Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital has the BEST clients and patients in the world! This is true across every one of our three locations in Omaha and our Grooming Salon. We also have a very kind, compassionate and knowledgeable veterinary team. Since you may not have gotten to meet our entire team, we would like to introduce them to you one at a time.
Please meet another of our wonderful technicians, Amanda Kenkel!
Name: Amanda Kenkel
Position: Licensed Veterinary Technician
When did you join the Gentle Doctor team?
On July 5, 2010, I joined the Gentle Doctor team as a Kennel Attendant. I graduated from Iowa Western in May of 2011 with an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology degree. I took my board exam in August of 2011, and have been licensed as a Veterinary Technician since September 12, 2011.
Buddy
Tell us about the people and pets in your family.
I am originally from a small town just north of Omaha; Arlington, Nebraska and grew up in the same house my entire life. This is currently where my parents reside. I have one brother, Jason, who got married last May to a wonderful women, Sara. They currently reside in Omaha.
Amanda, her Sister-in-Law Sara, her Brother Jason and her Parents on her Brother's Wedding Day last May
I will be getting married on April 11, 2015 to a wonderful man, Michael, and can't wait to start a new chapter of my life with him.
Amanda and Michael
I have one cat, Buddy, a gray long haired Maine Coon, who is currently living with my parents.
I fostered an orange tabby named Tigger for over a year who now has a permanent home with my aunt.
Tigger and Buddy
I recently lost my other cat Charlie. I miss him dearly but I know that he is in a better place.
Charlie
What do you like to do when you are not restoring and maintaining the health of pets?
Hanging out with my family and friends is my favorite things to do on my days away from work.
I also enjoy any kind of outdoor activities such as fishing. Additionally, I love finding new things to decorate the house; I like keeping things fresh and modern.
What do you like most about your career?
Serving others and making a difference in the health of an animal that in turn helps the owner. I also enjoy the variety of being a veterinary technician, no two days are the same.
What is one of the more difficult aspects of your career?
Probably not a surprise to most, euthanasia is one of the more difficult aspects of being in the veterinary field. For many people their pet is not just their dog or cat, but part of the family. However usually it’s the right decision, and at least you know that they are no longer in pain and that they are now in a better place.
As an expert in your field, what advice would you give people about maintaining the health of their pets?
A lot can happen in one year, so coming to your vet once a year and every six months for those senior pets is important. At that time your animals can be examined and updated on vaccines if needed. This is the easiest way to maintain the health of your pets. Also, keeping your dogs and cats on preventatives (Heartgard, Frontline, etc.) is important. Heartworm disease is something that is preventable and usually deadly. It’s imperative that your dogs and even your cats are on a year round heartworm preventative.
What advice would you give someone looking into a career in veterinary medicine?
It is one of the most rewarding fields, but also one of the most exhausting. It's not just playing with puppies and kittens; it is physically and mentally taxing at times, but the benefits of seeing an animal leaving the clinic happy and healthy is the best reward ever.
Tell us about one of your favorite patients.
It’s hard to pick just one, but the first patient that comes to mind is a Goldendoodle named Izzy who moved out of state, and I no longer get to see her. She was a regular boarding patient, and I loved playing with her on her walks; there was just something about Izzy. I still miss her.
Amanda with her Fiancé, Michael