About Us
New Ophthalmology-only practice in Tacoma region of the Puget Sound opening in 2025
Your pet’s vision and eye health are vital to their overall well-being. We are dedicated to providing the highest standard of eye care for your beloved companions.
Our team of skilled veterinarians and support staff is passionate about animal eye care. With years of experience and a genuine love for animals, we are here to provide the dedicated and expert care your pet deserves.
Nathan Kice DVM, DACVO
Dr. Nathan Kice was born in the Pacific NW in The Dalles, OR. He completed his residency at Cornell University (2009) and his DVM degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2004). He is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. He has practiced ophthalmology in the Tacoma region for the past 9 years.
When not at work, Dr. Kice spends time cultivating his vegetable and flower garden, attempts to follow his favorite baseball team, the St. Louis Cardinals, and he and his wife are active caring for their four pets and a daughter.
Dr. Kice looks forward to creating a relationship with you and meeting your pet.
Colleen Dwyer, DVM, DACVO
Dr. Colleen Dwyer earned her DVM degree from Michigan State University. Following veterinary school, she commissioned into the United States Army as a Veterinary Corps Officer and served in Virginia, Japan, and North Carolina before deploying in support of Operation Spartan Shield in 2021. She then completed her residency in Comparative Ophthalmology at the University of Florida in 2026.
Dr. Dwyer is excited to call the Pacific Northwest home alongside her husband, David, their dog, Tony Bologna, and their cat, Sandwich. She values the opportunity to partner with you to keep your pet’s eyes healthy and comfortable for years to come.
Brittany - Practice Manager
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Brittany was fascinated by animals of all types since she was a child. She went on to graduate from Eastern Washington University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree with an emphasis in Zoology in 2013. Brittany entered the veterinary field with a passion for knowledge and became an assistant/ receptionist at an emergency veterinary hospital in Gig Harbor in 2017. Less than a year later, she was given the opportunity to work alongside a Veterinary Ophthalmology Specialist, Dr. Nathan Kice, as his Referral Coordinator. In March of this year (2025) Brittany became the official Practice Manager at Rainier Animal Eye.
In her spare time, you can typically find her with her husband and two little girls, watching movies, playing games, reading, doing arts and crafts and currently growing their vegetable garden. Brittany is thoroughly excited to connect with the community, support growth and provide excellent eye care.
Heather - LVT
Heather grew up in Eugene Oregon, and moved to the Seattle/Tacoma area when she was 15. She always wanted to be a veterinarian, and figured even if she didn’t end up going that far that she would end up working with animals in some way. So after working at a doggy daycare and grooming salon, she found her way to Pima Medical Institute. There, she completed the Veterinary Assistant program before enrolling in their Technician program. Heather has worked with Dr. Kice for the past 6 years and loves the field of Ophthalmology. She couldn’t imagine doing anything else. So needless to say, Heather was excited at the opportunity to support Dr. Kice and bring his vision to life when offered a position at Rainier Animal Eye.
In her free time she enjoys listening to music, reading, video gaming, and of course spending time with her dog, Vanilla Bean.
Amy, LVT
Amy joined our team in July 2025. Through her passion for expanding her skills and Ophthalmology being a highly rewarding and interesting specialty, she happily accepted to join our team. Amy attended Pierce Community College and has a deep appreciation for the important role pets play in people’s lives. This field allows her to support owners through challenging times and celebrate the joyful moments. Amy has two very special pets of her own at home, Ella, her Pug/Boston Terrier and a spirited black cat.
Some of Amy’s favorite hobbies include reading, disc golf, hiking, ice skating and growing flowers. She always loves discovering a new interest.
Maria, LVT
Maria was born and raised in Washington and has always appreciated the beauty and variety of the Pacific Northwest’s terrain. Though sometimes she does wish there was just a little more sunshine! Maria has a passion for animals and a love of learning. She began her veterinary medicine career in 2012 which has developed into a diverse range of experience over the years. Her specialty experience includes two years in veterinary dermatology and nearly a year in veterinary ophthalmology. She is especially excited to continue building her knowledge and expanding her experience in veterinary ophthalmology.
Outside of work you will find Maria enjoys spending her time both in and outdoors, playing pool and watching her daughter grow while being present for all her precious moments along the way. All this while also caring for her lively troupe of animals: a beloved dog named Cinnamon, two cats, Ava and Mew and two goats, Indi and Merida.
Micah - Veterinary Assistant
Micah grew up in Texas and has always had a love for animals and has wanted to work with them since a very young age. The core values of Rainier Animal Eye truly resonated with him and he was happy to accept the veterinary assistant position at the beginning of March of this year (2025).
In Micah’s spare time he likes playing video games, reading and spending time with his three cats, Echo, Noodle and Rin.
Kaila, Veterinary Assistant
Kaila is a veterinary assistant at Rainier Animal Eye who has spent her entire life surrounded by animals. Growing up on the Key Peninsula, her family professionally trained and owned Paso Fino horses, and her childhood home was always full of dogs and cats. Before joining our team, Kaila worked nearly five years at a local veterinary clinic, where she gained hands-on experience caring for all species of pets and developed a love for working in surgery. She is deeply dedicated to providing compassionate, attentive pet care and making every patient feel safe and comfortable during their visit.
In her free time, Kaila enjoys video gaming, listening to music, exploring the area with her husband, and relaxing with her dog, Ozzy, and cat, Azula.
Gabriel - Customer Service Representative
Gabriel joined our team three years after relocating from Alaska, making the journey south through the Alcan Highway with his dog and cat by his side. He has worked in veterinary medicine since 2019 and brings over six years of experience in general practice, specialty, and emergency care. His passion for animal health started at a young age and continues to grow every day.
Gabriel enjoys the constant learning that veterinary medicine offers, as well as building strong relationships with clients and their pets. Outside of work, he spends his time exploring Washington with his dog, reading, tending to his plants, and keeping an active lifestyle. He’s excited to be part of our team and looks forward to helping care for your pets.
Kaityln, Customer Service Representative/Veterinary Assistant
Kaitlyn grew up in Sunny San Diego and spent much of her later years exploring different parts of the South and Southwest. In 2017, she made the move to Washington and decided it was finally time to put down some roots. Along the way, Kaitlyn discovered her passion for specialty veterinary medicine and has loved building a career centered around helping both people and animals.
Outside of work, you can usually find her out on her paddleboard, curled up with a good book, at a Mariners game, or training for a marathon.
Our Mission
At Rainier Animal Eye, we are dedicated to providing care to our community, from routine eye care to treating advanced disease and addressing your pet’s surgical needs. We treat you and your pet as valuable members of our eye care family, and commit to honest, straightforward, and compassionate communication to help you make the best decision for your pet.
Locally Owned & Operated Specialty Clinic
Being part of the community, we understand the unique needs of our neighbors and their pets. Our roots in the area drive us to offer personalized and attentive care.
Expert Ophthalmic Care
Our clinic specializes in diagnosing and treating a wide range of eye conditions in pets. From routine check-ups to advanced surgical procedures, our experienced team is here to ensure your pet receives the best possible eye care.
Caring and Compassionate Service
We know that visiting the vet can be stressful for both pets and their owners. Our team is committed to making each visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible, treating your pet with the same love and care we would our own.
Transparent and Honest Communication
We believe in clear, honest communication with our clients. You’ll receive straightforward advice and detailed explanations of your pet’s condition and treatment options, so you can make informed decisions about their care.
