Dr. Linda Osborne
Dr. Osborne grew up in Oak Ridge and spent two years in Germany as a teenager. She decided she wanted to be a vet at eight years of age when her dachshund had 14 puppies. She later volunteered in the kennels at a local vet clinic while in high school. After graduating from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, she moved to north Florida but missed the mountains, so she returned to Oak Ridge four years later. After ten years of clinical practice, she bought Tri-County Small Animal Hospital in 1995. She has a very energetic, happy Lab mix named Osito, who keeps her active because he likes to go for so many walks. When she is not in the hospital, Dr. Osborne enjoys reading, gardening, bicycling, singing, and hiking.
Dr. Nicole Ramos
Dr. Ramos grew up in Los Angeles, California, and received her undergraduate and Master of Science degrees from the University of California in Merced. She moved to Tennessee with her husband in 2016, where she attended veterinary school at the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
She shares her home with a pack of three dogs and several fish. Her pup pack consists of a Shepherd mix named Bravo, a Shiba Inu mix named Theta, and a Corgi mix named Argos. In her free time, you can find Dr. Ramos hiking, backpacking, painting, and spending time with her dogs.
Lauren, Practice Manager and Client Services Representative
Lauren grew up in Oak Ridge. Her love affair with cats began when she was nine and was charged with caring for her neighbor’s cat while they were on vacation. She remembers really enjoying feeding the cat, freshening her water bowl, and brushing her soft fur. Lauren worked at a local animal hospital during high school and college. After more than a decade in other parts of the country, she returned to Tennessee. When she came across the job opening at Tri-County Small Animal Hospital, she knew it was a perfect fit.
Lauren lives with Sylvie, a little tabby cat who loves to chase pom poms and chirps at the birds from her indoor windowsill. In her free time, Lauren likes riding her bicycle, hiking, exploring new places, and reading books.
Kalley, Assistant
Kalley is a native of Oliver Springs and has lived here her whole life. Her family brought their animals to Tri-County Small Animal Hospital for years, so when she decided to pursue animal medicine, she volunteered here to gain experience.
Kalley graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Carson-Newman University and is attending veterinary school at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. She has always loved animals and science, and she realized she should pursue these two passions after her first semester in college.
Her dog Bruce loves eating cheese and playing with his cat brother, Percy, whose favorite thing to do is looking out the window. She also has two Dumbo Rex rats, Snickers and Doodle, who love to get into things they’re not supposed to.
When not at work, she loves to write, read, and make art on her iPad. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Kirstin, Assistant & Client Service Representative
Kirstin grew up in Oliver Springs. Her parents brought their family pets to Tri-County, which inspired her to apply to work here. She has always had a passion for animal care, but realized she wanted it to be her career when she was in fourth grade. She graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science in 2023 and will be attending veterinary school in the fall.
Her pets consist of a trio of lovely ladies: dog Delilah, cat Ari, and a mule named Lucy.
Kirstin loves spending time with her friends and going horseback riding. She also enjoys hiking, and some of her favorite places to hike are Frozen Head State Park and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Marilou, Assistant
Growing up with dogs, cats, goats, and other animals in Wartburg, TN, made Marilou realize she wanted a career caring for animals. She has a dog named Hulk, who will eat anything, including doors and walls, as well as four cats: Baby Girl, Morgan, Socks, and BobTail Kitty. Her bearded dragon is the oldest of her pets, and she also has five chickens and three ducks. When not working, she takes care of all these pets, and finds time to spend with her boyfriend and kids going swimming or on walks at local parks.
Savannah, Assistant
Originally from Oakdale, Tennessee, Savannah honed her strong work ethic during a nine-year tenure in the food industry. This determination was pivotal when she switched careers, driven by her lifelong passion for animals. Raised amidst goats, chickens, pigs, and dogs, animal care has always been a natural part of her life. At home, she cherishes the company of her dog, Chloe, and cat, Nala, who are inseparable and enjoy playful antics. On her days off, Savannah loves embarking on adventures with her husband and children.
Stephanie, Client Services Representative
Stephanie’s journey began in Paramaribo, Suriname, and continued in Fort Myers, Florida, before settling in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. She sought a career that emphasized compassion and kindness, reflecting her deep love for animals. At one point, owning five cats and a dog cemented her identity as a proud “crazy cat lady.” Though currently pet-free, she is eagerly anticipating dog adoption. Her leisure time revolves around her son, Semaj, exploring parks and nature trails, attending church, and indulging in reading and creative writing.
Mehgan, Client Services Representative
A native of the Texas Panhandle, Mehgan moved to Tennessee following her husband’s job opportunity at Y-12. Drawn to Tri-County Small Animal Hospital, she has since found joy in her role. With a lifelong affection for animals, she is hopeful about adding a pet to her family soon. Outside work, Mehgan enjoys quality time with her kids, reading, watching movies, fishing, hiking, and family outings.
Abby, Assistant
Abby’s roots lie in southern California, but her journey brought her to Tennessee during high school. Her pursuit of a career in animal care led her to Tri-County Small Animal Hospital. Growing up assisting with her grandmother’s farm animals, her love for animal care has been a constant. Abby’s current companion is Granger, a dog with a knack for speaking on command for treats. Her free time is filled with hiking, camping, enjoying music, and spending time with Granger.