Hidden Valley Animal Hospital

17501 Hidden Valley Rd
Independence, MO 64057

Hospital: (816) 795-7387
Grooming: (816)
795-1630
Fax: (816) 795-9233

www.hvahpets.com

 

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Veterinary Care, Bed & Breakfast, Pet Grooming
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Employment Opportunity
To be the animal hospital the community looks to for quality veterinary care, we will employ a staff who embraces our mission and constantly strives to expand their knowledge through continuing education and perfecting new services which will benefit our patients and clients.
Associate Veterinarian Needed to join us at our busy small animal hospital. We are a full service, primary care hospital with a very large active patient base and a great team to help you succeed in private practice! For more information contact Dr. Mel Falk at 816-795-7387 or fax your resume to 816-795-9233. Compensation based on experience.

Meet The Staff

HVAH STAFF

Hospital Team

 

HVAH Staff

Dr. Mel Falk DVM
Carolyn Villalva, Office Manager

Dr. Mel Falk, the practice owner, founded Hidden Valley Animal Hospital in 1993 as the culmination of a life-long dream. Ever since Dr. Falk was a boy growing up on a farm near a small Kansas town of Alta Vista, he had dreamed of being a veterinarian and opening his own facility. After graduating from Kansas State University in 1974 with a degree in veterinary medicine, he soon found his way to the Independence area, where he worked as a small animal practitioner for a number of years before making his dream a reality. During this time, he thoroughly researched the latest in hospital designs and learned many lessons that would help Hidden Valley Hospital become the outstanding facility it is today, in design, clinical practice, and loving family atmosphere.

In addition to being a dedicated veterinarian, Dr. Falk is an active member of Timothy Lutheran Church, and has served as vice Chairperson of the congregation. Dr. Falk is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the American Animal Hospital Association, and the Missouri Veterinary Medical association.

Dr. Falk has been married to Koko for more than 30 years, and they have four sons, two grandsons and six granddaughters.

Carolyn moved to the Kansas City area 5 years ago from Oklahoma, when her husband, Larry, transferred with the National Park Service to supervise the Harry S. Truman historical site.

   During the process of locating a good boarding facility for her Pomeranian, Holly and two cats, Bunnie and Willie, she was blessed with a job offer from Hidden Valley Animal Hospital and Grooming. This is her first experience in the veterinarian arena and she thoroughly enjoys not only the beautiful pets that come in but also their extremely nice owners.

   Carolyn says even though she misses her 4 children and 7 grandchildren tremendously, she is very fortunate to work for Dr. Falk, and with such a warm and friendly staff. She loves to describe the clinic as “one big happy family.”

 

HVAH STAFF

HVAH STAFF

HVAH STAFF

Susan, Pet Health Educator & Hospital
Cathy, Customer Care Manager
Betty, Animal Care Specialist

The position of “Pet Health Educator” was created for Susan 9 years ago when she came to Hidden Valley Animal Hospital, as a certified teacher of Home Economics and Health for grades 7-12. Ready for a new challenge, Susan immediately went to work developing the training and tools for HVAH clients on all aspects of pet care, such as healthy nutrition, vaccination protocol, heartworm, flea and tick preventative, importance of fecals, dental care and much more.

  Susan has trained HVAH vet techs, the art of educating the clients of their pets’ needs before the doctor sees the patient. Susan and her husband, David raise cattle on their farm and have two beautiful dogs, a Brittney Spaniel and a Siberian Husky; also owners of two adopted cats which take care of the barn. Their pride and joy are two handsome sons, Clint and Blake and 2 beautiful grandchildren, Will and Elena that love to come to Nana’s house to bake cookies, and participate in all kinds of crafts.

To say Susan stays busy, is an under statement.

Cathy began working at Hidden Valley Animal Hospital in 2006, beginning her career as a part time customer care representative in the hospital as well as the grooming department.

   It soon became obvious that Cathy’s warm and cheerful greeting to all the clients, and her way of getting acquainted with each and every one on the phone or as they walk in the door was a real asset to HVAH. Very soon she began working full time and eventually was promoted to the manager position.

