Meet Our Staff
  • Monday-Friday: 7am - 6pm
  • Saturday: 8am - 12pm
  • Sunday: Closed
  • After Hour Emergency: 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:

  • 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 her "fur kids" outdoors.

    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2003
    Education:
    Vatterott College, Papillion-La Vista High School
    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 Caniglia

    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 Bear (Boston Terrier) and Kimbo (Boston/Pug mix). She also enjoys spending time outdoors, watching football and going on vacations.
    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

  • Jodie Koziel

    Receptionist
    Jodie was born in Eastern Iowa but graduated from Papillion-La Vista High School. Jodie has been with her husband for 20 years and has 2 daughters. Jodie has a large extended family and enjoys taking care of all of the kids like they are her own. She has 3 "fur kids," Riggs a chocolate lab that she rescued as a puppy who is loving, playful and a big teddy bear. Milo is an orange tabby that she found at 1 year of at a gun club. He lived at the clinic for 6 years before going home permanently with Jodie. He is very laid back and lets her daughter Sydney dress him up as a princess. Benny is a tabby that was born outside at her house, he is mischievous, energetic and his favorite thing to do is shred toilet paper and follow Riggs around.

    Jodie has worked in the veterinary field since she was 15 years old. She started cleaning kennels and walking dogs. She started working with Dr. Hord in 1998 as his previous clinic and came with when he decided to open Val Verde Animal Hospital. She enjoys camping, hunting, cooking, baking, watching college football, spending time with family and visiting elderly and children with Riggs. Her favorite thing to do on her days off is spend time with her daughter doing many different activities.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2002
    Education:
    Papillion-La Vista High School

  • 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. Trent enjoys working on his Mustang, playing soccer and photography. He also enjoys spending time with family, friends and his pet hedgehog Harvey.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2009
    Education:
    Ralston High School, University of Nebraska-Omaha

  • Emma Hawkins

    Kennel Attendant / Assistant
    Emma was born in Omaha and later moved with her family to Collinsville, IL. When she was 5 her family returned to the Omaha area, where she now attends Papillion-La Vista High School. When she graduates she would like to attend Iowa State University and pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. She is on the Papillion-La Vista diving team, enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as her dog Levi (English Mastiff) and her cat KitKat.
    Years in Practice:
    Jun 08, 2015
    Education:
    Papillion-La Vista High School