Dr. Erickson was born and raised in Ferndale. While growing up on a dairy farm and working with the animals, he decided that he wanted to become a veterinarian. He received his veterinary degree from Washington State University in 1990 and shortly thereafter started working at Kulshan. He has been a part owner since 1995.
Initially, Dr. Erickson practiced both large and small animal medicine. His love for surgery, however, led him to his current position which is primarily practicing small animal medicine with a special interest in anything surgical; particularly orthopedic (bone) surgery. His orthopedic endeavors include fracture repair and performing Tibial Tuberocity Advancements (TTA) to help dogs with cranial cruciate ligament injuries. He also serves as managing partner for Kulshan.
When he is not fixing pets, Kevin enjoys reading and spending time with his family; wife Robin (aka Dr. Eggenberger) and their three sons. He also spends time merging both his technical and creative sides on his computer and serves on the Ferndale School Board. Dr. Erickson also helps the family care for their four ducks, two turkeys and several chickens at home.
Initially, Dr. Erickson practiced both large and small animal medicine. His love for surgery, however, led him to his current position which is primarily practicing small animal medicine with a special interest in anything surgical; particularly orthopedic (bone) surgery. His orthopedic endeavors include fracture repair and performing Tibial Tuberocity Advancements (TTA) to help dogs with cranial cruciate ligament injuries. He also serves as managing partner for Kulshan.
When he is not fixing pets, Kevin enjoys reading and spending time with his family; wife Robin (aka Dr. Eggenberger) and their three sons. He also spends time merging both his technical and creative sides on his computer and serves on the Ferndale School Board. Dr. Erickson also helps the family care for their four ducks, two turkeys and several chickens at home.
Dr. Brad Stirling grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. He attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN where he earned is Bachelors in Neuroscience. He then attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. to earn his Masters in Anatomy and Physiology. He graduated from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in May 2020 and began working at Kulshan Veterinary Hospital shortly thereafter. His special interests include preventative medicine, nutrition, internal medicine, and surgery.
He met his wife Sarah as an undergraduate at Vanderbilt. She is from Lynden and works as a Registered Nurse. They have three daughters named Sienna, Kate, and Avery, and a dog named Callie. Dr. Stirling enjoys walking, hiking, camping, reading, video games, working out, listening to audiobooks, and watching the Mariners and Seahawks with friends and family.
Dr. Paul Magrath was born and raised in Lynden, WA. He graduated from Washington State University in 2008 with a degree in Neuroscience. After completing his bachelor’s degree he attended Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated Phi Zeta in 2013. Prior to joining the team at Kulshan, Dr. Magrath worked for a small animal hospital in Federal Way, WA for 2 years. Dr. Magrath enjoys all aspects of small animal medicine, especially internal medicine, preventive care and neurology.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Magrath is a passionate sports fan—especially of Seahawks and WSU football. He also enjoys cooking, golfing, and spending quality time with family and friends. His home is shared with a lively crew of pets, including two cats (Thomas and Mary), two guinea pigs (Twix and Brownie), and a big, friendly Bernese Mountain Dog named Penny.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Magrath is a passionate sports fan—especially of Seahawks and WSU football. He also enjoys cooking, golfing, and spending quality time with family and friends. His home is shared with a lively crew of pets, including two cats (Thomas and Mary), two guinea pigs (Twix and Brownie), and a big, friendly Bernese Mountain Dog named Penny.
Dr. Stanfield was born in Montana and grew up on Whidbey Island. He earned both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Animal Science prior to his DVM at Washington State University. He has been with Kulshan since 1987 and has been a part owner since 1991. He started his career at Kulshan doing both large and small animal for two years, at a time when general practice was still common. He rejoined the small animal team in 2006 after 17 years in large animal practice.
Perry enjoys general practice but has special interests in canine reproduction and general dentistry. He is a member of the Society for Theriogenology (reproduction), the American Veterinary Dental Society, AAHA and AVMA. He has a deep respect for the human-animal bond, and particularly enjoys watching children grow up with their family pets.
Perry lives in Lynden with his wife Megan. They enjoy watching movies, traveling, and boating in the San Juans and Vancouver Island with their two dogs Astrid and Triton.
