Andrew
Veterinary Assistant
Hi, my name is Andrew, and I am an Animal Care Coordinator at Advanced Veterinary Care of Vestavia. My career has taken me through some extraordinary corners of the animal world, and every step of that journey has deepened my commitment to the animals and clients I serve. At home I have two dogs: Kiwi, my Australian Cattle Dog and obstacle course partner who is fearless, ball-obsessed, and has boundless energy — though she draws the line at being thrown into a pool of water during a race, and she will let you know it; and Pretzel, my ACD/Border Collie mix, who is considerably more laid-back than Kiwi, right up until something moves.
Personal Hobbies and Interests
Away from the clinic you will find me rolling dice at the Dungeons & Dragons table, out on the paintball field, or running canine obstacle courses with my dogs. Yes, the hobby and the career do tend to overlap.
Favorite Part of My Job
Client education is my passion — particularly advocating for what a pet truly needs and giving them a voice in the room. I also love the bonds I form with each dog and cat in our care and watching how they change over time. Every animal has a story, and being part of it is a privilege.
Why I Chose This Profession
It started with my dad. I began helping him with maintenance work at a working dog company, and somewhere along the way the dogs stole the show. I kept finding myself gravitating toward the animals in every role I took on, and eventually I stopped fighting it. Working with dogs — and now cats too — is simply where I belong.
Education
I graduated from Jacksonville State University in 2019 with a Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management.
Work History
Before joining veterinary medicine, I built an impressive background in working dog operations: I joined VaporWake K9 in 2018 as a K9 Wellness Manager, then moved into a role as an Explosives Detection K9 Handler with Cargo Screening K9 Alliance in 2021. In 2022, I joined Roverchase LLC while also interning to train service dogs. In 2024, I brought all of that experience to Advanced Veterinary Care of Vestavia, where I now serve as Animal Care Coordinator.