Team Member Highlight: Viviane Ildefonso Williams

If you have come in to 1st Pet Veterinary Centers in Mesa, you have probably met our vivacious Veterinary Assistant, Viviane Ildefonso Williams. Viviane, has worked with us at 1st Pet for the past 7 years. Her favorite part of the job is helping sick patients and by helping them, they get to go home with their family. That’s the whole reason why we do what we do here at 1st Pet!

Prior to entering into the veterinary field Viviane’s life was all about swimming, even coming close to making the Olympics! Her love for kids and swimming are evident as she continues to teach her kids how to swim. Viviane, has been married for 13 years and together they enjoy their furry ‘kids’, comprised of 4 cats and a Border Collie puppy named, Frankie. We are happy to have, Viviane, on our Team at, 1st Pet!

Getting to Know Dr. Jennifer Fitzpatrick

Some of you may already know Dr. Jennifer Fitzpatrick, as she has been with 1^st Pet for about 8 years.  Currently working out of our North Valley Hospital, Dr. Fitzpatrick started out working in human hospitals as an ECG technician, patient care technician, and CNA. She graduated from Kansas State University as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 2003.  She worked at a small animal and equine hospital for her first 2 years as a Veterinarian. 

After moving to Arizona, she began working in small animal emergency at North Valley and has been there since! Dr. Fitzpatrick has loved getting to know clients and their pets over their long-term visits to the hospital through the years. One of her favorite memories is when she was able to come to the aid of a distressed client that thought she would have to euthanize her beloved dog due to pain and trouble moving around. Dr. Fitzpatrick was able to prescribe a combination of medications that were not sedating and helped the dog improve and feel so much better that the owner is able to go on hikes with her dog and spend more quality time with her friend. These are the types of long-term outcomes that she really enjoys most!

When not at work, Dr. Fitzpatrick is an avid horseback rider and loves competing in Eventing (a 3-day, 3-phase sport including dressage, stadium jumping, and cross-country jumping).  She even used to be a licensed jockey and exercise rider in Kansas and Nebraska!  She owns a 5 year old horse named EverClear, and she and her husband happily take care of their many 4-legged ‘children’, including 3 young Pitties and a 10yo Great Dane (even though one of them only has 3 legs J)

1st Pet welcomes Dr. Heather Lindgren!

We would like to introduce one of our newest doctors, Dr. Heather Lindgren. Dr. Lindgren joined our team at 1^st Pet five months ago and is works out of our Mesa location.  Dr. Lindgren started working in a restaurant at 16 years old and considered acquiring a major in dance, but then developed a desire to become an equine ambulatory veterinarian.  So, off to vet school she went!  After graduation, she began working at a mixed animal practice due to her love for horses, but after a year she switched over to small animal practice where she has remained for the last nine years – and now she is here with us at 1^st Pet! 

Dr. Lindgren loves doing surgery of all types, but especially wound care.  The cases that seem to be the most rewarding for her is when a surgery or medical treatment of a problem helps pets live longer, more comfortable and happy.  She says “It is nice to know that your expertise and advice has had such a positive impact on the lives of pets as well as on the lives of people.”  And that nicely summarizes why we do what we do here at 1^st Pet! 

When she is not at work, Dr. Lindgren spends time with her husband of 8 years and her 16 month old son whom she describes as the love of her life!  She loves being a mother and aunt to her nieces and nephews as she comes from a large family with many brothers and sisters. Her family is rounded out with her three dogs - a boxer, Boston terrier, and French bulldog. 

We are so happy to have Dr. Lindgren on our Team here at 1^st Pet!  And we know you will be too!

Noah's incredible journey!

Noah’s mom and family is A-MAZING!!! What a difference a caring pet parent can make in a pet’s life.

“Ground Zero, Noah had a rough couple of nights at 1^st Pet

Noah’s family did everything for him. His mom said it was like having a new born baby and having to do everything for that child, even holding his head just right while he ate so he didn’t aspirate his food. He couldn’t stand so going to the bathroom was not only challenging but also messy and she gave him lots of baths. Doing all of this for a little tiny baby that fits snuggly in your arms is one thing, but to do this for Noah was quite a challenge.  He is a large dog.

His first week at home, Noah was very weak and had a hard time holding his head up. By week 2 he can still hardly hold his head up. Noah couldn’t do much but he had a good attitude. His favorite game was playing ball so his family would roll the ball right to him and he would catch it.

Noah’s mom didn’t just have to care for him for a couple frustrating days, but for weeks. He got LOTS of baths over the weeks. It took 3 weeks before he was able to really hold his head up high and sit up in a sphinx position.

Noah didn’t like being left along he had always followed his mom moving from room to room. So his family got him a wagon so he could still be with his her.

This first video shows how his family took him out and encouraged him to walk.

