Meet Our Staff
  • Mon-Thurs: 7am - 6pm Friday: 8am - 5pm
  • Saturday: 8am - 12pm
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Urgent Pet Care:
  • (402) 597-2911

  • Dr. Mike Hord

    Practice Owner / Veterinarian
    Dr. Hord is an Omaha native, graduating from Westside High School in 1979. He received his Bachelor of Science in Pre-Medicine & Biology from Evangel University in 1983 and completed his Pre-Veterinary requirements at the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 1984. Dr. Hord went on to attend Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine where he graduated with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1989. Dr. Hord has practiced in the Omaha area since June of 1989 and opened Val Verde Animal Hospital on February 11th, 2002.

    Dr. Hord married his wonderful wife Carol Krumland Hord in 1984. Carol, a graduate of Bryan High School is also from the Omaha area. They have 2 adult children. Their son Trent graduated from Ralston High School  in 2011 and their daughter Amy also graduated from Ralston High School in 2013. They have two cats, N.D. (nose dive) and Isabelle as well as a Bichon Frise named Emma.

    Dr. Hord loves practicing veterinary medicine because every day is different. "It is gratifying to be able to help people and their pets in so many different ways. I can go from being a cardiologist or dermatologist to a psychologist (usually just for the pets) just by stepping from one exam room to the next. I love tying and piecing information together to solve a problem, that is my investigative nature.  When the solving of that problem enables someone's pet (four legged family member) to gain a higher quality of life I feel like I have contributed to something much larger than myself..
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 1989
    Education:
    Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine, Evangel University, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Westside High School - Omaha
    Email:

  • Jerry the clinic cat

    Cat Greeter
    We were lucky to have Jerry join us in 2016. His interests include greeting cats, teasing dogs and providing lots of love and affection to his "co-workers."

    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2016
    Interests:
    Cats, food

  • Jennifer Valdes, LVT

    Veterinary Technician
    Jennifer was born and raised in La Vista, NE where she graduated from Papillion-La Vista High School in 2003. She interned with the La Vista Chamber of Commerce before attending Vatterott College and receiving her Associates degree in Applied Science in 2006. 
    Jennifer enjoys helping with dog rescue, spending time with family, dog agility and spending time with family. Her passion is behavior and helping families better understand their pets. 
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2003
    Education:
    Vatterott College, Papillion-La Vista High School, Karen Pryor Academy
    Interests:
    Behavior, Dog rescue, dog sports and training
    Email:

  • Danielle Jaczynski, LVT

    Veterinary Technician
    Danielle was born in Des Moines, Iowa and moved to Ralston, Nebraska when she was 2 years old. She graduated from Ralston High School in 2006. Danielle and Brian have a 4 year old son named Wyatt. Danielle graduated in March of 2014 from Vatterott College with her Associates degree in Applied Science. She is very excited to be starting her career here at Val Verde Animal Hospital.

    Danielle enjoys spending time with her son Wyatt and their dogs, cats and guinea pig. Her love for animals has transferred to her son who loves sharing all of his toys and adventures with his new kitten Mr. Petty Bones.
    Years in Practice:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Education:
    Vatterott College, Ralston High School
    Email:

  • Shelby Haynes, LVT

    Veterinary Technician
    Shelby was born in Omaha, but grew up in Waverly, NE where she graduated high school in 2010. She then attended Iowa Western and graduate in May of 2015 with her Associates in Applied Science. Shelby enjoys spending time with her friends, family and two dogs Tank (chocolate Labrador) and Kimbo (Boston/Pug mix). She also enjoys spending time outdoors, watching football and going on vacations.
    Shelby is currently certified in infectious Disease management.
    Years in Practice:
    Jun 08, 2015
    Education:
    Iowa Western Community College, Waverly High School
    Email:

  • Joyce Vavricek, LVT

    Veterinary Technician
    Joyce is from Schuyler, NE. She enjoys going to estate sales and auctions, being outdoors, making rugs and spending time with her family and friends.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2003
    Education:
    University of Nebraska School of Technical Agriculture - Curtis

  • Cari Smith

    Receptionist / Assistant
    Cari is from Omaha, NE. She enjoys camping, riding horses, working with rescue dogs, and spending time with her husband and three boys. Cari has 5 dogs, Luke (Akita), Mike (Pitbull Terrier), Kaneeka (Pekingese), Sugar (Pitbull Terrier) and Roxy (Pitbull Terrier).
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2004
    Education:
    Daniel J. Gross High School

  • Trent Hord

    Mobility & Rehabilitation Specialist
    Trent was born and raised in Ralston, NE and graduated from Ralston High School in 2011. Currently, Trent has his certification for cold laser therapy through K-Laser. He is currently finishing his associates degree and plans to get his CCFT certification very soon. 
    Trent enjoys working on his Mustang, playing soccer and photography. He also enjoys spending time with family, friends. Trent and his wife have two cats named Helen and Grace, and a Golden Retriever named Boyd.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2009
    Education:
    Ralston High School, University of Nebraska-Omaha

  • Tucker Piccolo

    Veterinary Assistant 
    Tucker was born in Fort Smith Arkansas. Lived in Omaha NE all his life. Graduated from Papillion- La Vista High School in 2017. 
    He is currently enrolled as a student at UNL as pre-vet and animal science major.
    He has had aspirations to be a veterinarian since he was 5 years old.
    Loves snowboarding, wake boarding and traveling.

    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2016
    Education:
    Papillion La Vista High School, University of Nebraska- Lincoln

  • Karli Andrlik

    Receptionist
    Karli was born in Omaha Ne and graduated from Ralston High School in 2012. 
    She enjoys spend time outdoors, at the lake fishing and enjoying time with her dogs Wallie and Winston (Beagle/ Bassett mix).

    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2017
    Education:
    Ralston High School

  • Madeline Riesberg

    Veterinary Assistance
    Madeline is a junior at Mercy High School.
    She hopes to some day become veterinarian.
    She enjoys reading and running. 

    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2017

  • Jade Cassidy Fucinaro

    Receptionist/ Veterinary Assistant
    Graduated from Papillion- La Vista in 2014. She is currently attending UNO. 
    She has two cats named Holiday and Mingus, and two dogs named Blue (Husky) and Esperanza (Chihuahua).
    She was born in Omaha and grew up in Las Vegas Nevada. 
    Years in Practice:
    Sep 11, 2018
    Education:
    Papillion La Vista HIgh School 2014