Thankful Thursday: Living Our Values Through Appreciation

April 30, 2026

Our mission comes to life through the people who show up each day with compassion, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence. Our values, caring deeply, supporting one another, and doing the right thing, are not just words; they’re reflected in everyday actions across our hospitals, support teams, and leadership. These Thankful Thursday messages highlight moments when team members recognized one another for living those values, reminding us that gratitude, connection, and mutual support are at the heart of who we are and how we care for our teams.

Jodi Smoley from Primary Pet Care, Stow, Ohio, wants to recognize Autumn Hutson, Veterinary Assistant: "Autumn has blossomed in her role as VA! She has embraced new responsibilities and put a lot of hard work into doing her best for our patients. She takes on extra shifts when we are in need and does is with excitement and a smile! A truly rare quality in the workforce. Thank you, Autumn, for your cheerful disposition and desire to be at your best. PPC is a better place with you in it!" 

Emily Losee from Payroll wants to recognize Mike Koehler, Chief People Officer: "Thank you for all your hard work and keeping everyone in the loop about benefits and updates within the company. You are always willing to answer any of my questions about random things, I really appreciate you." 

Amber DiSalvatore from Park Avenue Animal Hospital, Apopka, Florida, wants to recognize Dr. Christina Layton, COSA: "For their involvement in advocating for us with the DPBR." 

Kimberly Wilson from Dunham Animal Hospital, Winter Haven, Florida, wants to recognize Dawn, Ashley, Katie and Summer, IT: "On 3/26 my server crashed at 5:30 PM! The team jumped in at worked late to get us up and running by the next morning. They then continued to work with the team the next day to repair all the background processes. Of course this all happened as I was starting a very rare 3 day weekend. Without their extra effort, it would have been canceled plans and a stressed out team!" 

Margie Giles from All Animals Veterinary Hospital, Sanford, North Carolina, wants to recognize Liz Wahl, DVM: "Dr Wahl has been with us a little over a year now and we are so lucky that she chose us! Her dedication, compassion and commitment to providing exceptional care to each and every one of our patients does not go unnoticed. We are grateful for the knowledge you bring to our team and the families we serve every day." 

Margie also wants to recognize Kate Powell, Vetcor IT: "Huge shout out to Kate! She is a rockstar! She has had to put up with us a lot with all of our IT issues. She always gets us back up and going quickly and efficiently. We would be lost without her when it comes to anything IT. Thank you Kate for everything you do!" 

Rosie Melgoza from Prestige Animal Hospital North Fontana, Fontana, California, wants to recognize Jennifer Cabezas, CSR: "Jen is always super helpful and caring not only for our patients but for our clients as well. She truly cares for everyone." 

David Gagnon from Kaukauna Veterinary Clinic, Kaukauna, Wisconsin, wants to recognize Lexx Novitski, Veterinary Assistant: "Lexx joined our team last year and she has brought a great energy to our team. She's always willing to step up and help in any way. She is always trying to learn more so she can expand her skills and knowledge. We're glad to have her on our team!" 

Rocky McGullion from Companion Animal Hospital of Waller, Waller, Texas, wants to recognize the entire staff: "For the month of March, CAHW had its best revenue intake since joining Vetcor 4 years ago. Their hard work paid off and I couldn't be more proud of the team!" 

Talia Sundstrom from the OPS team wants to recognize Karen Laurinas, Senior Director of Operations: "I appreciate Karen's support in my development as I transitioned from HM to AM then RM. Karen's empowering me to meet challenges as opportunities has given me confidence. I know my hospital teams are better supported as a result. Thanks, Karen!" 

Liz Hysell from Sheffield Veterinary Hospital, London, Ohio, wants to recognize Dr. Katie Eckart: "Today I just want to take a moment to express how incredibly grateful I am for the privilege of working with Katie every day. She is truly everything someone could hope for in a mentor, a friend, and a veterinarian. Her compassion, dedication, and genuine love for every animal (and human!) she encounters never go unnoticed. She leads with both skill and heart, and it inspires me more than she probably realizes. I’ve learned so much from her—not just about veterinary medicine, but about kindness, patience, and what it means to truly care. Thank you Katie for being such a beautiful example of excellence in this field and for making our workplace a place of support, growth, and laughter. I’m so lucky to learn from you and work alongside you." 

