Meet Your Care Team

Alika McDonald, Owner

Debbie Bednarz, Receptionist, 2004
Q: What is your favorite part of the job?
A: "The diversity of people, and animals, I meet daily."
Q: What is the most interesting case you have experienced while working in veterinary medicine?
A: "A resort guest (at another facility) ate AND passed whole lava rocks, without incident."
Q: What is the best attribute you bring to the job?
A: "My ability to make people feel welcome."
Q: What is your favorite topic to educate clients on?
A: "Intestinal parasites: how pets get them, how to treat them, and how to prevent them."
Q: What is your favorite animal TV show? Why?
A: "Blue Planet. It is both relaxing and educational."

Alina Bliss, Resort Manager, 2010
Q: What is your favorite part of the job?
A: "Being able to comfort a nervous owner when dropping off a pet at the resort."
Q: What is the most interesting case you have experienced while working in veterinary medicine?
A: "C-Sections, all of them!"
Q: What is the best attribute you bring to the job?
A: "The attention I provide my resort guests to ensure they are happy while here."
Q: What is your favorite topic to educate clients on?
A: "Heart worm & flea/tick prevention, nutrition and grooming."
Q: What is your favorite animal TV show? Why?
A: "Megan Leavey. I enjoy seeing the bond between a service member and their dog!"

Jennifer Ruiter, Practice Manager, 2015
Q: What is your favorite part of the job?
A: "Seeing results from treatment plans, knowing the pet is healing well."
Q: What is the most interesting case you have experienced while working in veterinary medicine?
A: "I assisted the doctor in the treatment of a very large wound that did not have enough skin to close (with sutures), so we used a mixture of sugar and honey to encourage new tissue growth. The pet made a full recovery!"
Q: What is the best attribute you bring to the job?
A: "My drive to continue my education, thus being able to better educate our clients. I also remain calm in emergency situations."
Q: What is your favorite topic to educate clients on?
A: "Dental care, pathology (the study of diseases), preventative care and blood work."
Q: What is your favorite animal TV show? Why?
A: "Unlikely Animal Friends because..........they're unlikely friends!"

Amanda Aldrich, Technician, 2018
Q: What is your favorite part of the job?
A: "Surgeries, barium studies and PUPPIES!!!"
Q: What is the most interesting case you have experienced while working in veterinary medicine?
A: "I assisted the doctor with a foreign body removal where we found multiple items including, 2 pieces of headgear, 3 feet of 3 inch wide elastic fabric, a small piece of cloth, a handful of stuffing and a sock. The pet has since made a full recovery!"
Q: What is the best attribute you bring to the job?
A: "My compassion and dedication."
Q: What is your favorite topic to educate clients on?
A: "Heartworm prevention, puppy care, vaccines."
Q: What is your favorite animal TV show? Why?
A: "The Incredible Dr. Pol. I like learning about the different animals he treats and the very specific care some require."