Get To Know Our Veterinary Team
Dr. Martha Kleypas
Veterinarian
Dr. Kleypas has been working in the veterinary field since 1984 and practicing veterinary medicine since 1995. Since completing her studies, she has enjoyed working as a small animal veterinarian in Austin, including practicing in an all-feline hospital and emergency services. In 2001, she and Dr. Okonsky founded Four Paws @ Four Points with the philosophy of offering excellent patient and client services.
Her veterinary interests include oral medicine and surgery, preventive medicine, soft tissue surgery, and practice management.
Dr. Kleypas’ personal interests include reading, SCUBA diving, and enjoying Austin’s plentiful outdoor activities, such as local 5K fun runs (especially with her daughter Lily and two mutt mixes: a super Chihuahua-mix dog Roxie and a funny puggle-type named Jumbo), Bikram yoga, snow skiing, and cake decorating. She volunteers regularly with schools in the community and nonprofit organizations such as Girlstart.
Dr. Kleypas earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at Austin and also holds a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University.
She is a member of the Capital Area Veterinary Medical Association, Texas Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Dental Society.
Dr. Lisa Okonsky
Veterinarian
Dr. Okonsky started in the veterinary field at the age of 14, cleaning kennels for a local veterinarian in Connecticut. After holding just about every position in a veterinary hospital, she graduated with her DVM in 1992 from the University of Wisconsin.
After graduation, Dr. Okonsky completed an internship at the Animal Hospital of Pittsford in Rochester, New York. She then relocated to Virginia Beach, Virginia, and finally to Austin in 1998. After working at a local small animal practice where she met Dr. Kleypas, the two opened Four Paws @ Four Points in 2001.
Dr. Dawn James
Veterinarian/Medical Director
Dr. James, a native of Central Texas, joined our team as a veterinarian in June 2012. She returned to the Austin area after practicing in Georgia. She received her BS, DVM, and MBA degrees from Texas A&M University and is also USDA accredited. She is especially interested in feline internal medicine and soft tissue surgery, as well as the business and management aspects of the private veterinary practice. Dr. James is a member of the Capital Area Veterinary Medical Association, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association. She enjoys rootin’ on her Aggie’s football team and chasing around her adorable little boy!
Deanna Bernoski
Hospital Manager
Deanna started with our team as a Veterinary Technician in early 2013. After leaving for a short two-year break to gain experience in emergency veterinary medicine, she returned in 2020 and jumped right back into her role here at 4paws. Deanna has a passion for organization, increasing clinic productivity, and providing outstanding client and patient experiences! Deanna took over as our Hospital Manager in December of 2022.
Deanna was born and raised outside of Chicago, IL before moving to Austin, Texas in 2005. Texas felt like home to her on day 1! Deanna enjoys spending time with her husband, two step-kids, two dogs, two cats, and 60+ houseplants! Deanna has an adventurous spirit and if not at 4paws will often be found SCUBA diving with her family, hiking, RV’ing with the dogs, rock climbing, running a Tough Mudder, or looking for another once in a lifetime experience!
