Meet the Veterinarians of the LASPCA Community Clinic
Our veterinarians are dedicated to providing affordable, high-quality care for your pet. All of our doctors are board-certified and trained in the latest veterinarian care practices. Get to know them here.
Dr. Adrianna Smith, DVM
Dr. Smith has been a dedicated member of the Louisiana SPCA team since 2016, transitioning from private practice to focusing on shelter and community pet care. She plays a vital role in providing heartworm treatment for all stray and community dogs that enter the shelter and offers emergency relief support to the team when needed. Dr. Smith is a graduate of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and is certified in Veterinary Acupuncture. Also, she is actively involved in animal welfare within the community, serving on the boards of both the Southeast Louisiana Veterinary Association and the Louisiana Wildlife Management Association. At home, Dr. Smith shares her life with two Louisiana SPCA alumni, her beloved pit bulls, Bullian and Diesel. Her true passion lies in ensuring that all pet owners have access to affordable veterinary care.
Dr. Arianna Page, DVM
From the time she was in second grade, Dr. Page knew she would grow up to be a veterinarian, even quoting, “Little me would be so proud we reached our goal”. Following her passion for animal care, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology (2011) and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (2015) from the acclaimed HBCU, Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama. With bright eyes and an imaginary bushy tail, Dr. Page started in the veterinary field at the age of 19 with a desire to learn everything. Over time, she has gained extensive experience in various animal-care settings, including zoos, veterinary-teaching hospitals, and multiple animal clinics. Since joining the LASPCA team in 2024, Dr. Page continues to confidently lend her professional skills to help lead the charge in animal welfare within Orleans Parish. In her moments of rest, she enjoys the company of her family, finding things that need fixing, and spending time with her truly wonderful 12-year-old Cane Corso, Nala. Fun fact, Ms. Nala is known to be quite a fan of dumpster diving for pizza and chicken, even though her holistic advisor aka her mom/veterinarian, Dr.Page, has told her multiple times that’s a big no-no.
Dr. Kate Minchew, DVM
Dr. Minchew’s passion for animals first drew her to biology where she attended the University of Louisiana at Monroe for her Bachelor of Sciences (2016) and was involved at Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo as both a zookeeper and an intern with the Zoo Veterinarian. During her Master of Science at ULM (2019), she published a thesis on Bacteriophage Therapy for Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens, instructed collegiate-level Anatomy and Physiology courses at ULM, and became a loving mother. After finishing her studies at ULM, she obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine in Baton Rouge graduating Summa Cum Laude while an active member of The Society of Phi Zeta (Honor Society for Veterinary Medicine). Dr. Minchew served as the president of LSU’s WAZEM club, was a researcher on an Intestinal Parasite & Abdominal Ultrasound Research Project and served as a team member for both the LSU Vet Med’s Parasitology Department and the Equine ICU working with neonatal foals. In her spare time outside of the LASPCA, Dr. Minchew loves spending time building lasting relationships with her church congregation and caring for both her human and furry family members: Fluffers (aka Fluffers Princess), a sassy long-haired chihuahua mix and Diablo, a sweet black lab-mix.
Dr. Hayley Bird, DVM
Dr. Bird began her journey in veterinary medicine with a focus on aquatic animal health, gaining early experience at Disney’s aquarium. Prior to attending veterinary school, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Georgia in 2010. Subsequently, she worked as a small animal technician in Atlanta, further honing her clinical skills. In 2018, Dr. Bird earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Florida. Since earning her DVM, Dr. Bird has lent her expertise in specialty medicine and emergency care to various veterinarian roles with MedVet, Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, and Thrive Pet Healthcare. In her free time, she enjoys crafting which has connected her with local Mardi Gras krewes such as the Krewe of Dolly and Cleopatra and reading novels about thrilling mysteries. At home, she cares for her affectionate Golden Retriever, Mud Bug and two darling cats, Orca and Pescado, all named after aquatic creatures. A fun fact about Dr. Bird, she is quite a thriller seeker who enjoys extreme sports, including skydiving and scuba diving.
Dr. Heather Smith, DVM
Driven by a lifelong love for science and animals, Dr. Heather Smith entered veterinary care with a passion for improving the well-being of animals and making a positive impact in her community. Her journey started with earning her Bachelors in Biology from the University of New Orleans before obtaining her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Louisiana State University. Since then, she has refined her skills through extensive work with MedVet and by providing vital vaccine clinic support to local rescue groups. Her professional interests include population medicine, parasite and infectious disease control, surgery, and wound management. During her time away from work, she enjoys biking through her neighborhood, thrifting at estate and garage sales, listening to live music, watching independent films, and spending time with her cat, Sebastian, affectionately called Bashful Bastian. Fun fact about Dr. Smith, she participated in horseback vaulting as a child and was at one point a touring musician before entering the veterinary field.
Dr. Michael Greenburg, DVM
Dr. Greenberg received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Shelter Medicine Certification from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Devoted to broadening accessibility to quality veterinary care, he has prioritized roles that reflect his core passions for clinical care, research, and technology. Notably, he served as Medical Director of the Pet Community Center in Nashville TN, Director of Outreach for the Maddie Fund, and Associate Director of Partnerships for Boehringer Ingelheim. Additionally, Dr. Greenberg is an active co-founder of The Veterinary Care Accessibility Project and currently operates as the Chief Veterinary Officer for Petzel LLC. As a veterinarian with the Louisiana SPCA, he contributes his expertise to fostering a healthier tomorrow for animals in need throughout the Greater New Orleans community.
Dr. Kerry Backsen, DVM
Dr. Kerry has been practicing veterinary medicine for 17 years and has been the anchor of our shelter clinic since joining the Louisiana SPCA. A native of Metairie, she studied veterinary medicine at LSU and has dedicated her career to providing compassionate care for animals in need. In addition to her extensive knowledge of general veterinary medicine, she has pursued additional education in veterinary forensics, which she uses to assist our Humane Law Enforcement team in cases of animal cruelty and neglect. Outside of work, Dr. Kerry has a deep love for gardening, with cacti being her favorite plants. On her days off, she enjoys jogging through her neighborhood to stay active and spending time with her family. Family time is incredibly important to her, and as part of a Mardi Gras-loving family, she never misses the chance to attend parades with them.
