Our Team

Veterinarians

Shawn Penn, DVM

Dr. Penn is the owner and President of Southwood Drive Animal Clinic, P.A. Shawn, a Lufkin native, came to Southwood Drive Animal Clinic as a full-time veterinarian in 1999. He became a partner in 2005 and then full owner in 2015. Shawn earned Bachelor of Science degrees from Texas A&M in Agricultural Economics and Veterinary Science in 1993 and 1997 respectively. He also chose to pursue his doctorate at his alma mater and graduated from veterinary school in 1999 with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Prior to vet school, Shawn served as an intern for Congressman Charlie Wilson. After leaving Texas A&M, Shawn worked a short time in Missouri and Illinois before he moved his family back to Lufkin and came to work at Southwood Drive Animal Clinic. He is a graduate of Hudson High School where both his sons also attended. He has been married to Stephanie for 30 years and they have 2 boys, Wade and Ben. Wade is married to his wife, Lauren and they reside here in Lufkin. They are both graduates of Texas A&M University. Ben is a senior at Sam Houston State University and is a member of the Bearkat baseball team. They have 2 dogs, Belle and Sadie, and 2 cats, Rascal and Ninja. Shawn served as a board member of Harold’s House from 2011 to 2017 and currently serves on the Hudson ISD Board of Trustees. He enjoys time with his family, sports activities, and the outdoors. He is a private pilot and enjoys being in the air whenever time allows. He is an active member of Timberland Drive Church of Christ and enjoys activities with friends and family.

Doug Ashburn, DVM

Retired
Dr. Ashburn graduated from Texas A&M University with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1981. After graduation, he practiced at Glenwood Animal Hospital in Tyler, Texas. In 1983 Dr. Ashburn moved to Lufkin and began practicing at East Texas Veterinary Clinic. During this time he also became a managing partner in the Diboll Veterinary Clinic, Inc. In 1988 he purchased 20 acres and a small house just outside the loop on Southwood Drive. After an extensive remodel of the house he opened Southwood Drive Animal Clinic in August 1988. Over the years Southwood Drive Animal Clinic has undergone a metamorphosis from a simple clinic with 2 exam rooms to the modern state of the art animal medical clinic you see today. He sold his shares to Dr. Penn in 2015 and is currently working at the clinic on a part-time basis. He lives in Lufkin with his wife Susan and their Miniature Schnauzer, Tess. The Ashburns have a grown daughter, Elyse, who lives and works in Washington D.C. with her husband Paul. Dr. Ashburn has always been active in local civic organizations. He has served as Veterinary Science Leader for the Angelina County 4-H, member and president of the Lufkin Host Lions Club, board member of Hospice in the Pines, board member and president of the Lufkin Independent School District as well as many more. He is also an active member in his church. In his spare time, Dr. Ashburn enjoys woodworking. You can see his craftsmanship throughout the clinic. He also enjoys traveling with Susan, especially to Washington D.C. to visit family.

Wendy Blount, DVM

Dr. Blount graduated from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 1992 and completed a residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine at Texas A&M in 1997. She began practicing at Southwood in 1998. She treats dogs and cats only, and currently sees appointments at Southwood Drive Animal Clinic two days each week. Dr. Blount provides Continuing Education Seminars to veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and animal control officers. She has recently served as Medical Director & Surgeon for SpayNeuterNac and O’Malley PET low-cost spay-neuter clinics. As well, she taught a college course on “Medicine and Behavior in the Animal Sheltering Environment” for Duquesne University, for 7 years. In 2012 she was named the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) Companion Animal Practitioner of the year, for recognition in the areas of: distinctive contributions to advancing the standards of professional practice; leadership and contributions to advancing organized veterinary medicine at the local, state and national levels; involvement in civic activities and contributions to community life outside veterinary medicine; contributions to continuing education through seminars and papers presented and published; and contributions to refining techniques and improving methods of veterinary practice.

