Thankful Thursday: A Feast of Gratitude

November 20, 2025

This Thanksgiving, we’re taking a moment to share gratitude. In this Thankful Thursday edition, you’ll find heartfelt appreciation notes from team members to one another, a true reminder of the kindness and teamwork that help our veterinary teams thrive.  

Margie Giles from All Animals Veterinary Hospital, Sanford, North Carolina, wants to recognize Cheron McMullen, Vet Assistant: "A big Thankful Thursday shout-out to Cheron McMullen!  Cheron is one of our fabulous veterinary assistants here at All Animals. Since joining our team in June 2024, she has grown tremendously and continues to impress us every day. She brings a big heart, a positive attitude, and a true passion for helping pets and their people. Cheron is currently enrolled in tech school, and we’re all cheering her on—because we know she’s going to make an amazing RVT!" 

Carina Chalfant from Fisherville Animal Hospital, Concord, New Hampshire, wants to recognize Dawn Conklin, Systems Administrator: "Dawn from IT has truly been a lifesaver for me over the years, always fixing things quickly and efficiently. It's remarkable how well she knows all the nicknames we use for our “doohickeys” and “thingamajigs,” making her assistance feel even more personalized. When I do get the chance to connect with her, it’s like a little celebration; she has a way of making IT issues seem manageable and straightforward. Dawn is refreshingly down to earth, cutting right to the point and getting the job done without any unnecessary fuss. Her expertise and friendly demeanor make a world of difference in our work life, and I can't help but think we need more people like her in IT. Whenever she helps us, it feels like Christmas—with the joy that comes from having a conversation with her." 

Rebecca Frausto from Fountain Valley Animal Hospital, Fountain, Colorado, wants to recognize Ashley Dennis, Support Staff Lead: "Ashley consistently goes above and beyond every single day. She has been a dedicated member of the FVAH team for 8 years—soon to be 9—and continues to make a lasting impact. Ashley is always willing to step in and help wherever she’s needed, showing true teamwork and commitment. Since stepping into her leadership role, she has truly grown and excelled, embracing her responsibilities and setting a great example for others.  We’re so grateful for everything you do, Ashley—thank you for your hard work, leadership, and dedication! 

Jodi McDowell from Loyalhanna Veterinary Clinic, Stahlstown, Pennsylvania, wants to recognize the rockstar team at LVC: "Today I want to take a moment to recognize the rockstar group of people who make Loyalhanna Vet Clinic such a special place — not just for our patients, but for each other. Every day, this team brings talent, compassion, and unstoppable work ethic to the table… and somehow still finds time to smile through the craziness. I am endlessly grateful for:  

Courtney, Receptionist — steady, skilled, and always ready to jump in where she’s needed most.  

Jill, Lead Technician — a bundle of experience and calm, bringing comfort to both pets and people.  

Molly, LVT — creative, caring, and able to juggle a thousand tasks with grace (and maybe a little glitter ?).

Lindsey, Lead Receptionist — dependable and detail-oriented, making sure every patient gets the highest quality care.  Halie — full of heart, enthusiasm, and a love for every animal who walks through our doors.

Justine, Veterinary Assistant — quietly fierce in her dedication and the definition of a true team player.

Kate, Veterinary Assistant — compassionate, adaptable, and always willing to step up and support the team.

Dr. Springer — a trusted leader who keeps patient care and teamwork at the center of everything.

Dr. Croft, COS — a steady leader with outstanding medical expertise, always guiding our team and clients with confidence and care.

Hunter, Veterinary Assistant — hardworking, always learning, and never afraid to take on a new challenge.   

Thank you all for the long days, the late nights, the patience, the kindness, the snuggles with nervous pets, and the genuine love you give to every single patient.  We’re more than coworkers — we’re a team, a support system, and a family.  Happy Thankful Thursday to the best crew around!" 

