Our Veterinarians

Sharon earned her degree in Veterinary Technology at the University of Minnesota, Waseca campus in 1985. She started her career as a veterinary technician in Lewiston, Minnesota at a large mixed animal practice focused on mainly dairy ambulatory medicine. She was then hired by Alpine Veterinary Hospital in Bingen, WA in 1987. There she worked with and then married Dr. Mike Foss. Sharon and Dr. Foss have three beautiful children and they have raised them through practice life. Many clients recall Dr. Foss driving up to their farm for a house call with Sharon and the kids in tow. Sharon is very proud to have her daughter joining the family practice as a veterinarian. Sharon is currently the managing technician of the practice. Dr. Foss and Sharon will be celebrating their 34th anniversary in 2022 and celebrating 35 years of working together as a team to take care of our patients and clients in the gorge. When Sharon is not working she enjoys camping with her family, crafting, art, crocheting, and knitting.

Kelsey began her career at Alpine in 2009 and has worked with us off and on until 2018 when she became a permanent fixture here at the clinic. Kelsey was born and raised in the Columbia River Gorge. She is a mom to her son Justace, as well as a couple of cattle dogs. While exploring her education she ended up in Lexington, Kentucky as an intern for the Kentucky Equine Management Internship. There she was able to work closely with Thoroughbred mares, foals and yearlings at Lane’s End Farm. After her internship, she began pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Pre-Veterinary Animal Sciences. While she was in school she worked for Juddmonte Farms, one of the most prestigious breeding and racing farms in the Thoroughbred Industry. She has had the opportunity to help foal, guide, break, and train many well-known racehorses. She graduated from the University of Kentucky in December 2017 and has moved back home to become a Veterinary Technician. Kelsey is also an Emergency Medical Technician who volunteers her time with Klickitat County Fire District 3 as their Emergency Medical Services Coordinator. 

Rhian is a certified veterinarian assistant who came to work with us in 2014 after completing her externship hours in our hood river office. After 2 years Rhian was expecting child number 2 and decided to take the time to be a stay at home mom to her 2 boys.  She recently came back to work with us part time.    Rhian has always loved all animal and loves that she gets to assist our doctors in making them feel better. When Rhian is not working you can find her with her family and friend’s most likely fishing, camping, or relaxing on her “farm”. She has 3 dogs, 1 cat, 7 chickens, 2 goats, and some fish.

Rachal began her career here at Alpine in early 2016. Rachal began as a receptionist and advanced her learning to obtain the role of Inventory Purchasing and Technician.   Her passion for animals started at a young age by helping with lambing at her family's farm. In High School she started her own sheep breeding project with the help from her parents and FFA Advisors. Her main goal was concentrating on genetics and producing quality lambs for local 4-H and FFA kids. She won many awards, lasting life lessons, hard work, dedication and animal husbandry.    Years later she volunteered for The Gorge Hero’s Club. The team sent many care packages all over the world to deployed Soldiers and became pen pals with many of them over the years. Helping bring a little piece of home to wherever they may be was such a blessing.   Her love for being a part of something bigger than herself led her to volunteer at a local Fire Department. She took many classes to obtain her Firefighter/ EMT and has been helping her community for the last 15 years.   Outside of work you can find her spending time with her family, snuggling her old dog Ruger, crocheting and rockhounding with her daughter and husband. Being outside with her family is her happy place.

Kristen began her career with us in the summer of 2020. Kristen was born and raised in the gorge, and grew up around her grandparent’s farm of 22 horses plus many other animals. Her love for animals began at a very young age. Kristen grew up competing in 4-H and local horse shows, making it to Washington State Fair for multiple years She competed and placed in Barrel racing.  Kristen is currently a 4-H leader in Skamania County. She lives on a small farm in Washington and is a mother of 2 wonderful kids (plus many more who call her mom), 6 horses, 5 dogs, 3 cats, and countless ducks and chickens.  When Kristen is not working you can find her with her kids at horse shows, or camping and relaxing with her family, friends and animals.  “I feel very lucky to be apart of our awesome team. I love coming to work! You never know what your day will bring or what you’re going to learn!” 

Leah joined the team September 2021 after many years here as a client. 

Leah moved from Connecticut to Oregon in 2012 to take a break from the horse industry. Leah spent her childhood days riding and competing in hunter jumper shows and after high school she began training dressage riders in Fairfield, CT. She has experience in EAGALA therapy and in 2018 opened a horseback riding program to share her love of riding with the Hood River community. Her pets include 2 dogs, 3 horses and a cat. She is very delighted to learn and assist patients here at Hood River Alpine Vet.  “After being an Alpine client for several years, I am excited to join a team of such passionate and knowledgeable individuals!”  

Jessica started working at the Hood River Alpine Vet Hospital in 2019. After moving from sunny California to the magnificent Columbia Gorge, she is determined to expand her knowledge in veterinary medicine. Currently a kennel assistant, Jessica is now enrolled to start her journey as a Certified Veterinary Assistant. Before working with us, Jessica previously worked at horse boarding barns, dog and cat grooming salons, and pet motels. In her spare time, Jessica runs a troop of gogo dancers in Portland, as well as doing photography, cosplay, and mixology.

Ashley moved to Hood River in 1997, growing up on an alpaca farm. Ashley started caring for farm animals at an early age. Ashley's always had an interest in veterinary medicine. Ashley started  her career working within another local clinic that does not service large animals. Ashley realized that her passion was with her roots, working with and caring for large animals, well really a mix of both large and small animals. Ashley's currently working on her certification as a Veterinary Technician in a local program. Ashley's pets include two miniature Australian Shepherds, a German Shepherd/Husky mix, and a little rescue kitty. In her spare time Ashley enjoys hunting, hiking, and lots of relaxing. You'll always find Ashley snacking on something around the clinic!