder has been a vital member of our team since 2006. She has a wide range of responsibilities including surgery assistance, patient care and monitoring, clinic organization and receptionist duties.
"Working at Slidell Veterinary Hospital is very rewarding," she says. "Our staff is like family and our doctors are amazing in every area. All of this makes for a wonderful place to work."
Erika has two sons that keep her very busy: Mason and Myles. She has been an avid softball player for over 17 years and has remained active in various city leagues. She is a dedicated assistant in the STARC program and also enjoys coaching and being involved with her son's baseball team.
Erika has a Shih Tzu named Maddie, and two cats named Leo & Pote.
Rachel Hawkins,
Registered Veterinary Technician
Rachel Hawkins joined the Slidell Veterinary Hospital team in 2020, bringing over a decade of experience in the veterinary field. As a Registered Veterinary Technician, she has worked in both emergency and general practice settings, giving her a strong foundation in all aspects of patient care.
Whether she's assisting in surgery or helping a nervous pet feel at ease, Rachel is committed to providing compassionate and high-quality care.
When she’s not at work, you’ll find her enjoying time with her family and soaking up the little joys of everyday life. Rachel is a proud mom of two wonderful daughters who keep life fun, busy, and full of love. Her girls are her biggest inspiration—and the reason she strives to lead with compassion, patience, and heart in everything she does
Brianne Stiede,
Veterinary Technician/Receptionist
With over 10 years of experience in animal-related fields, Brianne brings knowledge, fun, and a great love for animals to her role as our receptionist and veterinary technician.
“I love SVC because the doctors and the staff are truly passionate about the animals they care for,” she says. “Over the years, they’ve become like family to me, and I wouldn’t want to work for anyone else.”
Brianne has a B.S. in Biology from the University of New Orleans and is also a certified dog trainer. She has two dogs and one cat. When she’s not working or animal training, she loves gardening, company, and watching Netflix.
Brian Dewitt,
Veterinary Technician
With 15 years of experience in the animal care field, both in private boarding and animal control, Brian now provides services at Slidell Veterinary Hospital that focus on improving the quality of our patients’ lives. As a veterinary technician, he provides vaccines, completes diagnostics, and carefully listens to owners to learn how best he can care for their furry loved ones. He has an associate degree in Business Administration but found that he has a passion for animal care in 2009. He joined our team in December of 2023.
Asked why he likes working with our team, Brian says, “The staff here truly feels like a family that pushes each other to succeed and provide the best care.”
He has three dogs: a 12-year-old Border Collie mix named Riley, a nine-year-old Lab mix named Bedeen, and a four-year-old Rat Terrier mix named Banks. He also has four cats: seven-year-old Winifred, three-year-old Perlman, two-year-old Squindy, and one-year-old Alistair.
In his free time, Brian enjoys cooking and baking new recipes, reading sci-fi and fantasy novels, playing video games, and traveling to new places.
Jenn Montero Bigner,
Veterinary Technician/Receptionist
Jenn Montero Bigner is a dedicated Veterinary Technician and Receptionist at Slidell Veterinary Hospital. Since joining the team in August 2022, she has played a vital role in assisting doctors with exams and routine procedures, educating clients, and ensuring pets receive the best possible care. Her favorite part of the job is providing compassionate care—treating every patient as if they were her own.
With six years of experience in the veterinary field, Jenn has worked as a kennel technician, veterinary technician, and surgery technician/receptionist. She earned her degree from Loyola University New Orleans in 2016 and believes strongly in the importance of hard work and ethical care for her patients.
Jenn enjoys working at Slidell Veterinary Hospital because of its welcoming atmosphere, where both the doctors and staff genuinely care about their patients and each other. She appreciates being part of a team that treats its employees with respect and kindness.
At home, Jenn shares her life with her 12-year-old calico cat, Callie, a free spirit who keeps things interesting. In her free time, she loves riding motorcycles—whether solo or with her husband—traveling, attending concerts, and spending time near the water or in the mountains. She’s also passionate about discovering new music and cherishing moments with her family, especially chasing after her two-year-old son, her "bestest little buddy!"
Erin Gomez Marquez,
Veterinary Technician/Receptionist
Erin Gomez Marquez joined the Slidell Veterinary Hospital team full-time on May 5, 2025, bringing with her over 30 years of experience in the animal care field. As both a receptionist and veterinary technician, Erin plays a vital role in ensuring that every client and patient has a positive, welcoming experience—from scheduling appointments and greeting visitors to assisting veterinarians with patient care.
What Erin loves most about her work is treating every pet and their family as if they were her own. Her friendly attitude and extensive experience help create a calm, supportive environment for everyone who walks through the door.
Before joining Slidell Veterinary Hospital, Erin worked in emergency care as a medical veterinary technician and later as a practice manager for over a decade. Her background has given her a deep understanding of patient care and client communication.
At home, Erin shares her life with three cats and two dogs. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places—especially when great food is involved. Erin says she loves working at Slidell Veterinary Hospital because the veterinarians show genuine compassion for every patient, and the entire team is caring, knowledgeable, and truly committed to providing the highest quality care.
Ellayna Marie Warren,
Veterinary Technician
Ellayna Marie Warren joined the Slidell Veterinary Hospital team full-time on April 14, 2025, bringing five years of experience in the animal care field. As a veterinary technician, her responsibilities include providing compassionate care for patients and assisting the doctors whenever needed. Ellayna especially enjoys interacting with patients and being involved in surgical procedures.
Known for her openness and creativity, Ellayna brings a fresh and thoughtful approach to her work every day. She also has a special interest in the reproductive side of veterinary medicine and is currently furthering her education through the Penn Foster Veterinary Technician program as she works toward her certification.
Ellayna says what she appreciates most about working at Slidell Veterinary Hospital is the warm, supportive team environment. “The staff here is so welcoming—it truly makes this a great place to be,” she says. “The clients are always kind, and seeing our patients happy makes all of us happy.”
At home, Ellayna is a proud dog mom to Josie, her spirited 2.5-year-old French Bulldog. In her free time, she loves bonding with her kids.