The Cat Hospital of Tucson is home to a devoted, passionate, and highly trained team of veterinary staff and veterinarians. From diagnostics to surgery and more, our cat-loving staff ensures your beloved kitty stays in top shape! Our goal is to keep your kitty healthy, happy, and purring!
Owner/Veterinarian
Dr. Johnston has considered Tucson home since 2003. She grew up in Michigan and is a graduate of Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Go Green!
In 2022 she was able to realize her dream of owning a cat-only practice when she purchased the Cat Hospital of Tucson. She is passionate about comprehensive cat well-being, especially pain management and the delicate balance of care for our geriatric felines. As such she is committed to advancing her knowledge and providing education to her colleagues and cat parents.
She is a member of the AVMA, AzVMA, SAVMA, IVAPM, and most importantly the American Association of Feline Professionals (AAFP). She is certified in Veterinary Acupuncture as well. She lives with her partner and their 4 cats and 3 dogs. During her free time she enjoys all that Tucson has to offer from great food, unique people, mountain hikes to spectacular sunsets.
Hospital Manager, Certified Veterinary Technician
A Tucson Native, Colleen has been at the Cat Hospital since its opening. She grew up with a myriad of animals; cats, horses, dogs, chickens, ducks, rabbit, parakeet, and sheep. This grew into judging a 4-H horse show at the Pima County Fair to training horses herself. In 1994, she graduated from Pima Medical Institute as a veterinary assistant. In 2003 she passed the National and Arizona State veterinary technician licensing exams and became a Certified Veterinary Technician. She loves all aspects of her job but has specific interest in anesthesia, dentistry and surgery. She has 3 adult children and 5 (yes 5) grandchildren; 5 cats, 2 dogs, 2 horses and a turtle. In her free time she enjoy my photography business, horse back riding, watching her daughter barrel race and best of all, being a grandma.
Certified Veterinary Technician
East coast at heart, Lee spent his formative years and beyond in the Philly burbs. He graduated from Manor College in Jenkintown PA in 2008 with an associates degree in veterinary technology and passed the national boards to become a certified veterinary technician. After spending many years as a senior technician in a busy dog and cat practice, he achieved his goal of working in a feline only practice after moving to Tucson in 2016. Used to a fast paced and demanding atmosphere, he takes client needs seriously and is willing to go the extra mile to help people help their kitties. Attending to the special needs of our senior citizen kitties is by far his favorite part of the job. When not at work, he’s usually at home with his own kitties being a book worm, thrifting, hanging with friends or puttering around the internet.
Veterinary Assistant
Born and raised in Tucson, Phoebe has been part of the Cat Hospital family since 2015. She grew up with a large variety of pets and has always wanted to work in the veterinary field since she was little. She is currently attending Pima Community College to become a certified vet tech. She currently cares for 2 FIV+ cats, a dog, and a corn snake. In her free time she enjoys painting, playing video games, or hosting game nights with friends. She also enjoys creating a positive work environment for staff, clients, and patients.
Veterinary Assistant
Nicole moved to Tucson in 2017. She has a Bachelor’s degree of Mathematics with a focus in statistics, but after working in different types of applicable jobs decided to pursue a career in something she loved. She has always had a passion for animals, so in 2020 she started working in the vet world and has never been happier. Nicole started working at the Cat Hospital of Tucson in 2022 and loves the amount of special care she is able to give to the kitties. Outside of work Nicole likes to play soccer, sing, play board games, and swim.
Nicole lives with her husband, two cats, and a leopard gecko. Toothless all black cat that is shy at first, but the most lovable once he warms up to you. Pudge is a brown tabby that is outgoing and loves to meet new people. Yamori is their gecko that mostly stays in his terrarium but will tolerate being shown off. Nicole loves her family and work family very much!
Veterinarian Assistant
Emma moved to Tucson from Washington state in 2021. Having completed a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, she hopes to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Arizona in the near future. Emma has held a diverse range of animal-related jobs over the last 11 years including professional animal care (at universities, non-profits, and zoos), research with the US Department of Fish and Wildlife, and veterinary assisting and reception. Her specific interests in feline care include surgery, diagnostics, behavior and helping both people and pets.
Outside of work, Emma likes playing video games, herping, painting, and spending time in nature. Emma lives with her partner, two cats and lizard (but is always hoping to get more animals).
Veterinary Assistant
Bio coming soon
Veterinarian Assistant
Clinic Cat/Supervisor
Prudence was found as a stray when she was trying to cross Broadway on Prudence Road by a client in 2018. She was saved from certain doom and the Cat Hospital of Tucson became her home. She dutifully watches the staff and makes sure to let all the employees know who’s the real boss.
As an integral part of the Cat Hospital of Tucson, Prudence is a hardworking supervisor. She takes her job very seriously by napping in reception, bullying her subordinates for treats, and swatting ankles for her breakfast and dinner. When pleased she purrs like a mac truck!
You will find Prudence wandering around the halls, looking for treats or some petting. She’s happy to say hello to all that come in, but watch your feet as she has a foot fetish. Stinky feet in flip flops are her favorite!
