The month-long initiative highlights the core value, Serve, with team members’ contributions to their communities
VetEvolve’s people-centric approach to veterinary care and support is built on three core values — Serve, Evolve, and Trust. For a second consecutive year, we recently completed a month-long celebration of one of those values, Serve, by recognizing the service and charity efforts of nominated team members who use their time outside of work to serve non-profits in their communities.
The belief in serving others is fundamental at VetEvolve and was born from the beliefs of our co-founders — both Marine Corps veterans. Their mission-first mindset combined with a strong belief in taking care of others is what drew them to veterinary practice ownership. It’s remained a constant force throughout our 10-year history. VetEvolve always encourages team members to think about how they Serve our clients and patients so they always feel heard, respected, and cared for.
In conjunction with recognizing the service and charity work of each of the team members below, VetEvolve also made donations to each of the non-profits selected. We’re proud to have each as a valued member of our team and are proud to support what’s important to them.
Dr. Keith Taylor: Nyaka
Dr. Keith Taylor of Animal Medical Centers of Loudoun is currently training to run the 2024 NYC Marathon on a charity team fundraising for Nyaka, an organization supporting education, health care, and advocacy for over 88,000 orphaned and at-risk children and women in western Uganda. Dr. Taylor felt honored to be part of Team Nyaka during the 2023 NYC Marathon, raising nearly $150,000, and hopes to surpass that total this year — in what will be his third career marathon.
Dr. Carrie Muller: Wreaths Across America
Dr. Carrie Muller of Hoffman Animal Hospital has been involved with Wreaths Across America for the last eight years, assisting in fundraising to ensure that fallen heroes are not forgotten. Dr. Muller, a military veteran, and her family volunteer each year to lay wreaths at the Naval Academy Cemetery, a moving ceremony that teaches her children the importance of honoring those who have given everything to keep this country free. This work aligns with Wreaths Across America’s mission to “Remember. Honor. Teach.”
Dr. Lauren Taylor: Loudoun County Animal Services
Dr. Lauren Taylor of Animal Medical Centers of Loudoun volunteers with her daughter Lilly at the Loudoun County Animal Shelter, fostering kittens year-round and providing general assistance to the shelters. This volunteer work is a meaningful mother-daughter activity for Lauren and Lilly, allowing them to give back to their community and help animals in need. This “apprentice pair” is dedicated to the mission — including bottle feeding when needed — of finding homes for animals in need.
Jennifer Rossi: National Charity League
Jennifer Rossi — VetEvolve’s Northern Virginia Regional Manager — and her daughters volunteer with the National Charity League, participating in various charitable events and philanthropic initiatives, including supporting the Veterans Honor Flight program. The Honor Flight network provides free trips to Washington D.C. for veterans, many of whom are World War II, Korean War, or Vietnam War veterans who have never had the opportunity to visit memorials honoring their service and sacrifice. Rossi and her family greet the veterans at the airport, welcoming them with a band, flags, handshakes, and heartfelt appreciation, and return to bid them farewell at the end of their impactful trip. Learn more here: https://www.veteranshonorflight.org/
Dr. Teri White: TomCat Solutions
Dr. Teri White, co-founder of TomCat Solutions, has dedicated herself to serving the local community by helping to reduce the population of stray, intact felines. Through TomCat Solutions, Dr. White provides veterinary care, including vaccinations, and works to find homes or barns for these animals. Dr. White’s Community Animal Hospital clients have generously supported this effort by donating, fundraising, and volunteering for TomCat Solutions as well.
Jan Sears: Project Linus of Lower DelMarVa
Jan Sears of Community Animal Hospital volunteers with Project Linus of Lower DelMarVa, a group that makes blankets for children in need of comfort, from preemies to age 17. The blankets are distributed to hospitals, women’s shelters, police and fire stations to provide warmth and solace to children, including those in foster care. Sears has proudly served this organization for many years, finding joy in giving back to the community “one blanket hug at a time.”
Kaylee & Roy Hernandez: Hills and Hollars
In the Eastern Kentucky area of Appalachia, Roy and Kaylee Hernandez of Woodlake Animal Hospital have been quietly making a big difference and this year expanded their efforts through the creation of Hills and Hollars — a new charity organization. Roy and Kaylee created Hills and Hollars to reach every “Hill and Hollar” they could with support to some of the poorest counties providing essential supplies including school supplies, clothing, hygiene items, food boxes, Christmas presents, kids camps, and service projects.
