Corinda, CVA

Corinda has worked in various aspects in the field of veterinary medicine since 1992 and has been a member of the Just Cats Veterinary Services team since 2004. Corinda  was born and raised in Minnesota where most of her extended family still resides.  She also lived in Arizona and Washington DC.  When Corinda is not at work, she enjoy spending time with her husband, 4 children and 1 special grandchild, as well as her menagerie of assorted pets (although she still has not achieved her goal of owning a camel). Corinda is our senior client service representative, and she has been welcoming you to Just Cats with a smile for over 12 years!

What is the farthest you've even been from home? The Dominican Republic - Punta Cana Beach Vacation  (1859 miles from Houston)

What Question would you most like to know the answer to? What are the winning numbers to this weeks Texas Lottery Mega Millions

What job would you be terrible at? Professional Athlete - While watching Dr. McManis train for her triathlons, I realized that I could NEVER achieve that goal. The word exercise is not in my vocabulary (I am such a sloth) and I enjoy eating and drinking to much to limit what I am allowed to consume.

Jen, LVT, B.S.

Jen has worked various jobs in the veterinary industry since 1998. She graduated from Suffolk County Community College in New York with an A.A.S. in Veterinary Technology in 2004 and obtained her LVT status in NY in early 2005.  Jen then furthered her education and graduated from Cornell University with a B.S in Animal Sciences in 2006.  She moved to Texas in 2009 and joined the Just Cats team as a technician. Later, she was in the first grouping of technicians to receive LVT status in Texas in 2014. In 2018, she accepted the position of Practice Manager. (This is now her circus and we are now her monkeys.)  Jen has lived with an assortment of critters including cats (obviously), dogs, geckos, snakes, a hedgehog, mice, a rat, spiders, newts, and even a crawfish.  In her off time Jen enjoys cooking and eating food, traveling, crafting, sleeping, watching movies from the comfort of her own couch, macro photography, and joking around with friends.

What do people think is weird about? People often think that it is weird that I use to shovel snow in a t-shirt, I drink hot chocolate in the summer, I have obsessive cleaning tendencies, and I really haven't listened to new music since 2004. 

What game or movie universe would you most like to live in? Shrek!

How old were you when you got your first cat? I was born into cat ownership. My Mom's cat K.J. adopted me as soon as I came home from the hospital, and we were pretty inseparable ever since. K.J. and Baby B., her litter mate, were my first cats and the reason I pursued a career in the veterinary field. 

Kinsey, CVA, B.S.

After graduating in 2012 from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Anthropology, Kinsey discovered her true passion was working with animals. She started with Just Cats in 2014 and obtained her CVA in 2015.  Kinsey is currently enrolled in an AVMA accredited online program to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician.  She is our only Fear Free Certified assistant and finds joy in educating clients and colleagues in feline friendly handling, promoting less stressful vet visits, and advocating for every kitty she meets.  Kinsey and her husband have 3 cats at home, all named after DC comic characters: Batman, Joker, and Harley Quinn (aka Baby Spice).  She is also known for having an extensive collection of giraffe related items to which many of her co-workers like to contribute.

What would be your first question after waking up from being cryogenically frozen for 100 years? When can I get a cheeseburger?

What are some small things that make your day better? Snuggling kitties, seeing my favorite clients and kitties, food gifts from coworkers, giraffes

If you suddenly became a master at woodworking, what would you make? Giraffes and cats, of course!

Cheryl, RVT, CVT, VTS (ECC)

Cheryl received her Registered Veterinary Technician status from the State of California in 1993, and has since worked at many levels of practice.  Her background includes general practice, ER practice, Referral Hospitals, and TAMU’s ER and ICU departments.  She received her Veterinary Technician Specialist (Emergency and Critical Care) in 2008.  She truly enjoys training and teaching other technicians to become an integral part of the hospital environment.  She shares her life with a few cats and 1.5 humans and is one of the biggest Sci-Fi nerds that you will ever meet. Her fandoms include Doctor Who, Battlestar Galactica, Marvel Universe, Firefly as well as the “classics”. Cheryl has been bringing positivity to the Just Cats environment since October of 2015!

If you were an animal, what would you be? A badger! (House Hufflepuff, anyone??)

What's one thing do you really want but can't afford? To travel the world on all/every type of transportation available 

What stereotype do you completely live up to? Two actually: I am a total bookworm and will read at the drop of a hat and always have a "book" with me.  Also, I am a MAJOR SciFi nerd - you name the fandom, I am probably at least passingly acquainted with it!

