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 one dog 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 piecing information together to solve a problem and helping pets stay healthy is a great way to do that."
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2002
    Education:
    Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine, Evangel University, University of Nebraska-Omaha
    Email:

  • Dr. Ashlynn Turner

    Veterinarian
    Dr. Turner is originally from Omaha, Nebraska where she graduated from Millard West High School. She began her veterinary career at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Science in 2009. She then attended veterinary school at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine and received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2013.

    Dr. Turner is thrilled to have finally returned to the Omaha area with her husband Matt and dog Emma (Dachshund mix). Dr. Turner has been to South Africa twice to help provide veterinary care to wildlife on two different game reserves. Most recently she helped dart, collect blood samples and place identification tags on two White Rhinos in order to deter poaching and help ensure the survival of this endangered species.  In her free time she loves traveling, spending time with family, running and playing volleyball.
    Years in Practice:
    Oct 03, 2013
    Education:
    Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    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:

  • Jodie Koziel

    Office Manager / 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

  • Jessa Fischer

    Receptionist
    Jessa is from Omaha, NE and enjoys painting, watching a classic comedy, grilling out on a nice day with friends and family and running with her two dogs, Eva (Rottweiler Mix) and Wall-E (Pitbull Terrier).
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2012
    Education:
    Millard West High School

  • Trent Hord

    Assistant
    Trent was born and raised in Ralston, NE and graduated from Ralston High School in 2011. He is currently studying Exercise Science at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, with hopes of getting into veterinary school at Iowa State University. 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

  • 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

  • Kelly Jackson

    Receptionist
    Kelly was born and raised in Ralston, NE. She has a degree in physical therapy from Clarkson College and continued her education at the University of Nebraska-Omaha with a degree in physical education and health education. Kelly continues to work part time because of her love of animals and hopes to one day adventure into the field of animal rehabilitation. Kelly has a 3 year old Collie named Myra Lynn and an Australian Shepherd mix puppy named Bexley Marie. She enjoys traveling to Colorado and spending time with family and friends.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2003
    Education:
    Clarkson College & University of Nebraska-Omaha

  • Jennifer Harris, LVT

    Jennifer was raised in Oregon, where she graduated from Cleveland High School. She met her husband of 20 years at Oregon State University and then  attended Portland Community College where she received her Associates in Applied Science in 1993.  Jennifer has 3 kids, 2 dogs and 2 guinea pigs. She enjoys spending time with her family, scrapbooking, and doing agility with her English Springer Spaniel, Penny.
    Years in Practice:
    Nov 04, 2013