Terina Dobson from Poland Animal Hospital, Poland, ME, wants to recognize Keisha Bushey(Technician), Rebecca Riendeau (Technician), Amanda Chandler (CSR), and Leora Doyle (Technician): "I wasn’t able to make it to the local Trunk or Treat this year, so I asked if anyone from the team wanted to represent our hospital—and wow, did they ever deliver! They braved three and a half hours in the cold handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, and our Charlotte’s Web theme was a huge hit! I’m so grateful for such an amazing team that’s always willing to step up.  A big thank-you to Keisha for gathering the decorations and candy, Rebecca for picking up extra candy, and the whole crew for their time and enthusiasm!" 

Emily Towns from the Payroll team wants to recognize Mitchell Williams, Director of Data Systems and Engineering: "I wanted to thank Mitchell for being so helpful in creating custom reports for the payroll team. He keeps us updated on changes, is a great collaborator, and always responds quickly to our questions and requests." 

Johnna Sierra from Tustana Animal Hospital, Tustin, California, wants to recognize April Carillo, Lead Receptionist: "For always being a star employee and making everyone smile:)" 

Clara Vadala from The Animal Hospital of Celina, Celina, Texas, wants to recognize Erin Holter, Hospital Manager: "Erin is always there for her clinics and will always go out of her way to make sure we have what we need. She is dedicated, professional, and cares so much for her staff and their wellbeing. We are so lucky to have her at The Animal Hospital of Celina!" 

Jennifer Duffy from Bradford Hills Veterinary Hospital, Wexford, Pennsylvania, wants to recognize Wendy Colonello, Head Technician: "Wendy has been such a huge support for me as I navigate being a new Chief of Staff. I cannot thank her enough for her constant support and positivity. She is the best!" 

Jennifer also wants to recognize Heather Mallozzi, Head Surgery Technician: "Heather is the woman behind the curtain at Bradford Hills! She works so hard to ensure we have everything we need to keep things running efficiently, and she is always so positive and willing to help. Thank you for everything you do, Heather!" 

Finally, Jennifer wants to recognize Carly Papst, CVT, Lead Teaching and Development Technician: "Carley is the hardest worker I have ever met! She has made such an incredible impact teaching and guiding the team at Bradford Hills, especially in surgery. I don’t know what we would do without her! Thank you for everything you do, Carley!" 

Tiffany Plourde from Lucerne Veterinary Hospital, Dedham, Maine, wants to recognize Tanya McDonald, LVT Team Lead: "Tonya deserves recognition on this Thankful Thursday for being a steady force throughout a storm.  Our practice has had a lot of changes recently; she has been calm, reliable, and willing to help.  Her hard work is greatly appreciated!" 

Amy Douglas from Sanford Animal Hospital, Sanford, North Carolina, wants to recognize Dr. Jessica Potosky, DVM, CVA, COS: "This Thankful Thursday goes out to our incredible Chief of Staff, Dr. Potosky. Dr. P leads with equal parts strength, compassion, and heart. She shows up for her team every single day — not just as our doctor, but as our mentor, listener, and steady anchor through the chaos. She makes tough days lighter, challenges us to grow, and reminds us why we love what we do. Her dedication to our patients, clients, and team doesn’t go unnoticed. We are so grateful to have a COS who truly embodies what leadership should look like — someone who leads with kindness, grace, and unwavering commitment." 

Heather Hardman from Macon County Veterinary Hospital, Lafayette, Tennessee, wants to recognize Lauren Trask, Lead Technician: "The recent months have brought significant changes and transitions at our clinic. Lauren has been an absolute pillar of strength and efficiently through it all! Her hard work behind the scenes has been instrumental in keeping our daily operations smooth and our standard of care consistently high. Lauren has a busy schedule full of her lead tech duties but took on the challenge of training team members (and new hires) during a busy period, ensuring a seamless adoption of the new system. Her commitment to the highest quality patient care never waivers." 