Lauren McGowan from Baldwin Harbor Animal Hospital, Baldwin, New York, wants to recognize Natalie Mejia, Veterinary Assistant: "Team player. Takes initiative. Very reliable. Goes above and beyond. Always keeps busy. Always learning." 

Jen Romero from The Cat Doctor, Portland, Maine, wants to recognize the entire staff: “Shout out for hanging in there! We have been through A LOT." 

Carina Chalfant from Fisherville Animal Hospital wants to recognize Mackenzie Hayes, Hospital Manager, Epping Road Veterinary Hospital, Concord, New Hampshire: "I am thankful to have another manager that is just a text away when I need an opinion, vent session, advice or just to share things. I don't always need a response but knowing that there is someone on the other end just in case. Mackenzie, thank you for being just a text away!" 

Shaun Hall from Allied Veterinary Emergency Hospital, Tallahassee , Florida, wants to recognize Shanell Turner, Practice Manager: "Tirelessly supports the practice, day or night. She truly cares for the team and has a vast amount of compassion." 

Kate Duncan from Countryside Veterinary Clinic, New Richmond, Wisconsin, wants to recognize Meredith Smith, Chief of Staff: "Dr. Smith has been a consistent source of support for the whole team with her dedication to work and her high standards. With every curveball that comes our way, she handles them with grace and quiet efficiency that I aspire to. I'm deeply appreciative to not only work with her, but to know her - she's a really GREAT human!” 

Alyssa Schaefers from Lake Alfred Animal Hospital, Lake Alfred, Florida, wants to recognize my entire team!: "I just want to take a moment to say how thankful I am for my entire team. Every single day, they show up with compassion, dedication, and a genuine love for what they do. They go above and beyond for our patients and clients, and for each other, without hesitation. What makes them even more special is the joy they bring into the clinic, whether it’s our fun social media videos, spontaneous dance sessions, or just the constant laughter throughout the day. They make even the busiest, most challenging days feel lighter. I’m truly grateful to be part of such an amazing group of people. This team is something special, and I’m so thankful for each and every one of them." 

Keri Laporte from Weymouth Landing Cat Clinic, Weymouth, Massachusetts, wants to recognize Kelly Arana, Assistant Hospital Manager: "I am so grateful for Kelly helping me survive the past two weeks with my HM out on vacation. I would not be able to focus on my patients and maintain my sanity without her. She is a wonderful asset to our team - thanks Kelly!" 

Kielly Dietzen from Russell Veterinary Hospital, Russell, Pennsylvania, wants to recognize all DVM's and support staff: "Continued hard work every day and making sure our clients and patients receive top notch care!" 

Tiffany Plourde from Lucerne Veterinary Hospital, Dedham, Maine, wants to recognize Alex Russell, Customer Service Representative: "Alex is excellent with clients and making them feel heard and cared for.  She has a great sense of humor that has brought a lot of positivity to our team and assisted with creating a great culture here at LVH." 

Jessica Daniels from Polk Street Animal Hospital and Castro Animal Hospital, San Francisco, California, wants to recognize Jason Wake, Hospital Manager: "I wanted to give a shout out to Jason who manages our San Francisco hospitals. He rallied his team and got creative to keep his doors open and help patients during a recent multi day internet outage. Thank you Jason! Way to get resourceful!" 

Katrina Guell from Scottsdale Cat Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, wants to recognize Wendy Isselhardt, Veterinary Technician: "I want to take a moment to give a shout out to Wendy. She is a wicked technician that loves to sooth the stressed kitties. Wendy is willing to stay past her shift to ensure her team is not struggling. Our days are much better when she is here and we are grateful to have her on our team!" 

Anna Grau from Kuenzi Family Pet Hospital, Waukesha, Wisconsin, wants to recognize Lucy Smith, Regional Manager: "Lucy has been a great RM for us! She is practical which we appreciate. She also is so quick to reply to texts or emails when we need help with something small or large! We are really sad she will no longer be our RM! Good luck in your next opportunity Lucy!" 

