First Nations Veterinary

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    • Home
    • support
    • volunteer
    • clinics
    • Partners
    • about
    • Become an Indigenous Ally
    • Press
    • Fix Ticks Program

First Nations Veterinary

First Nations VeterinaryFirst Nations VeterinaryFirst Nations Veterinary
  • Home
  • support
  • volunteer
  • clinics
  • Partners
  • about
  • Become an Indigenous Ally
  • Press
  • Fix Ticks Program

OUR DIRECTOR

GINA CLEMMER

First Nations Veterinary is the primary project of Charity HQ. Charity  HQ is a 501 C3 organization started in 2022 by Gina Clemmer.


Gina Clemmer grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and is a registered member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. She is also Muskogee Creek. Her passion lies at the intersection of technology and animal welfare. In 2010 she founded Clinic HQ, the only high-volume spay/neuter clinic management software in the world. She believes high-volume spay/neuter is the root solution to ending the overpopulation and euthanasia of dogs and cats.  She has dedicated her life to furthering this mission.


First Nations Veterinary is the culmination of her years of experience in the high-volume spay/neuter world. FNV combines her love of rez dogs, spay/neuter and Native communities. It also provides an opportunity to use her software out in the field and to meet those people who use her software daily at their own high-volume spay/neuter and wellness clinics.


FNV coordinates clinics but most recently has purchased a mobile spay/neuter rig. 


OUR LEAD VETERINARIAN

Dr. KATE PEPLIN

Dr. Kate Peplin was raised in Silverton, Oregon. After marrying a Redmond local, her family made the move to Central Oregon. She grew up in 4H and FFA with plenty of large animal experience, but fell in love with small animal medicine after years spent working in shelter medicine. She received her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Oregon State University and attended OSU’s Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2023.


Dr. Peplin’s special interests within the field of veterinary medicine are preventative medicine, community outreach and education, feline medicine, and small animal soft tissue surgery. In her free time she loves hiking, kayaking, and spending quality time with family and friends. Dr. Peplin spends most of her off time with her golden retriever, Amber and her sweet family cat, Sylvester.

Ali Peterson

Originally from Nebraska, Ali recently relocated to Chicago, Illinois, after living in Portland, Oregon. She holds a degree in marketing and has built her career around combining her professional expertise with her commitment to animal welfare. 


Over the years, Ali has fostered more than 100 animals and volunteered with organizations such as Fences for Fido, Stumptown Strays, One Tail at a Time PDX, and Oregon Dog Rescue.


Ali’s passion lies at the intersection of animal welfare and human welfare, recognizing that the wellbeing of people and animals are deeply connected. She advocates for education and empathy as key to building understanding and lasting change in communities.


At FNV, Ali’s work spans clinic support, volunteer coordination, community partnerships, and evolving initiatives. She also manages marketing, helping to highlight the organization’s impact and strengthen connections with the communities FNV serves and allied organizations. 


In addition, Ali supports Clinic HQ, FNV’s parent company, which provides software solutions for high-volume veterinary clinics.


Ali is honored to be part of an Indigenous-led group doing this important work and to contribute to efforts that create meaningful, positive change for animals and their communities.

Benny Moffett

Cheydon Herkshan

Cheydon Herkshan

Benny Moffett is a Veterinary Technician at a veterinary hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. Benny has decades of experience in high-volume spay/neuter, with special expertise in delivering high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter on Native American reservations. His knowledge and compassion are valuable assets for FNV.

Cheydon Herkshan

Cheydon Herkshan

Cheydon Herkshan

Cheydon Herkshan was born and raised on the Warm Springs Reservation and is a registered tribal member. She is currently studying at Western Oregon University for her BA. 

Growing up on the Reservation has given her drive to represent and serve her community in any way possible. Her compassion and knowledge extends to everyone who crosses her path. 

Marisa Patino

Cheydon Herkshan

Richard Lufrano

Marisa Patino is a Customer Service Representative for the City of Portland's Water Bureau. She has an outstanding history in client management and communications. Her expertise and insights on FNV's work help make us great.

Richard Lufrano

Richard Lufrano

Richard Lufrano

 

Richard Lufrano is a skilled copywriter for Duft Watterson, a nationally recognized advertising agency known for its innovative storytelling and creative impact. His sharp writing and editorial insight play an important role in supporting FNV’s message and outreach.

A graduate of Knox College with a master’s degree in education from Colum

 

Richard Lufrano is a skilled copywriter for Duft Watterson, a nationally recognized advertising agency known for its innovative storytelling and creative impact. His sharp writing and editorial insight play an important role in supporting FNV’s message and outreach.

A graduate of Knox College with a master’s degree in education from Columbia College Chicago, Richard blends intellect, creativity, and empathy in his work. His personal experiences in animal welfare even helped inspire the concept for a Netflix Original comedy. Through his creativity and compassion, Richard continues to advance FNV’s mission.



