THE BRIGHTON
TEAM
Our Veterinarians
Dr. Kris Montgomery
Dr. Montgomery grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. She attended the University of Kentucky for her undergraduate and then the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine for her doctorate. She practiced in Northern Kentucky for seven years, then moved to Indiana where she worked until moving to Lexington. She has been at Brighton Animal Clinic since 2001 and loves meeting new clients and their pets. Dr. Montgomery currently resides in Lexington with her husband and stepson. In her spare time, Dr. Montgomery enjoys hiking, skiing, walking, and scrap-booking. At the end of the day she goes home to her Shetland Sheepdog, Lizzie, and her cats, Gibson and Layla, which are constant reminders of why she loves animals and her job!
Dr. Julianne Walden
Dr. Walden joined the Brighton Animal Clinic team in January 2013. Her previous experience includes several years of general practice and five years of emergency medicine, as well as some time spent filling in at several other clinics. Having experienced quite a variety of veterinary clinics, she is genuinely happy to be a part of Brighton. She adds, "not only is the clinic beautiful, but the compassionate staff and their patient-focused philosophy and desire to connect with and educate patient families makes it a great place to do good work."
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Her love of animals began at an early age living on a farm in Midway, KY, where she spent many days playing with only her pony, dogs, and rabbits as companions. After a short stint working on a local horse farm where she was exposed to the excitement of high quality veterinary care, she was called to the profession. She completed her bachelor's degree at Oberlin College before going to The Ohio State University for veterinary school, where she obtained her D.V.M. in 2002. Her family shares their farm with an Australian Shepherd named Jack, a mixed breed named Layla, a tripod rescue named Fozzie, and several cats. They spend their free time hiking, looking at wildflowers, trees, mushrooms, and wildlife, as well as kayaking and camping.
Nickolette Birky
Dr. Birky joined Brighton Animal Clinic in 2022. We are very happy to have her join us! Dr. Birky is a graduate of Lincoln Memorial University, and Stetson University. While attending vet school, Dr. Birky completed a research externship where she focused and studied osteogenic potential of equine bone marrow stem cells.
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Dr. Birky drives each day to Lexington because she fell in love with our clinic. She has been a wonderful addition and clients already love her! Dr. Birky is in surgery multiple days a week, and is accepting new clients!
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Dr. Candace Thompson
Dr. Candace Thompson attended the University of Kentucky for her undergraduate studies and then graduated from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. She came to Brighton for her preceptorship during vet school and officially joined the team in 2020. Dr. Thompson has an interest in dermatology. In her free time she enjoys crochet, knitting, and spending time with her sassy dilute torti, Nutmeg.
Dr. Deborah Newcomb
​Dr. Deborah Newcomb grew up in Chicago, IL. She received her undergraduate degree in animal science at the University of Illinois, her master's in animal nutrition from Kansas State, and her DVM from the University of Missouri. Dr. Newcomb has practiced in Northern KY, Minneapolis, MN, and Richmond, KY prior to joining our team here in Lexington. She has interests in internal medicine, nutrition, and dermatology. Dr. Newcomb and her husband, Mark, have 2 grown children, and they live on a hobby farm in Lexington with 3 horses, 2 Gordon setters, 2 cats and 18 chickens. During her spare time, she enjoys horseback riding, reading, sewing, and visiting her children.