Dr. Sadye Soffin: Saint Francis Service Dogs
Dr. Sadye Soffin of Big Lick has been involved with Saint Francis Service Dogs since her second year of veterinary school, starting with an externship and then evolving her volunteer work over time. As a volunteer, Dr. Soffin helps with daily tasks like walking the dogs, assisting in training classes, and providing basic care like nail trims and baths. She is passionate about Saint Francis Service Dogs because of the profound positive impact they have on the lives of people with disabilities, matching each recipient with a specially trained service dog at no cost to the partner. Saint Francis Service Dogs is the largest service dog organization in Virginia and is accredited by Assistance Dogs International.
Crystal Beavers: Lab Rescue of the LRCP
Crystal Beavers of Armistead Avenue Veterinary Hospital has adopted two beloved Labrador Retrievers through Lab Rescue of the LRCP, an organization she describes as easy to work with and committed. Beavers first adopted a lab from the rescue six years ago, and when she was ready for a second dog two years later, she knew Lab Rescue was the only choice, as they helped ensure a great match for her family. As an avid supporter, Beavers aggressively bids in the rescue’s annual auctions, which directly benefit the medical care of all the dogs.
Dr. Lizette Reed: Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Dr. Lizette Reed of Bay Beach Veterinary Hospital has volunteered with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation since 2017, contributing to their Chesapeake Oyster Alliance goal of planting 10 billion oysters by 2025. Dr. Reed gardens oysters at locations near her home in Norfolk and at the boat launch behind her hospital, with help from her staff, carefully tending to the oysters’ needs for an entire year before returning the adult oysters to the Chesapeake Bay. Each oyster can filter 50 gallons of water per day, and Dr. Reed’s annual contribution of 250-300 adult oysters is a significant boost to the health of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. Dr. Reed encourages anyone to get involved, as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will provide water access to garden oysters even for those not living near the coast.
Sarah Kocur: Animal Network Las Vegas
Sarah Kocur, VetEvolve’s Digital Marketing Manager, was inspired to volunteer with Animal Network in Las Vegas after adopting her dog, Chips, from the rescue. Kocur was touched by the story of how Chips’ pregnant mother, Sugar, was rescued from euthanasia at a local shelter and cared for by the Animal Network’s foster program until her emergency C-section and the puppies’ adoption. The Animal Network saves hundreds of pets annually from being euthanized, with dedicated volunteers often using their funds to support the animals’ care. Kocur’s rewarding volunteer experience at the Animal Network, including their remarkable two-week search effort to find the missing Sugar, inspired her to return to the veterinary field.
Woodlake Animal Hospital: Chesterfield Animal Services
Woodlake Animal Hospital has partnered with Chesterfield Animal Services to establish a food pantry inside the shelter, helping families in need afford food for their pets. This summer, the hospital completed an exterior drop-off point where community members can take a bag or case of pet food if they are struggling financially. Woodlake Animal Hospital is dedicated to the “Serve” core value of VetEvolve, giving back to the community that has supported them for many years.
Dr. Danny Montgomery: Boy Scout Troop #1
Dr. Danny Montgomery of Animal Care Center is an assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop #1 in Princeton, West Virginia, where his two sons are members. As an Eagle Scout himself, Dr. Montgomery believes scouting helps prepare young people to be better adults, and he took a week off this summer to supervise the troop at summer camp. Any donations to the troop will go a long way in supporting the youth of the area, an endeavor Dr. Montgomery feels is more hands-on and just as impactful than his involvement in other service organizations.
Carmen Ryan: Save A Sato
Carmen Ryan, Practice Manager at Arnold Veterinary Hospital, has been donating to the Save a Sato organization since 2017 after she visited their facilities in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria while delivering donations collected from various veterinary supply companies. Save a Sato is a non-profit that is dedicated to easing the suffering of Puerto Rico’s homeless and abused animals. SAS rescues “satos”, slang for street dogs, from the streets and beaches and gives them medical care, food and shelter, and plenty of love. When they are healthy, they go to a partner shelter for adoption.
Serve 2024: For VetEvolve and Our Team, It’s a Year-Round Effort
Serving others is a key component of our mission and VetEvolve is dedicated to supporting all our people — inside and outside of work. When veterinarians and their support teams have the support they need, they’re empowered to deliver consistent, high-quality care for pets and animals, and better serve the communities in which they live.
Whether you’re a veterinarian looking for a new opportunity or a practice owner seeking a partnership to support your business and its growth, VetEvolve has a community of people and resources to support you and ensure you can be ‘Happy Here’.