   Cathy’s husband Mark and their three lovely daughters, Caitlyn, Mallory, and Alannah, keep her quite busy. HVAH is lucky to have such a “sincere people person” at the front desk.

Betty is an established figure at Hidden Valley Animal Hospital. She has been with the hospital for 13 years and is semi-retired, working on Sunday and Monday.

   The boarding clients all love Betty and can’t wait to greet her. She assists the doctors in surgery, performs dentals and gives excellent pet care. She can coax any animal into taking their meds no matter how unpleasant. All the staff knows if a pet doesn’t want to cooperate, call Betty, they will cooperate for her!

   Betty and her husband Bill have 3 daughters, Ginny, Lucinda and Sarah and four grandchildren. Betty has a very generous heart and is a care taker for all her elderly aunts, uncles and anyone else that needs her help.

   Her passion, besides all the many animals she has rescued, too numerous to name, is collecting antiques.

 

HVAH STAFF

HVAH STAFF

HVAH STAFF

Julie, Veterinarian Technician
Myra, Girl Friday

Rebecca, Certified Vet Technician

Juli joined the HVAH staff in 2007, working part time. Juli attended the University of Alaska, Anchorage receiving her degree in Medical Laboratory Technology.

   Juli and her husband Steve, have two darling children; a son, Michael, 12 years old and a beautiful daughter, Mikayla, soon to be 10 years old. The family has 2 dogs, JD and Bucket, 2 cats, Zac and Smokey 1 guinea pig and a horse named Rolf. Yes, she loves animals!

   Juli assists with surgeries and performs dentals. You might also see her in the exam room wearing the pet health educator hat.

Myra came to shadow for a day last May and the staff wouldn’t let her leave! She is a part time student, working to become a Certified Veterinarian Technician.

  At this point in Myra’s career she is cross-training in all areas and can be found all over the hospital and grooming. She is an excellent customer care representative, pet care giver and performs magic in cleaning up after all those furry little critters. She is just beginning her training in assisting the doctors in various duties. She is the loving owner of Itty, yes a little Yorkie, Isabell, the Lab and Gracey, a Rat Terrier.

  Myra loves to Facebook and of course, study.

Rebecca began working part time for HVAH May of 2005. She attended Maple Woods College for her schooling to become a certified Veterinarian Technician and graduated in May of 2009.

  Rebecca is cross-trained in many areas of the hospital; she can be found performing a dental, assisting in surgery, educating clients in the exam room or attending the front desk greeting clients and scheduling appointments. One of her numerous strengths is her compassion for the patients after surgery, closely monitoring them, and giving comfort.

  Rebecca enjoys her dogs, Charli and Bubbi and also her two cats, Ali and Sami. Rebecca loves to spend time with her family at the lake.

 

HVAH STAFF

 

Teresa, Animal Care

Danielle , Certified Veterinarian Tech

Teresa came to Hidden Valley Hospital in May of 2010 and instantly became a hit with the guests here for Bed and Breakfast. She carries on conversations with them while feeding, watering, and walking them. She gives great TLC brushing them and making sure they are comfortable in their home away from home. Frequently she walks the boarding guests through the offices so they can wag a tail and say hello to the staff. The boarding guests will bound in the door eager to see Teresa.

   She also keeps the hospital, kennels, and grooming spick-n-span. Teresa has 3 children, Daniel, Lisa, and Nikki. She has 2 grandsons, Isaiah and Noah and a beautiful little granddaughter, Madison that has adopted several staff as additional grandmothers much to their delight.

Yes she too is a very busy lady.

Danielle graduated from Maple Woods joining HVAH November of 2008. Danielle enjoys the challenge of turning those teeth covered with stains and plaque into pearly whites.

   Danielle is proficient in all areas of the hospital and especially enjoys the opportunity to educate the owners of new puppies and kittens. She is kept entertained by her beautiful little 2 1/2 year old daughter, Brooklyn who lives in an imaginary world in her little kitchen taking orders and serving up delicious make believe. She also loves to have story time.

   Danielle loves pets and has 2 dogs, Duke and Shiloh as well as 2 cats Roxie and Benny