Davina Jolma

Richard Lufrano

Davina Jolma

 

Davina first connected with the FNV team at one of our clinics on the Hopi Reservation, where she brought in a rescued puppy she had saved from the side of the road. Her passion for animal welfare and dedication to her community were immediately evident.

An enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, Davina fosters animals through the Blackhat 

 

Davina first connected with the FNV team at one of our clinics on the Hopi Reservation, where she brought in a rescued puppy she had saved from the side of the road. Her passion for animal welfare and dedication to her community were immediately evident.

An enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, Davina fosters animals through the Blackhat Humane Society and continues to be a strong advocate for compassion and care. She inherited her love for animals from her late father, Alfred, who was known for feeding neighborhood strays and taking in animals in need. A legacy she proudly carries forward today.

Anya Zucker

Richard Lufrano

Davina Jolma

 

Anya is a junior at Grant High School in Portland, OR, where she has fostered a deep commitment to building strong connections with her community. Anya has always had a passion for animals, having raised and trained two dogs and four cats over the years, and is eager to continue expanding her knowledge and experience in the field of anim

 

Anya is a junior at Grant High School in Portland, OR, where she has fostered a deep commitment to building strong connections with her community. Anya has always had a passion for animals, having raised and trained two dogs and four cats over the years, and is eager to continue expanding her knowledge and experience in the field of animal welfare.

She has joined to help coordinate  FNV’s new Fix Ticks initiative, and is thrilled to contribute her love for animals and help support this exciting new project. She looks forward to gaining hands-on experience while making a positive impact on the community.

Alicia Monroe

Kallie Provost

Alicia Monroe

 

 Alicia is a proud Hopi tribal member from Second Mesa, Shungophavi Village, where she was born and raised. Deeply connected to her community, she is grateful for the services that support Hopi families and their animals, especially in times when resources are limited.

Her recent advocacy was inspired by her grandchildren, who began colle

 

 Alicia is a proud Hopi tribal member from Second Mesa, Shungophavi Village, where she was born and raised. Deeply connected to her community, she is grateful for the services that support Hopi families and their animals, especially in times when resources are limited.

Her recent advocacy was inspired by her grandchildren, who began collecting stray animals around the village. Seeing their soft hearts and dedication to caring for these animals opened Alicia’s eyes to the importance of access to spay and neuter services. She realized how vital these programs are in helping families and communities provide better care for their pets and reduce the number of strays in need.

Alicia has worked with the U.S. Census Bureau, contributing to important data collection that strengthens representation and support for tribal communities. She is also a skilled Hopi basket weaver, carrying forward a cherished tradition that reflects her people’s artistry, resilience, and connection to the land.

Through her compassion, cultural work, and advocacy, Alicia continues to serve as a bridge between tradition and community care, honoring her roots while helping create a kinder future for all.

Juanita Lopez

Kallie Provost

Alicia Monroe

 

Juanita  is a proud member of the Warm Springs community and an enrolled tribal member. Deeply connected to her roots, she is passionate about representing her community and highlighting that people living on reservations share a profound love and respect for their animals.

With enthusiasm and dedication, Juanita joins the FNV board ready

 

Juanita  is a proud member of the Warm Springs community and an enrolled tribal member. Deeply connected to her roots, she is passionate about representing her community and highlighting that people living on reservations share a profound love and respect for their animals.

With enthusiasm and dedication, Juanita joins the FNV board ready to make a meaningful impact, not only within her own reservation, but across all the communities FNV serves. Her compassion and commitment to advocacy reflect her belief in building stronger, more caring connections between people and animals everywhere.

Kallie Provost

Kallie Provost

Irene Fitzpatrick

 

Kallie Provost is an enrolled Tribal member and proud community member of Grand Ronde. She has served as Tribal royalty for the past several years representing her community with pride and dedication.

A lifelong animal lover, Kallie shares her home with her two cats, Ushi and Elpi, and her dog, Ralph. Beyond her love for animals, she acti

 

Kallie Provost is an enrolled Tribal member and proud community member of Grand Ronde. She has served as Tribal royalty for the past several years representing her community with pride and dedication.

A lifelong animal lover, Kallie shares her home with her two cats, Ushi and Elpi, and her dog, Ralph. Beyond her love for animals, she actively supports community initiatives and is an involved member of her canoe family, embracing traditional practices and values.

Kallie is excited to join the FNV Board, where she hopes to blend her passion for community service and her love of animals to make a positive impact.

Irene Fitzpatrick

Irene Fitzpatrick

Irene Fitzpatrick

 

Bio Coming Soon

about our logo

Mr. Speakthunder Berry

Mr. Berry is a renowned coastal Salish artist based on the Warm Springs Nation of Oregon. He designed our custom "rez dog" logo. His designs are an excellent example of the traditional Salish style of the Pacific Northwest. Check out his online gallery or watch a video here as he discusses his art.

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