Kelly McNeely from Heartland Niagara Animal Hospital, Niagara Falls, Ontario, wants to recognize Jessica Blaine, Veterinary Assistant: "We recently transitioned to Ezyvet, and Jess did great! She took the time to gain confidence with Ezyvet, and was a huge help with guiding the rest of the team. She helped recognize issues within the setup so we could resolve them quickly, and discovered things we didn't know we could do with the new program! Jess has also taken on forward booking for patient annual appointments, which is a whole other beast on its own. Thank you, Jess, for being so proactive and helping to lead the VA team through the tips, tricks, and hiccups. I appreciate all your help!" 

Lori Keeler from Willow Park Animal Clinic, Calgary, Alberta, wants to recognize Bailey Chipp, Hospital Manager: "I want to recognize Bailey for her consistent reliability and dedication. She often goes above and beyond—frequently working from home—to ensure the clinic continues to run smoothly. Her steady presence has made her an integral part of the team, and it’s clear she’s respected and appreciated by everyone she works with.  Bailey takes ownership of her responsibilities and approaches challenges with calm and confidence. Her ability to handle crises with ease is truly valued and makes a meaningful difference in our day-to-day operations. We’re grateful to have her on the team." 

Chelsea Boyd from Lyme Veterinary Hospital, Lyme, New Hampshire, wants to recognize Astra Sleeper, Veterinary Assistant: "Astra is a hard worker who is always willing to help out and learn something new. She always jumps in when she sees that anyone is needing help, whether it's answering the phone, comforting a patient, or volunteering to help with an appointment. I don't tell her enough, but I appreciate her and all she does!" 

Chelsea also wants to recognize Caleb Day, CVT: "Caleb is a hard, knowledgeable, reliable worker. He's a forward thinker, has a calm presence, is humble, has a sense of humor, and clients and patients really like him. He is an integral part of our practice!" 

Elsa Carrasco-Rodriguez from Oakridge Veterinary Clinic, San Jose, California, wants to recognize Oakridge Vet Staff and Wells Construction Crew: "Quick shoutout to our amazing team and the Wells Construction crew—thank you all for collaborating so seamlessly and making everything run so smoothly. It truly shows what great teamwork can accomplish!" 

Ginger Sloan from Alpine Animal Hospital, Corvallis, Oregon, wants to recognize Courtney Fraga, Veterinary Assistant: "Courtney is an invaluable part of the Alpine Animal Hospital team. She is reliable, punctual, and always willing to step in when needed—even on her days off. Her eagerness to learn, compassion for animals, and readiness to help others make her a supportive and positive presence every day. We’re truly grateful to have her on the team." 

Stephanie Hoffman from Village Veterinary Hospital, Johnston, Iowa, wants to recognize Amy Garcia, Hospital Manager: "Amy joined our team at the end of December and has been making (positive) waves ever since. Joining an established team and hopping right into a management position is no easy task, but she has made it look effortless.  Over the past few months she has been a great communicator, marketing specialist, problem solver, educator, and task manager. Truly a Jack of all trades! She is also very knowledgeable and organized. We appreciate you more than you know and love having you on our team.  Thanks for all you do!" 

Rebecca Rieke from Greenville Veterinary Clinic, Greenville, Illinois, wants to recognize Dr. Lynette Hemker, Dr. Jennifer Ostrom, Dr. Jade Rathmann, Dr. Ashely Tremain, Debi Mills, Alish Harrison, Alish Kahrhoff, Olivia Timmermann, Madison White, Gianni Estrada, Kristi Smith, Ava Peyton, Taylor Huber, Danielle Parker, Kylie Tipton, Kelly Crites, Joely Craver, DVMs, CCS, and Animal Assistants: "I got my first foster placement of a 3 day old infant on November 10, 2025.  I had 8 hours to plan for her arrival. I spent the next 7 days in the NICU with her. My entire staff gave me their blessing and wished me and my family well. Since that time, I have had to take off time for doctor appointments, sick days and case visits for this tiny human. The entire staff has had to fill in for me at one time or another and they have done it graciously.  They have allowed me the time needed to adjust to this new life. I am so grateful for each and every one of them!" 

