Thomas’s first experience helping animals came from feeding stray cats in his neighborhood—cats he grew close to over time, along with several of the neighborhood dogs. When some of them got sick and didn’t make it, he made himself a promise: when he was older, he would learn how to help them better. Becoming a Veterinary Assistant at Mid Island Veterinary Practice is that promise kept, and it gave him something he couldn’t achieve alone—a team of like-minded people working toward the same goal.
Thomas puts real thought into how a visit feels from the moment it starts. He greets every client and their pet calmly, keeps animal shows playing in the waiting area for clients to enjoy, and offers pup cups to dogs and Churu treats to cats to help keep them calm or reward them during their appointment. His goal for every patient is straightforward: help his team treat their ailments or injuries to the very best of their ability, so each one goes home feeling better and knowing they were loved.
He sums up the practice in an acronym—P.E.T.: Professional, Exceptional, Teamwork—and takes pride in a clinic that’s clean and odor-free, with top-tier communication and teamwork outshined only by the care the team gives clients and their animals. His approach to working together starts with a saying he keeps close: prior planning prevents poor performance, but above that is trust in each other and in each other’s capabilities.
Thomas lives by the idea of being the salvation the world prays for, even if it’s one small act of kindness at a time. His pets—some rescued, some adopted—mean the world to him and are far more than pets; they’re family. Outside the practice, everyone knows he’s a huge gamer, but fewer people know he’s also a decent artist. He also can’t whistle to save his life.
Working in the veterinary field has been a journey for Thomas—he’s learned a lot, met many wonderful people and their pets, and grown a great deal as an individual. He’s looking forward to whatever comes next.
