Thankful Thursday: Showing Up for Each Other

November 18, 2021

In this season of thanks, you continue to support each other with these amazing notes of appreciation. 

Dr. Bryan Haag from Vet Leadership Team/OPS, Niles, Illinois, wants to recognize Regional Manager, Melanie Meyer: "I have had the pleasure of working with Melanie for almost 3 years.  Melanie leads with kindness and is tremendously conscientious.  She is devoted to supporting her hospital teams and it is reflected in their appreciation for her.  Thank you, Melanie, for all that you do!  We are grateful for you and I am happy to be on your team!”

Tania Germann from Ashburn Village Animal Hospital, Ashburn, Virginia, wants to recognize Sue Vlasic - hospital manager: “Sue has been my right-hand woman for many years now and she not only makes my job easier but she also brings light and positive energy to the workplace. She's a rock for every employee."

Chad Harris, DVM from Vet Leader Team, Georgetown, TX, wants to recognize Sarah Farina - LVT, Goosepond Animal Hospital: “Sarah has such an amazing spirit and sense of humor.  I have enjoyed getting to know her and seeing her shine on the TechLife team.  Sarah, YOU ARE A ROCKSTAR!"

Andrea from West Lancaster Animal Hospital, Lancaster, PA, wants to recognize The WLAH Team: “The WLAH team is one of the most amazing hard-working group of individuals! Thank you for the hard work!"

Chad Harris from Vet Leader Team, Georgetown, TX, wants to recognize Laura del Valle, DVM - COS (and Squirrel Whisperer) at Lake Alfred Animal Hospital: “Laura helped with her first school "webinar" and discussed DEI with students from numerous schools and absolutely crushed it!  Great job, LDV!"

Alannah Labesky from the OPS team wants to recognize Dr. Tom Smith, COS; Dr. Gretchen Zarle, Vet Leader/COS: “They both have gone above and beyond to save a practice in need and doing Lend A Hand/Relief to keep the hospital running! The team greatly appreciates it and enjoys working with you!"

Jessie Nelson from Sugarloaf Animal Hospital, Lawrenceville, Georgia, wants to recognize Rebecca Hardman – reception: “Stepping up and help in treatment and learning!  thank you for being here the past several days!"

Jodi Smoley from Primary Pet Care, Stow, Ohio, wants to recognize Dr. Evanne Thompson, COS: “Thank you for being an incredible mentor to our team and partner in PPC leadership! I am thankful that you took a leap of faith with us and look at all of the little victories we have piled up already! Here is to success, sparkle bands, and endless pawsibilities!!!"

Jolene Birney from Berrien Veterinary Services, Baroda, Michigan, wants to recognize Dr. Danette Kiessel: “For working several of her days off when we are down a doctor!  You make my job easier every day!"

Jolene Birney from Berrien Veterinary Services, Baroda, Michigan, wants to recognize Dr. Sara Lange: “Thank you Dr. Lange for picking up weekend hours while we are short on doctors this month. We are so happy that you joined our clinic. All the team LOVES working with you! “

Margie Giles from Sanford Animal Hospital, Sanford, NC, wants to recognize Brian Bendana, RVT: “We are so thankful for our Technician Brian Bendana. Not only does Brian have amazing technical skills but he constantly keeps us laughing with his quick wit. Brian always has a good attitude and is willing to work hard. Any task we throw at him, he is willing to tackle. He can go from monitoring anesthesia to running our lab without any hesitation. We are so thankful that Brian ended up at our clinic and everyone loves working with him.”

Sue-Anne Gentry from the OPS team wants to recognize Dr. Morrison, Allyson, and the whole team at Atrium Animal Hospital: “This is a new COS and HM along with a fairly recent acquisition, that has had a lot of change in the year or so they have partnered with us.  To say they just keep rolling with the punches would be an understatement.  They are incredibly invested in their staff, clients, and patients, and this is evident when they have their fortnightly staff meeting and read aloud the kudos messages from clients and staff alike.  What an awesome start followed by a wonderful future ahead of them all.  Not to leave out the other team members here.  They are welcoming, friendly, and a pleasure to visit - and not only because they have the most amazing fruit-bearing fig tree in their backyard. “

Sue-Anne Gentry also would like to recognize Katie Hallman and Dr. Stevan ParsonsI:  “I once described these two as being "my joy", and they continue to be just that.  They are so sweet, polite, and willing to work with me and VetCor as a whole.  We may sigh together at times with some of the things that come across our desks, but never a harsh word or the need for anything more than a sigh.  It is so nice to have "good people" to work with and to grow with.  I look forward to many more years of joy, and in-person visits to this group of people.”

