Dr. Mark T. Higgins graduated from the University of Missouri in 1981 with a doctorate in veterinary medicine and has been practicing veterinary medicine in Tulsa since that time. After working at Mingo Road Veterinary Hospital for several years, Dr. Higgins opened Care Animal Hospital in 1994. Several years later his wife, Dr. Betty Bassett, also a veterinarian, began practicing feline medicine here at Care Animal Hospital. In 2008, Dr. Betty Bassett retired from veterinary medicine and now focuses her attention on volunteering around the community. Dr. Higgins is committed to practicing high-quality medicine by annually improving his skills with continuing education conferences and staying active in various veterinary organizations. By doing so he is able to offer the most recent and innovative treatment options for your pet. Like his wife, Dr. Higgins also enjoys working in the community and often volunteers to teach students and children about the importance of preventative pet care, proper pet ownership, and compassion for animals in schools around the Tulsa area. Dr. Higgins has two children, Emily and Brian. Recently he welcomed two beautiful grandchildren, twins named Sophia and Olivia! In his spare time, Dr. Higgins enjoys spending time with his family, playing basketball, and staying active in his church. He has three wonderful dogs, two terrier mixes named Duke and Daisy and a Chihuahua named Beanie. Beanie is also a registered therapy dog and often accompanies him during his volunteer work.

• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
• Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA)
• Tulsa County Veterinary Medical Association (TCVMA)
• Dr. Higgins is a past president of both the TCVMA and OVMA

Email Dr. Higgins at drhiggins@tulsacarevets.com

Dr. Angie Semple is a native Tulsan and graduated from Bishop Kelley High School. She attended the University of Tulsa where she obtained her undergraduate degree and then graduated from Oklahoma State University with a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1998. Dr. Semple worked in Tulsa area and Houston before coming to Care Animal Hospital in 2016. Dr. Semple has a special interest in internal medicine, surgery, and feline medicine. Dr. Semple is also passionate about education and serving the community. She served as PTO President for many years as well as on the Owasso Education Foundation Board and Grant Committee. In her free time, Dr. Semple enjoys spending time with her family and going to the lake. She also loves horticulture, reading, saltwater fish, and watching sporting events. Dr. Semple is married and has two children. She also has a lot of pets including a French Bulldog named “Ed” and two cats “Edith” and “Joey”. In addition, she has a lovebird, two chickens and various saltwater fish.

She is a member of the following:

• American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP)
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
• Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA)
• Tulsa County Veterinary Medical Association (TCVMA)

Email Dr. Semple at drsemple@tulsacarevets.com

Born and raised just outside of Toronto, Canada, Dr. Monaghan attended Oklahoma State University where she competed for their track and cross country program. She graduated in 2014 with her Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology. Having fallen in love with Oklahoma she decided to stay at OSU to complete her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 2018.

Dr. Monaghan’s family includes her loving husband Taylor, her daughter Payton and two fur-children, a rescue boxer-hound mutt named Cooper and a German Shorthair Pointer named Maple Bacon. Dr. Monaghan’s interests include small animal wellness, surgery, and internal medicine.  In her spare time Dr. Monaghan enjoys being outdoors, whether that be camping, gardening, lake days, or cooking out with friends, family and beloved pets.

Office Manager

Kristi has been with Care Animal Hospital since April 2006 as our practice manager. She started working in the veterinary field in 1999, first as a kennel technician and a veterinary assistant. In 2005 she graduated from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in business management and a minor in marketing. She has loved animals all her life and enjoys being able to work with them daily.

Kristi and her husband have two children, a daughter named Everleigh and a son named Brooks. She has two dogs named Ava and Posey, as well as a cat named Thomas. In her free time, she can often be found outside at the Gathering Place or zoo with her family. When not out enjoying the sunshine, she often spends her free time at home reading.

Nancy has been with Care Animal Hospital since May 2012 as one of our registered veterinary technicians. She is originally from South Bend, IN but moved to Oklahoma in 2006 graduating from TCC’s veterinary technology program in 2012. Nancy has always had an innate desire to help animals and wanted to be a veterinarian growing up, however, when she found out there was a career that was the equivalent of a nurse for animals she knew it was her calling. Nancy has a special interest in anesthesiology, pain management, and end of life care. She is also a passionate advocate of the human-animal bond.

Nancy’s other greatest passion is for music and singing. She enjoys going to a wide variety of concerts and musicals whenever possible. She has two dogs named Jax and Sydney and two cats named Wesa and Nora. When not at work she also enjoys spending time with her husband Josh and two adorable yet rambunctious boys John and Adam.

Karen is married to a member of the Tulsa Air National Guard, and together they have two Australian Shepherd mixes named River and Archer and two cats named Katniss and Andy. She is a big geek and loves talking endlessly about her love for pop culture. When not at work, she can usually be found at concerts, broadway shows, or curled up with a good book.

Kayla is one of our tech assistants, pictured here with her dog Darwin. She has been an important part of the Care Animal team since June 2013. She originally started in our kennel department and has formed such close relationships with all of our patients. Her favorite part of the job is getting to see the joy of pets being reunited with their owners. Kayla is currently attending classes at Oklahoma State University before going to law school! She has two cats (Navi & Dingus) and a dog Darwin.

When not at work Stefanie can be found spending time with her husband Brian and their son Ryker. She has 4 pets: a cat named Solomon and 3 dogs named Luna Lovegood, Princess Wasabi, and Sterling Marlory Archer.

Melissa is married with five children, three grandchildren, two dogs (Apollo and Sunny), four cats (Tigee, Lillith, Mylo, and Rosie), and 17 chickens! Melissa’s favorite things to do outside of work are anything that includes her family and the outdoors. She is also an avid heavy metal fan and attends Rocklahoma every year.

When she is not at work she enjoys spending time with her dog, friends, and family. She has one dog named Teddy who she calls her best friend.

Practice Manager

Rachelle has been with Care Animal Hospital since July 2021 but had been doing relief work here for several years prior. Rachelle grew up on a farm and always loved working with animals, especially bottle calves. As she grew up, she began to love the science behind animal care and decided to make it a career! The most rewarding part of her job is watching patients go home to their loving families. She received a Bachelor of Science in medical/molecular biology and an associate degree in applied science in emergency medical services. She is certified in canine CPR and AHA CPR for humans. Additionally, Rachelle has an EMT-B license through the Army, which means she’s also an Army Medic! She is currently a Sergeant First Class with the Oklahoma Army National Guard.

At home, Rachelle has a Miniature Schnauzer Savannah, Doberman Pinscher Turk, and two kitties named Fat Larry and Fat Patty! When she’s not at work, she enjoys spending time outside hiking and enjoying the outdoors.

Alexis works as our afternoon technician assistant and has been with us since 2018. She has worked in veterinary medicine for five years, first working kennels and then moving to veterinary assistant work. Currently, Alexis is enrolled at TCC and upon graduation will enroll at OSU for her doctorate in veterinary medicine! Her dream is to be able to work with exotics and all types of animals big and small. Alexis has three dogs named Olive Oil, Big Papi, and Max. She also has a pet rat named Randy. Her favorite part of the job is being able to work with the animals one on one, she really enjoys being able to see sick pets become well again and reunite with their owners. When she is not working, Alexis loves to paint, read, and go to as many concerts as possible!

Libby loves to read and travel to see concerts with her best friends Kayla and Aly. When she is not at the clinic, you can find her spending time with her husband and their 4 dogs, Rudy, Finn, Poppy, and Phoebe, as well as their 2 cats, Chowder and Corpse.