Britni Rosala from Roberts and Wendt Animal Hosptial, Lakewood, Ohio, wants to recognize Heather Zahm, Hospital Manager at Massillon Animal Hospital: "I want to shine a light on Heather for recognizing when her team needed a mid-day pick me up. Heather comment on my hospitals Facebook post about our team playing a game to finish up the last few minutes of our team meeting. She said she realized one day her team need a mood booster, she had a fun Uno game and it helped get the staff laughing and ready to work hard the rest of the day for their community. I think it's very easy to get held back with hard cases or workplace hardships and to know that a leader in the hospital saw it and made a positive turn around for her team deserves a shout out!" 

Amy Klotz from the OPS team wants to recognize the following people: 

Elizabeth Clifton, Hospital Manager, East Roswell Vet Hospital, Roswell, Georgia: "Elizabeth immediately jumped in with both feet to make a difference with optimizing tools such as: Vetstoria, Tail O Phone texts, and extending available appointment times. These small changes are going to make a big impact for her hospital! " 

Jasmine, CSR, East Roswell Veterinary Hospital, Roswell, Georgia: "I visited the location recently and Jasmine was very welcoming, had a great attitude, and immediately offered me a tour of the hospital. This friendly, welcoming attitude is so very important for her role as a CSR as she is the first face/voice our clients hear and she truly makes them feel welcome!" 

Glen Ruby, Hospital Manager Animal Hospital of Cornelius, Cornelius, North Carolina: "Wow! What a receptive greeting I received upon visiting this hospital! Glen was so very welcoming, gave me a tour, listened intently, took great notes, and started taking immediate action on items we discussed. Glen is a true asset to his hospital, team, community, and Vetcor!" 

Samantha Curl, Hospital Manager, Hillsdale Animal Hospital, Hillsdale, North Carolina: "I am so amazed by the dedication that Samantha has not just to her hospital/team/clients, but to the community! They have monthly/quarterly community events that they engage in and that Samantha leads in coordinating. This is so very important, letting our communities know that we care and Samantha, you and your team absolutely shine at this!" 

Jessica Shannon, Marketing Director Hospital Support: "Jessica is always so happy to help with questions and with quick responses. I truly appreciate her additional help!" 

Lucy Smith from Operations Team, St. Louis, Missouri, wants to recognize Tiff Ferrous, Hospital Manager, Creature Comforts, Las Vegas, Nevada: "Tiff took over as Hospital Manager just a few months ago. She is excited to learn new things and help her hospital grow. Tiff takes such pride in her work. When tasked with a "to-do" list, she jumps right in and gets to work. I love Tiff's can-do attitude! I am so excited to see what she can do! GREAT WORK, Tiff!" 

Lucy also wants to recognize Ed Zamora, Senior Human Resources Manager: "I have recently started supporting practices on the west coast. I do not know what I would do without Ed helping me navigate all of the laws in California! Ed is always happy to help, talk through a situation, quick to respond, and most important - kind and compassionate. Ed, you are amazing! Thank you!" 

Matthew Campbell from the OPS team wants to recognize Barb Disney, Hospital Manager, Millwood Animal Clinic, Portage, Michigan: "I am thankful for the strong partnership this week. You did a truly great job leaning into some tough conversations, staying engaged, and turning feedback into immediate action to improve your clinic. Your willingness to step outside your comfort zone, stay open-minded, and implement changes right away speaks volumes.  Thank you for your trust, your effort, and your commitment to getting better every day—it does not go unnoticed. Great job all around, and I’m excited to see the positive impact these changes will bring!" 

Danielle Mercado from the OPS team wants to recognize Nicole Curler and Morgan Smith, RM and Director of Operations: "I am beyond thankful for the training sessions that Morgan and Nicole have initiated for my area. I have been manifesting these exact opportunities for my locations for quite some time, and it is incredibly rewarding to see that vision coming to life. I truly believe this is just the beginning of many more impactful learning opportunities ahead. Investing in our people is something I am deeply passionate about, and I am excited to see how this continued focus on development will empower our teams and help our area thrive." 

