Danielle Schreckengost - Assistant Manager

Nickname: Danielle Shred-n-grass (previous embarrassing, yet highly amusing clinic "lawn job")

Community: Northville, well technically Salem. I rent a small (I'm talking tiny) house on six acres. Complete with pond, barn and exceptionally wonderful neighbors.

Job at HSVC: Veterinary Technician, Assistant Manager, Jack-of-all-Trades, Master of none (just kidding)

Background info: Born in Dearborn MI, raised in Redford MI with a sister who is 2 years older, and a brother who is 13 years younger. I have lived in Michigan most of my life, except for a year or so when I lived in Central California (I still miss seeing the mountains every day). I moved to my current home 3 ½ years ago.

Hobbies: Where to start? I am truly a "right brain" person, with momentary relapses into the "left brain". My favorite projects usually involve working with recycled materials. Every year I make my Christmas cards (sometimes with my own handmade paper). I love anything to do with papermaking, stamping, embossing etc. My art "specialty" is turning junk (recycled materials) into treasures. I have also tried my hand at glassblowing, mosaics, and painting. However, in these areas I only claim to be mediocre. I also enjoy cooking, mostly on the weekends and yoga.

Why I work at HSVC: Because I love my job. Everyday I can go home and feel that I have made a difference. Whether it is large or small in scale I have contributed something. I am also an infamous nerd! I have a voracious thirst for knowledge in many different fields, which carries over into my job. I am especially interested in the areas of Immunology & Virology (My first love was to be a pathologist, to do AIDS research. I obviously chose plan B.).

Pets: I have a crazy farm full of pets. They are truly the loves of my life, yes all of them. I have "the world's best dog" (it's true, just ask anyone). She is a beautifully expressive, but often clumsy Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Dusty. Many of our clients have met her, as she is a somewhat regular fixture at the clinic. She will often greet many of the clients/patients personally, much to many of the cat's dismay. She only has one fault; she doesn't like to be called "old" (Oh, I'm sorry, I don't like when people call her old, I guess that is my fault). I also have two very cute little kitty boys (well not very little) Max and Henry. Max is a 15-year-old blue Persian and Henry is an absolutely insane, very large (but not chubby) tabby cat. I adopted both of them from the clinic as adults, but many times consider bringing Henry back (just kidding). Living with Henry is much like living with a 2 year old child who can climb on your refrigerator. Needless to say, he is a very busy boy. Max on the other hand is "mamas boy", and never lets me out of his site when I am home. And yes I did say farm, I also have a very, very, adorable Barbados Blackbelly Sheep named Elmer. With the help of a few other employees at the clinic, we raised Elmer since he was 3 days old. He came to our clinic with an open leg fracture after being stepped on by a horse. We were going to care for him until he was able to return to his own farm, but alas, I completely fell in love with him. He was raised on an enclosed porch in my house until he was 8-9 months old. Sadly (for Elmer), he moved out to a very cushy stall in the barn where farm animals should live. He has his own pen outdoors to "hang out" in during the day (complete with his very own Dog Igloo), but sleeps in the barn at night with the horses and a donkey.

Children: Just the furry ones. But hopefully the ones with two legs someday.

Future: I'm kind of a fly by the seat of your pants person. Or at least I have turned into one. I used to be one of those crazy "life plan" kind of people, but life is just too short for that.

Talents: I'm sure I have one?

I have really enjoyed being part of the Hidden Spring family. I have made the most wonderful life long friendships at the clinic.