Meet the veterinarians
About Dr. Sarah Furtney
I grew up in El Paso, Texas. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition from Texas A&M University in 2005, I went on to earn a Master of Science degree from Sul Ross State University, publishing several articles in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science along the way. I obtained my veterinary degree from Western University of Health Sciences in California in 2016, and then completed an equine internship in Ocala, Florida at Peterson & Smith in 2017.
Wanting to be closer to family and friends, I came back home to Texas and practiced in a mixed animal hospital before starting a career in veterinary relief work. I have provided veterinary relief in the greater San Antonio area for five years, and joined the Lap of Love team to fulfill my passion for end-of-life care.
When I am not working, I love spending time with my two Australian Shepherds and three cats. Showing up on my doorstep at different times over the years, my furry family has taught me more than I learned in veterinary school!
About Dr. Kathryn O'Neill
I grew up in northwest Austin, Texas where I attended Texas A&M University. I left A&M with my bachelor's degree in biomedical science, my veterinary degree, and my husband!
After graduating, I spent two years working at a small animal practice in Augusta, Georgia before moving to chilly Rochester, New York where my husband, Chris, had taken a job. We only planned to stay in Rochester for a few years but we ended up sticking around, raising three kids, and owning and managing a busy small animal practice for 27 years! We are back in Texas now, and I’m so happy to be home and close to family!
I’ve loved my career as a small animal veterinarian and find diagnosing, treating, and preventing animal illness very rewarding. It is thrilling to see a sick pet restored to health. I also find joy in witnessing the fascinating bond between humans and animals. Pets provide so much love and support as we journey through life.
I am keenly aware of how hard it is to let go of a pet when it’s their time. Saying goodbye to my beloved golden retriever, who was such a special member of our family and my running buddy in her younger days, was so difficult. I knew in my medical mind that it was time, but my heart had a hard time letting go. Fortunately, I was able to help her pass peacefully at home as our family loved on her with soft strokes and gentle words of comfort. It was a blessing for my family and I to be together for this moment, as we wept and remembered her beautiful life.
It's important to me to provide a similar experience of peaceful, compassionate care for other pets in their homes with the people who love them. We always remember the day we have to say goodbye to our pets, and I hope to bring a sense of peace of comfort to that memory.
Outside of work, I am an avid runner (my husband doesn’t run with me but likes to ride along on his bike). We focus a lot of our spare time helping our parents age gracefully. We also enjoy traveling to see our kids and grandkids. Our house is a hairy one with two dogs and three cats, and I wouldn't have it any other way!
About Dr. Lizann Guzman
I grew up in San Antonio, Texas loving animals—especially our family dogs—and I wanted to be the one to help them when they needed it. I also loved learning about science and became particularly interested in biomedical science and veterinary medicine. Before attending veterinary school, I graduated cum laude from Texas A&M University in College Station, where I majored in biomedical science and minored in psychology.
I’ve spent my career working in small animal practice, where I enjoy connecting with clients and sharing knowledge and resources around wellness and preventive care to improve the lives of their pets. Being able to give calm advice when clients are understandably worried about their furry family members provides me the most satisfaction in my work.
I understand how difficult it can be to lose a pet. I adopted my cat, Charlie, in 2019. He was blind but otherwise happy and well adjusted. He loved going outside, and was very independent and determined to not let anything get in the way of doing what he wanted. In 2020, he got sick and had to have a feeding tube placed. He had the tube in for a little over a month and would come to work with me every day. I eventually had to decide to euthanize Charlie. Caring for him gave me the greatest sense of purpose in life, and I was incredibly grateful to be the one to help end his suffering. I hope to bring that same comfort to families going through similar situations, in a more peaceful way than the typical in-clinic euthanasia experience.
Through my work, I enjoy being able to connect with families in a meaningful way over their beloved pets, and I truly care for each patient as if they were my own pet. Being able to share such a precious moment with families is an honor.
I am thrilled to be back in San Antonio with its small-town feel and traditions, and near most of my family. Outside of work, I like to crochet and knit. While I have made many handmade gifts for loved ones over the years, my favorite was for myself—a crocheted tapestry of a picture of Charlie. I also enjoy painting, drawing, and playing the viola!
Pronouns: She/Her
About Dr. Sarah Furtney
I grew up in El Paso, Texas. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition from Texas A&M University in 2005, I went on to earn a Master of Science degree from Sul Ross State University, publishing several articles in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science along the way. I obtained my veterinary degree from Western University of Health Sciences in California in 2016, and then completed an equine internship in Ocala, Florida at Peterson & Smith in 2017.
