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.
Toni has a Bichon Frise/Shih Tzu mix named Bella. Outside work, she enjoys Saints football, shopping, home decorating, and exercise. She also spends time with her husband and two daughters boating and fishing.
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.
Jean Noto,
Veterinary Technician/Receptionist
As both our receptionist and veterinary technician, Jean Noto greets our clients and patients, answers questions and takes patient histories, keeps the hospital organized, schedules appointments and answers the phone, maintains patient records, monitors inventory, and assists the doctors during examinations and surgery. Her patience and positive attitude make her a true asset to our hospital. Jean joined our team in 2009 and has over 25 years of experience in animal care.
"When working in the animal field, there is never a dull moment," she says. "We all work well together to assure comforting, quality care for each client and patient. Thanks to my co-workers, at the end of the day, I feel accomplished and appreciated."
Jean also cares for six of her own animals: two dogs (Buddy and Maggie); two cats (Oscar and Beau); and two thoroughbred horses (Dutchess and Wadleigh). Her pet-related hobbies include canine obedience training and thoroughbred horse racing. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, gardening, and sports.
Rachel Hawkins,
Registered Veterinary Technician
Animal enthusiast Rachel Hawkins has eight years of experience working in the veterinary care field. She is a Registered Veterinary Technician in the state of Louisiana and she has an Associates degree in Animal Science. Her previous roles include bathing & grooming from 2011-2013, emergency medicine from 2013-2016, wellness & emergency medicine from 2016-2017, and she now works with us in general practice and preventative medicine.
Rachel officially took on her new role with us full-time on December 3rd, 2020. She helps the vets in exam rooms, assists with surgeries, and helps the hospital run smoothly overall. She loves getting to know our wonderful clients and patients, and we are so grateful for her experience in emergency medicine and general practice!
At home, Rachel has 2 pitbulls named Dixie and Diesel, both 7-years-old, and she has a Tennessee Walker horse named Whiskey. In her free time, Rachel enjoys spending time with family and shopping!
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!"