Sue-Anne Gentry also wants to recognize Sandra DeBerry: “Sandra, Sandra, Sandra, what an absolute delight and a hoot to work with.  When I can squeeze in a visit with Sandra it is a highlight to my week.  She manages 2 clinics, in an Airforce base town and she does it with grace, sarcasm, and a growing leadership maturity that is so good to see.  She is willing to laugh at me, and with me.  She is willing to correct me and be corrected, she is all around a great leader who doesn't yet know how great she is.  I love her most because I know that she messes up her preventative closet just before I get there so I can organize it all again...she wouldn't possibly leave it with the boxes out of alphabetical order all month or more, I just know it (LOL)"

Finally, Sue-Anne Gentry wants to recognize Lisa Brillinger: “Lisa is an integral part of this NC/SC team.  She is always willing to help others and puts them before herself more often than she should.  She is an active participant in our HM calls and gives ideas and thoughts along with solutions for the other teams.  She is Mrs. Fixit in the clinic.  I don't believe there is any instruments that she cannot fix in there, or that she is not willing to try. Lisa is such a kind soul who reaches out to make sure that I am ok more often than I could ever hope or wish for and I know she does not realize how much we as RM's need that. Thank you, Lisa!"

Amy Klotz from Douds Veterinary Hospital, Oberlin, OH, wants to recognize our entire team: “We transitioned from being a paper-heavy practice to paper light and the team has been just amazing! Everyone worked together to determine the best flow and protocols and helped one another in the learning process. While we know this will continue to be a bit of a work in progress and we will make changes along the way, everyone really rocked the process!"

Amber Force from The Veterinary Center at Fishhawk, Lithia, FL, wants to recognize Kirstin White: “Kirstin is a wonderful employee who always brightens everyone's day. Not only is she a wonderful technician she is a great lead nurse and surgery nurse. I can always rely on Kirstin to show for every shift without complaints. Huge shout out for her going the extra mile in surgery the other day when there was only one other technician and two doctors. She was able to move swiftly and diligently while making sure every pet was appropriately cared for with her usual 'can do' attitude.  Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to this practice Kirstin! You bring joy to this office every day!"

Keri Garland from Animal Hospital of Gordon County, Calhoun, GA, wants to recognize all my girls: “I am thankful for all my "Girls" including the doctors. We are a practice of all females so yes they are all my girls.  I have the best staff I could possibly have.  Everyone works together great and does their part.  So, I can't just be thankful for one because I am very thankful for all of them."

Lynda McCoy from Bear Branch Animal Hospital, Magnolia, TX, wants to recognize Kayla Midkiff: “I want to thank Kayla Midkiff for taking care of all the social media for our office. It looks fantastic and the clients love the information that she puts out there."

Jim Agan from the Facilities Team wants to recognize Jessica Shelley: “I would like to recognize Jessica for all of the support that she provides to the hospital teams and to VetCor's Facilities Team with the current and upcoming hospital renovations. Her calm demeanor, organizational skills, constant positivity, and can-do attitude makes what we do a joy every day.  We love having you on our team and personally, I couldn't do it without you.  Thank you!"

Amber Bowlin from Cat Care Clinic, Indianapolis, IN, wants to recognize Wendy Pund: “Wendy has always been the first to offer to help and always steps up when there is a need somewhere in the clinic.  She has even taken over our social media account on Facebook.  She is an important team member that keeps this clinic moving forward every day. "

Kaleigh Weaver from South Bend Animal Clinic, South Bend, IN, wants to recognize Anna Childers-Smith, HM: “I wanted to take a moment to appreciate the amazing hospital manager that Anna is. She is one of the most supportive and creative people I have ever met. She is so willing to share not only her help but recipes, Cricut ideas, and time!! Thank you, Anna, for always being a great cheerleader and friend!"

Cindy from Auburn Animal Hospital, Auburn, Georgia, wants to recognize Spence King, Lead Vet Assistant: “For his hard work and dedication.  He always leads by example and is an all-around great employee."