Mike Ward, DVM

Dr. Ward is a Nacogdoches native and grew up on a family-owned dairy. He graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1963 and began his pursuit of a veterinary career by attending Texas A&M University. He received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1969 and after short periods in Mesa, Arizona and Pasadena, Texas he returned to Nacogdoches and started North Street Veterinary Clinic. He continued his education in 1973 by studying embryo transfer at the University of Cambridge. In 1982, Dr. Ward and his brother, Dr. Jim Ward, opened Ward Animal Hospital. Since then he has been a well-respected permanent fixture in the Nacogdoches community where he served on the NISD Board of Trustees for 6 years. He has been married to his high school sweetheart, Mary Jane, for over 50 years, has 2 daughters, and 3 grandchildren. He is a member of AVMA, TVMA, and AABP. When he is not at the clinic, he enjoys working on the family farm, woodworking, restoring old cars, and being a grand-dad.

Dr. Brooke Kehlenbrink

Dr. Brooke Kehlenbrink was born and raised in Pearland, Texas. She graduated from Texas A&M University with her Bachelors of Science in 2016 and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in May, 2020. During vet school, she spent a lot of time in the Texas Panhandle amongst the dairy farms and feedlots, gaining experience and knowledge in food animal medicine. After graduation, she practiced mixed animal veterinary medicine in Crockett, Tx. She joins Southwood Drive Veterinary Clinic in February, 2024. Brooke has a passion for surgery and strives to provide high quality care with compassion and joy.

Brooke and her husband, Justin, have been married for 6 and a half years. They have 2 wonderful daughters. Gloria Mae is 2.5 years old and Anna Rose is just a few months old. Brooke loves spending time with her family while going camping and hiking through America’s National Parks. She is looking forward to raising her family here in Lufkin and becoming active in the community.

Dr. Alex Brenk

Dr. Alex Brenk was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. She has lived in Oklahoma and Alaska but has been in Texas since high school. She received her undergraduate degrees in psychology and biology from Texas A&M University where she worked in a research lab studying addiction. She went on to attend veterinary school at Texas A&M University and graduated in 2016. She has worked in Pearland, Texas and Laredo, Texas after graduation. Dr. Brenk completed several externships, internships and special projects during her education, including Houston SPCA rotations, African Wildlife Conservation and Study Abroad in South Africa, Texas A&M Enrichment Camp and the San Antonio Zoo. Dr. Brenk is very excited to join the family at Southwood Drive and looks forward to building long-term relationships with her clients and patients.

Management

Tammy Carlton, Clinic Manager

Tammy hails from Trinity County where she graduated from Centerville High School. She attended Angelina College before transferring to Sam Houston State University. She came to Southwood in 2002 with 16 years of experience working as a Veterinary Technician. After gaining experience in various positions within the practice, in 2013 she became Practice Manager. Tammy and her husband Sam are co-owners of TOY Ranch, which they operate with their three children, Ben, Corey, and Allison, along with six grandchildren. She enjoys perch fishing with her grandkids, sports, showing livestock, and traveling. She loves her Life Group family and is an active member of Harmony Hill Baptist Church.

Technicians

Kathleen Geye, RVT

Kathleen joined the staff of Southwood Drive Animal Clinic in 1990. She was born in California and was raised in Houston. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University, with a degree in Animal Science. She became a Registered Veterinary Technician in 1991. She enjoys gardening, reading, stained glass, jewelry making and has recently started quilting. She shares her home with two dogs, a cat and several goldfish.

Prisilla Martinez

Prisilla was born in Baytown, Texas. At the age of 7 she and her family moved to Lufkin where she attended school until 10th grade. She then transferred to Hudson High School where she graduated from in 2016. Prisilla is currently attending Angelina College and taking prerequisite classes for the Tyler Junior College Licensed Veterinary Technician Program which she hopes to attend Fall of 2020. She lives at home with her dog, Tank who she loves to take to the dog park. Prisilla loves and enjoys being able to be with her family and friends as much as she can.