Annette, CVA 

Annette started working in the veterinary field in 2009; in 2013 she first started working at Just Cats and achieved her CVA. Her focus over the course of her years in the veterinary world has been in the North Houston area rescue programs. She has worked extensively in shelter medicine supporting the local TNR (trap neuter return) programs as a surgical assistant. In 2016, she obtained her certification in personal training and enjoys her time spent challenging herself and others in the fitness world. She is currently enrolled at Lonestar Community College working on obtaining her Associate of Arts degree. Her future plan is to transfer to Sam Houston State University to obtain a Bachelor's degree in Education. In her free time, she likes to enjoy the outdoors, whether it’s hiking, biking or walking her dogs.

When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with? Since I have a personal training certification, people tend to ask me for fitness tips, including healthy food ideas and workout plans.

What are you interested in that most people haven’t heard of? I worked extensively with TNR programs in the Northern Houston area. TNR stands for trap neuter return and it is a program where you trap stray animals, vaccinate and sterilize them, and then return them to their home area. A universal symbol to know that a cat has been sterilized (spayed or neutered) is a tipped ear. 

What is the weirdest food you have ever eaten?  Crawfish

Sarah, LVT

Sarah began her career in veterinary medicine in 2013 when she enrolled in the Veterinary Technology Program at Lone Star College in Tomball.  She came to Just Cats as a part of her clinical rotation in the Fall of 2016 and never left!  She fell in love with the practice, the employees, and every aspect of feline medicine, especially feline dental health and nutrition. Sarah obtained her LVT in 2017 and as one of our surgery technicians, loves to see the improvement of the overall health and happiness of her dental patients after every procedure.  She has 5 kids total! Two human children, 2 cats (Morris and Phoenix), and a rambunctious Border Collie Mix named Bonnie.

Which is better - Marvel or DC? Marvel all the way! (Okay DC a little bit - like 10%)

What is your favorite season? Fall! I love the gradual change from the hot summer months. It means more outdoor activities with the kids and Bonnie.  We love to do things like camping, fishing, and our favorite - geocaching!

What would you do to entertain yourself if you were stuck in solitary confinement for 6 months? Read, read, and read some more.  I would probably end up talking to myself and acting out plays based on what I was reading. Shh! Don't tell anyone. 

Lee Ann

Lee Ann moved to Texas from Arizona in January of 2017 and started at Just Cats as our lead kennel assistant.  From an early age, Lee Ann has been involved with animals of all species, with birds and livestock remaining her favorites. At the age of 22 she worked at a large and small animal clinic and it brought her so much joy that she couldn't imagine leaving the veterinary field.  You'll often find her in our boarding room and treatment area, spoiling all of our patients and acting as the "Catnip Fairy."  She has a 1 year old Tabby cat named Skeeter.

If your childhood had a smell, what would it be? Horses!

How do you relax after a hard day of work? Gardening or reading

If you had a clock that would countdown to any event of your choosing, what event would you want it to count down to? The weeks before my wedding

Tam

Tam joined Just Cats in 2017 as Practice Manager after a 25 year career in Brain Injury Rehabilitation with humans.  She chose Just Cats because as a lifetime lover of cats she felt that it would be a great place for her to put her Hospital Administration skills to work.  She thoroughly enjoyed coming to work every day in that role, but human medicine called her back after a year.  She couldn’t imagine life without Just Cats so she landed the "purrfect" part time weekend gig, working every Saturday and Sunday (and loving every minute of it) as a Customer Service Representative. 

What could you give a 40 minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation? Customer Service—I have given many talks through the years at various conferences on Customer Service in human medicine which is also known as “The Patient Experience”.  My favorite quote about customer service is “The Customer is not always right, but they are always our Customer!” 

What bends your mind every time you think about it? Early on at Just Cats I learned a fascinating fact—animals who undergo treatment cannot encounter the “Placebo Effect”.  Unlike humans, they place no value, good or bad, on the treatment, so when a treatment works, it is because it really works. 

What is the most heartwarming thing you've ever seen? When I worked in brain injury rehab, I was introducing our new facility dog, Lucky, to one of our patients.  He was a young man who was in a car accident and had to have one of his legs amputated and had not been able to speak since the accident because of his brain injury.  Lucky had to have a leg amputated after being hit by a car.  Upon meeting Lucky, our patient exclaimed, “He…I…leg!!”  with a big smile on his face.  It was obvious to us all that he was thrilled to see that Lucky didn’t let his injury get him down.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the place! 

Heather, LVT, B.S.

Heather was born in Italy but found herself growing up in the North Texas area after traveling with her military family.  After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology at the University of Texas at Arlington, Heather decided to complete her Veterinary Technology degree.  After getting married and moving to Tomball, she completed her education at Lone Star College.  Heather has been a veterinary technician since 2013 and completed her LVT testing in 2014.  Heather has been married since 2010 and the only children she wants are her pets!  She is surrounded by cats, birds, and reptiles.

