Jessica’s interest in pets of all kinds, including reptile husbandry and rehabilitation, has been a life long passion. When Jessica joined Animal Avian Hospital of the Village in 1998, she brought her genuine love of pets and their people with her. In addition to sincerely enjoying her interactions with animals and people, she expands this interest through photography. Her beloved pets: a domestic Bengal cat, Leon, her African Grey, Rude Boy, and her precious collie mix, Marley, are ongoing subjects of some of her photography. Jessica is a dedicated career professional in the veterinary field and currently holds certification as a Veterinary Receptionist. Shared moment: Marley had been roaming the neighborhood for a couple of months until animal control picked him up. One of the residents who witnessed Marley’s fate checked on him daily to see if he had been adopted, but every day he was still there. On the day he was scheduled for euthanasia, the neighbor who had been checking on Marley intervened by paying his adoption fee. Jessica happened to be at the clinic where Marley was taken for healthcare, and she thought he was the most wonderful, awesome, incredible puppy she’d ever met…the rest is history! |
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Kristen holds a BA in Speech Communications and is a Certified Veterinary Receptionist. She joined the staff of Animal Avian Hospital of the Village in 2006. During this time, Kristen has enjoyed listening to AAHV clients, their stories and concerns. She loves being an advocate for premium pet care through sharing nutritional and husbandry information and coordinating the health care you expect for your pet. Kristen has accomplished integrating all her pets into home, work and play. On any given day, you may see Kristen and her pug, Luci, cycling together. Luci watches the scenes go by nestled in her screened pooch back pack securely fastened to Kristen’s back. Kristen shares her home with Luci the pug,Joy the Pitbull, and three cats including Blue. Needless to say, Kristen has a very understanding husband. Shared moment: In 2003, while attending a cat show with her parents, Kristen was admiring cats of all kinds when she was drawn to one particular cat who seemed to be much calmer and more mellow than the others (much like herself, Kristen says). When she asked to hold the cat, there was an instant bond. The cat began to paw and knead on Kristen as if claiming her for his own. When she found out they shared the same birthday AND that he shared the same name as her favorite stuffed animal from childhood, it was a done deal. Blue and Kristen have been happily together ever since. |
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Kristen & “Blue”
Elly, a Certified Veterinary Technician, is a transplant to Houston from New Orleans and joined AAHV in 2007. Like the other staff, Elly’s passion began in childhood, as did her official veterinary background. She worked with an animal rescue group from the time she was 11 years old until she was 16. She was the sole member of the group to bottle feed the puppies and kittens. Additionally, she has raised numerous baby birds and squirrels, nursed them to health, and successfully released them into the wild. After working and managing in the corporate setting for a number of years, Elly feels blessed to be a part of the family environment of AAHV. At home, you’ll find Elly juggling time between pets, which include five dogs of various breeds, six cats (5 Cornish Rex, 1 Devon Rex), ten birds (all some species of parrot), and seven reptiles (2 pythons, 4 geckos, 1 bearded dragon). All of them live together in harmony amid three acres in Pearland. Shared moment: In July of 2005, Elly received a call for a baby bird rescue in the ghetto of New Orleans. The bird was very weak, very young (5-6 weeks old), and had wounds on her sides, lower back, and head. Elly immediately brought her to the vet at the clinic where she worked. Here the bird was kept for the first week after the rescue since the staff was unsure of the bird’s prognosis. When the bird stabilized, Elly was able to take her home, where her care included giving her a name (Manhattan, after the street where she was rescued), hand-feeding, and medications three times a day for several months. She completely healed and all her feathers grew back, even though no one thought they would. Elly never intended to keep Manhattan; the plan was to get her well and find her a home. But of course, they bonded, and letting Manhattan go was no longer an option. The now tame Parrot has no idea that she was once a wild Quaker. She speaks, "Hello", "Peek-a-boo", "I love you", "Whatcha doin?", "Atchoo", "Hey hey hey", "Step up", and "Hahahaha" . With Elly, Manhattan has truly found her voice! |
