Jessica 's interest in pets has been life long. Rescuing snakes – boas and pythons, monitors and iguanas from various sources, nursing them back to health and placing them in good homes was a high school passion. While attending college, her reptile skills expanded to "Reptile Expert" and store manager at a pet store. Since 1998, Jessica has worked as client services representative in the veterinary field; Jessica has happily resumed her patient care coordinator position with AAHV since 2004. Besides sincerely enjoying people and animals, she has special interest in journalistic photography and involves all her beloved pets - a domestic Bengal cat, Leon, Rude Boy, her African gray, and Marley, her precious collie mix as photographic subjects. 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. 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, Mama Dog, 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”
The care of both wildlife and domesticated animals has been a life long passion for Heather. Growing up outside of Philadelphia, PA, she spent her summers volunteering at the local animal shelter and wildlife rehabilitation clinic. However, she has never been one to remain static for long, and her energy and enthusiasm for animals of all kinds led her to expand her interests significantly. Since graduating from The University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and Wildlife Conservation, Heather went on to work as a zookeeper at several of the nation’s top zoos. After 3 years of continual learning and hard work, life took another turn and she wound up finding new challenges at the Animal Avian Hospital of the Village in 2008. She has been lucky to experience many facets of the clinic, and is excited to continue learning and providing the best possible animal care service that she can. Shared moment: Though Heather may not look tough, in her previous work she has handled many animals that may give you a fright! During her time in the zoo world, she has worked with many species of venomous snakes, crocodilians, and wild birds that are more hazardous than they may initially seem. She loved the excitement and challenges of providing care for animals that were potentially extremely dangerous. However, she’s calmed down her interests a bit, and is now happy to find a surprisingly large amount of adventure at home caring for her beloved budgies Hammie and Hamlin, hamster Henrietta, and Miniature Schnauzer Tex. |
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Heather & “Tex”
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”
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