Dr. Diane Decker was raised with 4 older brothers by animal-loving parents in rural upstate New York. They had many cats and dogs who were her best friends. She saw from a young age the power of a good veterinarian to help the lives of pets and their families. She was the first person to go to college in her family, graduating summa cum laude from Colby College in Maine. She graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002 where she was the leader of the Cornell Pet Loss Support Team for 3 years. She then completed a small animal internship at the Regional Veterinary Referral Center in Alexandria, Virginia.

Dr. Decker worked first as a staff veterinarian at VCA 12 Mile Animal Hospital then was offered the role of Medical Director. She held this position for 8 years, establishingand modeling standards for the highest level of care for her clients and patients. She transferred to VCA Raleigh Hills in 2019 to work closer to home and to join the I-131 team. She became director of the program in the fall of 2020.  She is excited to continue this life-saving work at Oregon Veterinary Specialty Hospital.

Dr. Decker has had a special interest in hyperthyroidism since veterinary school.  It’s a debilitating disease but happily one that we have so much power to help control and even cure. She has gone through radioiodine as a loving pet owner with two of her personal cats and brings this sensitivity to her practice. She has found her life’s passion in offering this amazing treatment to her feline patients and supporting the people who love them and the referring vets who take such good care of them. Her love for these special patients drives her dedication to the radioiodine program. Dr. Decker’s goal is to make the OVSH radioiodine program a premiere I-131 facility with expanded capacity and a focus on patient comfort and safety.

Dr. Decker lives in SW Portland with her husband and 5 cats. She enjoys anything sparkly, being warm, reading, hiking, college basketball (go Heels!), and cuddling with cats in the sun.