Good veterinary care starts with a good veterinarian, and a good veterinarian starts with something that cannot be taught in a classroom: a genuine love for animals. Dr. Erin Miller has had that love her entire life. It is what brought her to this profession, it is what keeps her here, and it is what shapes every appointment, every conversation, and every decision she makes on behalf of her patients.
Dr. Miller is a co-owner and practicing veterinarian at Pawtown Veterinary Care in Bend, Oregon. She and co-founder Dr. Lauren Stayer built this practice from the ground up because they believed Central Oregon deserved a veterinary home grounded in real relationships, honest communication, and care that puts animals first. To learn about everything their team offers, visit our veterinary services page.
A Career Rooted in Curiosity and Compassion
Dr. Miller grew up in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, where a desire to help animals combined naturally with a love of science. After earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota, she completed a post-graduate internship at The Ohio State University. This allowed her to enter practice with a skill set built not just from coursework but from hands-on, advanced training.
That commitment to learning never stopped. Dr. Miller approaches veterinary medicine with focus, curiosity, and genuine satisfaction when the pieces come together. She loves to learn and loves finding the right answer for each individual animal in front of her.
What Sets Her Apart
Dr. Miller believes that what separates a good veterinary experience from a great one comes down to communication. Pet owners deserve to understand what is happening with their animals, to feel included in the process, and to leave an appointment with real clarity rather than confusion. She takes the time to walk clients through her thinking, answer every question, and make sure they feel like partners in their pet’s care. The American Veterinary Medical Association recognizes this relationship between veterinarian, client, and patient as the foundation of sound veterinary practice, and Dr. Miller lives it out in every exam room interaction.
This approach extends to the nervous patients, too. Many animals arrive at a veterinary appointment already stressed, and Dr. Miller finds real satisfaction in helping them settle. When a pet that normally dreads the vet leaves feeling calm, that matters deeply to her.
Why She Loves This Work
Ask Dr. Miller what she loves most about being a veterinarian and she will give you a few answers. She loves watching a sick pet walk out healthy. She finds deep meaning in helping animals feel comfortable and at peace, even at the most difficult moments of their lives. And underlying all of it is a profound gratitude for what pets give us every single day: joy, comfort, and a kind of unconditional love that is hard to find anywhere else.
She is also inspired by pet owners. The depth of care that people have for their animals is something she never takes for granted. Every person who walks through the door at Pawtown Veterinary Care loves their pet, and that shared commitment is what makes her work feel worthwhile.
At Pawtown, Dr. Miller and Dr. Stayer make every business and medical decision themselves, without a corporate structure telling them what to prioritize. That independence means the focus is always on patient and client care, period. Comprehensive exams and same-day urgent care are just two examples of the wide range of services she provides right here in the clinic, without unnecessary outside referrals.
Life Outside the Clinic
When Dr. Miller is not caring for your pets, she is usually outside caring for her own. She and her husband JB share their life with Xander, a Border Collie mix whose endless enthusiasm is contagious. The three of them spend as much time outdoors as possible, hiking trails, mountain biking, camping, snowboarding, fly fishing and paddleboarding on the lakes and rivers of Central Oregon. Dr. Miller also loves swimming in lakes, reading, and the simple pleasure of settling in on the couch with her family for a movie.
She has a fondness for fall, for flowers, for the drama of a good rainstorm, and for warm sunshine on a cool day. And if you ask her what her dogs have taught her, she will tell you without hesitation: celebrate every single time you see someone you love.
Meet Dr. Miller at Pawtown Veterinary Care
Dr. Miller is one of the reasons Pawtown Veterinary Care feels different from other practices. She is present, attentive, and genuinely invested in the animals and families she serves.
Pawtown Veterinary Care is located in Bend, Oregon, and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We see dogs and cats of all ages and offer flexible payment options through CareCredit and Scratch Pay to help make care accessible. Learn more about financing options or contact our team today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Miller.
