Meet Our Team!

Dr. Alexis (Lexi) Allen

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Diplomate of American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine

As a New Orleans native, Dr. Lexi Allen grew up in Kenner, LA. Her fascination with felines began in childhood when she started befriending feral cats that wandered into her family’s neighborhood. After graduating from St. Mary’s Dominican High School, Dr. Allen completed the 3+1 pre-veterinary undergraduate program at LSU, majoring in Natural Resource Ecology and Management. She graduated from LSU School of Veterinary Medicine in 2019.

During veterinary school, Dr. Allen specialized in laboratory animal medicine, providing clinical care and regulatory oversight to animals utilized in biomedical research. She completed a post-doctoral residency program (Tulane University) and achieved ACLAM board certification in 2023.

After advocating for the welfare of many laboratory mice, rats, rabbits, pigs, and non-human primates, Dr. Allen pivoted to companion animal practice at a local emergency and specialty hospital so she could learn evidence-based medicine under the mentorship of clinical veterinary specialists. She was thrilled when, in late 2023, the opportunity arose to practice feline-exclusive medicine at CHOM—a clinic serving her own community for so many years. Dr. Allen’s clinical interests include trauma/emergency medicine, nephrology, anatomic pathology, diagnostic radiology, and dermatology/immunology.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Allen finds fulfillment in spending time with family and friends, especially her husband, Tony, and her menagerie, which includes two rambunctious pups, Moose and Asha; three mischievous kitties, Maeby, Surely, and Lucille 2; and a diva guinea pig, Liz Lemon.

Dr. Stephanie Thibeau

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Stephanie Thibeau is a New Orleans native, local Ursuline Academy graduate, and LSU tiger! She grew up in Harahan and developed a love of all animals early on in life. In her veterinary career, she has gravitated towards the special care of our feline friends.

She graduated from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. She has practiced in the New Orleans area for nine years, doing small animal general medicine for the first five years, and she has only been a feline at the Cat Hospital of Metairie since 2020. Her special interests include acupuncture/integrative medicine, ultrasound, surgery, and dentistry.

She is the proud pet parent of one big grey beautiful tabby (Prince), one mischievous little calico (Nemo), and a spoiled dachshund (Josie) who thinks she is a cat among her cat siblings.

Dr. Karen Miller-Becnel

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Miller is a highly experienced veterinarian serving cats and their owners in the Greater Metairie area. Her special interests are in wellness care, internal medicine, soft tissue surgery, and senior feline medical and rehabilitation services featuring laser therapy, which she has found to be very instrumental in aiding injured or arthritic cats.

History:

Dr. Miller, as she is known to most of her clients, has been married to Mr. Becnel for 20 years. She came to New Orleans as a young Texas A&M veterinarian and, in 1973, became the first woman in New Orleans to open her own veterinary hospital. Times have definitely changed since then, with many more women in the profession now! She built a second new free-standing hospital in New Orleans in 1980 and saw whatever type of animal her clients kept as pets. She sold that hospital at the end of 1999, having previously opened the Cat Hospital of Metairie in 1990. While she loves all animals, the new hospital was devoted exclusively to the care of her favorite animal—cats!!! She sold the Cat Hospital in 2015.

In October 2016, Dr. Miller opened a mobile clinic on the North Shore and ran that service until reacquiring the Cat Hospital in 2020. She also runs her non-profit, Art for Cats Sake, which raises money for feline research. (www.ArtforCatsSake.org)

A lifelong cat lover, Dr. Miller-Becnel has a knack for putting cats at ease.

In addition, Dr. Miller-Becnel stays current on veterinary developments and best practices. The veterinarian attends over 40 hours per year of continuing education courses to keep up with new advancements in the field. Our veterinarian’s dedication to caring for cats and treating their health concerns means that your cat will receive the best in feline veterinary care.