What are three of the most significant numbers in your life? 
6/24 – my anniversary
2008 – the year I graduated from UTA
7/30 – my birthday

If you could make one rule that everyone had to follow, what rule would you make?  Be kind to each other and animals.  Especially animals.

What would a mirror opposite of yourself be like?  I'm not sure completely opposite, but finish my music degree (changed degree to psychology) and pursue that instead of where I am today.

Danielle, CVA

Danielle obtained her CVA in January of 2017 and came to Just Cats shortly after.   She recently graduated with honors from Lone Star College and is transferring to Sam Houston State University to pursue her Bachelors in Animal Science.  She hopes to attend Texas A&M after completing her undergraduate degree to become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.  Danielle grew up with many animals but shared a special bond with her little gray kitty, Churchie, who inspired her to pursue the veterinary career path.  She shares her home with two furr-iendly felines, Andy and Apollo, and her foster kitty, Kahuna. In her free time, Danielle loves to spend time outdoors whether it be hiking or camping; she is also a fan of tattoos, piercings, and funky hair colors so it’s always easy to spot her at the clinic!

Who inspires you to better? My parents! They have always supported me and they have sacrificed so much to make me the person I am today.

What fad or trend do you hope comes back? Tamagotchis and slap bracelets!

What is your most cherished possession? My cell phone for sure! But if there was a fire, I would save my cats first

Exavier, CVA

Exavier started at Just Cats as a kennel assistant in July of 2017 while pursuing his Veterinary Assistant Certification as a senior in high school.  He has had a passion for animals since an early age and grew up with a variety of pets including: dogs, rabbits, scorpions, and everything in between.  At the age of 6, he helped run the family's exotic pet shop with his father; it was even named after him, "Exavier's Animal Planet." Exavier graduated from high school in May of 2018 and is continuing his education in the fall at Lonestar College.  He has two English Bulldogs, Jax and Luna, and a cat named Callie at home.  

What is something that a ton of people are obsessed with but you just don't get the point of? Cats XD

What skill would you like to master? I would like to become fluent in several languages- Japanese, German, Mandarin

What is the weirdest food you have ever eaten? A chicken heart 

Jennifer, LVT

Jennifer graduated from Lone Star College Tomball in 2004 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology.  She fell in love with dentistry early on in her career.  She expanded her knowledge in veterinary dentistry in 2010.  She took a five month departure from Just Cats in 2017 to pursue her love of dentistry and worked at a human dental practice.   She soon found that her love of animals was too strong and returned to Just Cats in late 2017.

What's the best thing you got from your parents? Help purchasing my first new car - a 2000 Ford Mustang

What would be some of the most annoying things about having yourself as a roommate? I'm not a morning person at all. I have to have a cup of coffee before anyone can talk. I like to play music a little bit too loud and I like to have a clean house (dishes are done as they are used, laundry is put away).  I also love football and hockey and root for my team loudly! 

What could you do with 2 million dollars to impact the most amount of people? I would buy a large amount of land to open a cat sanctuary.  I would have many of the kitties trained to be service animals in hospitals to help people who are recovering. I would also open as many Cat Cafe's as possible. 

Jessica, CVA 

Jessica came to Just Cats in March of 2018 as a CVA. She was born with a passion for animals and has always wanted to work in the veterinary field. Jessica attended Colorado State University for 3 years where she majored in Animal Science with a minor in business. She saw and learned so much while working in the CSU veterinary college’s oncology and equine surgery/lameness departments that she has decided to even further expand her veterinary knowledge. She is pursuing her dream by currently attending Lone Star College Tomball’s Vet Tech Program to receive her A.A.S. degree in Veterinary Technology. Jessica then plans to return to CSU to receive her 4 year degree and then apply to their veterinary school. In her limited free time, she enjoys traveling the world, sampling all the local cuisines she can get, and watching movies with pets.  Jessica has two dogs: Cookie and Rowdy and two cats: Pearl and Charli. She also shares her home with an Eastern Box Turtle named Rain and a few minnows (really more her cats’ pets but she helps to take care of them).

What is something that is considered a luxury, but you don’t think you could live without? I’m half Nicaraguan and after visiting my family who live there, I believe that laundry machines are a god send. No one likes doing laundry, but if you have to do it,  they definitely make life so much easier.

If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance at winning a medal for? Napping, for sure.

There are two types of people in this world. What are the two types? I’m not going to say animal lovers and non-animal lovers because people can love them but not own any pets; so I’d have to say people who have pets and people who don’t. As a person who has lots of pets, I always wonder who those who don’t have pets talk to when they are home alone?