Heather Hardman from Macon County Veterinary Hospital, Lafayette, Tennessee, wants to recognize Carlie Shockley, Vet Assistant: "Carlie brings her amazing spirit to our team! Her commitment to creating a supportive and caring environment is evident in everything she does. Carlie approaches every day with a positive attitude and shows compassionate care to not only our patients, but clients as well! Carlie works hard and never hesitates to lend a helping hand to our team. We are thankful to have a positive team player such as her." 

Brittany Klopp from Central Animal Hospital, Petaluma, California, wants to recognize Laura Vyenielo, DVM: "Laura started with straight out of school only a few years back but she has become such an important part of the team, it's hard to think of CAH without her. Not only is Laura compassionate and so fun to work with, but she is also dedicated to being the best and doing the best. I admire her deeply, even in the face of difficulty, she gets it done. It's been so amazing watching her skills grow over the last 3 years and I can't imagine where she will be in another 3 years. Thank you Dr. Vyenielo for being you and choosing to be a part of our team!" 

Todd Ingersoll from the OPS team wants to recognize Jessica Daniels, Regional Manager: "Amazing leadership on the Pharmacy SOP rollout and call. Great job explaining the whys, building support and commitment, and clarifying expectations. You set up a flawless rollout!" 

Todd also wants to recognize Carlos Gonzalez, Regional Manager: "Great job rolling out the pharmacy SOP. You connected with your team, earned their trust, and gained commitment. Really nice job!" 

Carly Houck from Pet Medical Center of Pasco, Pasco, Washington, wants to recognize Tyrone Wardle, IT: "Tyrone has gone above and beyond helping us with a whole mess of IT issues related to a server update, Network redo, and PIMS update (all very headache inducing).  Tyrone was consistently kind, clear, and transparent, and he helped us coordinate with other IT folks (both on Vetcor teams and ImproMed support). When our network was intermittently crashing, he was constantly available and hopped on within a moment's notice to help keep us functioning as much as possible. He truly saved multiple workdays for us and kept us open for multiple days when we otherwise wouldn't have been able to operate. Truly an IT hero!!" 

Carly Houck from Pet Medical Center of Pasco, Pasco, Washington, wants to recognize Kate Powell, IT: "Kate is also absolutely fantastic to work with, she is kind, helpful, and extremely knowledgeable.  She is also willing to go above and beyond to be helpful, a standout instance was when she called into the clinic to follow-up on a ticket that she had recently stepped in to help with, and she ended up helping resolve 2 other major issues within the same call, even staying late beyond her normal day to get things resolved for us (she was even going out on PTO the next day, but still stayed late to fix things for us so we didn't have to wait until the next week).  She is truly phenomenal, and we are SO THANKFUL for all her kindness and support!!" 

Carly Houck from Pet Medical Center of Pasco, Pasco, Washington, wants to recognize Chad Spring, Regional Manager: "I’m so thankful for our Regional Manager, Chad! Since day one, he’s been an incredible source of support—helping me learn the Vetcor way and settle into my role. Through all the change our practice has experienced, from adding 3 new DVMs and updating equipment to revamping our Wellness Plans and even navigating a PIMS update and renovation, Chad has been there every step of the way. He’s a wonderful thought partner who’s always ready to brainstorm, problem-solve, and celebrate wins, whether it’s fine-tuning ideas for us to win with Summer Splash or helping to guide us through major transitions like updating our PIMS.  On behalf of my team as well, we’re so thankful for his steady support, positivity, and dedication to our clinic’s continued growth and success!" 

Jessica Daniels from the OPS team wants to recognize Cesar Molina, Director of Operations: "I wanted to say thank you to Cesar Molina for being a great resource, leader, and support. He often challenges me to think differently and consider all possibilities in my decision making. I appreciate his support and willingness to always take my phone calls. Thanks Cesar!” 

Cortney Cote from Meadow Pond Animal Hospital, Moultonborough, New Hampshire, wants to recognize Jen Conn, Hospital Manager: "Jen has been with me for almost one year and I could not do my job without her. I have known Jen for a long time and was so excited when she accepted the position to help me run our clinic. We had a large staff turnover which was unexpected right before our busy time, and she handled everything with grace.  I try to remind her frequently how fortunate we are to have her." 