Nicole Snyder from Elk Creek Animal Hospital-Fisherville, Taylorsville, KY wants to recognize Molly Boackting: “Molly is such an amazing team member.  She is always on her game, thinking ahead, and planning for what’s coming next. She’s positive, upbeat and such a motivating person to be around.  She’s always smiling and you never know what funny thinks she might say next. She’s dependable, kind, and slays her way through these unfamiliar times. I know I can count on her, and she’s happy to help! Thanks for all you do, Molly. I can’t tell you enough how much we appreciate you :)”

Alexis Stoll from West Shore Animal Clinic, Warwick, RI, wants to recognize everyone in the IT Department: “I would like to thank everyone in our IT department. I have had to speak with them numerous times lately, and cannot thank them enough for getting to my tickets as quickly as they do for I know how busy they are. Also, everyone is very patient with me for I am not very computer savvy, however, they all have taught me something new regarding IT and now I can answer their questions with an answer than asking questions about what they are asking me to do. Thank you all for all your help!!! "

Dava Hunt from Cozy Cat Veterinary Hospital, Raleigh, North Carolina, wants to recognize all of Cozy Cat Cat's clients: “Our clients have been the best through this past year and a half.  They have done curbside without complaining and they like the curbside medication pick up.  We want to express our thanks for how lucky we are to have such great clients and patients.  We hope that all have a Happy Thanksgiving and hope their holiday season is great. "

Meg Connelly from Willard Veterinary Clinic, Quincy, Massachusetts, wants to recognize Angela Tipton and Sheila Tobin: “Every year for > 10 years Angela has been organizing a Light the Night team to raise money for the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society (LLS). This year the walk was at the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and Angela reached her goal this year of more than $1000.  It is a great cause and it was a beautiful night when all the lanterns were lit and walking in the park.  Angela started the walk when her Uncle Dave was fighting leukemia and later our own receptionist Chris Dwyer came down with lymphoma.  Unfortunately, both have passed away but we continue to walk as new treatment modalities are being developed all the time.  Sheila's sister-in-law continues to be treated and is making slow progress against the disease. "

Mary Denver from Basin Run Animal Hospital, Port Deposit, MD, wants to recognize Ashley Willis: “Ashley is our practice manager, and she goes above and beyond every day. She arranged a fabulous tech week, keeps us up on our AAHA accreditation, makes sure new hires are comfortable, oversaw a renovation during the pandemic, takes extra CE on management practices, and fills in when staff calls out. She is amazing and I couldn't do this without her!"

Meg Connelly from Willard Veterinary Clinic, Quincy, Massachusetts, wants to recognize Pam Daly Hosptial Manager: “Pam has been working tirelessly on making the transition from our old software to Avimark. If it comes off smoothly at all it will be due to her dedication and handwork."

Leslie Rivera from Winsted Hospital for Animals, Barkhamsted, Connecticut, wants to recognize Dr. Mary BattistaI: “I want to thank Dr. Battista for her compassion and devotion to her employees, clients, and patients. Dr. Battista goes above and beyond to make sure everyone and everything is well taken care of. I have received her compassion and understanding during difficult times and I want her to know that it is appreciated."

Jennifer Silkworth from Inwood Animal Center, Inwood, West Virginia, wants to recognize our entire receptionist team: “I am so thankful for our receptionist team. They are all, positive, hardworking, dedicated employees to our clinic and clients. They all go above and beyond for our patients. For that, I am so blessed to have a wonderful group, greeting and welcoming folks to Inwood Animal Center."

Chris Theriault from Health and Wellness Animal Hospital, Hampton Falls, NH, wants to recognize Our Whole Team: “I am so thankful for all of them!  For their hard work, dedication, and willingness to adapt, with everything that has been thrown at them for the last year and a half.  They are the best team in the area!"

Joyce Boston from Countryside Pet Hospital, Conover, NC, wants to recognize Sandy Baumgarner, receptionist: “Sandy is retiring in December after 28 YEARS with Countryside!! We want to celebrate all the years she has been a constant to our clients, patients and coworkers. She will be greatly missed at work but we know we will still be seeing her. Thank you, Sandy.  Enjoy your retirement!"

John Klardie from Windham Animal Hospital, Windham, NH, wants to recognize Saryn Evans, Vet Tech: “Saryn has an amazing work ethic.  She represents the perfect example of how much someone can learn when they take initiative.  She is always on time and at work when scheduled.  She never complains.  She is superhuman!"

John Klardie also wants to recognize Anne Canniff, Lead CCS: “She is a true leader.  You will never find anyone as loyal to the company as she is.  She can handle anything.  She is a go-to person for a lot of the staff.  She always comes in with a smile as she announces her arrival LOL."

Finally, John Klardie wants to recognize Sarina Proia, Vet Assistant: “One of our newest employees that sets a great example for positivity.  We're lucky to have her and look forward to her growing through the ranks."