MJ Bourdeau

MJ Bourdeau, is not a Texas native but was transplanted at an early age. After graduating high school in Cayuga, she attended the University of Houston and received her Associates degree in Natural Science. While in college she worked for a clinic in Crosby. During this job she found her life long passion of veterinary medicine. She spent 16 years at a mixed animal practice before moving to the East Texas area. Her journey led her to Southwood Drive Animal Clinic. While being here she has added to her credentials CVA II & CVA III. MJ is currently focusing on becoming a licensed veterinary technician. She lives here with her amazing husband Jody and their 2 children Trinity and Jase. In her spare time, she loves the outdoors anything from fishing and swimming to building projects.

Reception

Cynthia Stevens

Cynthia is originally from Hamilton, Ohio. She moved to Lufkin in 2010 with her son. Cynthia has been with Southwood Drive Animal Clinic since March 2018 and is one of the friendly faces that greet you as you enter our clinic. In her free time, Cynthia enjoys spending time with her husband and son. Cynthia has 3 dogs, 3 cats, 2 bearded dragons, and 1 leopard gecko.

Kayli West

Kayli West calls Lufkin her hometown since she has lived here 20 years. She is a graduate of Central High School class of 2020 graduating a year early. Thinking she wanted a different career path she went to Houston Dental Assistant College where she received her license as a hygienist. A friend told her about Southwood and the rest is history. She has always had a love for animals including her own, 2 Great Danes, a cat and a horse. Growing up she had dogs, cats, pot belly pigs, horses and calves. Her biggest love is her beautiful daughter that her world revolves around. She is happy to be at Southwood Drive Animal Clinic and enjoys seeing new faces and animals every day.

Harley Jones

Bio coming soon!

Kennel Attendants

Reagan Buster

Reagan was born and raised in Lufkin Texas as an only child and graduated Central High School in 2021. She soon became a member of Southwood Drive Animal Clinic in July. She has always had a love for animals and is always willing to offer a helping hand. Growing up she had different childhood dogs and cats. Today she is the mother of 10 dogs, Bella, Mollie, Opie, Kilo, Willow, Roscoe, Millie, Dani, Little Man and Roxie and not to forget her 3 cats Mia, Fin and Gypsy. Reagan also loves spending time with her grandparents, listening to music, exploring the outdoors and spending time together. Family and friends are also very important to her. Other interest she has is reading, painting and travel. She reflects ambition and the qualities of generosity and thoughtfulness and this is seen throughout her work and personal life. Working at Southwood Animal Clinic has helped her find a goal to focus on and that is becoming a vet tech. She is currently doing course work to achieve that goal. Reagan was a very shy young lady when she came here but has quickly come out of her shell, you will find her bright smile talking to clients and their fur babies. She is proud to work for Southwood and Dr. Penn, Tammy and the rest of the family every day.

Jae Morgan

Jae joined the Southwood Drive Animal Clinic team in August of 2021.

Jae is from Lufkin and a graduate of Lufkin High School in 2020. Since a young age she has had a love for animals that led her to us. She is currently an assistant and cares for the fur babies we see, from boarding to surgery. In Jae’s free time she enjoys making art, playing video games and changing her hair color. She has many talents including serving as a Barista. Jae can be seen helping clients out to their car or in the rooms, she is always helping fellow employees finish task when needed. Jae currently has a dog named Jax and a cat named Spider that at times can be seen hanging out with the receptionist and clinic cats.

Margie Barber

Margie is a graduate of Big Sandy High School in 2010. She moved to Lufkin shortly after graduation and began a career with Lufkin State School, where she worked 10 years. We met while Margie was working on her Animal Behavioral Certification. She showed a strong interest in the clinic setting and later was able to join us. Margie recently finished the first of three CVA levels working her way to a career in veterinary medicine. When not at Southwood she likes playing video games, reading books and listening to music and podcast. She currently has no pets of her own but loves the clinic dog Ramen Noodle and plans to adopt him when he retires.