Lisa Tharp from Pittsburgh Spay and Vaccination Clinic, Verona, Pennsylvania, wants to recognize Maureen Bryan, LVT: "Congratulations are in order for our tech Maureen for passing her test. She is now a licensed vet tech. We are so proud of her and all of her achievements. " 

Mandy Tinker from Aspen Springs Animal Hospital, Bowmanville, Ontario, wants to recognize Dawn Conklin, Systems Administrator: "Dawn was a huge help in our recent server migration - she ensured Unified Technologies understood their role and everything that needed to be completed. She was also an advocate for me when I didn't hear back from UT on urgent matters. Thanks, Dawn for being so amazing at your job!" 

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

Dr. Christine Layton, COSA: "Dr. Layton has been an amazing addition to our leadership team! She makes herself available to help assist any of our teams in the region that need assistance and is always kind and professional. She listens to others and is always clear and calm in her communication. Dr. Layton has helped tremendously with hospitals that are in need of extra assistance, and she is always willing to help with difficult situations. I am so grateful to be able to collaborate with her to lead this region!" 

Dimetra Tsitso, Hospital Manager: "I recently asked Dimetra if she could help provide some interim support for a hospital that is between hospital managers. Dimetra didn't hesitate to say yes and jumped in with both feet to help out! The team is grateful for her support as am I, thank you so much Dimetra!" 

The team at Village Veterinarian: "I would like to thank the team at Village Veterinarian! They have been through an enormous amount of change in a very short time. The team is remaining positive through the challenges and jumping in to help where needed. You are all very much appreciated!!" 

Danielle Mercado from Service Center, Woodstock, Georgia, wants to recognize Jennifer Kraniak, Hospital Manager, Linda Acuna, Lead CSR, Dr. Elizabeth Hamblin, and CJ,Veterinary Assistant: "Today, I want to take a moment to express heartfelt gratitude to an incredible team who has shown unwavering dedication and grace through this time of transition at Affordable Vet Center.  

Jennifer Kraniak — Thank you for stepping in with strength, heart, and precision. Your leadership and steady presence have been a guiding light for the team, and you are doing a phenomenal job keeping everything running seamlessly.  

Linda Acuna — You continue to be the backbone of consistency and care. Your commitment to ensuring that clients and their pets receive the best possible service, no matter what, is nothing short of inspiring. You embody operational excellence at its finest.  

Dr. Elizabeth Hamblin — Your compassion radiates through every interaction. You advocate fiercely for your team, your clients, and your patients, always leading with empathy and grace. Your heart for healing and humanity shines through everything you do.  

CJ — What a rare and refreshing energy you bring! Your honesty is as sharp and true as an arrow finding its mark, and your passion for pets and people is powerful. You are a kindred spirit, an epic human, and a reminder that authenticity fuels connection. Thank you all for being the steady rhythm that keeps this practice strong. Your teamwork, resilience, and heart remind us what makes this veterinary life extraordinary." 

Heidi Dunning from Aspen Springs Animal Hospital, Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, wants to recognize Mandy Tinker, Hospital Manager: "Aspen Springs Animal Hospital is NUTS about our Hospital Manager!  We’re celebrating Mandy for Hospital Manager Appreciation Week (November 9 to 15th) — and we couldn’t imagine our clinic without her! Just like one of her favorite animals, squirrels; Mandy is always busy behind the scenes: keeping things organized, tackling challenges head-on, and storing up positivity for the whole team. She constantly puts the clinic’s needs first and creates a supportive, upbeat atmosphere for everyone. Thank you, Mandy, for all that you do — we’re truly nuts about you!" 

Eric Detrick from Always Compassionate Veterinary Care, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, wants to recognize Jessica Evanchak, Receptionist: "Jess received an outstanding shout out to the HM (via telephone) regarding her excellent customer service skills. The chiefs and I are so proud of her! "