Meet Our Veterinary Team
Get to know the dedicated team at South Shreveport Animal Hospital and discover why we love what we do.
Our Veterinarians
Dr. Gordon Calahan
DVM, Medical Director
Gordon Lee Calahan was born in August 1956 in Ruston, Louisiana, but grew up in El Dorado, Arkansas. He graduated from El Dorado High School in 1974. He then completed his undergraduate studies at Louisiana Tech University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. After graduating from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1981, he worked at Westside Animal Hospital for four years. Dr. Calahan then established South Shreveport Animal Hospital in 1985.
Dr. Calahan often says, “For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to take care of animals.” He started working for a veterinarian while in high school and says, “I have always felt that this occupation was my calling. I truly believe that this is what God wants me to do.” He has three daughters — Madison, Meredith, and Maura. Dr. Calahan has a son named Blaine, who is a graduate of Louisiana Tech and is currently attending dental school in New Orleans. At home, he has two Boxers — “MAC” and “Abbie.” He also has three small dogs, including two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels named Copper and Macey and a rat terrier named Chance, which Dr. Calahan rescued during Hurricane Katrina. He also has a 400-gallon salt-water aquarium with many fish, marine plants, and animals.
Dr. Calahan is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association, and he is currently on the board at Robinson’s Rescue. He also was a past president and member of both the Northwest Louisiana Veterinary Association and the local Animal Emergency Clinic.
Dr. Viki Panos
DVM, Practice Associate
Dr. Panos began her career at South Shreveport Animal Hospital in June of 2007. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. Dr. Panos practiced in Metairie, Louisiana, with small animals before deciding to move back home to Shreveport. Her strong medical interest is in dermatology. Dr. Panos is very compassionate towards her patients and their families. She has a German shepherd mix named Simone and a cat named Daisy.
Dr. Savannah Porter
DVM, Practice Associate
Dr. Porter began her time with us as a client. Over time, her love for animals brought her into the clinic as a vet assistant; soon after, she was a vet tech, and now we are proud to have her as an associate Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Porter is also a Certified Feline Veterinarian through the Feline Veterinary Medical Association (formerly AAFP). She is also Fear Free certified level 3! Her passion began in aquatics and has reached into small animal care. Her interests include cheering on her favorite football team, the Saints, and travelling whenever she can. Her career is focused on animal behavior and cooperative veterinary medicine, and on feline diabetes. Her unwavering dedication to the well-being of animals and educating our clients on pet care has proved to be a great asset to our veterinary team and community.
Our Technicians
Stephanie
Veterinary Technician
Stephanie has been a dedicated Veterinary Technician at South Shreveport Animal Hospital since 2015. With her husband Aaron and stepchildren Jordan and Aubrey, Stephanie enjoys a full household of pets, including bearded dragons, ducks, cats, and dogs. When she’s not caring for animals, you can find her hiking in nature or working on crafts.
Maria
Veterinary Technician
Maria joined the staff at South Shreveport Animal Hospital in 2017. She is currently attending school to become a Registered Veterinary Technician. Maria and her husband, Tyler, have two dogs, Koda and Diesel, and a cat named Zenony.
Fun facts about Maria are that she was born in California and she speaks Spanish. In fact, before she came to our hospital, she used to be a Spanish pre-K teacher.
Keighla
Veterinary Technician
Keighla has been a valued Veterinary Technician with us since September 2022. She graduated from Southwood High School in 2014 and has had a passion for animal advocacy since she was a little girl.
At home, Keighla is the proud pet parent of a cat named Daria, a dog named Stella, and a bearded dragon named Tuña.
Fun fact: Keighla has always dreamed of advocating for animals and is fulfilling that dream every day in her role with us!
Our Managers
Brooke
Office Manager/Veterinary Technician
Brooke graduated from Captain Shreve High School in May of 1998 and has been part of the team at South Shreveport Animal Hospital ever since. A jack of all trades, Brooke began as a Veterinary Assistant and worked her way up to full-time Veterinary Technician. Presently, although her main job is Office Manager, she can fill in for any job at the hospital when needed.
