Alyssa Israels-Blood, a dedicated office manager, exemplifies exceptional client service in veterinary care, earning the 2025 Veterinary Heroes Award for her passion and leadership.
Alyssa Israels-Blood.
Alyssa Israels-Blood, office manager at Ottawa Animal Hospital East/West in Holland, Michigan, set foot in the profession a decade ago with a background only in retail customer service and a lifelong passion for animals. When she applied to work at Ottawa Animal Hospital in 2015, Israels-Blood hoped to be a client service representative but was offered a kennel technician position instead, a role she embraced.
“I’m actually really glad that it...happened that way,” Israels-Blood told dvm360. “Starting as a kennel technician, I got to see a little bit [of] what goes on in the back, what the technicians go through every day. Up front, you don’t get to see that as much, so...I’m glad that’s where I started and grew from within.” Eventually, Israels-Blood was promoted to client service representative and thereafter client service supervisor, leading to her current role as office manager.
Having a positive attitude coming into work every day and treating others the way she would want to be treated, Israels-Blood shared, is what helped her get to where she is. During her first interview with Ottawa Animal Hospital nearly a decade ago, she was asked what one quality was that people would say she had, to which she answered. “Overall, I'm a really happy person, and I feel like that would be a benefit to the clinic.”
“I know this sounds cliche, but I always just come to work with a positive attitude and just be positive with my team, even when there are really, really busy days,” Israels-Blood continued. “I feel like [it’s about] always wanting to provide that really great experience for our clients and their pets when they come in. And I have confidence in my team too.”
Beyond her love for animals, Israels-Blood holds a special place for people. Her role as a client service representative allowed her to develop relationships with clients while still being able to see the patients. When she was promoted to office manager, she worried she would lose the client and patient interaction she had as a client service representative, but soon found out that was not the case.
“I feel like we're all in this field because we have that passion for animals, but I love people too. I'm a people person. I love talking to people and the client service role is the best of both worlds. And I feel like I do get that still in this office management role,” she emphasized. “When I took this role, I was like, ‘Well, wait, I won't be upfront anymore with the people and I won't get to see the pets as much—it's more behind the scenes,’ but I still do get that in the office manager role too, which is nice.”
Israels-Blood told dvm360 she was shocked when she first learned she had won the 2025 Veterinary Heroes Award. “It means a lot,” she said. “I work with such an amazing team of people here.... This is just a really great profession to be a part of, and to get an award for it is just like an added bonus. I’m very, very happy to be in this career, and just being a part of it is an amazing experience and journey on its own.”
The 2025 class of dvm360 Veterinary Heroes will be honored at a celebratory luncheon in the dvm360 Fetch Kansas City Conference. Click here learn more or register for the event.
From exam room tips to practice management insights, get trusted veterinary news delivered straight to your inbox—subscribe to dvm360.