04/18/2025
Employee Highlight: Meet our hospital director Melissa!
What inspired me to pursue a career in vet med?
From an early age, my connection with animals grew stronger as I nurtured relationships with my horses and personal pets. Their unwavering love, trust, and devotion created a deep sense of responsibility within me to protect and care for them. This ultimately led me to pursue veterinary medicine, where I could become a voice for animals and reciprocate the unconditional love they have given me throughout my life.
What do I love most about working with animals?
Animals offer unconditional love and companionship, creating strong emotional bonds between humans and their furry friends. They can be incredibly intelligent and empathetic, allowing us to learn from them and grow as individuals. Caring for animals teaches responsibility and empathy, encouraging us to think beyond ourselves and prioritize the well-being of others.
My free time outside of work:
My husband and I love to cut loose on the weekends by attending Sprint Car races, Mariners Games, working in the yard when the weather permits! We are avid outdoors people and love to spend time disconnecting from our busy careers by going to our remote property located in Northeastern WA.
Compassionate care and what it means to me:
It is a multifaceted concept that encompasses empathy, kindness, and understanding. Respecting the individual needs of a patient and providing emotional support for clients and animals during stressful or uncomfortable situations. As a leader of this practice, it also means encouraging a supportive and collaborative work environment that prioritizes the well-being of both animals and veterinary staff.
Pets of my own:
Oh, you mean the SUNSHINE of my LIFE Billie and Bruce? Yes, how much time do you have? Billie is my almost 10 year old Mini Rat Terrier. She is my heart dog and love of my life. To best describe her, I would say she is very confident, loving, silly and very in tuned with me. My life is better because she's a part of it and she is loved by me and her dad in an unmeasurable way. Bruce is our 9 month old English Mastiff which a lot of our clients have met and seen grow up in the clinic. He is a polite gentleman that LOVES his aunties and uncles at AHOP. He is playful and also somehow lazy at the same time. Very loving and has been the best puppy to train and have in our lives. Everyone loves Bruce!
How do you hope to make a difference in clients and their pets lives?
By celebrating the special bond between pets and their owners by recognizing and honoring the important role pets play in their families' lives. When they aren't feeling their best, working to get them care so they can live fun and vibrant lives with their family.