Brooke and her husband, Clay, love to go hunting, fishing, and boating during their off time together. They have four dogs, a Rat-Russell named Daisy, a rescue Chihuahua named Cheech, Foxy, and Lebeau. They also have a cat named Lucky.
Kim
Kennel Manager
Kim joined South Shreveport Animal Hospital in 2024 as a Kennel Manager, bringing years of animal care experience. She graduated from Acadiana High in 2000 and Career College in 2003.
Kim’s love for animals has led her to work at Pet Savers as a kennel attendant and run her own shelter, Heaven’s Crates, for two years. Nicknamed “Animal Planet” by friends and family, she is known for her vast knowledge of animals. Kim also has a 23-year-old daughter and a service dog named Raven.
Jane
Kennel Manager
Jane has been part of the staff at South Shreveport Animal Hospital since 2016. She earned an associate’s degree in small business from the University of Alaska in Anchorage and received a trade school degree in tourism. At one time, she owned and operated a successful grocery/deli/espresso establishment in downtown Anchorage, Alaska. Presently, in addition to her work at the hospital, Jane volunteers her time to animal rescue efforts through Pet Savers and the POLA Foundation.
“I feel like I become almost like a second mom to regulars who board with us. I grown to love them. I get to know their personalities, their temperament, and they know me as well. I think that’s why most of them feel quite at home boarding with us.”
Jane and her husband, Tom, have three children: Adam, Joey, and Anna. Jane was raised in Alaska, and she moved to Louisiana in 2004 with her husband to help with the family farm. She went from one extreme climate to another — you could say Jane is a very adaptable person.
Our Assistants
A’Laysia
Veterinary Assistant
A’Laysia joined South Shreveport Animal Hospital in 2024 as a Veterinary Assistant. She is currently studying at Louisiana State University Shreveport, where she will graduate in May 2026 with a degree in Biological Field & Organisms.
A’Laysia brings two years of veterinary clinic experience and four years of design work to the team. Outside of work, she enjoys barrel racing, painting, and spending time with her two dogs, Ca’iro and Canary. Fun fact: she’s the youngest of eight and doesn’t have a bone in her thumb!
Kathryn
Kennel Assitant
Kathryn graduated from Parkway High School in 2004. She has been part of the staff at South Shreveport Animal Hospital since 2019, and she loves working with animals.. Her prior work experience includes 13 years as a Veterinary Assistant at a local veterinary hospital.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter more than anything else. A fun fact about Kathryn is that she loves sports of all kinds.
Lis
Veterinary Assistant
Lis joined our team in 2022 as a Veterinary Assistant, bringing dedication and a lifelong interest in animal care to the clinic. She recently graduated from Mich School Didoma in May 2024 and has been a part of our team since she was 16.
Outside of work, Lis is a proud pet parent to four cats and three dogs. She also has a big family, including her sister and four brothers.
Fun fact: Lis is a recent high school graduate with an interest in pursuing a future career in real estate!
Our Receptionists
Bailey
Lead Receptionist
Bailey has been with South Shreveport Animal Hospital since September 2008, and she is one of our Receptionists. She previously worked as our Kennel Manager for more than a year, and she was also a full-time Veterinary Assistant prior to that. Bailey has a daughter named Sutton, and her pet family includes a black cat named Robin.
In her spare time, Bailey enjoys watching murder mystery documentaries, reading, being outdoors, and spending time with family. She has been the Lead Receptionist at South Shreveport Animal Hospital since 2008.
Chelsie
Receptionist
Chelsie has been a Receptionist at South Shreveport Animal Hospital since 2023. She graduated from North Desoto High School in 2008 and later earned her Medical Assistance degree from Remington College in 2013. Married since 2015, she is a proud mom of four boys and loves cheering them on from the sidelines.
Chelsie also cares for a pit bull, two French bulldogs, and a horse, embracing a busy and fulfilling life both at work and at home.