Meet Our Faculty

Cierra Buer, DVM
Medical Director, Assistant Professor II
Email: cbuer@cocc.edu

After completing her undergraduate degree in Idaho, Cierra went to veterinary school at the University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College. Cierra graduated with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) with a focus on equine medicine and worked at a mixed animal veterinary practice with small animals, exotic animals, horses, and farm animals. She has experience in animal shelters, general practice, and low-income practices.  

Cierra discovered her love of teaching when she began at COCC as a part-time instructor. She says, “Sharing my love for science and my belief in a better world for all animals has been such a rewarding career choice!”  

Now COCC’s full-time medical director for Veterinary Technology, Cierra enjoys creating unique experiences for her students and collaborating with community partners. Her favorite classes to teach are Large and Small Animal Diseases, Large Animal Nursing, Pharmacology, and Parasitology. Cierra also runs a nonprofit farm sanctuary and provides free veterinary care for other rescues. 

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Beth Palmer
Program Director, Associate Professor
Email: bpalmer@cocc.edu

As a former veterinary technician student, Beth knows firsthand the importance of engaging, high-quality learning environments. That’s why, after completing her Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology at Portland Community College, she went on to obtain her bachelor’s degree in professional technical education and instructional design from South Seattle College, followed by a master’s degree in education in instructional design from Western Governors University. Beth also has specialized training from the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance in high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter.  

Beth shares, “My degree in instructional design has allowed me to create exceptional, interactive, hands-on learning experiences. I love to see the growth in my students throughout the program. Upon graduation, they are confident veterinary professionals who get to improve the lives of animals every day.”  

Prior to beginning her teaching career and serving as COCC’s Veterinary Technician program director, Beth worked as a vet tech for 14 years, where she specialized in patient care, dentistry, and monitoring anesthesia and surgery. She has also worked in emergency animal medicine and shelter medicine, and as a technician manager and trainer.  

Whether inside or outside the classroom, Beth’s passion for the field of veterinary technology is clear. “I continue my love of being a veterinary technician and keep my veterinary technician skills current by volunteering for feral cat clinics and spay/neuter clinics in underserved areas. I love that I get to volunteer alongside some of my talented graduates at these clinics.”