I’m Marianne Youngstrom, originally from Seattle, with a lifelong passion for animal behavior and welfare. I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Washington, where I had the opportunity to work with a variety of species, including elephants, birds, bats, and zebrafish. While I initially pursued animal behavioral research, I soon realized that my true calling was veterinary medicine, where I could make a more direct impact on the health and well-being of animals.
I went on to earn my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University, focusing on feline medicine, with special interests in internal medicine, dentistry, and behavioral health. I am trained in Low-Stress Handling and am a Cat-Friendly Certified Veterinarian through the Feline Medical Association, committed to making vet visits as stress-free as possible.
At home, my husband, Eric, a motion designer at Microsoft, and I share our lives with three beloved pets: Axel Whitepaw, our 8-year-old adventure – loving mixed-breed dog, and two charismatic and mischievous cats, Mr. Bojangles (15 years young) and Penelope Margaret (about 1.5 years old). Outside of veterinary medicine, I love long-distance cycling, trail and road running, hiking, and camping—taking every opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Whether I’m on two wheels or curled up by a campfire with a great (but slightly cheesy) thriller novel, I’m always looking for new ways to stay active and connected to nature. My favorite food combination? A peanut butter and pickle sandwich.