Jennifer Weitzel from the OPS team wants to recognize Dr. Sue Burkhart and Dr. Rob Krueger, COS: "I would like to recognize Dr. Sue Burkhart and Dr. Rob Krueger for their exceptional support of veterinary students. Their mentorship of 15 students over the past year reflects remarkable dedication, generosity, and leadership. Thank you both for your ongoing commitment to developing future veterinarians and representing Vetcor with such pride." 

Jennifer also wants to recognize Dr. Kelsey Dalton, COS and Anicia Smith, Hospital Manager: "I want to recognize this leadership team for the positivity and openness they’ve shown while navigating clinic challenges. They have embraced support, adapted with a willingness to change, and maintained such a warm and welcoming environment. I can't wait to see what the rest of 2026 has in store for this great practice!" 

Melissa Strycker-Grzeskowiak from Western Vet Clinic, South Bend, Indiana, wants to recognize Tina, Katie and Alexa, our CSR team: "THANK YOU is never enough to say for our great CSR team, lead by Tina, Katie and Alexa, with the help of many others who are cross trained. Happy Vet Receptionist Week and thank you for all you do everyday to keep the front end of the clinic running smoothly. Being the first person a client sees or hears on the phone can be challenging but also so rewarding. Clients love and appreciate you and so do all of us at WVC!" 

Lauren Miller from Customer Service, wants to recognize Mitchell Cultice, Service Desk Technician, Information Technology: "I’d like to give a huge thank-you to Mitchell for going above and beyond. When my computer hit the blue screen of death, he spent hours on the phone patiently helping me get everything working again. He was incredibly kind and understanding of my lack of IT knowledge and never showed anything but patience. On top of that, when I got sick during the process, he checked in on me, which meant a lot and truly showed how much he cares. Mitchell’s dedication, kindness, and support made all the difference, and I can’t thank him enough." 

Rebecca Oglesby from Trussville Main Street Animal Clinic, Birmingham, Alabama, wants to recognize Receptionists Kristen Burttram, Edith Lopez, Cynthia Martus, Katelyn McCombs: "Shoutout to our amazing front desk team at Trussville Main Street Animal Clinic! Thank you Kristen, Edith, Cynthia, and Katelyn for everything you do each and every day. Your kindness, dedication, and willingness to always go above and beyond make such a difference for our clients and their pets. We truly couldn’t do it without you!" 

Joan McCue from Veterinary Services of Aiken, Aiken, South Carolina, wants to recognize Erin Heighton, Regional Manager: "Erin paid a visit to our hospital recently and helped bring clarity to some new strategies to help our hospital grow! Her support is always appreciated." 

Jessica Spellacy from Redondo Shores Veterinary Center, Redondo Beach, California, wants to recognize the whole Redondo Shores Veterinary Center Team: "I would love to recognize the entire team at Redondo Shores Veterinary Center for being so incredibly welcoming as I stepped in to support while their manager is out. From day one, the team made me feel included, supported, and truly part of their hospital.  A special thank you to the leadership team, Dr. Dirk Yelinek, Wendy Perez, and Angelica Diaz, for their openness, collaboration, and partnership. Their willingness to jump in, communicate, and work together has made a meaningful impact.  I am so grateful for this team and the positive, supportive environment they create every day." 

Jessica also wants to recognize The Pet Doctors of Sherman Oaks Leadership Team: "I would also like to recognize the leadership team at The Pet Doctors of Sherman Oaks, Ashley Gonzalez, Fredy Bardales, and Dr. Kolleen Nellett, for their incredible support and for stepping up to allow me the flexibility to assist at the Redondo Shores location.  Their teamwork, trust, and leadership truly make everything possible, and I am so grateful to work alongside such an amazing group." 

Finally, Jessica wants to recognize Ashely Gonzalez, Assistant Manager: "I would love to give a special shoutout to Ashley Gonzalez on her well deserved promotion to Assistant Manager! Ashley has consistently demonstrated strong leadership, a positive attitude, and a true commitment to both the team and our clients. She leads by example, steps in wherever needed, and continues to raise the bar for those around her. I am so proud of her and excited to see her continue to grow in this new role. We are lucky to have her!"