Meet Our Staff

Dr. Valerie Price graduated from Purdue University College of Engineering Science and Mathematics with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University where she graduated cum laude in 2004. Dr. Price interned at Brookfield Zoo in the Chicagoland area where she trained and treated Dolphins and pinnipeds (Walruses, Seals, and Sea Lions). Since then she has practiced small animal and exotic medicine in several states including Virginia, Utah, and upstate New York. Professionally, she enjoys all the different aspects of veterinary medicine and is very passionate about dentistry and oral surgery.
Dr. Price and her husband Justin decided to make the Pacific Northwest home in 2016. They are avid naturalists and have hiked many of the national parks in the United States. Dr. Price also has an affinity for plants, particularly African violets and enjoys gardening. She and her husband share their home with many pets. Among them are a Great Pyrenees mix name Penelope, two chinchillas, Audrey and Chewy who are in their 20’s, a bonded pair of house bunnies named Zephyr and Honey Bee , a 13 year old bunny named Ember and the best mini lop in the world, Sir Humphries.

Dr. Dawn Evert completed a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in Biology at Central Washington University, then went on to complete her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University in 2007.  After graduation, Dr. Evert worked as an associate veterinarian at a mixed animal practice in Ellensburg, WA.  In her spare time she did relief work for a veterinary emergency hospital in Yakima, WA, taught Biology at Central Washington University, and was an advisor for the pre-veterinary club at CWU. 

In 2009, Dr. Evert and her husband, Andrew, moved to Vancouver, WA and she joined the Claus Paws team as an associate veterinarian.  She has continued her love of teaching and fostering work with pre-veterinary students and technician students as a mentor in the clinic.  She has a special interest in cardiology and soft tissue surgery.  In 2019, Dr. Evert became the medical director at Claus Paws, and will continue to lead the team into the future. 

In addition to veterinary medicine, Dr. Evert enjoys spending time with her husband (Andrew), three children (Katie, Jimmy, and Mikey), and cat (Oni).  She also helps teach karate at her husband’s karate school, Vancouver Shudokan Karate-do.  She currently holds the rank of San Dan (3rd degree black).

Dr. Wheeler received her BS in Organismal Biology at Portland State University and went on to receive her DVM at Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine. While working in companion animal general practice for several years, she especially enjoys internal and geriatric medicine, and has a special interest in integrative medicine. She holds certification in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture, providing safe and effective treatments through neuromodulation. Dr. Wheeler is additionally certified in Canine Rehabilitation Therapy. Rehab therapy utilizes both manual or physical techniques, and therapeutic modalities. Manual techniques include soft tissue mobilizations and stretching applications for the fascia, muscles and joints. Therapeutic modalities entail the use of various electrical and light energies to facilitate a beneficial tissue response. Examples are low level LASERS (photobiomodulation), TENS and PEMF therapy. Additionally, incorporation of therapeutic exercise plays an important role in maintaining or building muscle strength. A multimodal approach can provide relief for a variety of conditions such as osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal injury, neurologic conditions and chronic pain.

Dr. Wheeler is a Fear Free certified professional, working to minimize your pet’s anxiety during veterinary visits. She finds great pleasure in fostering the human-animal bond. This long enduring bond is well known for it’s profound effects on emotional and physical well being.

When not at work Dr. Wheeler enjoys travel and gardening. She loves spending time with her husband and their 2 dogs, Henry the whippet and Goose the Italian greyhound, who are intimately woven into every aspect of their lives. She also takes pleasure in looking after her chickens.

Dr. Karen Chan is originally from Seattle and received her bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Washington. She went on to Washington State University where she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.

After veterinary school, she completed a rigorous one-year small animal rotating internship at Kansas State University where she received additional training in internal medicine, surgery, and emergency medicine. Having had enough of the cold weather, Dr. Chan moved back to the Pacific Northwest and relocated to Vancouver.

She has worked as an overnight emergency doctor and as an associate general practitioner for the past several years. Her professional interests include creating strong client/patient relationships within the community, preventative medicine, and geriatric care. Dr. Chan has three cats at home, including a tripod kitty. Outside of veterinary medicine, she and her husband love to travel and explore new cultures and food. She is also an avid rare houseplant collector and currently has a collection of over 100 plants.

Dr. Anthony Colandreo was born and raised in New Jersey. He graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelors degree in Animal Science, and discovered a love of veterinary medicine working as a technician’s assistant during the summers between classes. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2013 and immediately went to work in a mixed animal practice in New Jersey.

One year later, after a scenic vacation to Oregon, he relocated to the Pacific Northwest and spent six years in small animal general practice. To better pursue his love of surgery, Dr. Colandreo joined the Claus Paws team in April 2021 as a dedicated associate who performs surgery. While he enjoys all aspects of surgery, he is particularly interested in gastrointestinal and ophthalmic procedures. In his free time, Dr. Colandreo enjoys jogging, reading, and spending time with his numerous pets - including one dog and five cats.