to provide a peaceful, loving and compassionate final goodbye.
At Forever Companion, we are veterinary professionals with decades of experience. We are proud to offer our knowledgeable medical and compassionate technical skills in order to provide a peaceful end-of-life experience for your beloved pet.
From the moment we speak with you, we maintain proper communication so that you feel comfortable and resolve all your concerns. We understand how difficult this decision is for you and your family. We want this challenging time to be one of ease, comfort and dignity.
Crystal Haymond, LVT
Hi, my name is Crystal Haymond, LVT, and I am a co-founder and Licensed Veterinary Technician at Forever Companion. I am passionate about bringing peace, dignity, and love to pets and their families during life's most tender moments.
Why I Chose This Profession
I chose this path because I believe every pet deserves to be surrounded by love and comfort at the very end of their life. They deserve the best goodbye we can offer them. Helping families through the difficult process of saying goodbye is something I feel honored and privileged to do every day.
Education
I earned my degree in Veterinary Technology from Pima Medical Institute – Las Vegas in 2014.
- Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)
- Graduate of Pima Medical Institute – Las Vegas, Nevada (2014)
Work History
Since becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician in 2014, my career has taken me through a wide range of veterinary settings, including research, general practice, emergency medicine, shelter medicine, and pet aftercare services. My experience working alongside pet cremation services has given me a uniquely compassionate perspective on both the care and aftercare of beloved pets.
Dr. Heather Skogerson
Hi, my name is Dr. Heather Skogerson, DVM, and I am a veterinarian at Forever Companion. I am passionate about community outreach, education, and providing compassionate end-of-life care to pets and the families who love them.
Personal Hobbies and Interests
Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, travelling, and reading.
Why I Chose This Profession
Throughout my career, I have been drawn to the deeply personal side of veterinary medicine — the moments that require not just clinical skill, but empathy and presence. Providing compassionate end-of-life care is a natural extension of that commitment, and I feel honoured to support families during such a meaningful time.
Education
I earned my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University and hold additional certification in Veterinary Forensic Science from the University of Florida.
Work History
With over two decades of experience spanning small and large animal medicine, shelter medicine, and veterinary forensics, I have held leadership roles including medical director and shelter veterinarian positions in both private practice and public animal services. I am recognised for my expertise in emergency and disaster response, high-volume spay/neuter procedures, and developing life-saving protocols for animal shelters. I am currently licensed to practise in California, Nevada, and Florida.
Dr. Isabella Houston-Reiter
Hi, my name is Dr. Isabella Houston-Reiter, DVM, and I am a veterinarian at Forever Companion. I consider it a privilege to help families navigate the end-of-life journey with compassion, empathy, and gentle care.
Personal Hobbies and Interests
Outside of work, I enjoy hiking with my rough-coated collie, scuba diving, skiing, spending time at the shooting range, and being with my family in Reno and Gardnerville.
Why I Chose This Profession
Throughout my years in emergency medicine, I developed a deep appreciation for end-of-life care and the importance of providing pets with a peaceful, dignified passing. I believe that being able to say goodbye in the comfort and familiarity of home allows pets to remain surrounded by the people they love most, helping them feel calm, safe, and at ease during their final moments. That belief is what brought me into in-home euthanasia services.
Education
I earned my undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Nevada, Reno, where I served as a teaching assistant for multiple biology courses and participated in research within the cognitive ecology laboratory. I then went on to earn my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
Work History
Following veterinary school, I completed a working emergency medicine internship through Animal Emergency and Specialty Center before continuing on as an associate emergency veterinarian within the practice. I spent my first five years in emergency medicine in Reno, caring for pets and supporting families during some of their most difficult moments.
Dr. Robert (Bob) Tisdale
Dr. Bob Tisdale brings decades of veterinary experience and compassion to the families he serves. A graduate of Cornell University, Dr. Tisdale proudly served in the United States Army before beginning his veterinary career.
After completing his education, he established and owned a successful veterinary practice in Fremont, California, where he cared for pets and their families for more than 40 years. Interestingly, Dr. Tisdale’s career began with house calls throughout the Bay Area, making his work with Forever Companion a meaningful return to the personalized, in-home care that first inspired him to become a veterinarian.
Now retired from full-time practice, Dr. Tisdale enjoys helping families navigate one of the most difficult moments in pet ownership with kindness, dignity, and understanding. His relaxed presence, years of experience, and natural bond with pets help provide comfort to both pets and the people who love them.
When he’s not caring for families, Dr. Tisdale enjoys fishing with friends, traveling with his wife, and spending time enjoying retirement.
Lynzie Bacsa-Craig
Hi, my name is Lynzie, and I am the Practice Manager at Forever Companion. I am committed to supporting both pets and the families who love them through every stage of life, including the most difficult goodbyes.
Personal Hobbies and Interests
Outside of work, I enjoy outdoor adventures with my husband and growing family. I share my home with two dogs and two cats, and I am also a passionate Polynesian dancer.
Work History
I bring nearly a decade of experience in animal welfare and veterinary shelter medicine to my role, including 7 years dedicated specifically to shelter medicine. That background has given me a deep understanding of the emotional bond between pets and their families, as well as the deeply personal decisions that can come with saying goodbye.
Samantha Sligar, LVT
Hi, my name is Samantha, licensed veterinary technician, and I am the Lead Client Care Coordinator at Forever Companion. I am passionate about providing compassionate, high-quality support to pets and their families.
Personal Hobbies and Interests
Outside of work, I enjoy hiking with my dogs, travelling, and making memories with my family.
Favorite Part of My Job
In addition to my professional work, I am passionate about supporting local animal shelters and helping pets find loving homes. Knowing that the work I do makes a meaningful difference for animals and the people who love them is what I find most rewarding.
Why I Chose This Profession
My love for animals began early, growing up in Washoe Valley and participating in 4-H and competitive dog shows. Those experiences planted the seed for a lifelong dedication to animal care that has shaped my entire career.
Education
I earned my Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology from Truckee Meadows Community College in 2010.
Work History
Over the years, I have gained extensive experience across several areas of veterinary medicine, including private practice, shelter medicine, and veterinary dentistry. Since becoming a military spouse in 2019, I have continued my career as a veterinary technician while living and working in both Tennessee and Missouri, though NV has always remained close to my heart.