Perry enjoys general practice but has special interests in canine reproduction and general dentistry. He is a member of the Society for Theriogenology (reproduction), the American Veterinary Dental Society, AAHA and AVMA. He has a deep respect for the human-animal bond, and particularly enjoys watching children grow up with their family pets.
Perry lives in Lynden with his wife Megan. They enjoy watching movies, traveling, and boating in the San Juans and Vancouver Island with their two dogs Astrid and Triton.
Doctor Isadora O’Brien grew up in the small town of Marblemount, WA. She graduated with a B.S. in Biology from Western Washington University in 2013 and started Veterinary school at Washington State University later that year. She completed her DVM from WSU in 2017. She worked for 3 years at a practice in Skagit county before joining the Kushan team in the summer of 2020. Doctor O’Brien works primarily with dogs and cats along with the occasional rat or rabbit. She enjoys the variety that veterinary medicine brings including internal medicine, soft tissue surgery as well as preventative and palliative care.
Dr. O’Brien lives in Bellingham with her husband Nate, a rowdy collie mix named Crowley, and their cat Mister Bud. She enjoys backpacking, scuba diving, travel and curling up with a good book.
Dr. O’Brien lives in Bellingham with her husband Nate, a rowdy collie mix named Crowley, and their cat Mister Bud. She enjoys backpacking, scuba diving, travel and curling up with a good book.
Dr. Eggenberger originally hails from Colorado but moved to Washington as a young girl and grew up in Friday Harbor. After graduating from Washington State University in 1991, she joined the small animal team at Kulshan. In addition to caring for dogs and cats, she also enjoys caring and treating the many types of poultry that come into the clinic.
Robin, who is married to Dr. Erickson, has started to play the banjo, enjoys many types of music, camping, fishing and hunting. She enjoys family time with their 3 sons. She has a fond interest in poultry and enjoys her numerous bantam chickens, turkeys and ducks.
Robin, who is married to Dr. Erickson, has started to play the banjo, enjoys many types of music, camping, fishing and hunting. She enjoys family time with their 3 sons. She has a fond interest in poultry and enjoys her numerous bantam chickens, turkeys and ducks.
Dr. Mandy Murdock grew up in Issaquah, WA. She graduated with a B.S. in Animal Science from Cornell University in 2012 and completed her DVM from Washington State University in 2017. She started out in equine medicine and then worked for 3 years at a mixed large and small animal practice in northern California. She joined the Kulshan team in the summer of 2021 and now works primarily with dogs and cats. She enjoys the variety that veterinary medicine brings including soft tissue surgery, internal medicine, and preventative care to help pets live long, healthy lives.
Dr. Murdock lives in Bellingham with her dog Chloe and an undisclosed number of rescued cats. She enjoys hiking, hockey, and good books shared with cuddly cats.
Dr. Murdock lives in Bellingham with her dog Chloe and an undisclosed number of rescued cats. She enjoys hiking, hockey, and good books shared with cuddly cats.
Dr. Shelby Gadsby grew up in Ridgefield, Washington. She competed for the track and field team at the University of Washington and graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Physiology in 2014. She then attended the University of Melbourne in Australia for her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, graduating in 2018. Dr. Gadsby works with all species and has a strong interest in exotics, wildlife, and zoological medicine as well as small animal surgery and dentistry.
Dr. Gadsby lives in Everson with her husband and son, 3 cats, and 3 dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her dogs, camping, and reading.
Dr. Gadsby lives in Everson with her husband and son, 3 cats, and 3 dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her dogs, camping, and reading.
Dr. Dylan Spargo grew up in Alaska. He attended Seattle Pacific University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2014. During veterinary college he studied in both Alaska and Colorado, graduating from Colorado State University in 2021. His special interests include dentistry, dermatology, and wound care.
Dr. Spargo lives in Lynden with his wife Jenna, their dog Willow, and their cat Mochi. In his free time he enjoys cycling, canoeing, and painting.
Dr. Spargo lives in Lynden with his wife Jenna, their dog Willow, and their cat Mochi. In his free time he enjoys cycling, canoeing, and painting.
