Clinic Champions

Every day, veterinary nurses/technicians make a positive impact on their clients, patients, coworkers, and greater community. But the stories behind each and every one of these professionals are often overlooked due to the selfless nature of working in veterinary medicine. Today’s Veterinary Nurse and CareCredit aim to shine a light on some of these stories with the Clinic Champions series.

Each issue, TVN will honor a veterinary nurse for their contributions in community service, scholarship, advocacy, or innovation. This series, which is sponsored by CareCredit, will highlight unsung heroes who make a lasting impact on their patients and community. At the end of the year, 1 of the 4 honorees will be recognized as the Clinic Champion of the Year. This individual will receive a trip to VMX in Orlando, Florida, including registration, hotel, and airfare.

To nominate a veterinary nurse/technician, click here.

Congratulations to TVN’s 2024 Clinic Champion of the Year, Kathryn Mongrain of The Bottle Brigade!

Meet the 2025 Clinic Champions honorees below:

• Lahari Kankar

The City of Angels includes an angel in Kankar, who dedicates her time and resources to the Underdog Community Project, an organization that brings no-cost veterinary care to residents of Skid Row in California.

Meet the Past Clinic Champion Honorees

2024 Clinic Champions honorees:

• Don Montes

One simple question from a former client changed the course of Montes’ career and brought a unique essential service to the pets and people of NYC.

• Cheri Herschell

The link between human domestic violence and animal abuse is becoming more widely recognized thanks to advocates like Herschell who provides training to clinics and emotional support and resources to victims going through the legal system.

• Amber LaRock

LaRock chronicles her time traveling abroad and volunteering at local veterinary clinics as @VetTechandTravel, all while using her platform to help others find community and support in their journey to sobriety.

• Kathryn Mongrain

What started as a passion project for at-risk neonates bloomed into a full-time operation complete with complex medical equipment, a strong community following, and endless reserves of dedication from Mongrain. Congratulations to Kathryn for being the 2024 Clinic Champion of the Year!

2023 Clinic Champions honorees:

• Jennifer Lettich-Snyder

Jennifer let her love of animals and training lead her to not only becoming a veterinary nurse and a mentor, but also participating in canine search and rescue through her local fire department.

• Matthew Rendle

Rendle shares his unusual start in veterinary medicine; his love of exotics, mentorship, and working internationally; and being open on mental health issues in the industry.

• Deana Cappucci

Everyone has that one “soul pet” or patient that was a catalyst in their career. When Deana’s beloved dog was diagnosed with a disease requiring extensive rehabilitation, she took it upon herself to learn everything she could about rehab, and then applied it to helping other patients and veterinary nurses.

• Tammy Wynn

Among the first to begin in-home end-of-life care and euthanasias, Tammy shares what prompted her to pursue this passion, how she wed business and veterinary medicine, and the importance of self care and veterinary nurse utilization. Congratulations to Tammy for being the 2023 Clinic Champion of the Year!

2022 Clinic Champions honorees:

• Cholette Ness

Cholette Ness has lived a life of service for others and their pets. From Mexico to St. Croix to Seattle, Washington, Ness has given her abilities and time to those in need.

• Pam Dickens

From pet therapy in local hospitals to spay/neuter clinics abroad, Pam Dickens brings her passion for helping pets and people everywhere she runs.

• Windi Wojdak

Veterinary professionals always join the profession in order to help pets and animals, but many don’t get the chance to work with pets in underserved communities. Windi is changing that. Congratulations to Wojdak for being the 2022 Clinic Champion of the Year!

• Shaelyn St. Onge-Cole

Shaelyn is 2022’s final Clinic Champion for her dedication to furthering the veterinary nursing profession through promoting belonging, prioritizing wellbeing, and including marginalized groups through her veterinary assistant programs for incarcerated individuals.

The Clinic Champions program is sponsored by CareCredit