Authors

Amy Thomson, DVM, DAVDC, is a specialist in small animal dentistry and oral surgery. She began her career in small animal general practice, while gaining continuing education (CE) in dentistry. The more she learned the more her passion for dentistry grew as well as a desire to become a specialist. Although Thomson enjoys all aspects of clinical practice as a board certified veterinary dentist, she also very much enjoys providing CE for all veterinary professionals in small animal general practice. There is a huge demand for veterinary dentistry and oral care, and she wants to support general practice teams to provide the best care to their patients.

Erin Wondra is a Sales Representative with KLC Financial, where she partners with veterinary clinics and practice owners to help them secure financing solutions for equipment, technology, and practice growth initiatives. She works closely with veterinary professionals to navigate the financial side of upgrading equipment, expanding services, and investing in the long-term success of their practices. With insight into the evolving needs of modern veterinary medicine, Wondra brings a practical perspective on how smart financing strategies can support better patient care, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth for veterinary clinics.

Angela Butler, DVM, is senior director of medical affairs for PetIQ, a pet health and wellness company based in Eagle, Idaho.

Maria Bravo, DVM, is the lead veterinarian at Chewy Vet Care.

Jenn Bench, RVT, VTS (ECC), T-CCFP, discovered her passion for veterinary emergency and critical care while completing her externship at a specialty emergency and critical care hospital during her time at the Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Aurora, Colorado. After earning her Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) credentials, she pursued and achieved her Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS) in emergency and critical care.

In her current role as the regional director of education and development for ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospitals, a Thrive Pet Healthcare facility, Bench is dedicated to mentoring and training support staff, veterinary technicians, and doctors. She finds great fulfillment in education, with a particular passion for training CPR. Jenn is also a certified compassion fatigue professional, advocating for mental wellness and resilience in veterinary medicine.

Jennifer Sheahan, DVM, DACVO, was born and raised in Edmond, Oklahoma. She graduated with honors from the University of California, Irvine, with a major in Biology and Criminology in 2003. Sheahan discovered her interest in comparative ophthalmology after college when she worked as an ophthalmology nurse for four years. She attended Veterinary School at Oklahoma State University graduating in 2011. Following Veterinary School, she completed a one-year rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship at Ohio State University followed by a three-year residency in comparative ophthalmology at Animal Eye Care. She has a particular interest in ophthalmic pharmacology as well as dry eye disorders and retinal diseases. In her free time, she enjoys photography, running, traveling, and spending time with family.

Joe Persichetti is the head of healthcare business banking at U.S. Bank.

Caleb Frankel, VMD, is founder and CEO of Instinct Science. An internship-trained emergency veterinarian, he also serves as a board member, advisor, and author and speaker on the intersection of technology and veterinary medicine. Instinct’s mission is to improve the experience of modern veterinary teams through better technology. The company develops the practice management software Instinct EMR, AI scribing platform ScribbleVet, clinical decision support tools, and educational resource Clinician’s Brief.

Sara Bledsoe, DVM, CVA, CHPV, is the learning & development manager for Chewy Vet Care, leading content creation and professional development. Bledsoe brings years of small-animal practice experience and advanced certifications as a certified hospice and palliative care veterinarian and in veterinary acupuncture. Previously, she supported the development of Connect with a Vet, Chewy’s tele-triage platform, and has a special interest in effective communication and client experience. A 2012 graduate of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine with a clinical year at Auburn University, Bledsoe earned the Gentle Doctor Award for outstanding patient care and client communication. She lives in Florida with her sweet cats, Ottley and Saba.

Gabrielle Acquaviva is a third-year veterinary student at LSU School of Veterinary Medicine with plans to specialize in dermatology. She enjoys tackling challenging cases and values empathetic, collaborative client communication. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her calico cat, Pumpkin.

Renée Alsarraf, DVM, DACVIM (Onc), received her veterinary medical degree in 1991 from Michigan State University (MSU). While there, she established the university’s Pet Loss Support Group. Alsarraf completed a rotating internship and medical oncology residency in New York City at the Animal Medical Center. She worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering in a tissue culture lab. Alsarraf has performed numerous veterinary clinical trials, coauthored peer-reviewed journal articles, and has lectured both locally and on the national level. Alsarraf has created 4 different veterinary oncology practices and has created and led 3 veterinary radiation facilities. Currently, Alsarraf works as a senior veterinarian in Oncology at the Animal Medical Center. She is a reviewer for MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine admissions. Her acclaimed memoir, Sit, Stay, Heal: What Dogs Can Teach Us About Living Well, celebrates the human-animal bond in its deepest form. She has done extensive interviews about her book on national TV, local TV, podcasts and in-person events. Alsarraf enjoys giving back to the community by lecturing to students in grades K-8; is a mentor to MSU Veterinary School students; structured and offered internships for students; created a literacy program for a Newark, New Jersey, public elementary school; is on the Cooperman College Scholars Committee, reviewing applications for underprivileged high school students; headed a local community outreach for years, was on the executive committee for a local Boy Scouts of America chapter, and was on the University of Rochester Parents’ Outreach Committee. Alsarraf serves on the board of directors for the Animal Cancer Foundation and on the advisory board for Get Joy & Company Dog Food.

Tittle qualified from the RVC, London and holds an RCVS Certificate in veterinary anesthesia, and a GP certificate in western veterinary acupuncture and chronic pain management. He provides a consultancy service to, and sits on the International Scientific Advisory Board for, ElleVet Sciences, also writing content for the ElleVet Academy educational site.

Katie Fish, DVM, received her undergraduate degree at the University of Buffalo and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. She was a small animal general practitioner for 16 years before transitioning to becoming a full-time mentor for Monroe Veterinary Associates in the Rochester, New York area, which later became a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner. There, she was responsible for on-boarding and providing one-on-one medical, surgical and leadership coaching support to new graduates at 18 hospitals. In 2023, Fish became the Director of Mentorship Programs for Thrive, which includes “Meant to Thrive,” a one-year medical mentorship program that meets doctors where they are, offering a unique, individualized approach that positions each veterinarian for success in the profession they love.