About us
We believe that advanced imaging is the foundation of advanced veterinary medicine, and the key to exceptional treatment outcomes. We want to help you get the answers and an accurate diagnosis that leads to the most effective treatment. Therefore, our mission is to deliver world-class outpatient veterinary diagnostic imaging to pets, using cutting-edge MRI, CT, X-ray, and Ultrasound technology.
With same-day appointments and outpatient efficiency, along with the highest diagnostic quality images available anywhere, we pride ourselves on getting the answers you need to make effective treatment decisions.
What makes SVI different?
Put simply, it’s our 3T difference: Team, Technology, and Training. SVI is a national center of excellence in veterinary diagnostic imaging, and a teaching hospital that is dedicated to training the next generation of veterinary radiologists with a specialization in the most advanced cross sectional imaging technology available today. As in human medicine, this powerful mix of cutting-edge technology, academic training, and a dedicated support team work seamlessly together, to find answers and create the best possible outcomes for patients.
It all started one snowy day in 2009…
While living in Southern Oregon, Dr. Sage discovered that animal owners were driving over five hours to obtain an MRI for their pets. In an effort to help, she convinced the local human hospital to give her time on their MRI during evening hours and on weekends, and Sage Veterinary Imaging was born. The service quickly grew and remained a vital part of the community until she moved back home to Round Rock, TX in 2015.
In 2016, Dr. Sage began serving Round Rock veterinarians with her mobile ultrasound service, and in 2020, Sage Veterinary Imaging opened a state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging facility on McNeil Road, the first of its kind in Central Texas. Our second location is currently under construction in Salt Lake City, Utah, where we will begin serving the veterinary community in 2021.
Veterinarians and Specialists
Jaime Sage, DVM, MS, DACVR
Chief Radiologist & Founder — Curriculum Vitae
Location: Round Rock, Texas
DVM - Texas A&M | Residency - Ohio State
Dr. Sage was born and raised in Round Rock, and received her veterinary training at Texas A&M. After completing a radiology residency, she received further training as an MRI specialist with Patrick Gavin, PhD, DACVR/RO who wrote the definitive textbook on the subject, and is often cited as one of the early pioneers of Veterinary MRI. In 2019, Dr. Sage was voted president-elect of the CT/MRI society of the American College of Veterinary Radiology.
Dr. Sage has issued over 20,000 MRI reports over the past fifteen years, and is frequently invited to lecture on the subject at meetings and conferences worldwide.
Larry Gainsburg, DVM
Neurologist | Neurosurgeon
Location: Round Rock, Texas
DVM - University of Florida | Residency - U. Penn
Dr. Gainsburg started the first veterinary neurology and neurosurgery practice in the Baltimore area in 1987. He has been practicing veterinary neurology and neurosurgery for over 32 years. Dr. Gainsburg graduated from University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1980. He then spent 3 years in general and emergency practice before completing a residency in Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, followed by a clinical fellowship in Neurology and Neurosurgery at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. For the past 20 years, Dr. Gainsburg has been performing MRIs on his patients at John’s Hopkins University and participating in numerous clinical research studies to improve the lives of animals with neurological conditions. Prior to joining Sage Veterinary Imaging, he worked remotely with Dr. Sage and her mentor Dr. Patrick Gavin to make diagnoses and treat neurologic patients since 2001.
Rita Echandi, DVM, DACVR
Radiologist — Curriculum Vitae
Location: Dallas, Texas
DVM - Ohio State | Residency - U. Tenn
Dr. Echandi received her DVM from Ohio State University in 2003. After completing her radiology residency in 2007 from the University of Tennesee, she then accepted an assistant professor position in the radiology department of Ohio State University. In 2009, Dr. Echandi joined Animal Imaging in Dallas, a 3T MRI facility, where she served as medical director, radiation safety officer, and managed the I-131 program. Dr. Echandi joined Sage Veterinary Imaging and sister company, MRI Vets in 2021.
Erin Epperly, DVM, DACVR
Radiologist — Curriculum Vitae
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
DVM - Colorado State | Residency - Cornell
Dr. Epperly received her DVM from Colorado State University in 2007, and practiced for eight years in a rural, mixed animal veterinary clinic. During this time, she was very active in organized veterinary medicine and developed a passion for veterinary education and mentorship. She returned to academia in 2015 to pursue a diagnostic imaging residency at Cornell University and was board certified as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiologists in 2018. Following completion of her residency, Dr. Epperly was appointed an Assistant Clinical Professor. Dr. Epperly joined Sage Veterinary Imaging and sister company, MRI Vets in 2021.
Karin Prater, DVM
DVM - Michigan State
Radiology Resident
Dr. Prater grew up in a small town in upstate New York, across the street from a cow farm. She had her first horseback riding lesson at age four and knew she wanted to be a vet soon after. Her first job was at the local veterinary clinic. Dr. Prater received her Bachelors of Science in Zoology and Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University. After working for several years in an Austin emergency hospital, she joined us for a year in our radiology program. In 2021, Dr. Prater is beginning a three year radiology residency with Sage Veterinary Imaging.