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Elly & “Quaker”
Melissa’s animal nurturing instinct kicked in at the age of 12 when her kitten was injured in an accident and lost its tail and one leg. She was immediately intrigued by the work at the clinic where her cat was treated and nursed so wonderfully back to health. In high school, Melissa worked part time at her neighborhood vet clinic, and afterwards, she attended Purdue University where she graduated in 2002 with a degree in Veterinary Technology. Melissa worked in the corporate environment for six years before making the move to AAHV in 2007. She loves the opportunities afforded her in a family practice, such as the ability to connect one on one with patients and owners. Her compassionate and loving nature make her the perfect foster mom for Houston’s shelter puppies and kittens, along with taking care of her own furry, feathered an scaled children. Melissa’s pets include Delaney, along with three other dogs, four cats, several birds, tree frogs, Leopard Geckos, chinchillas, gerbils, a Guinea pig, and a Mali Uromastyx. Shared moment: Even though Melissa owns four dogs, one of them, Delaney, is convinced that she is not a dog at all, but rather a little person with fur. Delaney loves touring around in the car or on foot making friends with everyone she meets. For a dog, Delaney has acquired quite a vocabulary. Just like a child, several words and phrases must be spelled out when in the company of Delaney, such as “car ride” and “McDonald’s” because when she hears the words spoken, she explodes with excitement! Even the name of her favorite stores must be spelled in front of her, because like a true girl, she LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to shop! |
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Melissa & “Delaney”
Gary has been with AAHV since 2000. Before he attained his CVT license, he worked as a Kennel Attendant, so Gary’s knowledge and experience within AAHV is vast. One of the aspects of Gary’s job that he likes most is the diversity of husbandry and the variety of pets that visit and stay at the AAHV. About continuing his education he says, “I have a strong desire to keep learning. I always have my nose in some book or article about vet medicine.” Uniquely, Gary’s perspective regarding his career is that he sees every day as a new set of challenges and experiences - not work. How great is that!! His passion brings both confidence and inspiration to everyone at AAHV. Shared Moment: Gary feels a strong compassion for all animals, but he has a special rapport with birds. His affinity for birds is evident in his picture with Meeka, the mascot of AAHV. Gary is known for his ability to deal with even the most difficult bird personalities (Yes, Meeka, we mean YOU!) He can calm a bird in mid-tantrum and speak peace to a frightened bird so eloquently that around here Gary is referred to as the Bird Whisperer. |
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Gary & “Meeka”
Dedra, a Veterinary Technician since 1984, previously worked at an emergency animal clinic and has been with AAHV for several years. Currently her pet population includes three dogs, three cats, one cockatiel, one rat, one fish, one tarantula, one bearded dragon, and three horses. Since Dedra was 16 years old, she’s been interested in and involved with wildlife rehabilitation and domestic rescues. Her first patient was an injured squirrel, and she continues today nursing orphaned or debilitated animals. Dedra’s dedication and energy inspires the staff, patients, and pet owners of AAHV. She strongly believes that it is the responsibility of the human population to take care of our world and the living creatures that share it with us. Shared moment: Dedra’s compassion for domestic rescues is reflected in her most beloved pet, Maverick. Dedra was introduced to Maverick when he was only ten days old. The breeder had lost his brother to infected milk and Maverick was too weak to nurse, had lost his will to live and was resigned to dying. The breeder was heartbroken about Maverick suffering and wanted to euthanize him. Dr. Jordan suggested that Dedra attempt to nurse him to health. The breeder thought it was worth a try. Dedra was determined to save Maverick. She tube fed him every few hours, administered Dr. directed antibiotics every few hours and within 2 weeks he had regained strength and was nursing on his own! He nursed until he was 8 weeks old. After experiencing Dedra’s healing touch and nurturing heart, the tide turned for Maverick. He’s over a year old now and still struggles a little, but he knows he’s got the best care- taker he could ever ask for! |
Dedra & “Maverick”
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