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Animal House

by Michael Pronzato
Lisa Durham (far left) and Samantha Elliot (left) trims Ellie Marie while Betsy Anthony and Morgan Wedding (middle) struggle to draw blood from a dog that refuses to cooperate, and Brittany Fulkerson, back, grabs the sterilization pads to prep a dog before surgery. The veterinarians at the Wills Animal Hospital had their hands full all day.

The Wills Animal Hospital is not just an emergency center for pets. It is an all-around animal care center that offers check-ups, baths and shots as well as surgery.

“Every day is unique. Every day is something different,” said Dr. Teresa Wills, a veterinarian who owns the hospital with her husband Steve.

The hospital opened on Jan. 10, 1992, filling a need for animal medical services in the area. Since then it has grown and expanded to a current medical staff of 28 people, including six doctors and 22 veterinary technicians.

They tend to dogs, cats, and any other animal that walks through the door.

“I bring my goats in for treatment,” said Tonya Beck, a veterinary assistant.

Part of the attraction here is the obvious love and enthusiasm that the employees bring to their jobs.

“I couldn’t see myself working anywhere else,” says Brittany Fulkerson. “Working here is the reason why I have so many critters. I have four dogs and a cat.”

The treatment room — sometimes chaotic and even stressful — is filled with animals waiting to have temperatures checked, blood drawn, and hair trimmed.

“It can be a bit messy sometimes, but I work the best with animals,” said Samantha Elliott, a kennel assistant.

Dr. Summer Buckner neuters a patient at the Wills Animal Hospital. Summer earned her degree at Texas A&M, and has worked at the hospital for 10 years.
A trash can overflows with hair from Ellie Marie, a golden poodle, who was long overdue for a trimming. The trimming took Lisa Durham, kennel manager, a few hours to complete because the hair was so thick.
Abraham, a labrador retriever/mix, is stiched and stapled after his surgery. Abraham had a cancerous tumor that was removed by Dr. Cindy Wolfe at the Wills Animal hospital.
Medical tools and a container of iodine sit after an examination at the Wills Animal Hospital.
Deandra Buskill struggles to contain Abby, a German shepherd. Deandra brought Abby to the Wills Animal hospital to have her paws retaped.
Dr. Summer Buckner removes a cancerous tumor from the lower stomach of Emmy Lou, a golden retreiver. The room smelled like burnt rubber and skin because the surgery was being performed with a laser.
Brittany Fulkerson, veterinarian assistant and surgical technician, cleans one of the large kennels near closing time at the Wills Animal Hospital. Fulkerson has four dogs and a cat of her own. She says that the Wills Animal Hospital is the reason she has so many critters.
A Pointer named Jill roams outside the Wills Animal Hospital. The dog, who is owned by Dr. Steve Wills, has lived at the veterinary clinic her whole life. "I feel bad for her so I give her special treatment and let her play outside throughout the day," says Judy Gregory, a kennel assistant.
Turbo Pagan lies on the operating table prior to his declawing surgery at the Wills Animal Hospital. Turbo is owned by Lexie Pagan, a receptionist and veterinarian assistant at the veterninary center.