Meet Our Team
Exotic Vet Care offers a capable team of veterinary experts who specialize solely in avian and exotic medicine. Our board-certified and USDA/APHIS-certified vets will ensure that your companion receives complete care for life in a low-stress environment built around their unique needs. Furthermore, we are supported by our outstanding practice manager, technicians, assistants, and client services coordinators.
We look forward to serving you and your unusual pet!
Our Doctors
Jose Biascoechea
DVM, DABVP, DACEPM
Dr. Biascoechea earned his BS and DVM from Kansas State University. He is board-certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Avian Practice and also by the American College of Exotic Pet Medicine. He is a Category II USDA-APHIS-accredited veterinarian. He founded Exotic Vet Care in 2000 and has been practicing exclusively exotic animal medicine and surgery since. He is the staff veterinarian for The Center for Birds of Prey and provides consulting and relief services for the South Carolina Aquarium and The Turtle Survival Center. He lectures frequently at local, state and national conferences. In 2022 in conjunction with other specialists he co-founded The American College of Exotic Pet Medicine. Its goal is to provide the highest level of veterinary care to exotic pets by means of education, training, and advanced certification for veterinarians, and through the discovery and dissemination of new medical knowledge.
Briana-Lee Schaffner
DVM
Dr. Schaffner earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, where she also completed the Aquatic Animal Health Professional Certificate Program and SeaVet Clinical Training. Before joining Exotic Vet Care, she served as an Associate Veterinarian at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island, providing medical and surgical care for sea turtles, tortoises, alligators, raptors and shorebirds with a focus on rehabilitation and conservation. Her experience also includes externships at the Tennessee Aquarium, Wildlifevets.com in South Africa, and the Sea Turtle Hospital at the University of Florida Whitney Laboratory. Dr. Schaffner has co-authored research on Florida manatee sperm morphology and Green sea turtle behavior, reflecting her dedication to aquatic and wildlife medicine. Originally from Florida, she brings a lifelong passion for marine life and conservation to her work with exotic species at Exotic Vet Care. Dr. Schaffner is a Category II USDA-APHIS accredited veterinarian. In her spare time she takes care of her leopard tortoises Littlefoot and Tortellini, and her German shepherd Autumn. She also enjoys thrifting/antiquing, scuba diving, hiking, and baking.
Alberto Hernandez
DVM, Acre. AVEPA
Dr. Alberto Hernandez “Al” graduated with honors from the University of Murcia, Spain and received advanced training in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases. He joined the team at La Marina Exóticos Veterinary Center, where he practiced exotic pet medicine for 4 years. He then carried out various internships and stays in different referral centers specialized in exotic pet medicine, both nationally and internationally. Afterwards he worked at the most prestigious Exotic Pet referral hospital in Madrid, Los Sauces Veterinary Center. He gave it all up to live the American dream and arrived with 2 suitcases with some clothing and his laptop, joining our team as Medical Director. In 2023 he became a recognized veterinary specialist in Exotic Pet Medicine and Surgery in Spain. In 2026 he obtained his US license and became our Associate Veterinarian. In his free time he likes to bike ride and he is a CrossFit aficionado.
Elora Pierce
DVM
*BIO COMING SOON*
SOME OF THE SPECIALISTS WE WORK WITH:
Sophie Dennison BVM&S, MRCVS, DACVR
Board Certified Veterinary Radiologist
Televet Imaging Solutions
Kristin Fischer DMV, DACVO
Board Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist
Animal Eye Care Associates
Heather Graham DMV, DACVIM (Small Animal)
Board Certified Veterinary Internist
Collaboration Veterinary Consulting
Our Support Team
Kerry
Practice Manager
Kerry has been managing Exotic Vet Care since 2003, and her soothing voice, organized approach, and solid understanding of avian and exotic medicine help keep the clinic running smoothly and all of our clients and patients happy. When not in the clinic, she loves creating custom essential oil blends, singing, cooking, and spending time with her husband and their cat Finn, a former feral kitten who is living the good life.
Chandler
Client Services Manager
Chandler joined Exotic Vet Care after graduating from the University of South Carolina with a B.S. in Biology and Geography and working as a rehabilitator at Carolina Wildlife Center, where she fell in love with avian medicine. She has interned in the Avian Medical Clinic at the Center for Birds of Prey and worked on several projects with various organizations promoting environmental health including mapping invasive species for the SC Forestry Commission, tracking toxic waste pollution actively impacting the Congaree Watershed, and assisting in lab work on ecological dynamics of resource allocation in butterfly populations. She has grown a passion to protect and help all animals in need.
Emily, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
*BIO COMING SOON*
Clara
Veterinary Assistant
Clara joined our team in the spring of 2022. She has been a passionate veterinary assistant since being introduced to the field while studying environmental science at SUNY University. Clara brings proficiency and expertise to our clinic along with joy and laughter to our days. In her spare time, she enjoys expressing herself through creation. You can typically find her drawing, painting, and exploring outside with her two pups Frank and Beans.
Katie
Boarding Coordinator/Veterinary Assistant
Katie joined our staff in October 2022. Katie has been interested in animal care since she was very young and has worked as an intern with animals of all sizes. A lifelong learner and motivated to try something new, she pursued a position at Exotic Vet Care in order to advance her knowledge regarding exotic animals. In her free time she enjoys exploring the great outdoors of Charleston. Catch her out fishing along with her humongous French bulldog, Wesley.
Morgan
Boarding Assistant
*BIO COMING SOON*
Brianna
Client Services Coordinator
Brianna joined the Exotic Vet Care team in 2026, excited to trade the classroom for the clinic and dive into the world of exotic animals. With a naturally calm and caring personality, she loves helping clients feel comfortable and confident in their pets’ care. When she’s not at work, she’s at home being supervised by her two cats, Charlie and Pepper, who definitely believe they run the house.
Christina
Client Services Coordinator
Known for her warm and welcoming personality, Christina enjoys helping clients feel at ease and confident in the care of their pets. She joined the Exotic Vet Care team with a passion for both animal care and holistic wellness. With a background as a chiropractic assistant, she brings a strong understanding of the human body and a deep appreciation for how proper care supports overall health for both people and their pets. She loves continuing to learn and is especially drawn to the unique needs of exotic animals. When she’s not at the clinic, you’ll likely find her out on a hiking trail soaking up nature or playing her crystal sound bowls as part of her own wellness practice.
Join Our Team
Do you love what you see here and wish you were part of it? We are always eager to meet new talent, and keep good candidates on file. So even if you don't see an open role at the moment, feel free to express your interest and send your resume to contact@birdsandexotics.com
* June 2026: Avian/Exotic Veterinary Technician
Our growing practice needs your skills! Are you a vet tech with avian/exotic experience? Do you want to join an incredible team and work with the most amazing pets? As South Carolina's premier avian and exotic clinic, we offer a work environment unlike any other, and we want you to join us.
Our mission of providing the highest-quality care and client education means we create bonds with our clients and patients that can last decades. Our focus on a positive, supportive work culture enables us to foster continuous growth and education among our team.
Duties include receiving and admitting patients, prepping for surgery, monitoring anesthesia, discharging patients, care of surgical and hospitalized patients, general clean up of surgical instruments, wrapping surgical packs, autoclaving and general hospital maintenance. Maturity, reliability, willingness to learn, and positive attitude are a must.
Part-time and full-time positions are available.
Full-time benefits include accrued paid time off, staff discount for veterinary services and products, continuing education funds, uniform allowance, and employer-matched retirement plan contribution.
Please email resume to contact@birdsandexotics.com for consideration.