Welcome to Southwest Hills Veterinary Clinic, your local veterinarians in Palestine. We’re pleased to provide a wide variety of veterinary services for animals in Palestine and surrounding areas.
Contact us with your questions or schedule an appointment.
Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Southwest Hills Vet Clinic in Palestine! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!
Please call us at (903)729-3291 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members!
Karen Stone graduated from Texas A&M University’s college of Vet Med in 1987. She and her husband Rusty bought Southwest Hills Veterinary Clinic in 2000, and have raised two daughters in Palestine. She is active in the community and volunteers her time with her church, the Anderson County Humane Society and the Sea Scouts
Dr. Lara Garman grew up in Elkhart, Texas. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Texas A&M University – Kingsville in 2002 and received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University in 2006. Dr. Garman served in the U.S Army Veterinary Corps as a veterinarian from 2006 – 2013. While on active duty, she was in charge of a military veterinary clinic, responsible for the veterinary care of the military working dogs, deployed to the Middle East, performed food sanitary inspections on commercial food production facilities and provided veterinary care for the Navy Marine Mammal Program.
Marissa has been at Southwest Hills since January of 2018 and is CVA Level II certified. She has always had a love for animals. Marissa is a triplet and has a close relationship with both of her sisters. When she isn’t working, she is home spending time with her friends and family, dog Bear, cat Juno, and her newest addition (Tech in training) as of September 2023 her daughter CJ.
Deborah Estes is a Palestine native and has worked for Southwest Hills Vet. Clinic off and on for over 40 years, she has achieved a level II CVA certification. She has been married to John Estes since 1995 and together they have 6 boys and 14 grandchildren. They live in Elkhart with their 12 cats and 8 dogs. She has had an intense love of animals since childhood and considers rescuing them a passion. She is grateful to God for blessing her with an awesome family and such a wonderful opportunity to work with and care for so many fur babies.
Courtney has lived in Elkhart her whole life and has always loved animals and wanted to work with them. She enjoys spending time with her 3 dogs, cat and turtle. She loves to be with her family and friends. Courtney is engaged and will be marrying her best friend in September of 2024.
Carla was employed at Southwest Hills as a technician from 2000-2008, but came back in 2019 to serve as practice manager. In the years between, she was blessed to be able to stay home with her children. She is a very active member in her church and she loves to be able to spend her free time with her family.
Rusty is the husband of doctor Stone and has been an integral part of the clinic since their purchase in 2000. Rusty has and does perform many different roles from grounds keeper and handy man to practice manager. If something breaks, Rusty is called to fix it. Having been raised on a farm, Rusty’s main interests lie outdoors. He enjoys hunting, fishing, camping and working on the farm. He is an avid hunter with a passion for duck hunting and has raised and trained several Labrador Hunting Retriever Champions. He is also an active member of the Southside Baptist church where he serves as a deacon.