Dr. Courtney Durfee grew up in Peoria, Arizona and lived there for 20 years before moving to Washington. She attended Scottsdale Community College where she earned her Associates in Science in 2016, then attended University of Arizona where she earned her Bachelors in Veterinary Science in 2018. She graduated from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2024 and has enjoyed working at Kulshan since then. Her interests include dentistry and feline medicine.
When not at work, Dr. Durfee enjoys spending time with her partner and their 3 cats- Lilly, Taro, and Beep. She also enjoys horseback riding weekly, and helping to take care of their extensive houseplant collection.
Large Animal Veterinarians
Dr. Jake Murphy joined Kulshan Veterinary Hospital in 2016 after earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of California, Davis. His professional interests span Dairy, Beef, Equine, Small Ruminant, and Swine medicine, with a particular focus on reproduction, herd health, equine dentistry and client education. Dr. Murphy is passionate about empowering animal owners through knowledge and supporting the overall well-being of both animals and farms.
He appreciates the rich agricultural diversity of Whatcom County and the unique opportunities it offers to engage with all aspects of farm life. Dr. Murphy feels fortunate to be building his career and life in the Pacific Northwest.
Outside of work, he and his wife, Katrina—a Physician Assistant in Bellingham—enjoy hiking, camping, cooking, and spending time with their daughter, Orla. Their home is also shared with an Australian Shepherd named Cricket, two cats, and six chickens.
Dr. Murphy is committed to providing excellent veterinary care and values the long-lasting relationships he forms with his clients and their animals.
He appreciates the rich agricultural diversity of Whatcom County and the unique opportunities it offers to engage with all aspects of farm life. Dr. Murphy feels fortunate to be building his career and life in the Pacific Northwest.
Outside of work, he and his wife, Katrina—a Physician Assistant in Bellingham—enjoy hiking, camping, cooking, and spending time with their daughter, Orla. Their home is also shared with an Australian Shepherd named Cricket, two cats, and six chickens.
Dr. Murphy is committed to providing excellent veterinary care and values the long-lasting relationships he forms with his clients and their animals.
Dr. Holly Smith began her veterinary career as a prosecuting attorney. For 15 years, her job was to prosecute individuals who had broken the law; however, her dream of becoming a veterinarian was never far from her mind. As a result, she left law and returned to school to follow her true calling. After graduating from vet school, she worked for two years as an intern first at Mississippi State University then in Oklahoma, specializing in equine medicine and surgery. After her internship, she joined a mixed animal practice in Ontario, where she refined her large animal skills and enjoyed Canadian living for over 7 years.
Although Dr. Smith has focused on equine medicine, lameness, and dentistry, she enjoys all aspects of large animal medicine. She especially enjoys bovine and small ruminant medicine and surgery.
Her outside interests include snow skiing, water skiing, quilting and reading. She has also enjoyed the occasional game of pickleball. Her five animals (1 dogs and 4 cats) also occupy much of her time and energy.
Although Dr. Smith has focused on equine medicine, lameness, and dentistry, she enjoys all aspects of large animal medicine. She especially enjoys bovine and small ruminant medicine and surgery.
Her outside interests include snow skiing, water skiing, quilting and reading. She has also enjoyed the occasional game of pickleball. Her five animals (1 dogs and 4 cats) also occupy much of her time and energy.
Dr. Sophie Biencourt grew up on Bainbridge Island and spent summers at Hayden Lake in North Idaho. She earned her Bioengineering degree from Santa Clara University and worked in biomedical research in the Bay Area before returning to her passion for animals through volunteer work.
She earned her DVM from Washington State University, where she participated in the blood transfusion team, foal team, and research scholars program, focusing on macular degeneration and neurodegenerative diseases. Her clinical interests include equine reproductive medicine, foal care, dentistry, small ruminants, and transfusion medicine.
Outside of work, Dr. Biencourt enjoys hiking, running, bouldering, horseback riding, and spending time with her large extended family. She’s shares her home with a cat named Pumpkin, they are excited to be part of the Whatcom County community.