By the end of the 3^rd week they were using bacon to encourage him to crawl.

  Week 4 he started to sit and walk very wobbly.

 By the end of week 4 Noah is showing even more improvement!

Look at how great Noah looks today!! Noah has a 5-Star family!!! Thanks for taking such wonderful pictures and video so we could all see Noah’s journey.

Thanking all of our 2013 Team Member Awards Recipents!

Veterinarian of the Year:  Dr. Jennifer Flood

 

Dr. Flood is a fantastic doctor and is always a pleasure to work with. She absolutely Love’s her job. She says she couldn’t imagine herself doing anything else!  She also enjoys being  a part of her patient’s lives, especially caring for them from being puppy/kitten until they are seniors. Dr. Flood says, "It is fun to see them grow and mature". Dr. Flood has been part of the 1^st Pet Veterinary Centers family for over 10 years.

Technician of the Year: Tatijuana McMahon 

Tat is an outstanding tech.  She is knowledgeable and compassionate. She loves working critical cases especially surgery and is great at everything she does. She grew up surrounded by animals on a farm. she has loved and cared for animals her whole life. She was employee of the quarter at her location and 2^nd runner up for Team Member of the Year.   Tat has worked at 1^st Pet for over 15 years.

Client Service Representative of the Year: Yulonde Jakobsen

Yulonde is a wonderful CRS. She is extremely friendly and helpful in person and on the phone. She is one of our CRS Supervisors, and is a real asset in training and leading others. Her favorite part of her job is interacting with the clients and patients. She has wanted to work with animals since she was 7. She has 2 great kids, a Chihuahua named Pancho, a cat named Opie, a African Spurred Tortoise and goldfish.  Yulonde has worked for 1^st Pet for 2 years.

Supervisor of the Year:  Merja Reynolds

 

MJ is an amazing supervisor, she has a willingness to help others. She is a great mentor leading by example. There is anything she can’t do. She figures out how to do any task she is working on. MJ was born and raised in Finland adopts old sick cats that no-one else wants. Her last cat adopted was a hyperthyroid kitty about 15 years old  and is still doing well almost 3 years later. She has been with 1^st Pet for 11 years.

1^st Pet Veterinary Centers  Certificate Award winners:

Excellence in Patient Care

1.    Darcy Braaten

2.    Cara Bromley

3.    Angela Cordell

4.    Jessica Crabtree

5.    Pauline Dress

6.    Dr. Daniel Guastella

7.    Karen Hergert

8.    Darci Hoefer

9.    Kimberley Jones

10. Erin Lawrence

11. Trinity Taylor

Excellence in Client Service

1. Lynze Bates
2. Megan Fells
3. Elana Gulla
4. Mary Howerton
5. Allyson Klug
6. Arielle Menick
7. Patricia Morgan
8. Trina Sipple
9. Johnathon Sullinger
10. Heidi Vandeberg
11. Melleny Werkheiser

Excellence in Teamwork

1. Rebecca Goldstein
2. Kristina Hobbs
3. Janine Kemp
4. Lynda Novak
5. Michael Pugliese
6. Jennifer Ripley
7. Tina Rose
8. Matthew Smith
9. Angel Torres
10. Holly Walter
11. Viviane Williams

2013 Team Member of the Year Award recipient-Dr. Megan Begay!

Dr. Megan Begay has been with 1^st Pet as a Veterinarian since July 2009. She graduated from CSU School of Veterinary Medicine in 2008 then did a rotating internship for a year at a small animal specialty practice in Tampa, FL.  Prior to Veterinary school, she worked as a vet technician while she completed her undergraduate studies at U of A in Tucson, AZ, and for 1 ½ years at First Regional (now 1^st Pet).

Dr. Begay loves the challenge of treating emergency/critical cases.  These can be the most challenging and stressful cases but also can be the most rewarding. She loves her clients and remembers helping a client euthanize her pet when she was out of town.  The client was very appreciative of the time Dr. Begay spent with her on the phone as well as caring for her beloved pet.  She brought Dr Begay flowers after she arrived back in town. Dr Begay felt very touched that her client made such a thoughtful gesture during her time of grief.  Euthanizing patients is not a fun part of the job but it can be a blessing/gift to a suffering animal.  

Dr. Begay is married to her high school sweetheart and has 2 beautiful children (3 year old daughter and a 3 month old son). Their family also includes 2 cats and Beans, who is a Chihuahua mix. They love spending time outdoors (hiking, camping), watching sporting events, working out and traveling. Dr. Begay took voice lessons in high school and performed at her county fair in hopes of becoming a pop singer someday. However, 1^st Pet has greatly benefited from her change in career plans!

We are so proud of her and happy for all her accomplishments. She truly is deserving of being Team Member of the Year and is a great person to work with!