I spent a majority of my childhood in Colorado. Nature and wildlife have been a big part of my life. Some of my fondest memories are of times I spent in the mountains quietly observing wild animals. I moved to study Biology and Asian Studies in college. Happily, I also met my husband during that time. Later we lived in Pennsylvania with our two sons while he finished his medical training. While there, I worked at ZooAmerica. I enjoyed providing care and enrichment for the many kinds of animals that were in our education department. I even trained Hoover, a vulture, to fly and perch on my gloved hand.
In 2009, we moved to Sacramento, CA, so that I could pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. Before applying to veterinary school, I volunteered at the California Raptor Center and worked in clinical research studying anesthetics and analgesia in cats, birds and rabbits. In 2015, I graduated from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, with an emphasis in small animal, exotics and zoo medicine. Since then I have worked in private practice. I enjoy providing veterinary care for dogs, cats, rabbits and other small mammals, reptiles and birds.
Outside of work, I hike with my family and two dogs. I spend time with our other family pets, nicknamed “The Tiedeken Zoo,” that includes tortoises, parrots, parakeets, rats and fish. I also work on the family cars and love going to the gym
