NANCY D. DOYLE, MPT
Physical Therapist and Rehabilitation Director
Nancy Doyle attended Texas A&M University for three years, then completed her studies at UTMB Galveston to receive her Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) degree. She became licensed in Physical Therapy in 1996 and practiced for over six years in numerous facilities providing care to humans. She joined the Veterinary world in 2002 to create and develop the Rehabilitation program at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists in Houston, Texas, one of the first specialty animal rehabilitation practices in the nation. After developing the practice at GCVS for 16 years, Nancy relocated to the Texas hill country to establish the Rehabilitation practice at Allure Integrated Pet Specialists, finding new professional challenges and the joys of seamlessly combining her skills with equally talented individuals specializing in Eastern and Western treatments.
In her time away from work, Nancy is still focused on dogs! Nancy actively trains and competes with her personal dogs in multiple sports including agility, rally obedience, nosework, and conformation. This has given her unique insight into the demands our canine athletes experience and how to help them maintain top physical conditioning or return to sport post injury or surgery. She also has learned how to implement training techniques and apply theories of learning to help beloved family pets learn new tasks to maximize their happy participation in Rehabilitation.
Dr. Jessica Castaneda
Jessica Castaneda, DVM (formerly Dr. Sovereign) joined the team at Westridge in August 2015. She fulfilled her life-long dream of becoming a veterinarian after completing her Bachelor of Animal Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 2013.
Originally from Ada, Oklahoma, Dr. Castaneda moved to the San Antonio area after graduating veterinary school and has been working as a general practitioner since that time. Her interests include preventive care and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
As a strong believer in life-long learning, she continues to further her knowledge of preventative medicine and general practice. She strives to create comprehensive, holistic management plans for her patients with the life qualities and preferences of the individual pets and their people in mind. In addition to the incorporation of conventional methods, she completed certification in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture in order to offer more modalities to her patients. With her professional attitude, dedication, positive presence, compassion, and excellent communication skills, she works hand-in-hand with the entire Westridge team in the pursuit of providing those in her care with overall health and well-being.
Dr. Castaneda and her husband Tim have two sons, Mitchell and Trevor, as well as a terrier mix named Bindi and two cats, Yoko and A Boy Named Sue. The Castanedas love to spoil their kids and pets as much as possible. Dr. Castaneda enjoys spending time with friends and family, camping, hiking, and horseback riding and toys with the idea of becoming a Master Naturalist one day.
MICHELLE BAMMEL, DVM, CVA, CCRP
Dr. Bammel is a native Texan and has lived and practiced in the San Antonio area since graduation from veterinary school. Dr. Bammel completed her undergraduate studies at Baylor University and graduated cum laude from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001.
Dr. Bammel is a firm believer in the power of knowledge and continuing education and has a special interest in blending Western medicine and integrative therapies to achieve maximum pet health. She is an IVAS certified veterinary acupuncturist (CVA, 2009) and a University of Tennessee trained Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP, 2011). She has completed all of her training courses at Chi University to qualify for their master’s degree and is currently working to complete her thesis for a final master’s degree designation. Dr. Bammel loves sharing what she learns in her studies with her clients to educate them on the value of prevention as the best means of avoiding illness and disease.
When not at work, Dr. Bammel enjoys spending time with her two-legged family and gardening. She has been married to her husband, Clint, for 13 years and they have two sons that keep her bustling with all of their school and after-school activities. Her family is completed with the four-legged children that include four dogs that range from 7 pounds to 87 pounds, one cat, and one bearded dragon.