Wanting to be closer to family and friends, I came back home to Texas and practiced in a mixed animal hospital before starting a career in veterinary relief work. I have provided veterinary relief in the greater San Antonio area for five years, and joined the Lap of Love team to fulfill my passion for end-of-life care.
When I am not working, I love spending time with my two Australian Shepherds and three cats. Showing up on my doorstep at different times over the years, my furry family has taught me more than I learned in veterinary school!
About Dr. Kathryn O'Neill
I grew up in northwest Austin, Texas where I attended Texas A&M University. I left A&M with my bachelor's degree in biomedical science, my veterinary degree, and my husband!
After graduating, I spent two years working at a small animal practice in Augusta, Georgia before moving to chilly Rochester, New York where my husband, Chris, had taken a job. We only planned to stay in Rochester for a few years but we ended up sticking around, raising three kids, and owning and managing a busy small animal practice for 27 years! We are back in Texas now, and I’m so happy to be home and close to family!
I’ve loved my career as a small animal veterinarian and find diagnosing, treating, and preventing animal illness very rewarding. It is thrilling to see a sick pet restored to health. I also find joy in witnessing the fascinating bond between humans and animals. Pets provide so much love and support as we journey through life.
I am keenly aware of how hard it is to let go of a pet when it’s their time. Saying goodbye to my beloved golden retriever, who was such a special member of our family and my running buddy in her younger days, was so difficult. I knew in my medical mind that it was time, but my heart had a hard time letting go. Fortunately, I was able to help her pass peacefully at home as our family loved on her with soft strokes and gentle words of comfort. It was a blessing for my family and I to be together for this moment, as we wept and remembered her beautiful life.
It's important to me to provide a similar experience of peaceful, compassionate care for other pets in their homes with the people who love them. We always remember the day we have to say goodbye to our pets, and I hope to bring a sense of peace of comfort to that memory.
Outside of work, I am an avid runner (my husband doesn’t run with me but likes to ride along on his bike). We focus a lot of our spare time helping our parents age gracefully. We also enjoy traveling to see our kids and grandkids. Our house is a hairy one with two dogs and three cats, and I wouldn't have it any other way!
About Dr. Lizann Guzman
I grew up in San Antonio, Texas loving animals—especially our family dogs—and I wanted to be the one to help them when they needed it. I also loved learning about science and became particularly interested in biomedical science and veterinary medicine. Before attending veterinary school, I graduated cum laude from Texas A&M University in College Station, where I majored in biomedical science and minored in psychology.
I’ve spent my career working in small animal practice, where I enjoy connecting with clients and sharing knowledge and resources around wellness and preventive care to improve the lives of their pets. Being able to give calm advice when clients are understandably worried about their furry family members provides me the most satisfaction in my work.
I understand how difficult it can be to lose a pet. I adopted my cat, Charlie, in 2019. He was blind but otherwise happy and well adjusted. He loved going outside, and was very independent and determined to not let anything get in the way of doing what he wanted. In 2020, he got sick and had to have a feeding tube placed. He had the tube in for a little over a month and would come to work with me every day. I eventually had to decide to euthanize Charlie. Caring for him gave me the greatest sense of purpose in life, and I was incredibly grateful to be the one to help end his suffering. I hope to bring that same comfort to families going through similar situations, in a more peaceful way than the typical in-clinic euthanasia experience.
Through my work, I enjoy being able to connect with families in a meaningful way over their beloved pets, and I truly care for each patient as if they were my own pet. Being able to share such a precious moment with families is an honor.
I am thrilled to be back in San Antonio with its small-town feel and traditions, and near most of my family. Outside of work, I like to crochet and knit. While I have made many handmade gifts for loved ones over the years, my favorite was for myself—a crocheted tapestry of a picture of Charlie. I also enjoy painting, drawing, and playing the viola!
Pronouns: She/Her
About Dr. Sarah Furtney
I grew up in El Paso, Texas. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition from Texas A&M University in 2005, I went on to earn a Master of Science degree from Sul Ross State University, publishing several articles in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science along the way. I obtained my veterinary degree from Western University of Health Sciences in California in 2016, and then completed an equine internship in Ocala, Florida at Peterson & Smith in 2017.
Wanting to be closer to family and friends, I came back home to Texas and practiced in a mixed animal hospital before starting a career in veterinary relief work. I have provided veterinary relief in the greater San Antonio area for five years, and joined the Lap of Love team to fulfill my passion for end-of-life care.
When I am not working, I love spending time with my two Australian Shepherds and three cats. Showing up on my doorstep at different times over the years, my furry family has taught me more than I learned in veterinary school!