Meet Our Staff
  • Mon-Thurs: 8am - 5pm 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:

  • 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. 
    Trent enjoys working on his Mustang, playing soccer and photography. He also enjoys spending time with family, friends. Trent and his wife have a cat named Helen, 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, traveling and hanging out with his dogs Hank and Maisy.

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

  • Renee Allison

    Receptionist
    Renee was born in Knoxville, TN. She comes to us with extensive history in nursing, managing, customer service and also has worked with area animal rescues and comes with tons of animal knowledge.
    She enjoys Hiking, being outdoors and hanging out with her dogs in her spare time.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2021
    Interests:
    Dog Rescue

  • Jessica Norman

    Receptionist/ Veterinary Assistant
    Jessica was raised in Bellevue NE, and attended Papillion/ La Vista High School. She has extensive training in dog behavior and enjoys teaching nutrition and dog training tips.
    Jessica has worked with area dog rescues and enjoys time outdoor with her dog Murdock.
    Years in Practice:
    Feb 14, 2022
    Interests:
    Dog training, nutrition

  • Jessa Fisher

    Veterinary Receptionist 
    Years in Practice:
    Feb 14, 2022

  • Stacey Smth

    Veterinary Receptionist
    Years in Practice:
    Feb 14, 2022

  • Jay Hewitt

    Veterinary Assistant 
    Jay grew in Nelson NE and attended Lawrence / Nelson High School. He is currently attending UNL, Double majoring animal Science and fishery and wildlife. Set to graduate with a bachelors in May 2022. 
    Jay loves to be outdoors, hiking and fishing n his spare time. 
    Years in Practice:
    Feb 14, 2022
    Education:
    Double Majoring in Animal Science / Fishery and Wildlife

  • Christine Vance

    Veterinary Receptionist 
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2014

  • Megan Riesberg

    Veterinary Assistant 
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2021