Abby Snyder, DVM: It's who she's always been

No one in Abby Snyder’s immediate family was remotely interested in animals. She grew up in Sedalia, Missouri. Grandparents living in rural communities allowed her intimate exposure to farm type settings. Her paternal grandmother, with her horses and many small animals, had the greatest influence on Abby.

“Maybe the intention to be a vet was always there. It’s really the only career path I ever considered,” muses Abby Snyder, owner of forty year old Grandview Animal Hospital since 2001.

At Mizzou, Abby met her future husband. In fact, he was the first date she had in college. They were married in 1997. He began working in Kansas City soon after their wedding. Abby had two more years at the Veterinarian College.  She graduated in May 1999 and immediately began working for Dr. Cott, the owner of Grandview Animal Hospital at that time.

She had expectations that Dr. Cott, a man with much experience, would mentor her for many years. But in January 2001, Dr. Cott moved on to a different aspect of his field. It was certainly a surprise to Abby. She was unprepared to be a business owner.  Yet her CPA husband envisioned how it could work. Without his tremendous support then and still, she is convinced she could not run a business.

Regarding being a mom of two and a professional, the two cannot be separated. She’s never felt a big balancing act between mom and profession. Maybe it’s because her husband is so good with the kids and helps so much at home. Also, her parents are very involved in her children’s lives. At the hospital she’s focused on the needs at hand. “When I’m not at the clinic, though, I’m checked out and don’t worry about anything that goes on here.”  She can totally be wife and mom when away from the place.

“We hope that our core office relationships are a testament to the way we operate overall. We are loyal to each other and to our clients. That loyalty and the experience of the staff brings clients back,” Dr. Abby confides. “It’s a given that we know what we’re doing and we’re extremely confident in our ability, even while we’re always learning, and we’re proud of our work.  But we’re always wanting people to realize we’re happy to see them. We work diligently to put people at ease by making sure they understand every step of what we do and why. Even when they come in only once a year or more rarely, we hope we can relate that we are experts  so that they trust us.

“This is a relationship business.” Tears stream down Snyder’s face as she recalls an event. A dear friend’s pet died at home. She knew they were coming over and went outside to meet them, taking the pet out of the car. Later the owner said ‘that did it’ for her, regarding Abby as a veterinarian.

“We are family to so many who have no family. It’s a heavy responsibility to want to do and give more. We allow that compassion to feed our hearts,” Abby continues. “And you’re there for people when they need you, sometimes in their darkest hour.

Sometimes things work out by chance, others it’s just perfect order.

Recently we had a boxer puppy come through our rescue program, Hardluck Hounds. We don’t usually take big breeds but this was such a cute little puppy and we did.  My office manager wanted to call a past client.  We don’t usually call people for adoptions. But she felt certain she should and I agreed. That day of the call was exactly one year since the passing of their pet. They were here to pick him up in fifteen minutes. For us it was, we had a dog that needed a home. For them, it was so much more.”

Dr. Abby describes her staff as an ‘awesome team.’ Remember Grandview Animal Hospital at 1006Main Street, Grandiew and call 816.711.5071 for their help Monday through Saturday, when your pet has a need. When it’s time for you to adopt a cat or dog contact Hardluck Hounds at the same number. It is truly a place where compassion and expertise combine to benefit every person and their pet who enters.