A vet tech employed in a veterinary clinic or hospital handles many of the same responsibilities that nurses and other professionals perform for physicians.

They are trained to:

Obtain and record patient case histories - Collect specimens and perform lab procedures  Provide specialized nursing care - Prepare animals and equipment for surfery - Assist in diagnostic, medical, and surgical procedures - Expose and develop x-rays - Advise and educate pet owners - Supervise and train practice personnel - Perform dental prophylaxes  - and much more.

 -Lisa Curtis - has been working in the field since 1983. She is a Certified Veterinary Assistant, Level II and a Certified Professional Pet Sitter (CPPS). Lisa says "it's a great feeling to wake up each morning and know I can make a difference in someone's life, whether it's with illness prevention or taking care of a critical patient; and working in a great hospital is just icing on the cake. It's just a pleasure to do my job every day."

Lisa has two adult children. Married in 2006, she is now stepmother to an elementary-age daughter. Lisa has three dogs and two cats.

Lisa also does pet sitting for owners who want personalized care for their pets.

   -Oscar Guevara - has been with us since late 2009. During this time, he became a Certified Veterinary Technician. He is in college now, pursuing a degree in the medical field. Oscar also served in the U.S. Army for three years. He enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and pets.

    -David Guevara - has been in the field for eight years. He has five pets Leah, Daisy, Clark, Lex, and Merlin. David got into veterinary medicine because he likes being the voice for all animals, and feels good knowing that he helps treat and take care of them. He will continue to take the Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA) training so he can become a CVA III. In his spare time, he enjoys watching movies, Nascar, and just taking it easy.

   -Michelle Placeres - a Certified Veterinary Assistant, Level II, has worked in the field for 17 years.

She worked in the cardiology department at UT Medical school, and also worked closely with a local wildlife group, providing care for many species. Twice a year she participates in a cattle round-up, assisting with the medical needs of a large herd. However, she feels her most rewarding experience has been working in a small animal practice. "You get such a broad range of cases, there is always something interesting. We are never limited to just one area of expertise. . . I love what I do, and enjoy coming to work every day."

The youngest of a large Italian family, she is very family-oriented. Away from work, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, their three children, and their many furry children. She loves cooking, reading, refinishing furniture, and even has her own pet-sitting service!

   -Angela Meinen - was born and raised in Houston, and attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where she started in 2001 as a kennel assistant. She advanced to Veterinary Technician, and continued learning at various small practices and emergency hospitals in San Antonio and Houston. Some of her experience includes technician work at the Houston SPCA, and she appeared on several episodes of 'Animal Cops Houston.'

Angela started her love of animals at a very young age, and is very happy with her career choice. She plans to continue her education, and is currently studying to take her Certified Veterinary Assistant, Level II exam. 

Angela's four-footed family includes Dexter, an English Setter, Bently, a Brittney Spaniel, four cats - Dixie, Ginger, Persnikitty, and Sushi, and two dachshunds, Oscar Mayer Weiner, and Chewy.

   -Kelli Williams - I have grown up around animals, both large and small.  My family and I own a herd of Texas Longhorn cattle.  Every cow of ours has a name and is registerd with the Texas Longhorn Association.  I won my first steer at my first Longhorn show. 

I am a Certified Veterinary Assistant Level I (CVAI) and want to continue working towards a CVAII certificate. 

Although I have been around animals all my life and have worked closely with our large animals, I have only been in the small animal veterinary field for 3.5 years, but I enjoy every minute of it. 

   -Michelle Brinker -  Our newest addition to the technician team, Michelle has been with us since November 2011.  She attended Texas Tech University where she received her bachelors degree in Public Relations.  Always having a great love for animals, she decided to go back to school to become a registered veterinary technician.  She graduated from the Vet Tech Institute of Houston in 2011, and is currently in the process of becoming a registered veterinary technician (RVT). 

Michelle loves spending time with her griends, family and her dog, Rowdy.

our kennel techs

   - Jeanette Perez- has been with us since August, 2010, and is enjoying her first position in the veterinary field. She loves working with animals, and is learning quickly!

Her hobbies include family, her two children, and several pets.

Jeanette plans to go to college to further her education in veterinary medicine.

    - Francisco Elizalde -  I am a 29 year old father of two girs, Cathrine, 5 and Samantha, 4.  this is by first job in the field of animal care and I couldn't find a more rewarding career.  I have always loved animals and can't remember a day in my life I didn't care for a cat or a dog in my home.

I currently have one dog, a toy fox terrier named Alexander, and 3 cats, Missy, Tomas and Aireal. If I had the space for more, I would gladly take in more.  I plan on furthering my education in thie field and hope to grow here at Richmond Avenue Animal Hospital for many more years.

   - Natalie Nicole Quintanilla -  As an animal lover, I have always enjoyed rescuing and helping every animal in need.  I plan to further my education in the animal industry with a masters in Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University.  

I have a large family that I am extremely close too.  In my family we have a 2 year old laborador mix named Fluffy, a 10 year old laborador mix named Twix, and my beta fish, Bubbles.

I love to take my dogs to the dog park in my spare time.  My hobbies include spending time with my dogs, movies and shopping.