Meet Our Team

Dr. Patti Blackmore graduated from the University Of Arizona with a degree in Agriculture in 1991 and continued her education at Colorado State University receiving her degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1995.  After graduation, Dr. Blackmore returned to her home town of Mesa, Arizona where she practiced small animal medicine and surgery until she married Dr. William Blackmore and moved to Payson in 1996.  In 2000, Dr. Blackmore started a mobile small animal practice.  As a mobile vet, Dr. Blackmore was concerned that she was limited in her ability to practice quality medicine and surgery so she opened a small veterinary facility next to her husbands practice.  That facility was quickly outgrown and on October 28, 2002 Dr. Blackmore moved into her current facility at 401 W. Main St.  That very same day, Dr. Blackmore gave birth to twin girls, Hanna and Olivia. 

Dr. Blackmore enjoys all aspects of veterinary medical practice.  She especially enjoys the challenge of internal medicine and is often found on the phone with a specialist or with her head in a book to find the latest and best treatments for a pet's disease.  Dr. Blackmore's real passion lies in veterinary hospice care and compassionate euthanasia services.  In 2007, Dr. Blackmore began co-sponsoring a pet loss support group.  Currently, Dr. Blackmore offers in home hospice care and euthanasia services.  She believes a pets last moments should be spent in familiar surrounding, with family at their side.  Pine Country Animal Clinic offers a special comfort room for in-clinic euthanasias.

Dr Drew Justice graduated from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in 1996 and joined Star Valley Veterinary Clinic of Star Valley, Arizona as an Associate Veterinarian.   In 2001, he launched Diamond J Veterinary Services of Payson.  Diamond J Veterinary Services is a progressive mobile large animal veterinary practice, offering services in medicine, surgery, and emergency response for large animals.  As well as holding memberships in professional veterinary medical associations like the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Dr Justice is an avid outdoorsman and an active member of the Payson area community.  He is a past chairman and co/chairman of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Payson Chapter, and a member, speaker and regular contributing author to the Payson Horsemen’s Association.  As a member of the NAVIT Facilities Committee, he helped develop and implement plans to bring new teaching facilities for Agriculture Education to Payson High School.  He is also responsible for organizing the effort to raise the initial funds necessary to debut the Black Stallion Literacy Project in the Payson School District.  Dr Justice holds seminars on animal care for numerous local organizations such as the 4-H, FFA, Payson Horsman’s Association, Toastmasters, Payson Rotary Club and the local schools.  He further contributes to the community as a volunteer, committee member, and member of the board of the Gracie Lee Haught Children’s Memorial Fund.

 In addition to owning Diamond J Veterinary Services, Dr Justice joins Pine Country Animal Clinic to apply his talents and skill to challenging small animal surgical procedures.  With the help of his passion for surgery, we are expanding the veterinary services available to the Payson area.

Ken Crump graduated from Bel Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Colorado in 1981 and joined the Oncology Unit at Colorado State University, where he specialized in anesthesia. In 1988 he joined the Anesthesia Section at the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital. After 10 years with the Anesthesia Section, he joined the Clinical Oncology Service of the CSU Animal Cancer Center as its Head Technician. Ken has authored many scientific abstracts and articles, and made dozens of Continuing Education presentations across the United States and in Canada. He has moderated message boards for Oncology, and Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine for the online Veterinary Support Personnel Network (VSPN). His professional memberships have included the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management, past-president of the Veterinary Technician Cancer Society, and the Veterinary Technician Anesthetist Society. Ken was also the anesthesia faculty for the Front Range Community College Veterinary Technician program, for its first four years. His distinctions include the Colorado State University College Outstanding Service Award, the Colorado State University Outstanding Achievement Award, being named Veterinary Technician of the Year by the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, and being the first veterinary technician to complete the AAVMA Medical Acupuncture for Veterinarians course. In January 2008, his design to improve patient comfort after surgery (Canine Sidebars®) was launched onto the commercial market. In July 2008 he retired from Colorado State University and moved to Payson, Arizona.

Ken Crump joins Pine Country Animal Clinic to apply his knowledge of chemotherapy, anesthesia and acupuncture. With his help, we are expanding the veterinary services available to the Payson area. In addition to innovative anesthesia and pain management techniques, Ken brings fifteen years experience in cancer and chemotherapy to our new cancer treatment center. His skills in animal acupuncture will also assist pets with cancer, as well as patients with a wide variety of other disease conditions.

Kim Garza joined Pine Country Animal Clinic in 2004.  Kim has held many jobs at the clinic including receptionist and veterinary assistant.  Kim has an enormous compassion for animals and people.  This compassion is evident in the way she treats our patients and their human family members.  Kim's goal is to become a certified technician in the next few years.  Kim has two dogs, two cats, two ferrets and a big fish named Homer.  Outside of the clinic, Kim enjoys camping and hanging out with her three children, family and friends.

Katie Eder joined Pine Country Animal Clinic in the spring of 2007.  Katie began her career as receptionist but quickly became aware that she enjoyed learning the medical part of veterinary medicine.  Katie is now a veterinary assistant.  Katie has been an animal lover her whole life.  If she could, she would have a billion animals!  Currently, Katie has two, four legged children;  Foxy the Pomeranian and Mary Jane the Beagle.  Outside of the clinic, Katie enjoys hanging out with family and friends.  She also enjoys fishing, swimming and laying out in the sun.