Our veterinary healthcare team
We treat our patients as if they were our own pets and give our best to offer you the service that you desire and they deserve. We practice all aspects of small animal veterinary medicine.
The veterinarian – Leading the team
Veterinarians are doctors trained to protect the health of both animals and people. In a clinical hospital environment, veterinarians work with large and small animals to evaluate animals’ health; diagnose and treat illnesses; provide routine preventive care; prescribe medication; and perform surgery. Some veterinarians specialize in areas such as surgery, internal medicine, ophthalmology or dentistry.
Serving Lake County for over 70 years, Wasson Memorial Veterinary Clinic has been a staple in the community for the highest quality of animal care, privately owned and transferred to the next generation of doctors since the 1950s.
Our Veterinarians:
Dr. Susan Cannon
Veterinarian
Dr. Chris Holmes
Veterinarian
Dr. Victoria Johnson
Veterinarian
Dr. Jennifer Jeske
Veterinarian
The veterinary technician and Assistant
Veterinary technicians perform valuable medical and non-medical services in clinical practice. They are graduates of an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology programs and usually have an Associates or Bachelors degree. The veterinary technician is educated and trained to support the veterinarian by assisting with surgery, laboratory procedures, radiography, anesthesiology, treatment and nursing, and client education. Almost every state requires a veterinary technician to pass a credentialing exam to ensure a high level of competency. Some veterinary technicians pursue specialties in emergency and critical care, anesthesiology, internal medicine, animal behavior, or dentistry. Personal attributes that contribute to a successful career as a veterinary technician in clinical practice include a strong science background, an ability to work well with people and animals, and good communication and decision-making skills.
In some hospitals, a veterinary assistant supports the veterinarian and/or the veterinary technician in their daily tasks. The assistant may be asked to perform kennel work, assist in the restraint and handling of animals, feed and exercise the animals, or spend time on clerical duties. There is no credentialing exam for the veterinary assistant; however, training programs are available (see www.navta.net). The ability to listen, communicate efficiently, and handle multiple assignments are skills that make a veterinary assistant an important member of the hospital team.
The receptionist
The receptionist or client service representative is usually the first person to welcome a client into the hospital and the last person the client sees when they leave. The interactions he or she has with a client can determine how the client perceives the quality of medical services being offered. A good receptionist must have excellent communication skills and be able to handle a variety of questions and requests from clients and the public. In addition to setting appointments, responding to inquiries about hospital services, greeting clients, and managing callbacks, a receptionist may also perform accounting, marketing, or client counseling duties. A customer service-focused attitude, the ability to manage multiple tasks, and professionalism under stress are important attributes for a hospital receptionist.
Other team members
The hospital team may also include an adoption counselor, a grief counselor, administrative assistant, kennel or barn workers, and part-time volunteers. Everyone has an important role to play in assuring the health and well-being of the hospital’s patients and the owners who care for them.
