Veterinarians

Dr. Suzanne Boucher, owner of Azalea Lakes Veterinary Clinic, moved around a lot growing up. She is a self titled 'Air Force brat' and has lived all over the country. She earned her prerequisites for veterinary school at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She attended Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 1989. After graduation, she joined the Army and worked for two years in Baltimore during Desert Storm doing chemical warfare research as a veterinarian. She then moved back to Louisiana and opened Azalea Lakes Veterinary Clinic. From humble beginnings, it has grown over the years into a thriving five doctor practice. Her favorite part of veterinary medicine is surgery and she will work on any animal of any species that is in need of her services.  Dr. Suzie is married and has 6 children including triplets. She has lots of Arabians and Quarter Horses, a papillion named Lady, and Axl the American bulldog. 

When not at the clinic she is usually making donuts down the street at her bakery Fleur de Lis Donuts.  Her favorite vacation destination is the beach. 

Dr. Suzie's favorite part of ALVC is, 'My clients and my staff'.

Dr. Gretchen Godbee is originally from Natchitoches, LA.  She attended the University of Texas in Austin and earned her B.S. in 1989 and her M.A. in 1991 in Communication Disorders.  She worked in San Antonio for two years as a Speech Pathologist.  From there she moved to Alexandria and worked as a Speech Pathologist at St. Francis Cabrini Hospital for seven years before attending veterinary school.  She graduated from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005.  She joined the Azalea Lakes Veterinary Clinic team in April of 2006.  As a veterinarian, Dr. Gretchen's focus is small animal internal medicine and exotics and pocket pets.

She and her husband John have 3 dogs (Betty, Delilah, & Tess) and 2 cats Tumbleturk and Mr. Dagnabit.  In her spare time she enjoys reading, watching movies (old and new-she really loves Turner Classic Movie Channel and Movies & Music on the Lawn), yoga, going to see live music and spending time with her husband and their many beasts.

Dr. Gretchen's favorite parts of working at ALVC are, 'I love the pets and their people.  We truly have a wonderful clientele at Azalea Lakes.  I also love the variety of patients/species that we see and serve here.  And of course, I love our staff, many of whom have worked here for several years, which really says something about Dr. Suzie and her practice.'

Dr. Tara Farmer attended Louisiana State University where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Animal, Dairy & Poultry Science in 2000.  She then graduated from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2003.  Upon graduation she worked as a small animal veterinarian in Houma, LA for several years.  She welcomed the opportunity to come back “home” to Baton Rouge and joined the ALVC team in February of 2010.  Her main focus is small animal internal medicine and preventative medicine. 

Dr. Tara and her husband, Rob, have two children, a daughter and a son.  She has a wonderful St. Bernard mix named Emma who she adopted as a puppy that came in through ALVC.  In her down time, she enjoys reading, photography and gardening. 

Dr. Tara’s favorite part about working at ALVC is, “When clients proudly show off their pet’s tricks in the exam room. It is just an outward expression of that human-animal bond we all have with our pets.  It’s the reason I love my job and everyday I get to help continue that bond by keeping their pets healthy.”

Dr. Savanna Richey attended Louisiana Tech University where she earned her Bachelor's in Animal Science, then completed her studies and obtained her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine as a graduate of LSU Veterinary School. She is originally from Alexandria, LA. After graduating in 2013, Dr. Savanna spent her first year and a half in practice at a private small animal hospital, then began working for Banfield in Bossier City, Louisiana. She transferred to Baton Rouge Banfield on Siegen Lane in 2015, where she practiced for 4 years. In 2019 she decided to begin a new chapter and return to private practice and joined us here at Azalea Lakes. Her special interests include dermatology and soft tissue surgery. She enjoys healthy gourmet cooking, home gardening, working out-particularly yogalates, and making lasting memories with friends and family. She is also very involved in pageantry, and is a former Mrs. Louisiana America. She and her husband, Tommy, enjoy spoiling their standard poodle, Harley, 'poma-poodle' Kammie, and 'shih-poodle' Hadlie. They also have Peruvian Guinea Pigs (Basil and Scarlett), a leopard gecko (Lagertha), and many backyard fancy goldish!