PET Emergency Treatment, Inc. runs three distinct hospitals out of Anchorage, Alaska, including the state's only 24/7/365 emergency clinic, and leans on relief practice to keep all three staffed and running. Hospital Director Vanessa Forbes says the team looks for relief professionals who are simply kind to people and patients, then hands the rest over to Alaska itself to sell the job. This profile first ran on Relief Rover, the relief-vet community platform that joined Hound in 2023.

In Her Own Words

What is your clinic's niche: large animal, small animal, pocket pets, and/or exotics?

"Small animal."
Vanessa Forbes

ER, GP, specialty, and/or shelter?

"ER and specialty."
Vanessa Forbes

What state are you located in? What is your practice's name?

"We are in Anchorage, Alaska. Our practice is PET Emergency Treatment, Inc., which includes PET Emergency Treatment, PET Urgent Care, and Veterinary Specialists of Alaska."
Vanessa Forbes

Are you an independent or corporate owned practice? If you are part of a corporate group, which one?

"We are corporate owned, part of National Veterinary Associates Compassion First."
Vanessa Forbes

Everyone has a story. Tell us a bit about yours. What inspired you to become involved in veterinary medicine, and what is your role at the clinic?

"I grew up on a farm and always knew I wanted to work with animals. I went to school for Animal Health Science at Cal Poly Pomona in California. From 1995 to 2011, I worked as a technician and then pivoted slightly, moving into education. I worked as an educator and administrator for both college and CTE, career and technical education, in K through 12, up until 2021. Our managing DVM, Dr. Sarah Lavery, was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is a Michigan State University graduate and joined our team at PET in September 2018. She brings with her over ten years of experience in small animal general medicine and surgery. Dr. Lavery has a love for internal medicine and emergency medicine, as well as teaching. Having taught in a vet tech program in her hometown, she loves to watch owners and fellow professionals grow. She also loves to interpret behavioral issues and help our patients live healthy, stress free lives, especially by adamantly supporting fear free vet visits."
Vanessa Forbes

What are some exciting things about coming to work for you?

"Not everyone can say they've worked in Alaska. We'd love to welcome you. Our Pet Emergency Treatment location is the only 24/7/365 ER clinic in all of Alaska, which is pretty unique. We'll also welcome relief at our Pet Urgent Care. And our Veterinary Specialists of Alaska has plenty of opportunity for enthusiastic vets who love surgery. Come cut with us."
Vanessa Forbes

How do you feel that relief practice supports the veterinary profession as a whole?

"Relief support provides reliability for the client. You help keep the doors open and the patients treated. Thank you."
Vanessa Forbes

What do you look for when choosing a relief professional? This could be as simple as they're available, to more in depth desired qualities and skills or software familiarity.

"We look for references that they are kind to their humans and kind to their patients. Experience within specialty and emergency is also an obvious desired skill set."
Vanessa Forbes

What can a relief professional expect a day at your clinic to look like?

"At PET ER, it's 12 hour shifts, both night and day. This location is busy, busy, busy. You will see walk ins, triages, and surgeries on the regular. At PUC, it's also 12 hour shifts but at a slower pace than PET ER. You will see less complex cases and no surgeries. At VSOA, also at a slower pace, surgeons see rooms on an appointment basis. There is a solid staff with low turnover and newer management."
Vanessa Forbes

Describe your staff and clinic atmosphere. What do you all do to have fun and unwind?

"Our staff varies in culture, race, background, and all come together over their love of animals. We goof off and joke with each other and are always looking for ways to provide more opportunities to relax. Full time staff all get membership to the Alaska Club."
Vanessa Forbes

Do you find yourself needing coverage for single shifts or longer rotations?

"Both. We are open to all rotation options and shift coverage."
Vanessa Forbes

What advice would you give relief professionals?

"You'll love it here if you enjoy fast paced, well equipped facilities."
Vanessa Forbes

Are you able to offer shifts to those who live out of state but are licensed in yours?

"For doctors, absolutely."
Vanessa Forbes

Anything else you'd like to share?

"Come play in Alaska."
Vanessa Forbes